Kalaloch is one of those campgrounds where planning six months ahead can really pay off. If you score one of the bluff campsites, you have pretty good privacy and a view of the ocean and beach 24×7. I did not have one of those sites. But I could still hear waves crashing all the time, so that was cool enough.
Kalaloch is remote and rugged. The nearest convenience store is 7 miles away, the nearest showers 28 miles. While there is the Lodge and a tiny grocery store 1/4 mile south of the campsite, be prepared for few choices and top dollar pricing.
And remember that Kalaloch is in a rain forest. So it is mostly damp, often rainy, and clouds come and go, usually more prevalent than blue skies.
Despite all that, it’s totally worth it. Miles of beach walking, tide pools to the north, crazy geological rock formations, it’s a beach lover’s dream.
Get out early in the morning, and it’s just you and maybe a few dogwalkers out there.
Sunset, if the clouds allow it, is amazing, and about 2 dozen of us watched it from the A loop bluff, where we aimed cameras to try and capture the spectacle, but no one lens could capture the breadth of the beach and the ocean that eye can see.
It might be a lot of time and energy to get here, but if it looks good to you, then go!
KALALOCH (OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK)
- Location: Between Forks (north) and Queets (south)
- Sites along the edge are the best for sunset views. Each loop has a path down to miles of sandy beach.
- Services: No electricity or water at sites. Dump station and bath houses have potable water. Bath houses have toilets but no showers. Garbage bin at dump station.
- Cell service: 1-2 bars Verizon, 0 AT&T, 0 T-Mobile
- Propane refills: Available at the Lodge store (ask inside)
- Groceries: Stock up before you come! The Lodge store has some things (but pricey). Grocery stores are in Forks, so 45 minutes drive north.
Laura Evans says
Did I miss that you switched coasts or is this a travel memory worth sharing?
Annie says
I’m catching up on my reviews, some were stuck in draft mode for, uh, a while 😉
Ingrid Gunderson says
Astonishing photos. And such valuable info. Thanks, Annie!!
Annie says
You’re welcome, Ingrid! Thanks for reading!
dawnkinster says
Oh I would love to camp there. I love when I can hear water all night. I often try to reserve a campsite on the Great Lakes 6 mos ahead, that’s the only way you have a shot at getting a lakeside site. Then you just have to hope your days aren’t totally rainy!
Annie says
I feel your pain about Great Lakes camping. My friends and I did the whole “get up and wait for the clock” reservations last year for Ontario parks and then had to cancel them all, then did it again this year, but with Michigan parks. It will be worth it once we get up there, I know. I love the UP in particular.
Patricia Mary Curtis says
It does look gorgeous, and I know Ed and LInda love it there. Beautiful pictures, as always.
Susan says
Annie, these photos are absolutely gorgeous.
Annie says
Thank you! Kalaloch was one of the first places I camped after leaving work, and I loved that beach so much because it was photogenic no matter what the weather!