For campers who are always up for one more adventure, we have provided a list of the 20 best free dispersed campsites in Washington. The Gifford-Pinchot National Forest is an excellent destination for all those seeking scenic beauty and creative inspiration. Another well-renowned Washington dispersed camping spot can be found on the shores of Banks Lake. From van life to RV living, my goal is to help you live a more adventurous life.READ MY STORY. In general, with a little knowledge of where to look and experience navigating forest service roads, it should be relatively straightforward to find dispersed camping in Washington. Forest Road 29 South. You can find free campsites within some areas of the Walla Walla District: If you plan to spend any length of time in Washington, its worth purchasing a Discover Pass. Those in larger rigs may want to look elsewhere, as it can be hard to navigate back to where the best sites are located. Plan ahead and carry necessary supplies and appropriate gear should you need it. Alicia. Baker National Forest in northern Washington has some excellent dispersed camping, including right on the shores of Baker Lake. Campsites are available first-come, first-served at no additional cost with the purchase of your Discover Pass. For more information, fishing guidelines and fish stocking timelines, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website. Your email address will not be published. All of this public land also provides an incredible opportunity for free, dispersed camping in Washington. Dispersed camping offers good flexibility if you'd like to camp and don't mind roughing it. Water: No, but you can get some from the river, Water: No, but you can get some from the creeks. Free Camping at Quincy Lake, Washington - Drivin' & Vibin' As we continue our path to the Pacific coast, Quincy Lake was our last stop before crossing the Cascade Mountains. While its true that these sites dont offer a genuine wild camping experience, they are entirely free of charge and provide quite a bit of privacy to outdoor enthusiasts. Porter Creek Campground is a popular area for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and picnicking in the day-use area. I dont think he paid for a campsite in his life. This road can get quite crowded during the summer due to its proximity to Seattle. Visit Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area in the spring to see harbor seals and their pups cruise through the chilly water as eagles and blue herons fly overhead. Please always follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles when dispersed camping, especially packing out all of your trash, including human waste. She has traveled through 48 US states and writes about van life, camping and RV living. No more showing up to crowded sites with all the good spots taken! Restrooms:NoWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. The Army Corps of Engineers are responsible for building dams and controlling rivers among other things. The campsites are located along Sullivan Creek Road and grouped together in a few clusters. There are also plenty of dispersed campsites to be found inWashington Bureau of Land Management (BLM)areas and in the Washington Recreation Areas. When searching for dispersed campsites, I often have Google Maps satellite view opened in one tab and the relevant MVUM in another I would advise you to do the same. One of Washingtons most prominent public landowners that allow dispersed camping is the Bureau of Land Management. You will also have to be very careful while driving down Thinkam Road it is notorious for its deep potholes. Aside from that, theUSDA offers this interactive mapwhich accurately labels the National Forest boundaries in Washington. Permits will only be granted for scientific purposes. See 10 traveler reviews, 11 photos and blog posts . Use existing sites and fire rings when available. The Mountain Loop Highway in Mt. It is my grandparents fault. Our #1 tip is to talk to a local park ranger. But, as I said above, this one is the best youll just have to put in a bit of effort to find a peaceful camping spot. One of the best sites for dispersed camping near Seattle is the Mountain Loop Highway. Horseback riders may bring unleashed dogs if they are controlled by voice command. You should never expect a BLM campground to be fully serviced. Restrooms:Vault toilet availableWater:NoCrowds:ModerateMap. Its a collection of campgrounds known as the Sullivan Creek Dispersed Sites. Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you have any questions and be sure to tell us about your trip! It is the largest of all camping areas in the region and, therefore, the most popular. It is best to check current regulations with the relevant USFS or BLM office, but you should plan on adhering to the following asoutlined by the USFS: One of the most important considerations when dispersed camping is to follow Leave No Trace principles. Easily accessed from Seattle, Elkhorn offers the unique experience of a hike in campsite with a remoteness you won't find at many other camping options in the area. Call the Cle Elum Ranger District: (509) 852-1100 GPS: 47.440417, -121.059917 Other Places for Free Camping in Washington The Olympic Peninsula, Mountain Loop Highway, and Salmon La Sac Road are my three favorite places for free camping in Washington, but here are six more great options. In Washington State there are a handful of federal and state agencies that allow free, dispersed camping on the land they oversee. Before heading out to rockhound, you will need prior written authorization from DNR to collect on state trust lands. It is unlawful to remove any historic or prehistoric archaeological resource without a permit per RCW 27.53.060. Using the app or a GPS-enabled devise, navigate to the geocaches coordinates. Nearby recreational opportunities include boating on Sullivan Lake and many excellent hiking trails. The road here has several dozen pull outs that make the perfect dispersed campsite and many can accommodate larger RVs and trailers. A limited number of reservation sites are available at the Elbe Hills ORV Campground in Elbe Hills State Forest. Another thing that turns FR52 into an excellent overnight option is its proximity to the parks entrance. My favorite place for free camping on the Olympic Peninsula is one of the 10 free campgrounds operated by the Washington State Department of . Try to pick a camping spot where theres no vegetation. Be safe while you're out there. Take it slowly! They are generally well maintained and a great place to stay on your road trip. One can also find several established campgrounds in this region. Whether youre looking to pitch your tent at Sulivan Lake, deep in the Olympic National Forest, or in the Cascades, this U.S. state provides numerous free camping opportunities. The sites are generally very quiet, so please be considerate of other campers and try to keep noise to a minimum! Find your next adventure with our Interactive Recreation Map and check the status of our campgrounds here. To access a sno-park with your vehicle, you will either need an annual Sno-Park Permit or a one-day Sno-Park Permit. As an added bonus, this is an easy way to take advantage of free camping in Washington state. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. This is RVing! Dispersed camping, camping outside of our designated campgrounds, is allowed in some of our forests. Any such find must be immediately reported to the Recreation Manager (360) 902-1600 who will contact Agency archaeologists. Dispersed camping, or camping outside of campgrounds, is permitted throughout most of the Forest! To help you find an ideal camping spot and navigate the states various rules and regulations, Ive created this detailed and easy-to-read Washington dispersed camping guide. Come back on any late summer evening to see nearly 3,000 bats from Washingtons largest myotis bat colony take to the skies for their dinner. The camping spots can be found everywhere around the boat launch, which is located on the lakes northwestern shore. You will still need to follow some rules whenever engaging in wild camping be it in Washington or anywhere else. If you are interested in camping in other US states, check out our guide to dispersed camping in New Mexico and our guide to dispersed camping in Wyoming. And while these arent precisely peaceful theyre pretty close to the highway they provide campers with stunning views. Our online video course will teach you everything you need to know to find your next free, dispersed campsite. You can also engage in saddle trips, picnicking, fishing, and boating. Fishing In addition to the rivers passing through DNR managed lands, we also offer fishing at more than 30 day-use recreation sites near lakes. Youll have to be a self-sufficient camper, so bring all the food, water, and gear you need. In 2018, DNR worked with the Access Fund and Washington Climbers Coalition to develop the Far Side Climbing Area in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area. Before you try it, though, there are a few things to keep in mind to stay safe and preserve the natural habitat. Many places have site-specific rules to follow as well. Avoid hazardous areas unsuitable for target shooting by contacting the region for more information regarding the area you have in mind. The Dyrt PRO is our favorite resource for planning your trip. DNR-managed land uniquely offers paragliding and hang gliding opportunities. Most sites here are just small pull offs from the road, but youll find a few that are tucked further back and have great river access. We look forward to your visit this summer! Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz invites you to come out and Discover DNR recreation. Online reservation system: (Note: an extra $8 is added for each booking, plus $5 if you are booking from out-of-state.) Get 20% here. This is where dispersed camping most resembles backpacking. Use existing sites and do not damage vegetation. Dogs must remain on leash at all other sites. As their name suggests, the campsites are situated along Sullivan Creek Road. Get out and explore new areas from one of DNRs several horse camps around the state. There are no services along FR52, so please come prepared to be self-sufficient. While these apps and websites are a good starting place for finding dispersed camping in Washington, we always recommend reaching out to the Ranger District or BLM office in the area where you are hoping to dispersed camp. Carry a headlamp or flashlight and extra batteries when you go into the backcountry. In 2017 I moved into a Dodge Ram Van to travel the US and explore the outdoors. Use manufactured targets only. Since then, I have camped in 48 states and hiked in nearly all of the National Parks. Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler - The ultimate camping cooler. You can also enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at DNR sno-parks, such as the Lily Lake Winter Recreation Area. It was a little tight for our setup, when we had to consider the possibility of others showing up. Campsites at Beaver Bay Campground are now available for reservation. Cones: Not to exceed five pounds of cones per day. This dispersed camping area is just southwest of the national park and situated adjacent to the beautiful Nisqually River. Unless otherwise posted, you can stay 10 days in a 30-day period at any of DNR's campsites. Bring a shovel and bury your waste in a hole at least six inches deep and at least 200 feet from any water source or campsite. Campers here will enjoy some wonderful views as well as easy access to the town of Grand Coulee for camping supplies. Click here. Not more than four plants per person per year. DNR Natural Resources Conservation Areas (NRCAs) are open to hunting per WDFW rules in remote areas and not in proximity to public access sites and trails; site-specific restrictions may be noted in management plans and onsite signs. Before you head out to camp, check to ensure no burn bans are in place. Required fields are marked *, Hi, I'm Kate! Type: Tent, RV Full RV Hookups: No Nearest town: Concrete, 28.3 miles Little Gee Lake offers some of the best dispersed camping in Washington as well as the most accessible fishing for the anglers out there. Thats about as cheap as it gets when it comes to outdoor recreation. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. Our favorite part about the app is that there are thousands of user-submitted reviews that include photos, amenities, and reports about campsite conditions. When you're hunting, please be aware of other recreationists and brush gatherers in the forest. Check out Mountain Project for detailed climbing information and contact the region office near the area you're interested in climbing before you make the drive. See How to Go in the Forest. An important thing to mention about these WADNR-managed areas is that camping in them is not free youll need to get the so-calledDiscover Passfirst. Here are just a few of the places to check out: Twin Lakes Recreation Area Douglas Creek Saddle Mountains Fishtrap Recreation Area Folsom Farm Recreation Site Patos Island Blind Island Juniper Dunes OHV Area Telford Recreation Area Horse Heaven Hills This is because some of the easiest pull-offs on Thinkam Road are now closed, so its best to get the most up-to-date information before heading to this area. The Department of Natural Resources for Washington is another agency that allows dispersed campers to pitch tents or park RVs on its land. Theres nothing quite like experiencing Washington from the back of a horse. Dispersed camping is out of control in Chaffee County. They are mostly just parking lots situated next to boat ramps. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Tinkham Road, Colville National Forest Sullivan Creek Dispersed Sites, Gifford-Pinchot National Forest Mount Adams, Bureau of Land Management Dispersed Camping in Washington (BLM), Washington Department of Natural Resources Campgrounds, Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds in Washington, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest MVUM, guide to Motor Vehicle Use Maps in Oregon and Washington National Forests, Dispersed Camping: How to Find the Best Campsites, Snoqualmie Ranger District North Bend Office, The Best Oregon Coast Free Dispersed Camping, The BEST Arizona Free Dispersed Camping: Everything you need to know. Check out The Dyrt PRO to get campsite reviews, offline maps, and the best map layers for finding public dispersed camping! Those planning to camp along Forest Service Road 52 in the summer should get there early to secure a good spot. How to find areas that allow free, dispersed camping, How to use public maps to narrow down your search, How to use online apps to identify where camping is permitted and view the surrounding terrain. Weve created this Washington dispersed camping guide to help you navigate through the various regulations and rules and find your perfect campsite. Before you leave on your next geocaching adventure, dont forget the Leave No Trace principles. Campsite occupancy is limited to eight people, three tents, and two vehicles per site. Fromvan lifetoRV living, my goal is to help you live a more adventurous life. Local ranger districts say that mismanaged human waste is a major problem with dispersed camping. No toilet available? Be very careful while driving down Thinkam Road it is the Mountain Loop.! Others showing up camping near Seattle is dispersed camping washington state Bureau of land Management dispersed... 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