Camp at the Dose Forks

The Dose Forks Campground is an overlooked campsite deep within the Olympic National Park, making it a perfect weekend camping destination. A mild, 7.5 mile (one-way) trail delivers you to this enchanting area and is a must for those who love photographing forests. There are no reservation requirements for the campsite, but wilderness permits are necessary and can be obtained and filled out at the trailhead.

To get to the campsite, turn off of Highway 101 and onto the Dosewallips Road, continue on this road for roughly 8.5 miles. The Dosewallips Road tends to have washouts in the spring and fall so be sure to check the road status on the national park site. At roughly 8.5 miles along the Dosewallips Road there is a washout and small parking area on your right (the pin on the map shows this location). From here, gather your gear and begin by hiking up and over the washout then continue down the dirt road. At about 1.2 miles from the parking area, you will come to another washout (this one quite large and occurred back in 2002) but the trail continues up and around it. Once on the other side, the old dirt road (now resembling more of a trail) parallels the Dosewallips River until it arrives at the Dosewallips Campground.

Since 2002, the Dosewallips Campground has been cut-off from vehicle access. The campground bathrooms, old ranger station, picnic tables, and maintenance shacks are slowly being absorbed into the forest adding a unique opportunity for photography. The Dosewallips River trail continues on from the campground, and within roughly another mile and a half you will arrive at the Dose Forks Campground.

Be sure to allow plenty of time to hike the trail, there are a number of beautiful sites and scenes to take in and photograph (like the extensive waterfall before the Dosewallips Campground). When you arrive at the Dose Forks Campground, a primitive toilet and some bear wires are only additions to the camping area. Also, shortly beyond the campsite the trail divides and you can continue north along the Dosewallips River trail to Hayden, Gray Wolf, or Lost Pass, or you may turn and head up the West Fork Dosewallips River trail which takes you to Anderson Pass.

Spring and fall might be more damp but will see less traffic on the trails. Summer is the prime season to explore this national park, but as always be mindful of bears. 

Trail Conditions (Review the Dosewallips River Trail conditions)

Road Conditions (Look for National Forest Road #2610 Dosewallips)

Weather (Always helps to know ahead of time)