{"id":1487,"date":"2023-07-17T21:09:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T21:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livingreeltime.com\/?p=1487"},"modified":"2024-02-23T13:39:03","modified_gmt":"2024-02-23T18:39:03","slug":"olympic-natl-forest-free-camping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livingreeltime.com\/?p=1487","title":{"rendered":"Olympic Nat\u2019l Forest: Free Camping"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2023-07-17T21:09:00-04:00\">July 17, 2023<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Technically, it\u2019s not free, but it\u2019s as close as it gets.\u00a0 You\u2019ll need a Discover Pass for $35 through the state of Washington.\u00a0 If you\u2019re planning to visit any park, fishing access point, or trailhead in the state, you\u2019ll need this pass anyway to avoid a ticket.\u00a0 It\u2019s good for one year from the month in which it\u2019s purchased.\u00a0 My pass was still valid from last year\u2019s trip, so I\u2019m glad I remembered to bring it.\u00a0 What I didn\u2019t know, it also gives you access to free camping throughout the Olympic Nat\u2019l Forest if you\u2019re willing to dry camp and pack out your trash.\u00a0 Most locations have a vault toilet and fresh water.  The campgrounds for the most part are in secluded, beautiful, spacious areas offering fire rings and picnic tables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"980\" height=\"598\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image.png?resize=980%2C598&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1489\" style=\"width:605px;height:369px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image.png?w=980&amp;ssl=1 980w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image.png?resize=300%2C183&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image.png?resize=768%2C469&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are two of the campgrounds I stayed at with my Discover Pass: Hoh Ox Bow Campground and Cottonwood Campground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"813\" height=\"302\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-1.png?resize=813%2C302&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1490\" style=\"width:606px;height:225px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-1.png?w=813&amp;ssl=1 813w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-1.png?resize=300%2C111&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-1.png?resize=768%2C285&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 813px) 100vw, 813px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Meg and I traveled throughout the Northwest last year, our plan was to visit the Olympic Forest.&nbsp; However, due to the water levels and concerns over salmon returns, the entire area was basically closed to fishing. This year, most rivers were scheduled to be open including one of my favorite rivers: the Elwha.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I lived on the east side of Seattle for five years.&nbsp; During that time, my buddy from college flew up and we fished the Elwha for two days.&nbsp; We caught Cutthroat and Bull Trout pretty much nonstop. &nbsp;It was one of the best fishing trips of my entire life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Elwha has been closed for well over a decade to allow the fish populations to rebound.&nbsp; During that time, they also removed two dams to help restore the natural habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"275\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-2.png?resize=275%2C448&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1491\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-2.png?w=275&amp;ssl=1 275w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-2.png?resize=184%2C300&amp;ssl=1 184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Map provided by: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/figure\/Map-of-the-Elwha-River-watershed-location-in-inset-showing-the-dam-and-reservoir_fig1_327447517\">https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/figure\/Map-of-the-Elwha-River-watershed-location-in-inset-showing-the-dam-and-reservoir_fig1_327447517<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Elwha was finally set to reopen two days before my arrival, and I was excited to fish this river again.&nbsp; It\u2019s the main reason I made the drive from Spokane after dropping Meg off at the airport.&nbsp; However, upon my arrival, I found out the reopening had been delayed with no foreseeable opening in sight; a slight change of plans were definitely in order.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the Elwha was my primary destination and I had every intention of staying on this river the entire trip, I did have a backup plan: the Sol Duc and Hoh Rivers.&nbsp; Both campgrounds I mentioned are on the Hoh, but the Sol Duc was in close proximity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I camped one night on the Sol Duc.&nbsp; The river was surprisingly low and the next morning I decided to concentrate my efforts on the Hoh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Hoh had a run of Summer Steelhead and the end run of Spring Chinook.&nbsp; It\u2019s a difficult river to fish without a drift boat, but I gave it my best shot.&nbsp; I found the best access at Cottonwood Campground.&nbsp; There were two ways to get to the river: drive a small jeep though the extremely narrow rough road or walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the start of the entry road and, believe me, it gets much worse.&nbsp; If I dropped the camper, my truck could have made it to the river with scrape marks and possibly a dent or two.&nbsp; A few ATV\u2019s and one person with an old Toyota decided to take this road; not me.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"496\" height=\"507\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-3.png?resize=496%2C507&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-3.png?w=496&amp;ssl=1 496w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-3.png?resize=293%2C300&amp;ssl=1 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 496px) 100vw, 496px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s roughly a mile roundtrip to access the river, not including the distance walking the shoreline to the most productive fishing water.&nbsp; Quite frankly, I needed the exercise. &nbsp;After my 6<sup>th<\/sup> roundtrip on mental autopilot, I started to feel good about getting in better shape all in the name of fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The river was challenging to access.&nbsp; There were quite a few ATV tracks and would-be paths across the exposed river rock and sand, but the majority didn\u2019t end up at the river as they were blocked by fallen trees from the previous seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"628\" height=\"389\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-4.png?resize=628%2C389&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1493\" style=\"width:501px;height:310px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-4.png?w=628&amp;ssl=1 628w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-4.png?resize=300%2C186&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 628px) 100vw, 628px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost every tree on my side on the bank had fallen and I could only find one, fairly challenging way through the maze of trees.&nbsp; Once through, the only reference to my path back to camp was this tree closer to the river than the others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"629\" height=\"339\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-5.png?resize=629%2C339&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1494\" style=\"width:503px;height:271px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-5.png?w=629&amp;ssl=1 629w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-5.png?resize=300%2C162&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 629px) 100vw, 629px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I took a picture of the tree below because I found it unique.&nbsp; Also, because it was the only tree on this side of the river still standing, and I wondered why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?resize=500%2C597&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-6.png?resize=251%2C300&amp;ssl=1 251w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The river had a certain tint to it from the glacial run-off.&nbsp; Some people think glacial water is crystal clear and that\u2019s rarely the case.&nbsp; In Alaska, the run-off would be so silver-gray, you could only see a foot into the water at best.&nbsp; This glacier melt had an interesting hue of turquoise that I\u2019ve never seen before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best season to fish this area starts in October for the Coho and Fall Chinook.&nbsp; I\u2019m not trying to make excuses, there were Steelhead in the river.&nbsp; But as with any fish species entering rivers to spawn, they tend to stack up in the bays surrounding the river mouths and enter in waves.&nbsp; They\u2019re constantly on the move in the river system until reaching their spawning grounds.&nbsp; Fishing can be hit or miss on a daily or weekly basis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For me on this trip, it was basically a swing and a miss.&nbsp; I fished the Hoh for four days and tried everything in my arsenal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(All Flies and Lures used were single-barbless hooks per the regulations, the pics are for reference)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fly Fishing:<\/strong> Streamers\/ Nymphs\/ Swinging Flies\u2026 I tried it all\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"552\" height=\"376\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-7.png?resize=552%2C376&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1496\" style=\"width:491px;height:334px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-7.png?w=552&amp;ssl=1 552w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-7.png?resize=300%2C204&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Spinner Fishing:<\/strong>&nbsp; I tried every color I had available to me\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the exception of a few guide boats floating past, I was the only person fishing this section.&nbsp; As one of the guides passed, I inquisitively gave him the \u2018thumbs-up\u2019 \u2018thumbs-down\u2019 signal.&nbsp; He gave me the \u2018thumbs-up\u2019 and said they were hitting orange spinners.&nbsp; I was close enough to see the lure on his client\u2019s rod.&nbsp; It was a bright orange Vibrax.&nbsp; Although I didn\u2019t have that lure on me, I had one, and only one, in the camper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"305\" height=\"208\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-8.png?resize=305%2C208&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-8.png?w=305&amp;ssl=1 305w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-8.png?resize=300%2C205&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 305px) 100vw, 305px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Local Tackle\/ Home Field Advantage:&nbsp; <\/strong>Most fishermen are good people.&nbsp; Not all, but most.&nbsp; I mentioned the guy who dared to take his older Toyota through the narrow difficult path to the river.&nbsp; As I was fishing, that truck slowly drove up the river rock and headed my way.&nbsp; He stopped and we talked about the river.&nbsp; He\u2019s been fishing here for over 35 years and has lived nearby for 10.&nbsp; He had two fishing rods in the back of the truck.&nbsp; Both rods had the same lure.&nbsp; He said, \u2018this is primarily what I fish with\u2019.&nbsp; He handed me one from his tackle box and said, \u2018keep it\u2019.&nbsp; I politely declined knowing how much lures cost in this day and age.&nbsp; He said he makes them himself and has so many he could never run out.&nbsp; But that\u2019s not the point.&nbsp; It was a nice gesture and I happily accepted.&nbsp; It would have been the best story ever if this was the one chance moment and lure that would land me a Steelhead or Salmon.&nbsp; I did catch a nice trout on it and the design was well thought out and extremely functional.&nbsp; You could cast this lure across the entire river without effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"335\" height=\"479\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-9.png?resize=335%2C479&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-9.png?w=335&amp;ssl=1 335w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-9.png?resize=210%2C300&amp;ssl=1 210w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 335px) 100vw, 335px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Spoon Fishing and Jigging:<\/strong>&nbsp; Luhr-Jensen Krocodile Spoon: &nbsp;I\u2019ve caught more quality large fish on this lure than any other including two 12lb Brown Trout.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"354\" height=\"89\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-10.png?resize=354%2C89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-10.png?w=354&amp;ssl=1 354w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-10.png?resize=300%2C75&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 354px) 100vw, 354px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deep Drift Back-Bouncing:<\/strong>&nbsp; In the Northwest, some of the fishing holes are extremely deep.&nbsp; Most of the fish are toward the bottom to minimize their effort while avoiding the strong current.&nbsp; If you\u2019re not near the bottom, typically you\u2019re not going to catch fish.&nbsp; With this technique, most people are using bait: either roe or sand shrimp.&nbsp; However, bait was not allowed, so I opted for beads and fake salmon eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s the typical rig:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"458\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-11.png?resize=458%2C167&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-11.png?w=458&amp;ssl=1 458w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-11.png?resize=300%2C109&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 458px) 100vw, 458px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yakimabait.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Casting Float Drift Fishing:&nbsp; <\/strong>With this technique, you can cover at least 50 yards if not more with conventional reels.&nbsp; I use float\/ drift fishing whenever in unfamiliar water to help pinpoint concentrations of fish.&nbsp; Most of the time, I use flies rather than bait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s the basic concept:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"433\" height=\"319\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-12.png?resize=433%2C319&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-12.png?w=433&amp;ssl=1 433w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-12.png?resize=300%2C221&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Image: in-fisherman.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although I did catch a couple of trout and lost a small Jack Salmon, I chose not to post those photos.&nbsp; It\u2019s not really a fair fight when you catch smaller fish on a rod designed for Steelhead and Salmon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After all my effort, here is my only fishing picture I am willing to post.&nbsp; A monster I know.&nbsp; But I couldn\u2019t be more impressed with its enthusiasm and optimism.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"630\" height=\"457\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-13.png?resize=630%2C457&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1503\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-13.png?w=630&amp;ssl=1 630w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livingreeltime.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-13.png?resize=300%2C218&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With that said\u2026time to move on\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To access Washington&#8217;s state parks, a $35 Discover Pass is required, valid for one year, also allowing for free camping in Olympic Nat&#8217;l Forest. Despite high hopes to fish in the recently reopened Elwha River, closures forced the author to try the Sol Duc and Hoh Rivers instead. Despite using various fishing techniques and gear, the catch was limited to a few trout on this trip, but the experience was enriched by the kindness of a local fisherman.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","WB4WB4WP_MODE":"","WB4WP_PAGE_SCRIPTS":"","WB4WP_PAGE_STYLES":"","WB4WP_PAGE_FONTS":"","WB4WP_PAGE_HEADER":"","WB4WP_PAGE_FOOTER":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Olympic Nat\u2019l Forest: Free Camping - Living Reel Time<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/livingreeltime.com\/?p=1487\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Olympic Nat\u2019l Forest: Free Camping - Living Reel Time\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"To access Washington&#039;s state parks, a $35 Discover Pass is required, valid for one year, also allowing for free camping in Olympic Nat&#039;l Forest. Despite high hopes to fish in the recently reopened Elwha River, closures forced the author to try the Sol Duc and Hoh Rivers instead. 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