Potlatch State Park

Trying to get an RV in here was almost impossible. Two hours later, we were backed in our spot-​which really should be a tent spot. This place is really for small trailers and tents. Bathrooms were dirty, and only cleaned once during the entire weekend. Dumpsters were overflowing on the ground. Take you life in your hands crossing the busy highway to get tp the waterfront park area.

We’re really not that picky or opposed to primitive conditions, but this campground was so bad we decided to leave about an hour after we arrived (even knowing it was too late to be refunded our money). There was only one restroom for the whole campground (at the other end from our site), and it was awkwardly in the middle of a cluster of campsites. It wasn’t in very good condition, and didn’t even have a soap dispenser. The sites had very little privacy, and the whole place was noisy. But the worse part was the mosquitoes — swarming in larger numbers than I’ve ever seen in my life. My dog and I were bitten so many times (even with bug spray, for me) that we had to seek shelter in our tent. Also very close to the highway. Overall, not impressed by the campground. But it’s a pretty spot, and the day use area across the highway was nice, with pretty views and plenty of picnic tables (even on a holiday weekend). Bathrooms over there aren’t great either, but it matters less when you’re not camping!

Very satisfied with our stay! The ranger was very helpful with assisting us for first time campers!

Potlatch is a sweet little park! We spent the weekend there to celebrate a birthday and it was probably the perfect choice for that! Unfortunately for other campers, when we celebrate it tends to get a little loud at times and this park doesn’t appear to have any «policing». Now mind you, if we are told to quiet down or settle down we do immediately but if let run wild… well… sometimes even grown ups need adults around!
Potlatch is right off the highway so it can get a bit noisy, especially during motorcycle riding weather! It quiets down later at night though so sleeping isn’t generally a problem. You also have to cross the busy highway to get to the beach and day use park which can be unsafe with small children (or stumbling adults)!
The bathrooms are old and have that «bathroom» smell to them that is definitely unpleasant! There is only one shower and again, it’s on the old side! It’s 50 cents for a 3 minute shower, which is about standard for campgrounds. The towel dispenser was out of paper towels most of the weekend so it definitely wasn’t being attended to regularly.
The sites are a bit tight but once we got settled we seemed to have enough space. There wasn’t any privacy but again, we received no complaints so maybe sound doesn’t travel as bad as we thought in the dense trees. We’ll definitely return to this sweet little park, mostly because of the Lucky Dog Casino just a little over a mile up the road!

Depends on what you want. Beautiful and remote.

This is a busy campground. Be sure to visit the Day Use area on opposite site of Hwy 101. Very nice to be close to Hood Canal shoreline.

I was beyond flabbergasted at how beautiful this park is. I think since the leaves had just fallen and it had just rain and there wasn’t hardly anyone there. I went on Thanksgiving and I almost lose my breath as I write this but the view is just so darn beautiful. One of the few parks where you can just walk right up the the water’s edge. I’m pretty sure you could go swimming. Just step right into the water. It doesn’t look scummy and the water isn’t cloudy or smelly like sewage. It’s just about perfect. Don’t quote me on the swimming part because there probably is some rule or regulation on swimming or some sort of invasive specie that could harm you or swim up in your crannies and make you sick, but I really do know. There are public restrooms, barbecue sites, benches, an RV or camper potty empty station, and a camping area. This park does require the Discovery Pass but it doesn’t seem to be anyone there to enforce it if you’re only staying for a short time.
There is ample parking and places to watch the ducks. It’s right across the street from the reservation or it might be the native reservation water treatment plant or whatever. This place is super major and I will definitely be going back. Definitely in the summer too.

Campgrounds are just beautiful. I definitely recommend splurging for one of the RV sites with hookups even if you dont intend to use them. The spots are much nicer than some of the others here.
There are a few downsides to this campground. While the bathrooms are pretty clean the showers here suck. I had to use a knife just to get my quarters to go into the coin slot and then the water barely came out at all.
Its right across from the day use area and its just a beautiful clean park area. Sunsets and night skies are great here. Horse-​shoe area, plenty of open fields to play games in and bbq pits to grill with.
Not far from crabbing, boat launches, fishing, clamming, and oyster gathering spots. Staircase + Olympic National Park are just 20 minutes or less away.

Nice grassy area with picnic tables, also big beach and lots of mud at low tide. It is a washington beach, so sand is scarce. Crabbing is open now, so the boat launch and water is crazy busy and little loud with boats. During off season is much quieter. Park ranger is helpful and tries to give people a heads up on any violations before she has to ticket them.

I wish I could give two separate reviews: one for the campground and one for the public access area.
The Campground – 3 stars: The host was very helpful and kind, which was a plus as it was our first time taking our trailer out camping. I made a reservation, and although I knew we were near the highway since we wanted a pull-​through site, had I known just how noisy it would be, I would have chosen something else. The site was large (site #5) but way too noisy and a bit nerve-​racking when you have a three year old. My kids had a blast though, and everyone in the park was kind and friendly. I would camp here again, just not near the highway.
The Beach Access Area – 4.5 stars: What a fantastic beach area! A grassy area for picnics with picnic tables, and then a great beach for clams and oysters; and in between was a sand/​gravel area great for kids to play. We found more success by walking to the right of the main area, as it had been very picked over. I would definitely go back here for a family outing for the day, especially because we only live an hour away. Just remember, you do need shellfish licenses, and you need to know the regulations. At this time, it was 18 oysters and 40 steamers per person.
Overall, we had a great trip. Before we go back to Potlatch, we plan to try Dosiwallops, which is up the road from Potlatch.

The day-​use area at Potlatch State Park is a long stretch of Hood Canal beach with a grassy picnic area (several tables and grills available), a sheltered group picnic area, restrooms w/​outdoor showers, parking… and its all FREE! There are often eagles, seals, and other wildlife around, too.
This is a perfect place to take a rest while travelling on Highway 101 or can be a destination in itself for an hour or a whole day. Then there’s the camping area on the other side of the highway if you need more time!
*UPDATE* It’s no longer free to spend the day at this park; a Washington State Discover Pass is required to park here. There are a couple of 15-​minute ‘no fee required’ parking spots available, however, so that travelers can still relieve themselves at no cost.

We visited again this weekend… the laundromat has been closed. Also, they have added a new trail… still not very long, but it gives you something else to do while you are camping there.

We stayed here one evening, but decided to find a new place the next night. If you are an RVer, it is probably great, but as a tent camper, it’s a bit crowded and smooshed. It was also pretty loud as we were next to a huge family that stayed up until like 2 am. You probably need a reservation if going in the summer time, we were lucky to get a spot without one.
Go up the highway to Dosewallips or Seal Rock for a more authentic nature experience.
There is good oyster bed at the picnic area and the season is open for a large part of the year.
They have showers and laundry facilities, if you are into that kind of thing.
Tent sites $ 21, Firewood $ 4