Established Camping
Staircase Campground — Olympic National Park
Closed For the Season
This campground is closed for the season from September 24, 2023 through May 28, 2024.
Closed For the Season
This campground is closed for the season from September 24, 2023 through May 28, 2024.
About
National Park Service
Olympic National Park
Overview
Enormous trunks reach for the sky, lacy limbs stretch to the sun, grooved bark is sanctuary to tiny creatures in the vast cathedral of Douglas-firs that dominate the forests on this side of the Olympic Peninsula. Staircase is located in the southeastern corner of Olympic National Park, about a one-hour drive from Olympia, and two hours south of Port Angeles.__Staircase Campground has 49 sites, with a number of the sites along the North Fork Skokomish River. The access road to the Staircase area is unpaved and periodically closes due to unfavorable weather conditions such as snow. This access road, NF-24 is often closed completely from Nov. - May. Make sure to check the status of the road before planning your trip.__
Recreation
A variety of hiking trails navigate through the Staircase area along the Skokomish River and the nearby forests. There are several short day-hikes that explore the area. Shady Lane trail is flat, and less than a mile to Lake Cushman. The hike to Flapjack Lakes is for the stronger hikers, gaining over 3,000 feet in elevation. Longer hikes, like the North Fork Skokomish River trail, can be done in a couple of days.
Charges & Cancellations
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee If you need to cancel or modify your reservation after 12:00 am Eastern Time on the day of arrival you must contact campground staff. Recreation.gov Rules and Reservation Policies____
Location
Staircase Campground — Olympic National Park is located in Washington
Directions
Staircase Campground is accessed off Highway 101 at the city of Hoodsport, WA. You take North Lake Cushman Road for a number of twisting and turning miles. North Lake Cushman Road will end with the blacktop and become Forest Service Road, NP - 24. You will simply follow this road to the end.
Coordinates
47.515373 N
123.329668 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Best camp for kids
So many logs md paths around the campsite… our littles thought they had their own private park. Perfect stream nearby for a five and two year old to throw rocks
Hello
Hi I think you accidentally using my phone number. You need to update the phone number. Because a lot of people calling me asking your campground. Please remove and update your phone number.
Thank you
Great spot for van camping in the fall
Great campground by the river. We went in the fall and it rained non stop for two days. The road up is dirt/gravel for the last 5ish miles. Lots of potholes and bumps when we went, had to go very slow. We were in a camper van and got up the road no problem, just slow and bumpy. The nicer bathrooms were closed in the fall but the vault toilets were clean and close enough to our site. There were tons of open spots when we got there for first come first serve. There is no phone service here (even with a signal booster)
Beautiful riverside campground
We absolutely loved this campground! Stayed during the week so there was plenty of availability. There are about 15 campsites right along the river out of 50 total. We were able to easily get a riverside spot during the week. My man spent most of his time fishing right from our campsite while I sunbathed and played with our dog in the water. Waking up to the sight of the river right there was just lovely and so nice falling asleep to the sound of rushing water at night. One of my favorite campground I’ve ever stayed at. We were at site 10 I believe and its one of the best in my opinion.
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A Classic for a Reason
What is there to say about Staircase that hasn’t already been said? This one of a kind campground offers the most breathtaking river hike I’ve seen in a long while. The water is impossibly blue, the forests serene, and the site itself comfortable. Make sure to visit in the “on” season for full amenities, otherwise it’s pit toilets and hand sanitizer.
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Lovely, wholesome experience
Overall, beautiful campground. You can hear the river from any site, and it is a force to be reckoned with. Lovely views on the way of Lake Cushman and the local old-growth forests. We popped a tire and had to change it on the way due to the poor conditions of the road, so be aware of that and always have a spare! It's FCFS and the sites were almost all vacant so we had lots of choices. Our site had a natural canopy from the trees over the firepit which was great because it drizzled pretty constantly throughout the visit. Dog and kid friendly, though no dogs on the Staircase Rapids and Shady Trails (bummer). The nearest store was the Hoodsport general store and that had anything you could possibly need. Generally the campsite and surrounding area was a great place to connect with nature and experience all the elements in tandem! We'll definitely have to visit again!
BeautifulViews
Campgrounds were spacious and this time of year it wasn’t crowded at all. No cell phone service at all. Bathrooms are primitive except for the summer season but overall they are nice. We stayed at campsite 6. 2-6 are waterfront.
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Gorgeous
One of the prettiest lakes in Washington. Can get pretty busy in the summer but mostly empty otherwise. Little to no cell service. lots of options for camping and backroads all around.
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Best campsite I’ve ever been to
Beautiful
So gorgeous
Spacious secluded campsites along the gorgeous green glacial waters. We had a fantastic time this weekend and will definitely be back again and again!
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Amazing!!
Great campsite! All walkuo sites so make sure to get there early. Saw two bald eagles on the way in.
Lovely
Great place quiet sound of the river roaring. Never super crowded
Quiet campground with lots to do
Beautiful old growth campground with multiple hiking trails. Decent privacy with larger campsites. We used the walk-in sites near the river bank during the off-season (=FREE!). Only 2 other campers during our stay, very quiet. Dogs allowed. Close to Mt. Elinor.
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Very Much Worth It!
As I was driving out to the Staircase Area entrance of the Olympic National Park I wondered if it was worth it but oh how wrong I was! The drive is a little long along a dirt road that can be a little rough at times. The stretch along man made Lake Cushman is gorgeous. On Labor Day I was one of two campers in the campground which always makes me a little nervous in an area with large predators. The riverside sites are picturesque and I can imagine that the campground gets pretty full in high season. There are lots of little swimming holes but along the campground and a short walk away. The hiking trails are well maintained and pretty popular. I wish I spent more time there!
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Don't skip this one!
Great sites! Amazing trails. This is a beautiful park right on the ourskirts of Olympic National Park. The hiking here is fantastic! The camping is great too and they did have self check-in.
Last week of summer vacation
Great spot a few hours from home. My sons and I loved it
Best Labor Day ever!
The campsites were clean and quiet, despite the lack of privacy between most of them. The grounds were well-kept and there were plenty of things for children and families to do in the immediate vicinity. My family enjoyed it so much that we elected to stay another night. It was surprisingly empty over the Labor Day weekend last year, and the nearby Steilacoom River rushing past our campsite was a soothing sound at night.
Fall colors
Well, it's fall and the evergreen state has more than green on its color wheel! The campground can be quite busy in the summer but the fall has its quite moments. The campground has plenty of space and options, whether you want to be by the river or not.
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Another great campground
Medium size campground with around 50 sites. The sites are non-reservable and cost $20 per night. The campground is seasonal with its amenities. There are pit toilets and no water available during the off season. Flush toilets and potable water are available in the on season.
There is great hiking in this area and lots of wildlife can be spotted.
By the Fabulous Mt. Ellinor
Campsite by a nice river, with an easy attached hike to a large-bouldered river area, and right by the fantastically challenging and beautiful Mt. Ellinor hike. In fact, this campsite is a nice trail gateway to Olympic National Park. Ranger station as you drive in, different elevations for each set of campsites. A bit more secluded, but well worth the drive. Do it.
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