5 Great Camping Spots on Hood Canal

Christina Maloney | Hoodcanaladventures.com

The Hood Canal area offers opportunities for camping whether they be county, state, federal, or private campgrounds. There are many back-country and boat-in only camping areas to explore. Come find your favorite! To discover more campgrounds in the area visit explorehoodcanal.com, Washington State Parks and National Forest Service websites, or visit visitor centers in Hoodspoort, Shelton and Quilcene.

#1 COLLINS CAMPGROUND

Collins Campground is located within the U.S. National Forest in the Brinnon area. Nestled under giant Bigleaf Maple trees and directly on the Duckabush River, it contains only 16 sites with no-hook ups: and this is why we love it! From here you are within only a few miles from some of the areas most popular hiking trails including Murhut Falls, Ranger Hole and Duckabush Trail. Shellfish can be gathered nearby at the Duckabush or Dosewallips tidelands when the season is open for clam and oyster recreational harvests. The campground is first come / first served and is open mid-May through September. Visit fs.usda. gov or call the USFS Hood Canal Ranger District (360) 765-2200 for details.

#2 SEAL ROCK CAMPGROUND

Seal Rock is another U.S. Forest Service campground in the Brinnon area, however this one is located directly on the Hood Canal with beach access. Forty-one tent and RV campsites are shaded beneath the evergreen trees, some with water views. There are no RV hook-ups but the campground does have fresh water, flush toilets and electricity in the restrooms. Oysters litter the beach at low tide for you to harvest and cook up over your campfire. The campground has an area to walk-in your small boat or kayak for exploring the Hood Canal or harvesting Dungeness and Red Rock crab. Hood Canal Adventures of Brinnon will deliver your kayaks, paddle boards, and crab pots if you choose to rent. Seal Rock Campground is first come / first served and open April through late September. Visit fs.usda.gov for details.

Twanoh State Park

#3 TWANOH STATE PARK

Twanoh State Park really has it all! Located on the southern end of the Hood Canal just outside Belfair, you’ll enjoy 22 full hook-up campsites and 25 tent sites, a pump-out station, boat launches and a dock, showers, covered picnic areas, group sites, a staffed park office and store, and even kayak rentals. Over 3,000 ft. of marine shoreline offers shell fishing opportunities and warm summer waters are perfect for swimming and water play. A few campsites are open all year but the beachfront area is open April through mid-October only. Twanoh State Park is first come / first served. Visit parks.state.wa.us or call 360-275-2222 for details.

#4 SCENIC BEACH STATE PARK

Scenic Beach State Park is located in Kitsap County near Poulsbo. With 1,500 ft. of Hood Canal beachfront, stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and native rhododendrons throughout, this park is “scenic” for sure! The beauty of this park makes it a popular wedding venue but also provides 50 tent sites and 18 RV sites for overnight camping. There are no hook-ups but it does offer restrooms with showers and a dump station.

A group site with outdoor kitchen and horseshoe and volleyball areas are also available. Park trails, beach walking, and exploring the 121 acres of park grounds and historical sites will keep you busy while visiting this lovely campground. Open year round. Reservations and details may be found at washington.goingtocamp.com or call (888) CAMPOUT.

#5 LAKE CUSHMAN

OK, this isn’t actually a campground but the Lake Cushman area is stunning and well worth exploring. Lake Cushman is located near Hoodsport between the Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains. Its clear blue waters are framed by beautiful forests and snowy mountain peaks. Popular activities include fishing, hiking, climbing, boating, kayaking, and swimming. There are several campgrounds at the lake but we couldn’t agree as to which is our favorite. Therefore, here's a short list to start you off: Skokomish Park Lake Cushman with 80 RV, tent sites, boat launch, and lake access; Staircase Campground with 49 tent and RV sites on the Skokomish River at the Olympic National Park’s most southern access point; and Big Creek Campground, a 64 site U.S.F.S. Campground which also serves as the trail head to several hiking trails.