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

[nina_70]

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?

[nina_70]

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.

[nina_70]

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!!

[StevenMarla]

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]

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.

[2gypsies1]

Nina, Betcha you can't finish a burger from Fat Smitty's!! 🙂

[Francesca_Knowl]

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!

[nina_70]

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]

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]

Francesca Knowles wrote:

nina_70 wrote:
Also will be dry-camping at the Marina in Port Townsend

:@

Do tell- I live just outside Port Townsend and had no idea there was "dry camping" at any Marina there... howzabout fillin' me in?

Thanks!

Sure. It's at the Port Hudson Marina & RV Park. They have hookup sites, but they ALSO have 2 dry-camping sites which are not well advertized on their site. They're not free, but the dry camping sites are only $20 compared to $35-$52 for their hookup sites. So, that's where we're staying (we've reserved the spot already). Should be walking distance to downtown.

Here's the link:
http://www.portofpt.com/rv_park.htm

[Francesca_Knowl]

nina_70 wrote:
Also will be dry-camping at the Marina in Port Townsend

:@

Do tell- I live just outside Port Townsend and had no idea there was "dry camping" at any Marina there... howzabout fillin' me in?

Thanks!

[SteveAE]

Nina,

Well plan to be at Heart O' The Hills (OP Nat Park CG near Port Angeles) about the middle of July. Holly has a quilting class and the pup and I will just be bouncing around looking for good hiking.

Still at our awesome spot out of Escalante. 270+ degree views up to 150 miles. Hiking every day and backpacking this weekend.

Steve

[nina_70]

SteveAE wrote:
Nina,
If you are still monitoring this post, when do you expect to be up there? Feel free to PM or email me directly if you want.
Steve

Steve. We're going to be there all of June, July and August! Going the full monte for summer.

We're lighthouse hosting at Cape Disappointment State Park in June
We're traveling the OP along the coast all July
We're hosting at Orcas Islands State Park in August

I've booked all the July stops since things were getting full. Managed to find a spot at Kalaloch National Forest that we "think" will fit us. Also will be dry-camping at the Marina in Port Townsend & staying at the County Park in Sequim.

If any of you are in the OP this summer & are passing by while we host DO come see us!

[campersuzid]

My word but you did get a lot of responses to your query. I didn't know about that supposed 21' limitation. Camped only in NFS on Olympic Pen in my 31' MH with no problems. Klahowya cg was the bestest!!!!

[SteveAE]

Nina,
If you are still monitoring this post, when do you expect to be up there? Feel free to PM or email me directly if you want.
Steve