Staircase Campground
The Quick Take
Staircase is Olympic's quiet corner — a modest riverside campground tucked into old-growth forest along the Skokomish River, far enough from the park's marquee attractions that most tourists never bother. That's exactly the point. The campground sits at the end of a partially unpaved road northwest of Hoodsport, and the drive alone filters out the casual crowd. Sites are shaded by massive conifers and spread along the river, so you fall asleep to moving water instead of your neighbor's generator. The trade-off is real: no flush toilets, no showers, no cell service, and no RV access. You're trading every modern convenience for genuine solitude in one of the last temperate rainforests on the continent. At twenty dollars a night, it's a steal for hikers and backpackers who want a base camp for the Skokomish Valley trails without the zoo-like atmosphere of Hoh or Kalaloch. Choose Staircase if you want Olympic the way it was before Instagram discovered it.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 49 sites are reservable.
Book at Olympic LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
No RVs. No electrical hookups.
Pro Tips
Riverside sites are the prize here — when booking, look for sites closest to the Skokomish River for the best sound and morning light. The campground is small enough that even interior sites feel private, but waterside spots are worth the effort.
Use Staircase as a launching pad for the Staircase Rapids Loop, an easy two-mile trail that starts right from camp and crosses a suspension bridge over the river. For a bigger day, continue up the North Fork Skokomish Trail into serious backcountry without needing a wilderness permit for the day hike portion.
Stock up on everything in Hoodsport before you turn onto Highway 119 — there is no camp store, no ice, and no reliable cell signal once you leave town. Bring extra firewood too; it's sold on-site but supply can be unpredictable late in the season.
Photos
NPS Photo/C. BubarGetting There
Directions
Staircase Campground is located Northwest of Hoodsport, WA. It is accessed by Highway 119, which will then turn into an unpaved road. Highway 119 connects to Highway 101 in Hoodsport, WA.
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