Royal Basin

Park: Olympic National Park

Map

USGS: Tyler Peak or Custom Correct: Buckhorn Wilderness

9.7 km one way.
Elevations (in meters)
Start: 853End: 1564
Minimum: 853Maximum: 1564
Net Gain: 711Cumulative Gain: 711

Upper Dungeness Trailhead: (76 km from Saanich Hall, 18 km on logging roads, 4wd recommended, ferry required). Drive south on Blanshard St for 4.9km to Belleville St. Follow this for about 1km to the ferry terminal. Drive east from Port Angeles on highway 101 to Sequim and then another 4.5 km east to Palo Alto Road, turn right and continue for 12.2 km until you come to Road 28 (aka Bon Jon Pass Road). Follow this for 1.4 km (13.7 km from highway 101) to Road 2860 (a gravel road on your left). Continue 17.7 km to where this road crosses the Dungeness River where there is a parking area for the Upper Dungeness Trail.

Alternate access (possibly the only access now): Take Palo Alto Road past the Dungeness Forks campground to road 2880. Follow 2880 to 2870 and then to 2860. Follow this to the crossing of the Dungeness River and the parking area described above.

Facilities available at the trailhead include:

Uses

BackpackModerate to strenuous (backcountry permit required, fee charged).4.5 hours one way.Best from early July thru late September.

Description

Follow the Upper Dungeness Trail for 1.6km to the start of the Royal Basin Trail. The grade of the trail is gentle at first as it follows the Dungeness River but there are some short, steep sections on the route up Royal Creek.

Features

This trail features fishing, flowers, forests, lakes, meadows, mountains, rivers and waterfalls.

Hazards

Parks recommends use of a bear proof food storage container as most trees are not large enough to adequately hang your food.

Campsites along the trail

Lower MeadowApprox 9.7 km 1564 meters
         		Water is available.
    Royal Lake/Shelter RockApprox 10.0 km 1564 meters
    • Fishing
    • Ranger station
    		Water is available.
    Royal Creek11.3 km 1564 meters
             		Water is available.

      Water

      Water can be obtained from Royal Creek and other small brooks along the way. Water is plentiful in the basin itself. As with all water in the backcountry, it should be treated before being consumed.

      For additional information see:

      Olympic National Park description.

      Other trails in Olympic National Park

      Trail-conditions

      View trail condition reports for this trail.