Quick answer (updated October 16, 2026): Hoh Rain Forest Campground in Olympic National Park, Washington, is currently listed as open by the National Park Service, with first-come, first-served camping outside the summer reservation season. Its 2026 reservation period ran June 12–September 6. Winter weather, flooding, wildlife management or maintenance may close individual campsites or loops. Before driving to the remote campground, check the NPS campground status and its recorded conditions line at 360-565-3131; the online status is not a promise that a site will be available tonight.
The campground sits in old-growth rainforest along the Hoh River, with towering spruce and hemlock, moss-covered branches, picnic tables and fire rings. It is the developed frontcountry campground near the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center—not a wilderness campsite on the Hoh River Trail. That distinction determines whether you need a wilderness permit.
Hoh Rain Forest Campground: essential 2026 facts
| Question | Verified answer |
|---|---|
| Where is it? | West side of Olympic National Park, via Upper Hoh Road from US Highway 101 near Forks, Washington. |
| October 2026 status | NPS currently lists it open, subject to short-notice weather or safety closures. |
| When did 2026 reservations apply? | June 12–September 6, 2026; first-come self-registration outside this period. |
| Camping price | NPS lists $24 per night; check official notices for any change or additional park entrance requirement. |
| Number of sites | NPS’s updated park-wide campground table lists 78, while a Recreation.gov overview still describes 72. Confirm actual available sites on arrival. |
| Facilities | Flush toilets, drinking water, fire rings and picnic tables; there are no electrical/water/sewer RV hookups. |
| RVs | NPS describes many sites for 21-foot vehicles and some up to 35 feet. Exact limits vary by campsite. |
| Pets | Leashed pets are permitted in developed campground areas, but not on the Hoh forest hiking trails. |
Do you need a reservation in October 2026?
No advance summer-season reservation is required now. The National Park Service’s 2026 booking window ended September 6. From September 7, 2026 into early June 2027, Recreation.gov says sites operate first-come, first-served as conditions permit. Some campsites or loops can be shut for winter storms, unsafe ground, the fall elk rut or spring calving. This is not a guarantee that every numbered site is open.
During the summer reservation season, the campground used three different release periods by loop. The historic 2026 schedule below describes how those bookings worked; it should not be assumed to be the final 2027 schedule.
| Loop | 2026 booking release | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| A | Six months ahead | Plan early for the next peak season; verify site-specific RV and equipment limits. |
| C | Two weeks ahead | A closer-in chance to reserve when the summer booking calendar is active. |
| B | Four days ahead | Short-window release; the B Loop area includes a campground registration point. |
The official Recreation.gov Hoh campground page is the best place to watch for a new season schedule. At the time of this update, some Recreation.gov views state the location does not currently offer reservations even while preserving historical season information. That is consistent with the 2026 booking period being over; do not interpret a past booking schedule as live inventory.
Why do NPS and Recreation.gov show different campsite counts?
There is a real data inconsistency worth noticing. The NPS camping overview, updated October 10, 2026, reports 78 total sites. The federal booking description at Recreation.gov, still referring to its 2026 peak-season arrangement, describes 72 campsites, including a group site and an accessible site. Neither figure is an accurate count of sites available this evening. Do not build an arrival plan around a presumed number; weather and operational closures affect what can actually be used.
How to get to Hoh Rain Forest Campground and avoid long entrance queues
Driving route
Drive to the Olympic Peninsula and take US 101 toward the town of Forks, then follow signs for Upper Hoh Road and the Hoh Rain Forest. The campground sits in the forest near the visitor center at the end of the access road, rather than on a road linking directly to every other Olympic National Park destination. Allow time for slow driving, wet conditions and possible detours. The Hoh is roughly less than an hour from Forks in normal conditions, but road and gate delays can add significant time.
When should you arrive?
Recreation.gov warns of potentially long waits at the Hoh Entrance Station and suggests trying to reach the entrance before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. to reduce time in line. During the first-come season, arriving early enough to find an eligible vacant site and self-register is more important than treating either suggested arrival time as a guarantee. Don’t count on mobile service while making last-minute plans in the rainforest.
Facilities: water, restrooms, fires, showers and dump stations
Campers should plan for picnic tables and fire rings at individual sites, flush toilets and potable water in the developed campground and wildlife-safe food storage. The park lists no dump station at Hoh; the booking description says the former dump station is closed indefinitely. There are also no RV hookups. Recreation.gov points campers needing paid showers or dumping services toward facilities elsewhere, including Bogachiel State Park, subject to those facilities’ current status.
Campfire permission may change during fire restrictions even though a ring is installed. Before lighting a fire, check current park rules and conditions; never infer that a campsite listing overrides an active fire ban. Store food, toiletries, trash and other scented items in a secured vehicle or provided animal-resistant storage instead of leaving them near the picnic table overnight.
Can you bring an RV or trailer?
Some sites can accommodate RVs, but the campground is not a full-hookup RV park. NPS describes sites appropriate for approximately 21-foot rigs and some for up to 35 feet; Recreation.gov’s individual campsite records show even more specific limits. For example, its listing for Site 26 in Loop A specifies a maximum vehicle length of 31 feet and cautions that combined trailer and tow-vehicle length must fit the allotted parking area. Its Site 73 in Loop C lists a 24-foot maximum. These are examples, not general rules for all sites.
Measure the full configuration, including tow vehicle or trailer, rather than checking motorhome length alone. If you require electric, water or sewer hookups, seek a different facility and verify it offers the utilities you need.
Walks near the campground: Hall of Mosses, Spruce Nature and Hoh River
The Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center area puts three classic walks within reach:
- Hall of Mosses: a 0.8-mile loop under moss-draped old-growth trees, usually the shortest iconic rainforest walk.
- Spruce Nature Trail: a roughly 1.2-mile loop mixing forest and river environments.
- Hoh River Trail: a much longer out-and-back route that can be walked briefly as a day hike or used for overnight wilderness trips with separate permits. A developed campground fee does not replace a backcountry permit.
Pets are permitted in the developed campground while properly leashed, but not on the Hoh forest trails. For the latest trail condition notices, consult NPS’s Hoh Rain Forest guide rather than assuming the same conditions as a summer trip.
Checklist before a first-come arrival
- Check the current NPS campground listing and call the conditions recording at 360-565-3131 on travel day.
- Check Upper Hoh Road access, recent storm impacts, river flooding notices and park entrance conditions.
- Bring the appropriate park entrance pass or payment method; a campsite fee is separate from park entry.
- Carry rain protection, warmer bedding, a headlamp and a backup plan in case weather closes loops or available first-come sites fill.
- Check that your complete vehicle combination fits the specific campsite parking space; no hookups or dump station are available at Hoh.
- Follow self-registration instructions, food storage rules, posted fire restrictions and quiet hours. NPS’s standard campground quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and checkout is 11 a.m.
If you’re planning a longer Pacific Northwest coast road trip rather than staying exclusively on the Olympic Peninsula, AVARIXO also has a separate Cape Perpetua Overlook guide for an Oregon Coast stop. Cape Perpetua is not near the Hoh campground and should be treated as another leg of the trip, not a quick side excursion.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hoh Rain Forest Campground open year-round?
The National Park Service lists it as year-round and currently open in October 2026, but weather, unsafe conditions and wildlife activity may temporarily close portions of the facility. Call the park before committing to a long drive.
Can I reserve a site tonight?
Not under the finished 2026 summer reservation window. Outside June 12–September 6, 2026, sites are first-come, first-served where open. Availability must be checked on site and is never guaranteed by this article.
Does Hoh Campground have showers or RV hookups?
No RV hookups, and the official campground information does not list on-site showers. The former RV dump station is closed indefinitely. Plan to use verified off-site facilities when needed.
How many sites are there?
NPS currently lists 78; Recreation.gov’s campground description says 72. These sources appear not to be synchronized. Actual open sites can be fewer than either figure after seasonal closures.
Can dogs walk the Hall of Mosses Trail?
No. Dogs can be in developed campground areas when leashed, but they are not permitted on the Hoh Rain Forest hiking trails.
Editorial update note: Conditions and prices were checked against the National Park Service campground overview dated October 10, 2026 and the federal Recreation.gov 2026 campground information on October 16, 2026. Always verify the current park alerts and booking rules before departure.
