Satsop River park with 34 water & electric RV sites on paved pads, excellent steelhead and salmon fishing, and forest hiking trails. Seasonal (May–Sept).
Schafer State Park sits deep in Grays Harbor County along the East Fork Satsop River, a river prized by anglers for its steelhead, cutthroat trout, and salmon runs. Thirty-four RV utility sites with water and electric hookups sit on paved pads — a luxury in rustic river camping — with flush restrooms, free showers, and a dump station. Two miles of forested trail wind through Douglas fir and big-leaf maple. Open seasonally from late April through mid-October.
Schafer State Park sits along the East Fork Satsop River in the foothills of the Olympic Peninsula, where the river emerges from the Willapa Hills into a broad valley that channels fall salmon runs within view of the picnic tables. The Satsop River is a significant tributary of the Chehalis River system, one of the most productive anadromous fish rivers in Washington, with steelhead and salmon runs that once supported major tribal fisheries and still attract winter anglers. The park's old-growth riverside forest — with massive bigleaf maple draped in club moss creating what locals call 'cathedral groves' — is characteristic of the transitional forest between the Olympic rain shadow and the wet Willapa Hills.
Sourced from first-hand visits, park ranger notes, and RV community reports. Updated when conditions change.
This quiet gem on the East Fork Satsop River is a good fallback when coastal parks are full. Riverside sites 1–20 are the nicest — the river is clear, cold, and excellent for swimming in July and August. Sites 30+ in the upper loop are more forested and private. The park sees far less traffic than destination parks — weekday availability is almost always good even in peak summer.
| 📍 Nearest Town | Elma, WA |
| ⛽ Gas Station | 12 mi |
| 🛒 Grocery Store | 12 mi |
| 🏪 Costco | 45 mi |
| ☕ Starbucks | 20 mi |
| 🏕️ Nearest State Park | 30 mi |
Stock up in Elma, WA before heading out — services get limited near the campground.
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Check availability online. Reserving 6 months in advance.