Planning a dispersed camping trip near Athol? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Cooks LakeCooks Lake is a small 11 acre lake which lies northeast of Usk, WA. It offers rainbow trout fishing opportunities. During dry summer months the lake level can significantly recede. There is easy access for launching a small boat. Several dispersed campsites and a concrete vault toilet are located at the southeast end of the lake.
The stream flows through low wooded mountains joining the South Fork to form Chewelah Creek. This stream flows into the Colville River. In addition to fishing, visitors also hunt, horseback ride and camp along the creek. There are approximately 8 miles of the North Fork located on NFS lands. There are also many tributaries to the North Fork that are fishable. There are dispersed camping sites that exist along the stream at various locations. Washington state fishing license required. See Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at http://wdfw.wa.gov/ for more information. Quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Campfire in developed fire ring only Fireworks are prohibited Pets must be under voice command or on leash OHV use allowed Maximum length of stay: 14 days Food and wildlife attractants must be properly stored at all times
Guide
Packed up and left due to a belligerent and homeless vagrant. Small, beautiful lake. Uneven, rocky dispersed camping areas.
LegendNice little loop camp ground, 3 sites that were pretty spacious all include a fire ring and picnic table. Free camping for up to 3 days. Right on the lake! Nice dock to go out to fish on as well. 1 vault toilet. Nice big parking lot for boats and trailers! Right off of i90.
Traveler
Usually visit in April. There are a TON of dispersed camping areas within a mile of this "campground" so if its full, it's not a big deal.
With that said, I've never run into any issues with folks using this campground but there's a first time for everything. Most of my time spent in this area has been dead quiet and usually quite private.
Traveler
Very quiet, isolated camp spot. This is the best spot to set up: Cross the one-lane bridge > make a right till you hit the parking lot > make another right towards the sign that says "sportsman access (or something like that)" > stay straight until you are prompted to make a left. Instead of making that left, stay right there. Spacious enough for you to set up a tent and park your car.
Guide
This was my first ever backpacking experience and was a great introduction for me. We did the 3.5-mile trail. It was challenging and encouraging. My dog loved it too, and she's a larger breed! I would recommend this trek for anyone who is wanting to learn and practice backpacking skills. There are a few cleared areas for dispersed camping at the lake and a few other locations along the 3.5-mile trail and the 11-mile trail to Engle Lake. It is mostly uphill along both trails, though, so be mindful of that when considering equipment and weight. It is a gorgeous spot and is close to the Engle Peak summit with 360-degree views of the Cabinet Mountains. When we were here, there were a lot of Elk and Moose foot-traffic. They probably won't bother you. Just be aware of them and store your food properly. There have been grizzly bears spotted here, but not that frequently, apparently. Nonetheless, bring a bear canister and place it 100-300 feet from your tent. Enjoy the preserved and lightly trafficked gem! And as always, leave no trace and follow COVID-19 and social distancing guidelines :)
TravelerThe good -A beautiful camp ground. Small space with multiple dispersed camp sites along the creek and throughout the wooded area. The creek is very small but powerful. You can not swim but still a great place to get wet. If you have a tube bring it and enjoy a short river ride. Not a good place to fish. The main camp area is completely shaded keeping things cool. The camp is very close to the creek. Still there was no issues with bugs. I did not need bug spray. There are established stone fire pits or you can gather up some rocks and make your own. Plenty of deadfall and fire wood all over the place. There is also a fence that runs the perimeter of the camp area. Helping to keep the predators out. The only animal I saw besides squirrels and birds was a skunk. Bears, coyotes, wolves and cougars are know to frequent the area.
The bad - Many of the locals are not friendly and claim the whole creek portion of the camp ground for themselves. There are about 6 different camp sites directly on the main creek. The others are spread out through the woods. People often use the creek just to bring their kids down to frolic in the water for a few hours. More than once I have been approached and ran off by hostile creek users. Im sure there are good folks around their too. That said the few people I have met out there are nasty and will refuse to share the campground causing all kinds of drama until you just get mad and leave. Last weekend I was approached by 4 men who were not camping just using the creek to tube with their kids. I was told that I better go find another place to camp. That they were using the creek and I could not be there. I set up anyways camping away from them and was not in anyway a bother to them. Still they continued to come over and harass me about leaving. Until I finally I strapped on my pistol approached them and told them I wasn't going any where. I was met with a lot of cussing and threats. But finally They did leave! So sad a beautiful place I truly loved the area. Not sure if I will continue to go back. It was not worth the ignorance or drama of other human beings. No toilets or electricity, No wifi or fresh drinking water. If you can avoid ignorant humans I would recommend this place to camp.
TravelerWent with the family in mid May on a perfect weekend weather-wise. If you drive past the first couple grass campsites and continue on the narrow road with water on both sides, just off to the right is a single secluded campsite amongst the tree. The best site there imo. privacy, lots of trees so the site gets a good amount of shade but sun still pokes through, perfect.
Mosquitos weren't so bad that it affected us but we all had a few bites. My only knock on this site, which isn't much, is that you can see homes from the sites. What can I say I like to feel like I am far from everyone.
Good site to camp for a family.
GuideThere are several dispersed sites up here along Pack River. Good for horses, camping and solitude.
Traveler
We camped at Cooks Lake for two nights, this past Friday and Saturday. There were 4-5 camp sites at the main campground, well-separated and each with a fire pit. There is a vault toilet that was disgusting, beware. Swimming/small boat access is through the main campground.
Hop out onto the road and keep heading the same direction and you'll come to a couple of other little pods of sites, most had fire pits, and they were fairly level and well-separated as well.
We turned around and went back and past the main campground, and took the next downhill driveway toward the lake. The driveway ends at a decent raised fire pit with a ledge for a pan or pot. There is a small level area there for chairs. Past the fire pit, it slopes down to the lake. The beach is dirt and sharp rock, and mostly sloped, probably 150 feet long? and narrow. There is another steep entrance to this beach at the other end, from a pullout on the road above. We decided to stay there because it felt pretty secluded, and there was one spot that was level enough for a tent…there was 12" of beach between the tent and the water!
We were 'invaded' by groups of fishermen/women/families both mornings pretty early, one was rude, one was quiet. But, the early mornings on the lake were worth it. The mist rising and the vast, green mountains, right in front of you! Birds everywhere, woodpeckers in the birch trees and killdeer darting down to the water. Chipmunks and rabbits. Tadpoles and turtles and little water snakes. The water was warm and we swam all day. Bats at night, and the stars!!
Excellent camping experience.
RangerWe found a great spot to camp but since it was dispersed we made our own fire ring and camped in this area. There were some other sites that were occupied or we did not like it as much as the spot we ended up pitching up camp. Saw no ticks, but did get a few bites from other insects.
Hearing the birds was really cool.
GuideCute little dispersed campground approx 6 sites. At least 2 of them are good for me trailer although I wouldn't try if you're not experienced with towing. The road to get there was approx six miles of gravel winding single lane road. But so worth the drive for the beautiful shaded sites and the open Lakeview sites. Not alot of traffic comes through during the week. Has one vault toilet that was pretty clean but bring your own tp. Also it is bear county so be sure to bring bear proof containers although it was so hot when we went that the wildlife was hiding out...lol
ScoutIt’s a small area, but there is a big space for large vans and campers and as you go down to the lake there are two campsites next to the bathroom that are perfect for tent camping. (if you can get the spot)
GuideI followed the road past the sportsman’s access sign as suggested by someone else. Turned left at the first corner, found one campsite and continued. The road turns into private land and I had to turn around. Camped at the first site. Wasn’t bad. Very open. Right near the water. Good gravel road. Only saw 2 other people while there. One stayed at the corner. Stayed one night. A deer walked right through camp.
GuideFor a free stop on the way to a primary destination, this was the most pleasant surprise. Strolled in at 11 pm and although it was dark & other campers, it was easy to find a spot. The morning revealed a beautiful lake/dock, clean pit toilet and pet friendly space. It was very simple, but perfect quick stop for us.
RangerRose Lake campsite is a nice spot minutes right off of the highway. The original posting has the public access area for the camping but the camping area is near the boat launch(take your first left when going to the public access). Near the public access there is a outhouse. When you get to the correct area there is a mowed area to park your travel trailer, setup a tent or park your RV. This area is very buggy so be prepared, we stopped in late July. There is no cell phone service too! Check out our blog at www.unnadventures.com or follow our journey on facebook or instagram at Unnamed Adventures.
RangerWe pulled in after sundown — so grateful to find a safe spot close to the Hwy (en route to our next national park). There was no entry signage beyond the boat launch. The Dyrt map and other reviewer’s directions were accurate. There seemed to be two large lots (one grass, one gravel) that were camping permissible. We were in the second gravel lot. There appeared to be 5 total groups of campers spread over two spacious lots with plenty room for more. There are fewer options for tent campers. One is a little clearing and fire ring under the trees at the rear of the gravel lot (see pic). The gravel lot proved to be a very uncomfortable slant for our rooftop tent.
Toilet. Pretty little lake (but nothing you’d want to swim in. Pretty murky and gas polluted water by the boat launch). 3 night limit. Not a place you target for a vacation, but a lovely free spot along the way.
GuideHwy 3 > Cross the 1 lane bridge called "South Bull Run Rd" > continue to the right past a few houses until you reach Coeur d'alene Trail access parking area > cross over trail and continue down parallel West Bull Run rd
4 spots that I found. One is a large loop with fire pits already setup (where I stayed). There's one back-in that used to be a 2 track trail next to a small pond, another pull-through loop next to the main sign, and one more site down the road towards the forest.
You're really close to highway 3 so there's road noise from that. More common actually was the sound of boats going down the Coeur d'Alene river which is even closer. There's another camping area across the river (which is apparently contaminated with toxic materials from mining lol). I was here during 4th of July so people were lighting off fire crackers there as you'd expect.
Overall it's a very beautiful spot, with multiple small lakes, deer grazing around, and plenty of wildflowers.
Had no issue with my 25ft trailer as the road was in good shape. Larger rigs would probably be okay too, but I'd scout it out.
This is Idaho Fish and Wildlife property and has a 3-day maximum stay.
Scout
Terrible spot between road and rail, not good for tents, possibly a so-so rv spot in a pinch.
LegendIt’s closed until fall 2023 where the pit toilets are for maintenance. The spot GPS directed me to however is across the road under some power lines. It’s really just a big turnout. The road isn’t busy but it’s active. There are train tracks below that are pretty noisy. OK for a night, wouldn’t actually want to camp here. But I do get 1-2 bars of Verizon service so that’s nice! And it’s somewhat shady. The lake is far down below.
LegendIt is a steep but well maintained forest road. There was one clear pull off early and it had someone in it. Wanted some privacy so I kept going. Someone had parked on the side of the road and went past that. Found a blocked entrance to a forest road about a mile in. Wasn't flat but not bad and off the road a bit with a place to walk the dog.
Guide
Older private campground with power for $40. There is a dump at an additional cost of $10. Some sites are dry camping only. Lake access, but campground is in treed meadow. Sites are not clearly defined. We were here on Wednesday and only ones here other than permanent trailers. Showers are $2 and you get key from camp attendant, Deb. Horse shoe pits and volleyball available.
ScoutGreat little lake, no wake lake so it’s great for kayaking! They do have docks for small fishing boats. The bathrooms are actual bathrooms. They do offer a coin operated shower! Crystal clear lake with lots to offer
ScoutThis campground is now closed and owned by private resident. Very sad to see this place go. We have been coming here for 25 years.
LegendThis is a nice little lake. Perfect for peace and quiet. Not a ton of boats around, so that makes this place perfect for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. It does have bathrooms, which is always better than a hole in the ground, but the "doors" are just shower curtains. There are also coin operated showers. There is a tiny store. I would suggest bringing everything you need. The lady that runs the place is just a sweetheart. This lake was pretty warm in the fall and the water was gorgeous! Crystal clear!
TravelerVery scenic, quite lake with an easy to launch boat ramp
GuidePulled into the campground late at night. It was snowy so we were the only ones. We were able to pull off beside of the bathroom. There were 2 picnic tables/fire rings off to the side. Nice lake when waking up. Would explore other options next time but is nice if you’re in a pinch.
ScoutWe didn't feel secure at this location, it was very removed from the main road, it was not looked after (grass was very high), and it seemed liked someone was living there permanently. Generally weird vibes.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Athol, Idaho, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Athol, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Athol, ID is Rose Lake with a 3-star rating from 11 reviews.
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