Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero. See it on Recreation.gov
Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area
Gatton Creek Campground is located on the south shore of Lake Quinault next to Gatton Creek, a small rainforest stream. Campsites and the picnic units are located along the shore of the lake with views across the water to the forested slopes of Olympic National Park. The area provides opportunities to swim and use non motorized boats nearby. There are 5 walk-in campsites that accommodate tents. There are also 3 picnic units. Nearest boat ramp is located at Willaby Campground. The trailhead for Gatton Creek Trail #888 is located on the other side of South Shore Road.
Before you go
Season
May – 10/01
Reservations
First-come, first-served
Fees
Camping: $25/night per walk-in unit, $12.50 for Senior and Access Pass Holders, $5/extra per vehicle Day use: The day use parking lot, trails, and beach are free to use.
Restrictions
No more than 8 people per campsite. No more than 2 vehicles per campsite. (motorcycles and bicycles excluded) No camping for longer than 14 consecutive days at the same location within a developed recreation site. No camping for longer than 21 days per calendar year on National Forest System lands. Violations of this prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581).
Accessibility
Accessible restroom though some people may require assistance.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.