Campground

Heart O’ the Hills Campground

Campground
A campsite with picnic table among tall trees.

Surrounded by old-growth hemlock and Douglas fir, Heart O' the Hills is a no-frills family campground with year-round access and summer ranger programs. All 97 sites are first-come, first-served with paved options in loops A and C for accessibility. This is a forested base camp with basic amenities—no hookups, no showers—perfect for families who want to camp under the trees and keep vehicle costs down.

Quick facts

Reservation System
First-come, first-served (walk-in only)
Reservation Window
Arrive early on weekends; no advance reservations. Weekday arrivals usually find open sites.
Reservation Tips
No advance reservations. Weekday arrivals usually have open sites. Arrive by late afternoon on weekends to secure a spot. Check nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/campgroundstatus.htm for closures.
Season Dates
Open year-round. Walk-in only during periods of heavy snowfall. Check status at nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/campgroundstatus.htm

Reservations & season

Reservation System
First-come, first-served (walk-in only)
Reservation Window
Arrive early on weekends; no advance reservations. Weekday arrivals usually find open sites.
Reservation Tips
No advance reservations. Weekday arrivals usually have open sites. Arrive by late afternoon on weekends to secure a spot. Check nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/campgroundstatus.htm for closures.
Season Dates
Open year-round. Walk-in only during periods of heavy snowfall. Check status at nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/campgroundstatus.htm
Per Night Cost
$24.00 per night for all sites
Passes Accepted
America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80); park entrance fee $30 per vehicle (7 days)

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total
97
Site Types
Tent and RV
Site Type Breakdown
97 mixed tent/RV sites; no group, horse, or RV-only designations
RV Max Length
35 feet
Group Sites Available
0
Group Site Capacity
No group sites available
Hookups
No hookups; dry camping only
Site Features
Fire ring (designated metal grate), picnic table, bear food storage box (seasonal)
Ground Type
Paved campsites in loops A and C; gravel in other loops
Site Privacy
Tucked in forest with moderate spacing; trees provide visual separation between sites

Facilities

Bathroom Types
Flush toilets (accessible restrooms in loops A and C, year-round)
Potable Water
Potable water spigots available year-round at campground
Dump Station
No dump station on-site
Trash Service
Dumpsters available year-round; trash and recycling collection provided
Camp Store
No camp store on-site; Port Angeles (15-20 miles) has supplies
Firewood Availability
Firewood available for purchase seasonally (June-September typically); limited supply; bring your own if arriving off-season
Cell Service
Limited to no service; download offline maps before arrival
Nearby Facilities
Port Angeles, WA (15-20 miles): grocery, gas, showers, laundry, medical services. Park ranger stations and visitor centers nearby.

Access

Road Type
Paved
Road Conditions
All-weather paved Hurricane Ridge Road access from Port Angeles. Winter snow may require walk-in access; check conditions at nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/current-conditions.htm
Vehicle Restrictions
RVs and trailers allowed up to 35 feet
Clearance Needed
Standard
Gate Hours
Open 24 hours year-round; walk-in only during heavy snowfall
Nearest Gas Services
Port Angeles, WA (15-20 miles via Hurricane Ridge Road and Highway 101)
Accessibility
Paved campsites in loops A and C with accessible restrooms and picnic table extensions. All-weather paved access from Port Angeles via Hurricane Ridge Road.
ADA Accessible Sites
Accessible restrooms in loops A and C; paved campsites with picnic table extensions. Exact count not specified.

Rules & safety

Bear Country
Yes
Food Storage Requirements
Food storage lockers provided seasonally (typically June-September). Use lockers when available. If unavailable, hang food 10 feet high and 4 feet out from tree trunk. Never leave food unattended at site.
Fire Restrictions
Fires allowed in designated metal fire grates only. Always check nps.gov/olym for seasonal fire bans due to dry conditions.
Alcohol Permitted
0

What it is like

Onsite Activities
Summer ranger programs at amphitheater, picnic areas, nearby hiking access to Hurricane Ridge area and trailheads
Trailheads Nearby
Explore Hurricane Ridge Loop Trailhead (3 miles), Ancient Groves Trail, Aurora Ridge Trailhead, and others on Hurricane Ridge Road corridor
Wildlife Viewing
Elk, deer, and black bears present. Maintain 100-yard distance from bears, 25 yards from other wildlife per park regulations. Lockers provided seasonally; never leave food unattended.
Stargazing Quality
Limited due to dense forest canopy and persistent Pacific Northwest cloud cover
Shade Coverage
Dense shade from old-growth hemlock and Douglas fir year-round
Scenic Views
Forest views; accessible to Hurricane Ridge scenic corridor via nearby road
Noise Level
Quiet except for summer ranger programs at amphitheater. No highway noise.
Best Time To Visit
June through September: best weather, all amenities operational (ranger programs, seasonal firewood sales, food storage lockers)
Vibe Check
Forested campground in old-growth hemlock, not parking-lot style. Moderate site-to-site privacy thanks to trees and spacing. No highway noise, just forest ambiance and summer ranger programs. Daytime activity during peak season; quiet nights. This is nature immersion, not an RV resort.
Camp Here If Skip If
✅ BOOK IF: Families seeking forested base camp with ranger programs; RV travelers with rigs up to 35 feet; campers who prefer first-come, first-served spontaneity and dry camping. ❌ SKIP IF: Full-hookup seekers, travelers expecting showers/laundry, those needing cell service or Wi-Fi.
Tips Advice
  • Arrive Friday evening or early Saturday for best weekend availability—no reservations means early campers choose first.
  • Fill water bottles from spigots before heading out on trails.
  • Check nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/current-conditions.htm before driving Hurricane Ridge Road, especially October-April.
  • Paved sites in loops A and C are level; bring leveling blocks if choosing gravel sites.
  • Summer ranger programs at amphitheater—check bulletin board for times.
  • Pack your own firewood or buy seasonally; it's not sold year-round.
  • Use bear lockers (seasonal) or hang food properly every night.

More details

Park Area
Hurricane Ridge Area
Family Friendly Notes
Summer ranger programs, picnic areas, and paved campsites make this accessible for families. Year-round potable water and flush toilets support basic hygiene. Forested setting safe for toddlers to explore short distances.
Amphitheater
Yes, year-round; hosts summer ranger-led programs—check bulletin board upon arrival for schedule
Nearby Attractions
Hurricane Ridge scenic area, Ancient Groves, multiple trailheads on Hurricane Ridge Road corridor
Terrain Type
Gently rolling forested terrain
Snow Season
December-March; campground remains open but may require walk-in access during heavy snowfall
Monsoon Season
Not applicable; Olympic's temperate maritime climate brings rain year-round rather than summer monsoons
Wind Exposure
Protected by dense old-growth forest canopy
Bug Season
Mosquitoes peak July-August; bring insect repellent and consider a headnet for peak hours
Setup Strategy
Paved roads connect all loops; paved campsites are level and accommodate vehicles up to 35 feet with back-in and pull-through configurations. Gravel sites in other loops require leveling blocks. All-weather paved access via Hurricane Ridge Road from Port Angeles via Race Street and Highway 101.
Bath Laundry Recon
No showers or laundry. Hygiene strategy: pack wet wipes, plan for creek baths, or drive 15-20 miles to Port Angeles for hot showers and laundry. This is a backwoods-style campground; plan accordingly.
Review Summary
Campers praise the old-growth forest setting and year-round accessibility. Families appreciate summer ranger programs and paved, level campsites. The no-hookups model appeals to purists but frustrates full-facility seekers. Limited cell service requires offline planning.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Can a 30-foot RV fit here?

Yes. Maximum length is 35 feet. Paved sites in loops A and C are level and accessible.

Do we need reservations?

No. All 97 sites are first-come, first-served. Arrive early on weekends for best selection.

Are there showers?

No showers or laundry on-site. Bring wet wipes, camp towels, or plan a drive to Port Angeles (15-20 miles) for facilities.

Is it good for kids?

Yes. Summer ranger programs, potable water year-round, flush toilets, and flat forest setting. Safe for toddler exploration under supervision.

Are there bears?

Yes. Use provided bear lockers (seasonal). Maintain 100-yard distance from bears, 25 yards from other wildlife. Never leave food unattended at your site.

What if winter snow blocks the road?

Campground stays open year-round. Heavy snow may require walk-in vehicle access. Call 360-565-3130 to confirm current road and campground status before arrival.

What's there to do at camp?

Summer ranger programs at the amphitheater, nearby hiking trailheads (Explore Hurricane Ridge Loop, Ancient Groves), picnic areas, and wildlife viewing.

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Sources

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.