PERFECT!
Written: Mar 01 '05
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Pros: LOTS of sites for all kinds of people
Cons: Not enough trees between yurts 2 and 3.
The Bottom Line: This is a wonderful site no matter what you are looking for. A great place to have as your base while taking day trips.
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| DnJisJRE's Full Review: Dosewallips State Park |
I love going to Epinions to see about campsites. There are two basic types of campgrounds: Some are full of trees, dirt, and rocks and more for the people looking for the more "outdoorsy" experience (that's me). Then there is the kind of campgrounds aimed at people like my sister-nicely mowed grass, level ground, rocks removed for the most part.
And rarely are the two located near each other.
Then there is Dosewallips State Park.
First, the drive up Highway 101 was BEAUTIFUL! We dared to go on the July 4th weekend which normally we avoid. I wasn't sure which made me more nervous-the traffic that awaited us or the amount of people I "knew" would be camping. SURPRISE! The 2 hour drive up this primarily 2 lane highway was wonderful with hardly any traffic. In fact, the only bad section was through a small town that was having a large celebration. Since it was the middle of town, we all had to go at a snail's pace to avoid hitting people walk down the sides.
Upon arriving at Dosewallips, we were greeted by a very nice man that directed us to our Yurt. Yes, our "yurt". What is a yurt? Basically, it is a wooden framed structure with heavy, white tarp covering it. The price is $35 per night for a group of 4 plus $4 for each additional person up to a total of 6 people in the yurt. The structure is raised about 2 feet, with a wheelchair ramp to the entrance making it accessible. Inside, is a futon, twin over full bunk bed, desk, lamp, and a small heater. Obviously, there is electricity. and lots of extra space. Outside, you have a large area to play, a picnic table, and a fire grill, as well as your own water spigot. Check out www.parks.wa.gov/yurtcabn.asp for more details or for reservations at any of the 3 places these are offered (besides Dosewallips, Cape Disappointment and Battle Ground Lake have yurts)
They have 3 of these wonderful structures there. We had been looking for a cabin for the weekend, but could not find anything (remember it WAS the 4th of July) but this suddenly came up. Normally, these are booked well in advance, but this one was canceled as I was on the Washington State Parks web site. (Talk about luck!)
All 3 yurts are next door to each other and fairly close to the group campsites. Ours was the last of the 3 yurts, closest to one of the group sites. The nicely kept bathroom (toilet only) is only about 75 feet away and rarely did we have to wait to use it. In fact, the last day, we realized there was an even closer toilet right through the trees behind us about 40 feet, but it was not as nicely kept. That section had had a mudslide a year or two before, so it was unused for anything except large piles of yard waste. There is a shower down the road about 2 blocks. (This is a huge park.)
Around our yurt the ground is very natural. There are plenty of rocks, dirt, and trees. In fact, the only thing that I did not like was the lack of trees between our yurt and the one next to it. We like our privacy especially while camping. The structures are about 40 feet apart, but there were no trees, in fact very few bushes, separating the two.
Exploring the park was amazing. My family and my sister's family like to go camping together but since we like different things in our parks, it can be difficult finding one we both like. This was IT! Along the outskirts are campsites of all sizes from small, 2-people sites to larger ones for 3-room tents. Some snuggled nicely in the woods, others with less trees and bushes but still woodsy. Some of the sites are 2 and 3 sites facing each other. This is wonderful for groups or large families camping together but do not need those HUGE group sites. At the bathroom/shower area, you come across a whole different type of campground. This is the nicely manicured section. There are a few large trees, but the sun shines down without any problem. These sites are like cul-de-sacs off the main road. Each cul-de-sac circle has about 6 sites off it.
The ocean is across the street. There is a section to go clamming or see the seals, etc that have gathered to try and beat you to them. There are wonderful viewing spots to see what there is to see out there. Don't think of the typical sandy beaches though. This one if full of long tall, beautiful grasses. We never had a chance to check on the "sand-castle-building" ability of the sand because we were always too busy watching the crabs and other wildlife that were all over the place.
The last night there we went to a restaurant that is just outside the park and up the road a couple minutes. The Halfway House Restaurant is the place to go for a TON of great food, great service, and great locals hanging out and being friendly. In fact, the only bad thing I could say is it is small and probably does not hold many people at all. The food is extremely reasonably priced before they even bring it to you (I don't think anyone of our meals was more than $10). When you see the amount they bring you, it seems they are almost giving it away. My youngest ordered spaghetti. I think the entire platter was covered. Another got a milkshake. They bring it in the silver mixing container because the glass they give you does not hold the whole thing! My guess is that the $3-4 delicious milkshake is about 16 ounces. The waitress was SO nice, nice music played in the background, locals were gathered just talking, asked about where we were from, etc. There was by no means a rush to get us out of there. At first, I was "worried"-we were the only family in among couples and older locals, but never did we ever feel out of place. In fact, this was very much like a large family eating Sunday supper together. I strongly urge you to stop by this wonderful establishment!
The main reason we went to Dosewallips is because it was in the middle of so many other things to see and places to go. Sequim was about an hour drive. I love this place as it is the only place in Washington where it is illegal to rain. Check for that town's goings on such as the Lavender Festival. Olympic Game Park is FANTASTIC place to have your vehicle slobbered on by bison as you drive past. There is nothing better than feeding this huge animal a piece of bread as he is sticking his face in your window (OK, yeah, only slightly more than a little gross, too). Oh, yeah, and the fishing is terrific!
Just ask the campground hosts. They were very helpful and nice about giving us ideas for day trips. Fishing, boating, hiking (.5/1.5/3.5 mile hikes inside the park even), sightseeing, biking, seeing some of the largest trees in the world, mushrooming--you name it is here or close by.
I have lived in Washington for 25 years and have always heard about how friendly folks are up in this area. It was nice to find out the rumors were true!
Although, now I will have to kick myself. If word gets out about this FABULOUS place, it may not be so easy to get a spot in the upcoming years.
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Campgrounds & Lodging
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Epinions.com ID:
DnJisJRE
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Location: Graham, WA
Reviews written: 115
Trusted by: 13 members
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