Can you reserve a site at Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area?

No. Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area

Campground · Washington ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Olympic National Forest (NF) · Open Access

197 ft
Elevation

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 ramps are located at Willaby and Falls Creek Campgrounds.

Access Gatton Creek Trail #888 from the trailhead across from the campground along South Shore Road.

The facts

Season: May – 10/01 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026

Recreation.gov's own page

Getting there

From Aberdeen, WA travel north on US Highway 101 for 45 miles to the junction of the South Shore Road. Turn right (east) and proceed 2.8 miles on South Shore Road and turn left into the Gatton Creek Campground and Day Use parking area.

47.47313, -123.83799 · 47°28'23.3"N 123°50'16.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 73°F in Aug, down to 44°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	45	48	51	56	63	67	73	73	69	59	49	44
Low °F	35	35	36	39	43	47	51	52	49	43	38	35
Precip in	24.6	13.3	17.2	12.4	6.9	4.1	2.3	3.1	6.1	16.0	24.6	20.8

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

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Common questions about Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area

Can you reserve a site at Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area?: No. Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Also listed by

Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

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.

Accessibility:

Accessible restroom though some people may require assistance.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Gatton Creek Campground/Day Use Area

Falls Creek Campground 0.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Willaby Campground 1.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Coho Campground 12.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Satsop Campground 14.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Staircase Campground 23.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Gatton Creek Trailhead less than 0.1 mi · Facility
Lake Quinault Lodge 0.6 mi · Facility
Quinault Rain Forest Trailhead 1.4 mi · Facility
Campbell Tree Grove Campground 7.1 mi · Campground
Wynoochee Lake Shore Trailhead - Coho Campground 12.4 mi · Campground
Quinault National Fish Hatchery 13.2 mi · Facility
Spider Lake Trailhead 19.6 mi · Facility

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Contact

Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-10.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.