Dispersed camping near Blanchard, Idaho offers basic primitive sites primarily on public lands within northern Idaho and eastern Washington. Most sites sit at elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet with temperatures ranging from summer highs in the 90s to winter lows well below freezing. Forest roads leading to these areas typically open by late May but close after first significant snowfall, usually by early November.
What to do
Fishing from shore: Bull Run Access Dispersed provides multiple shore fishing spots where the Clark Fork River enters Lake Pend Oreille. One visitor noted it has "very nice and secluded area right on the river bed" accessed through "the boat launching ramp that's a bit ahead on the road."
Swimming in lakes: Bead Lake offers swimming opportunities with "a small level area there for chairs" and beaches that are primarily "dirt and sharp rock, and mostly sloped, probably 150 feet long and narrow."
Wildlife viewing: Cee Cee Ah Creek provides opportunities to observe forest wildlife. A camper mentioned it's "a great little spot for dispersed camping" with "a creek that runs through this area, which is great for cooling off on hot days."
Boat launching: Many dispersed sites provide river or lake access for small craft. Clark Fork Drift Yard features "a boat launch with dock and another without" making it easy to get out on the water quickly.
What campers like
Natural water features: Cooks Lake receives positive reviews for its water access. A visitor described how "the water was warm and we swam all day. Bats at night, and the stars!!"
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed areas offer good separation between campsites. At North Fork Chewelah Creek, a camper described finding "a beautiful camp ground. Small space with multiple dispersed camp sites along the creek and throughout the wooded area."
Mountain views: Copper Mountain Road dispersed camping provides "mountain views" and is just "up the road about 10 minutes" with "great views" though campers should expect "a little bit of noise from the interstate."
Lake access from campsite: Several sites allow camping within feet of water. At Bull Run Access, one camper advised to "cross the one-lane bridge > make a right till you hit the parking lot > make another right towards the sign that says 'sportsman access'" to find the best spots.
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: Mosquitoes are prevalent in many sites. A camper at Bull Run Access noted "lots of bugs: lots of bees and mosquitoes" while another at Rose Lake stated they "had my door opened for just a few minutes and had to kill like 20 before I could sleep."
Uneven terrain: Many sites lack level ground for comfortable camping. A visitor to Rose Lake mentioned "it would be really great if the two lot areas were level. There isn't a level spot anywhere."
Vault toilet conditions: Expect basic or poorly maintained facilities. A camper at Cooks Lake warned the "vault toilet was disgusting, beware" while another at Clark Fork Drift Yard noted the "outhouse could use cleaning."
Encounters with other users: Areas can sometimes have conflicting uses. At North Fork Chewelah Creek, one camper reported "people often use the creek just to bring their kids down to frolic in the water for a few hours" leading to occasional conflicts over space.
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water access: Bull Run Access provides kid-friendly water areas. A visitor noted that "after crossing the bike path, take the first right onto the dirt road at the sportsmans access sign" to find the best family spots.
Shaded camping spots: For summer heat protection, seek forested areas. A camper at Priest Lake Dispersed Camping found "several different off road paths that lead to some great camping spots in the area" with good tree cover.
Site security: Some areas have better visibility than others. At Rose Lake, one camper cautioned "we didn't feel secure at this location, it was very removed from the main road, it was not looked after."
Noise considerations: Expect varied noise levels throughout the region. A visitor to Clark Fork River Driftyard reported "it was a pretty quiet spot, other than the trains going by" while noting "you could hear gunshots in the distance from others hunting."
Tips from RVers
Access road conditions: Many forest roads require careful navigation. For Cooks Lake, one RVer warned "the road to get there was approx six miles of gravel winding single lane road" though they found it "so worth the drive."
Turnaround availability: Several sites offer adequate space for larger vehicles. At Bull Run Access, an RVer confirmed "we were able to get our fifth wheel (40ft long, 13 1/2 ft tall) in and out easy! Lots of spaces and places to turn around."
Campsite surfaces: Ground conditions vary considerably between sites. An RVer at Rose Lake described "a mowed area to park your travel trailer, setup a tent or park your RV" but warned "this area is very buggy so be prepared."
Limited services: No hookups exist at any dispersed sites. A camper at Clark Fork River Driftyard summarized it as "not much to look at, but free. No amenities" making it primarily "a place to sleep" for self-contained units.
