Altair Campground

Altair Campground is the summer twin to nearby and year-round Elwha Campground. If you are visiting May through September, Altair is a great option for a few nights as you explore the Elwha River Valley. Slightly smaller than Elwha Campground, there are 30 sites here, six of which are walk-in sites. As with Elwha, while many sites are large enough to accommodate RVs and trailers, there are no hookups in the campground. Sites are generally well distributed, so while you won't forget you aren't in the backcountry, privacy and personal space are well preserved. Basic ammenities apply here: each site has a fire ring and a picnic table, and the campground has restrooms, potable water, and a picnic shelter. Several sites are situated directly on the Elwha River, and the smells and sounds of the river permeate the campground, mixing with the conifers to create an ideal summer ambiance.

Altair Campground serves for many as a base camp for those seeking to visit famed Boulder Hot Springs (A.K.A. "Olympic Hot Springs), and those backpacking the 15.6-mile Happy Lake Ridge Trail Loop or the 7.5-mile hike to Appleton Pass. Visitors here will also be just down the road from Whiskey Bend Campground, where you can take a western approach to Hurricane Ridge or hike the highly recommended Elwha River Trail.

Note: Call the Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center in Port Angeles at 360.565.3100 for specific campground opening dates; they are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open at 8 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.