Description

The Sunrise Resorts Campground/Dow Creek RV Resort is nestled in dense forest between the scenic Hood Canal and Lake Cushman, not far from the Olympic National Park Staircase District. This large privately owned park is big-rig RV and family friendly and is a member of the Resorts Preferred International (RPI) and Resorts of Distinction (ROD) park networks. Dow Creek is a peaceful place to get back to nature and a great base from which to explore the eastern side of the scenic Olympic Peninsula.

Location

Dow Creek RV Resort/Sunrise Resorts Campground
2670 N Lake Cushman Rd
Hoodsport, WA 98548
Phone: (360) 877-5022
Website
Latitude: 47.410821 N, Longitude: -123.187986  W

Details

We stayed at the Dow Creek RV Resort for one week in late-August using our ROD membership for an inexpensive stay. The park was not busy during our stay and was peaceful and quiet. We had a 30 amp full hookup back-in site, although we had to restrict the sewer hookup to grey water only due to a partial blockage in the line the park had yet to fix. (Tree roots?) Surrounded by trees, the site felt quite secluded. 

Cost

Our seven night stay here was free (included in our ROD membership fee – given how many nights we stayed at ROD resorts this travel season, we averaged about $3/night – not counting the occasional extra vehicle fee). We did pay a $5/day extra vehicle fee at this park.

Amenities On Site or Nearby

The campground has basic amenities, including full or partial-hookups, tent sites, rental cabins, club house, propane, restrooms and showers, laundry room, playground, basketball court, picnic area, and hiking trails. Few amenities are available close to the park – a small market is just down the road and a larger market, gas stations, and restaurants are available in Hoodsport. A wider range of shopping and services are available further south in Shelton or Olympia.

Ratings (1-5)

Accessibility – 3/5

The campground is easily accessible from Highway WA-119, although the entrance is easy to miss if not paying close attention. The main road through the park will accommodate large rigs, although several turns or loop entrances are a bit tight. The lanes in the park are asphalt or gravel and have some potholes or rough areas – the roads could use some maintenance. The campground facilities have provisions for Universal access.

The park has both pull-thru and back-in sites RV sites, as well as dry sites for tent camping. Most of the RV sites will accommodate large rigs.

Facilities/Amenities – 3/5

The campground offers basic amenities, including full or partial-hookups, tent sites, rental cabins, club house, propane, restrooms and showers, laundry room, playground, basketball court, picnic area, and hiking trails. The grounds and facilities are clean and well maintained, although showing wear – the bath houses could use some renovations.

As mentioned above, we had to restrict the sewer hookup to grey water only due to a partial blockage in the line to our site, possibly caused by tree roots. Upon leaving the park we had to use another RV site to dump our tanks. We also had low voltage events on the 30 amp service when several other rigs hooked in near us. Setting our inverter to balance between shore power and batteries, we were able to stabilize the current. The park could use some maintenance and upgrades.

Site quality – 3/5

Sites have either full or partial hookups with water and 50/30/20 amp or 30/20 electric service. Sites are dirt and gravel and include a picnic table and fire ring. Sites are very shady and there is good separation between sites. Sites are generally level.

Scenic Value – 4/5

Set in a dense forest and just a short distance from the Hood Canal, Lake Cushman, and the Staircase area of Olympic National Park, the campground is quite scenic.

Location/Isolation – 4/5

The campground is in a dense forest and well shielded from Highway WA-119 (which is not very busy anyway), so it feels quite isolated from the outside world. The campground is quiet and there is good separation between sites, adding to the serenity.

Paws Friendliness – 4/5

The campground is pet friendly, but does not have cleanup-bag stations or any enclosed pet run. The campground is large enough to take a long walk with your pet. There are also hiking trails connecting to the park for even more exercise.

Overall Rating – 4/5

This is a really nice basic campground which we recommend, but it is showing its age and could use some renovation. We would certainly stay here on another trip.

Additional info

Internet access

We received a weak to moderate 4G Verizon signal at this campground. We deployed our cellular antenna and booster for stronger MiFi hot spot internet access.

Water Quality

The water at this campground tested slightly hard – we added our water softener to the water filtration stack.

Nearby attractions

There are many things to see and do in the area around the park.  Here are some suggestions:

• Scenic drives along Hood Canal and Lake Cushman
• Lake Cushman
• Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park
• Olympic National Park – Staircase District
• Potlatch State Park
• Hoodsport Winery
• Casinos
• Rhododendron Farm
• Hiking, biking, diving, water skiing, and golf
• Crabbing, clamming, shrimping, fishing, and hunting