Staircase Campground
Closed — Closed for the season from November 1 through March 31 due to winter hazard tree risks and weather. The campground typically reopens in late May. The 2025 summer season ran from May 23 through September 8 with reservations via Recreation.gov. The Bear Gulch Fire in summer 2025 caused temporary closures but fire-related restrictions have been largely lifted. Access road NF-24 is unpaved and subject to closure due to snow and weather conditions.
North Shore Road Construction July 9 - Sept 22, 2025
A section of N Shore Rd near mile 10.2 is closed to all traffic so crews can fortify the actively eroding road and ensure long-term access. The Quinault Ranger Station is open. Graves Creek and North Fork areas cannot be reached by S Shore Rd. See alert.
South Shore Road Closed Outside of Park Boundary
South Shore Road – which is maintained by Jefferson County – is closed due to a major wash-out. The Graves Creek and North Fork Trailheads and Campgrounds cannot be reached via N Shore Rd due to essential repair work that began on July 9.
Staircase Area and North Fork Skokomish Drainage Closed due to Bear Gulch Fire
For a full list of closed trails and campsites, visit our Fire Conditions and Updates page. For fire news releases and maps, visit the Bear Gulch Fire InciWeb page.
Campfire Ban Begins August 1 in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest
Due to persistent hot and dry conditions, all campfires will be prohibited in Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest starting at 12 a.m. on August 1. This applies to anything that produces ash, including charcoal grills.
Rialto Beach - Mora Road Repair Will Require Single-Lane Traffic, Up to 20-minute Delays
Starting on September 9, crews will stabilize and repair Mora Road - the road to Rialto Beach. The work will require single-lane traffic through the 0.25-mile work zone and may result in 20-minute delays.
About
Staircase Campground occupies a dramatic setting in the southeastern corner of Olympic National Park, where enormous Douglas-firs create a vast forest cathedral along the North Fork Skokomish River. Located about one hour from Olympia and two hours south of Port Angeles, the campground offers 49 sites with several positioned along the river. The Staircase area provides diverse hiking opportunities. Short day hikes like the flat Shady Lane trail to Lake Cushman contrast with challenging routes such as the Flapjack Lakes trail, which climbs over 3,000 feet. The North Fork Skokomish River trail offers multi-day backpacking options. The campground features flush toilets seasonally, vault toilets, potable water when open, fire grates, picnic tables, and bear-proof food lockers. Ranger programs run during summer months. Access requires driving unpaved Forest Service Road NF-24, which periodically closes due to snow and weather. The campground itself closes seasonally from November through March due to hazard tree risks. Summer 2025 reservations were handled through a staggered block release system with sites becoming available six months, two weeks, and four days in advance.
Directions
From Highway 101 at Hoodsport, take North Lake Cushman Road northwest for several winding miles. The paved road becomes unpaved Forest Service Road NF-24. Follow NF-24 to its end at Staircase.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $24 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (360) 565-3130 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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