Deer Park in Olympic National Park

We took a quick weekend break in early June to stay at Deer Park Campground in Olympic National Park for AnswerVanswer van’s inaugural trip. There’s something really delightful about driving to what feels like the top of the world. The views are accessible to anyone in a vehicle and are really wonderful in the spring with snow still sitting heavily on the mountains. Unlike the wet western side of the Olympic peninsula, the eastern side sees a lot less rain.

We spent 2 nights here, day hiking and testing the organization in our van. We slept in the tent night 1 and in the van night 2 for the first time. Other than changing some minor kitchen/pantry item locations, the van was awesome. It sleeps like a dream. Everything has a home in the van and we know exactly where to go to get it.

Getting Here

From the northerneasterly side of WA state, take a car ferry from Edmonds to Kingston. From all other locations drive around the south side of Puget Sound or across the Olympic peninsula to Port Angeles.

TIP: Detour into Port Angeles to get a huckleberry shake from Frugals before leaving civilization. It’s definitely worth the 20 minute round trip past the Deer Park Road turnoff and it’s your last chance to fill up with gas, too.

Leave US-101 and take Deer Park Road south about 35 minutes to Deer Park Campground. The road is gravel for the last 9 miles, and not recommended for RVs or trailers, but totally passable for any vehicle if you just take it slowly. Bypass the loop to the Deer Park Ranger Station to the campground. There are two campground loops with 14 sites total with fire pits, picnic tables, pit toilets, and bear boxes. We preferred the views and tree coverage on the second loop.

TIP: Bring your own water and firewood. There is no potable water and gathering firewood is not allowed.

And, oh yes, there are deer at deer park: deer on the roads, deer on the trails, deer in the campsites.

Things To Do

Visit the Olympic National Park website for official details and always confirm current road, trail, and campground conditions before adventuring.

Hike Rain Shadow Loop (0.5 miles +/-170 feet)

Loosen up your driving legs by hiking the relatively easy Rain Shadow Loop (0.5 miles +/-170 feet) to the top of Blue Mountain. You can hike it from the campground or drive 0.9miles up to the parking lot.

Hike Deer Park toward Obstruction Point (13 miles RT +/-1270 feet

A moderate day hike with great rewards is Deer Park toward Obstruction Point (13 miles RT +/-1270 feet to a dip between Elk Mountain and Obstruction Point). The trail climbs through subalpine forests and mountain meadows and has wide open views.

Hike Three Forks and Deer Ridge Trails

Three Forks and Deer Ridge trails also leave from around the campground but head significantly downhill, and it seems like a shame to lose all that elevation unless you hike through to Obstruction Point for an exit (with a car shuttle). The start of the joint trail does make a nice after dinner stroll, however.