I'm in the process of planning our summer trip to the Olympic Peninsula in WA (travelling 101 around the peninsula) and I was gutted to see that all the National Forest sites have 21-foot limit. We're 40 feet, so obviously much bigger, but I also know that sometimes the site sizes are conservative.Anyone have experience in these campgrounds (e.g. Kalaloch, Mora, Heart O The Hills...)? Are they really 21-foot limits? How much wiggle room is there?Any other decent, inexpensive, options along this route?

Their rules state that sites accomodate 21 feet (or smaller) well. But it does say that there are larger sites in some of the major campgrounds.

Kalaloch has 9 sites for 40'. They go fast. Better check now. South Beach has a few sites, but first come. I have stayed in Forks to visit Hoh Rain Forest. There is a private CG on the road into Hoh.

nina_70 wrote:I'm in the process of planning our summer trip to the Olympic Peninsula in WA (travelling 101 around the peninsula) and I was gutted to see that all the National Forest sites have 21-foot limit. We're 40 feet, so obviously much bigger, but I also know that sometimes the site sizes are conservative.Anyone have experience in these campgrounds (e.g. Kalaloch, Mora, Heart O The Hills...)? Are they really 21-foot limits? How much wiggle room is there?Any other decent, inexpensive, options along this route?Its a case of the access roads are too narrow to get your 40' around the turns.

NO, not all sites 21 foot limit. But very few "oversize" sites. Heart O Hills; I wouldn't take 40 ft into of some loops. Most of the places you are asking about have private parks close by for any size. Not exactly "camping" 10 feet from neighbor but you can take your toad to see NF. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfleLjZ3fd8 typical about the places your asking about, matter of fact filmed up here. Not all have 21 foot limit some have a few bigger sites but you might need reservations well in advance. Kalaloch; We don't even stop there during summer, to many beach/sunset worshipers that love that place. I see why they love it, but we don't like to make reservations so we by-pass Kalaloch during summer months. RV reviews would put you on to private parks close to NF.(Sort of funny) my kids in So Cal asks "if your going to get a MH why not get the biggest you can afford"? I explain that our 26 bumper to bumper is sure tiny in his land of big RV's, but ours fits into just about anything up here.

A very nice option on the Oly Pen is Salt Creek Recreation Area, near Port Angeles.

Olympic Peninsula, WA - all NFS sites 21-foot limit?

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Apr 30, 2014
Thanks for the info, Nina-

I have to admit that I'm laughin' at myself right now; I've lived here for over thirty years and I'm getting where-to-go advice from a visitor! :B
nina_70
Explorer
Apr 30, 2014
Francesca Knowles wrote:
Thanks for the info, Nina-

I have to admit that I'm laughin' at myself right now; I've lived here for over thirty years and I'm getting where-to-go advice from a visitor! :B

Hehe...no worries. We lived in San Francisco for 15 years and never camped there, so I'm not even sure I'd know where to go if we took the rig now!

Now, this I'm sure you DO know...where should we eat in Port Townsend? What's you fav spot?
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Apr 30, 2014
nina_70 wrote:

Now, this I'm sure you DO know...where should we eat in Port Townsend? What's you fav spot?

Now yer talkin'!

We're pretty plain eaters, goin' out-wise...here are our choices. All come-as-you-are places:

-Best fish and chips: A little hole-in-the-wall down at the Port boat haven called Sea Jay's
-Best Thai food: 123 Thai, located just at the first (of two) stoplights as you come into town.
-Best Pizza: Waterfront Pizza. This one's in the block just before the last stoplight on the main drag.
-Best Chinese: The Shanghai, right down where you'll be staying at Point Hudson

Savin' the best-of-the-best for last:

TOP TWO BURGERS:
Fancy, good/big burger, on main street but pricey: The Public House

But that's only if you don't want to take the time to drive out to Fat Smitty's at Discovery bay. The burgers there are legendary. And they're almost as big as the chainsaw carved one ol' Smitty has standin' out in the parking lot!
2gypsies1
Explorer III
May 01, 2014
Nina, Betcha you can't finish a burger from Fat Smitty's!! :)
nina_70
Explorer
May 01, 2014
Ooooooo....a challenge! I love it. THANK YOU for the tips. We are going to be eating our way through as many of those as we can manage in the week we're there.
StevenMarla
Explorer
May 07, 2014
Nina,
Were you at Moran a State park two summers ago as camp hosts?

I was in our Class A near the group house and Ranger house two years ago when I just moved to Orcas.
nina_70
Explorer
Jul 22, 2014
So, just wanted to report back on our trip around the OP. All the recommendations given to me were excellent. We stayed at the following spots:

Klaloch Campground (NFS) -> definitely a bit of a squeeze, but we got in. South Beach would have fit us easily too.

Quiluette Oceanside Resort, La Push -> Expensive, but right by the beach. We checked out Mora (NFS) and there is NO WAY we could have fit there, so we made the right choice here.

Hobuck Beach Resort, Neah Bay -> We chose to dry-camp in the dispersed camping area by the north end of the resort. Inexpensive & right by the beach. Very relaxed.

If you're interested in seeing more pics & reading our trip report I've got the links here:

Klaloch Beach -> Squeeze Me and Yes, Please

La Push -> A Wonderfully Pleasant Surprise

Neah Bay -> At The Untamed Edge - Cape Flattery, WA

We are currently dry-camping at the Port Townsend Marina and we're REALLY enjoying this town.

Thanks to everyone who gave us tips on where to go!!
nina_70
Explorer
Jul 22, 2014
StevenMarla wrote:
Nina,
Were you at Moran a State park two summers ago as camp hosts?

I was in our Class A near the group house and Ranger house two years ago when I just moved to Orcas.

So sorry StevenMarla. I totally missed this post and didn't reply back to you.

No, we didn't host there 2 summers ago. This Aug will be our first time in the area. Very much looking forward to it. We'll be at the learning center on the top of Mt.Constitution.

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