Backpack in Olympic National Park

The Dosewallips River

NPS Photo

There are so many great ways to enjoy camping, from "glamping" to ultralight wilderness treks and everything in between! When we talk about backpacking, we're defining it as packing up everything you need and hiking it in to a camping spot you couldn't reach by car, where you stay overnight (or longer!).

While this app is a great tool for "front country" visits (places you can get to with a car, bike, or short hike), it's not meant to guide you through the back country. For that we have the Wilderness Information Center - WIC for short. The WIC rangers can talk through routes, gear, and trail conditions with you, and set you up with a permit. Start with their website or give them a call at 360-565-3100.

Details

Activity

Backcountry Camping

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

Yes

Recreation Fee:

• Adults (16 and older) - $8 per person per night

• Youth (15 and under) - free

• Annual Olympic National Park Wilderness Pass – free for pass holder only

Reservation Fee:

• A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for each overnight permit reserved including Annual Olympic National Park Wilderness Pass holders.

Cancellation & Change Policies:
Cancellation Policy:

• If you cancel your reservation 7 or more days in advance of your trip your camping fee will be refunded, but not the flat $6 reservation fee. If canceled within 7 days there is no refund. The first day of your trip is not included in the 7 day window.

Change Policy:

• You can change your party size or campsite location, if space is available, until the day before your trip or before a Wilderness Information Center issues your permit. Permits are typically issued 3-7 days before a trip. Additional fees may apply. Once your permit is issued only a ranger at a Wilderness Information Center can make changes. Call or email the Wilderness Information Center to modify an issued permit. Due to Covid-19 and limited staffing last minute changes may not be possible.

No Show Policy:

• If you do not cancel and decide not to use your reservation, none of the fees will be refunded. Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to use it as this opens quota space for others.

Olympic National Park Annual Wilderness Pass Policy:

• The Olympic National Park Annual Wilderness Pass is $45 per person. The pass covers per night camping fees for 12 months from the month of purchase for the individual pass holder; permits and reservations are still required for pass holders.
• Annual Olympic National Park Wilderness Pass holders do not have to pay the $8 per person per night fee. However, the Wilderness Pass does not cover the flat $6 reservation fee.
• Wilderness Annual Passes can be purchased at the following website: https://pay.gov/public/form/start/129856631
  • If your mailing address is different than the billing address you use for the purchase, email us at [e-mail] with the address you would like the pass(es) sent to.

How Wilderness Permit Fees are used

• Wilderness use fees help support visitor management projects like trail maintenance, pit toilets, revegetation projects, and Wilderness Information Centers.

Reservations

Yes

Season

Year Round

Accessibility Information

Wilderness routes generally require pretty robust physical mobility to navigate. The WIC rangers who help set up your permit can discuss the specific challenges and terrain features of trails with you.