Olympic National Park, located in Washington’s northwest corner, is one of our all-time favorite destinations. Mild temperatures and abundant rain result in massive ancient forests of Sitka spruce, western hemlock and western red cedar. Mosses and ferns carpet the dense forest. Visitors are surrounded with raw, rugged nature at its finest.

Olympic National Park, at more than 1,400 square miles, boasts a diversity of terrain including the Hoh Rain Forest, the Pacific coast and the towering peaks of the Olympic Mountains. Ninety-five percent of the park is designated wilderness.

One of our favorite places to camp is Mora Campground, open year-round. Mora has amenities such as fire rings with grates, accessible restrooms, water, and bear-proof food storage. Mora also has a boat ramp and picnic area. We love walking through the five camping loops, all on relatively level terrain. Mora is a reservation camp, but visitors are allowed to camp on a site that isn’t reserved. Note: Although there was plenty of room for our truck and camper, Mora is not suitable for RVs larger than 35 feet.

When at Mora Campground, we always take at least one day to explore one of our favorites, Rialto Beach, about three miles from camp. The two-mile stretch along Olympic National Park’s wild Pacific coast offers smooth-pebbled black rocks, giant drift logs, pounding waves, and magnificent views of offshore islands known as “seastacks.” Rialto has wide sandy beaches for easy walking. Before going to any Olympic beaches, be sure to check the tide charts.

For an experience of pure, wild nature, Olympic National Park is a fulfilling destination.

To make reservations for Mora Campground: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/247591