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Best Dispersed Camping near St. Helens, OR

82 Reviews

Primitive camping options surround the St. Helens area across both Oregon and Washington sides, with several free dispersed sites available in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Tillamook State Forest, and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Campers can access no-fee sites along forest service roads including NF-81, Canyon Creek, and Little Soda Springs Road. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping and Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping provide multiple established primitive sites with fire rings but no facilities. These areas typically require visitors to practice Leave No Trace principles and use existing fire rings where permitted.

Many access roads to dispersed sites require cautious driving, with several locations demanding high-clearance vehicles. According to visitor reports, Forest Road 81 near McBride Lake includes sections of rough gravel that may challenge larger vehicles. Tillamook State Forest roads include narrow passages where logging trucks operate, even during early morning hours. Most dispersed sites lack amenities like toilets or potable water, though some locations like Little Soda Springs have vault toilets at nearby trailheads. Camping is typically limited to 14 days in a 30-day period on Forest Service lands, and Northwest Forest Passes or America the Beautiful passes are required at some locations.

These primitive camping areas offer varying degrees of seclusion and natural features. Little Soda Springs Road dispersed sites provide creek access and forest service patrols regularly check permits. "There were about three sites. I stayed at the first site when you first get there back there on the right hand side. It's a short hike down to the creek," noted one visitor. The Mount St. Helens dispersed areas provide volcanic views and proximity to attractions like Ape Canyon and Lava Canyon trails. Cell service is typically non-existent in these remote locations, with one camper advising, "There's absolutely no cell service, so make sure to download any maps or trail guides before you get there." Some areas near Tillamook State Forest experience significant noise from off-highway vehicles, particularly on weekends, while other sites remain quiet with minimal traffic.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near St. Helens, Oregon (33)

    1. Gee Creek Rest Area I-5

    1 Review
    Ridgefield, WA
    8 miles

    2. Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    8 Reviews
    Clatskanie, OR
    22 miles

    "Definitely best for car camping as the spots down by the river were pretty wet and muddy this time of year. The waterfall is amazing and only a 15 minute hike down!"

    "The river is a walk down a very steep hill behind the pullout. No place to pitch a tent, best for car camping."

    3. Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 891-5000

    "Found in typical condition. Please pick up after yourself. Many sites out here. Camped on a week day. One other camper out here. No traffic on road. Like others said road getting in sucks."

    "Road got a little bumpy getting out here but once we found a spot right near the riverbank, you felt like you were deep in it. Saw a few people on the way out."

    4. Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    15 Reviews
    Tillamook State Forest, OR
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 357-2191

    "Accessible through the Jones Creek campground turn off, continue up the forest roads past the OHV staging area and you’re in paradise!"

    "My mistake, these coordinates took us to the top of the mountain. It is currently an active logging area, so the truckers are out at 3am. The road up was a very narrow road."

    5. Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    14 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 891-5000

    "Spent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around."

    "It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there."

    6. Tillamook Forest Dispersed - Shots and Pecks

    3 Reviews
    Timber, OR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-2545

    7. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    40 miles

    "This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it."

    "This dispersed camping is free, huge bonus in my book."

    8. Snag Creek Trailhead Dispersed

    6 Reviews
    Stevenson, WA
    39 miles
    Website

    "I wanted to add videos of the river sites to my other review for this site, but the website wouldn't let me - anyway, the hike has 3 river sites about 1 mile in from the trailhead and they are beautiful"

    "We wanted a beginner backpacking trip (10 to 12 miles round trip) close to town - this one is a pretty hike with views at the end (theoretically, we saw fog)."

    9. Butte Camp/Climbers Bivouac Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    35 miles
    Website

    "Group camping with 4-5 places for tents and 2 maybe 3 spots for travel trailers but will need to back in. 2 fire pits and a few walking trails. Solar friendly and level."

    "The area around mount Saint Helens is beautiful, tons of space to park any rig, tent, or vehicle. The forest has majestic trees and when it rains, it resembles a rainforest."

    10. McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed

    1 Review
    Cougar, WA
    34 miles

    "I would scout the road and area before committing; however, there is a turnaround that you could use to maneuver the trailer to drive out. "

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near St. Helens, OR

71 Photos of 33 St. Helens Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near St. Helens, OR

82 Reviews of 33 St. Helens Campgrounds

  • Kevin W.
    Aug. 20, 2024

    McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed

    Lots of shade, very private and trailer friendly.

    I have camped here twice now, once during a scouting trip in 2016 with my boys and again in September 2024 with just me and my dog :).  I could pull my 17' pop-up "A" frame trailer and back into one of the two spots with no problem.  Due to the narrow road, it may be a bit more snug with bigger rigs (25+ feet long and anything more than 8+ feet wide).  I would scout the road and area before committing; however, there is a turnaround that you could use to maneuver the trailer to drive out.  It's plenty big to accommodate a few trucks/cars and one, maybe two towable trailers.  If you're going tent camping, there are about four flat places for tents.  The area has no trails, so you would not have to worry about people wandering into the campsite. The Ape Caves is a small drive away. The town of Cougar, WA. is about 10 miles away if you need gas or food.  There is a lot of shade, and it is not solar-friendly.  The main road is about 100 feet away, relatively quiet, and very private.  There was a large rock fire pit in the middle. There is no cell phone reception; however, if you drive East for a few miles, you may be able to get 2 bars with Verizon.

    Per the state website, "On the southwest side of Mount St. Helens, Forest Road 81 provides an experience away from crowds. On this road, access Kalama Horse Camp, Red Rock Pass, and Forest Road 830, the road to Climber's Bivouac, and the start of the summer climbing route. From the west, the road begins on Forest Road 90, near Cougar, WA, and travels through private timberlands and state lands before entering Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The road connects with Forest Road 83 on its east side. While mostly paved, be prepared for several miles of gravel(between Forest Road 830 and 8123) and a road that is sometimes very rough."

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2022

    Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    Perfect for Overland and off-road vehicle camping

    Accessible through the Jones Creek campground turn off, continue up the forest roads past the OHV staging area and you’re in paradise! Gorgeous spots all over that are accessible in most 4WD/off-road capable vehicles. There is a massive network of forest service roads many with spots to set up your own quiet camp away from all the dirt bikes and RVs. No facilities obviously but that’s what makes this place special. It’s incredibly quiet and peaceful and a gorgeous piece of the PNW coastal area.

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2025

    Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    GPS takes you to the top!

    My mistake, these coordinates took us to the top of the mountain. It is currently an active logging area, so the truckers are out at 3am. The road up was a very narrow road. So careful if there’s other cars coming through, especially the logging semis.

    Nonetheless a cool spot. Dry camping. Please clean up after yourselves.

  • Johny B.
    Jun. 19, 2025

    Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    Peaceful and Scenic Getaway

    Spent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around. We found a great shady spot not far from a small creek, and it was perfect for relaxing. Heads up: there’s absolutely no cell service, so make sure to download any maps or trail guides(we used an offline hiking APK) before you get there. It’s close to Mount St. Helens and Columbia River Gorge, so we got in a great day hike. Nights were cool, days were warm and bug-free. Forest service came by once, which was nice to see. You’ll need a Forest Pass.

  • Danielle S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2018

    Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed Camping - s. Mount St. Helens

    This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it. There's a lot of space here. From our spot, we saw at least a half a dozen fire pits, but we were the only ones there. It has some nice trees and a trail. Up the road is Lava Canyon, where there are toilets if you need. There are some decently flat spots for a tent and I felt was all around a good site.

  • Vanessa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

    You may get lost

    The coordinates here were incorrect coming from Hood River Oregon. It sent me down a rough dead end forest service road. I ended up lost on the mountain for 3 hours and finally made it out somewhere near camas. Make sure you have lots of fuel

  • Madison D.
    May. 11, 2020

    Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    Free and Secluded

    This dispersed camping is free, huge bonus in my book. While searching for our perfect spot we did come across a few large parties, making us apprehensive that we would experience our ideal peaceful experience, but we were wrong to be. There were dozens of open sites that we had our pick of. A handful of cars drove by throughout the evening and night, but not an outrageous amount. Pretty dang good for very accessible NF camping spots. There are a good deal of trailheads near by, meaning you're never too far from a pit toilet or a bulletin board with information.

    We visited in early September and found the weather to be very pleasant. Our view of Mt. St Helen's was obscured by the tall trees that offered our site seclusion and privacy, but we relished the view of the active volcano while driving to and from our site.

  • Eric H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Dome Camp

    Breathless 360° Views

    Mt. Saint Helens has become a 4th of July tradition. In 2019, we hiked the Boundary Trail #1 to the Mount Margaret Wilderness overlooking the Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument. We set out to camp at Dome Camp in between Coldwater Peak and Mount Margaret. Permits are required and limited to 4 per night. At the time, they cost $6ea.

    Upon our arrival after a ginger 6 hour hike in, we were greeted with expansive views in all directions. There are 2 campsites, one low in the saddle and one up top, with a latrine in between the two. We chose the higher ground one to have an incredible view of Mount St. Helens to the South, The Dome to the East, and Mount Whittier to the NE. The site is nearly perfectly flat with soft sand gravel mix. There wasn't any debris to clear and plenty of room for 2 two person tents. We staked down the tents as it tends to get a bit windy, but guests never got above 10mph. No camp fires, ever!

    We arrived around 2pm, just enough time to settle in, set up, eat and then enjoy the landscape's shifting shadows as Sun lowered toward the horizon behind us. The mountains glowed in the summer evening sun as the clouds sunk lower and lower, down into the valleys below us.

    Low cloud fronts built strength at the Whittier Ridge and slowly crept over and down into the valley. The fog rolled up over us and The Dome, creating rivers of clouds flowing down into Spirit Lake and the valley. The clouds came in waves drastically changing the environment every 30mins, giving us something new to see everytime.

    In the morning, there was a herd of mountain goats along the ridge to the south west looking down over us, playfully dancing along the steep walls. Woodpeckers and coyotes could be heard in the distance truly expanding the environment.

  • Vanessa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2025

    Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    Amazing spot!

    Absolutely loved the spot. There were about three sites. I believe from what I saw. I stayed at the first site when you first get there back there on the right hand side. It's a short hike down to the creek. It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there. Minimal bugs didn't get any bug bites and it was in the '90s while I was there. Very little traffic. Not far from the highway just in case of emergencies. Absolutely no cell service. You must have a Northwest Forest pass or America the beautiful pass. Forest service does drive through there frequently to check

Guide to St. Helens

Primitive camping near St. Helens, Oregon offers access to the volcanic terrain and old-growth forests of the Cascade Range. Winter months often bring heavy snow to forest roads above 2,000 feet elevation, restricting access to many dispersed sites from November through April. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-85°F with minimal rainfall from July through September.

What to do

Waterfall hiking: Beaver Falls Trailhead provides access to a scenic waterfall after a short hike. "The trail is short an easy to a beautiful waterfall. Great for an evening dip," notes one visitor at Beaver Falls Trailhead.

Mushroom foraging: Late summer and early fall months offer prime mushroom hunting opportunities. "During August and September, you can find tons of edible mushrooms," reports a camper from Butte Camp area.

Creek exploration: Several dispersed camping areas feature creek access. At Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed, "I stayed at the first site when you first get there back there on the right hand side. It's a short hike down to the creek," shares one visitor.

Off-trail navigation: Download offline maps for any hikes or drives. "There's absolutely no cell service, so make sure to download any maps or trail guides before you get there," advises a camper from Little Soda Springs Rd.

What campers like

Secluded spots: Many campers appreciate finding quiet areas away from crowds. In Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping, "I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to see only one other person camping nearby. I was able to find a spot next to a couple others."

Proximity to trails: Several dispersed sites offer direct trail access. One camper at Snag Creek Trailhead Dispersed noted, "the hike has 3 river sites about 1 mile in from the trailhead and they are beautiful and right at the bend of the river."

Mountain views: Elevated sites provide volcanic vistas. "Complete view of the majestic mountain. Lots of room and even some flat spots," shares a visitor at Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping.

Digital disconnection: The absence of connectivity creates a true wilderness experience. "Peaceful Spot with Nature All Around — Great for a Digital Detox," states a Little Soda Springs Rd camper.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access roads vary greatly in quality. "The road coming in the last 10 miles is rough in many spots. It's hard to see the bumps and dips in the road in the early evening," warns a visitor at Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping.

Site availability patterns: Holiday weekends fill quickly. "There are a lot of places for dispersed camping along FS-83, but they do get pretty full on nice weekends," cautions a camper.

Wildlife encounters: Predators inhabit the surrounding forest. At Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek, one camper jokingly warns to "Beware of Samsquatch."

Pass requirements: Multiple sites require recreation passes. "You must have a Northwest Forest pass or America the Beautiful pass. Forest service does drive through there frequently to check," reports a Little Soda Springs Rd visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best dispersed camping sites around Mt. St. Helens?

The Mt. St. Helens area offers several excellent dispersed camping options. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping on the south side provides numerous fire pits and spacious sites that are easily accessible just off the highway. For a more secluded experience, Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed offers peaceful sites near a creek with a nice mix of forest and open space. Other notable options include Dome Camp in the Mount Margaret Wilderness (permit required) and dispersed sites throughout Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Most sites are accessible with standard vehicles, though some forest service roads may require 4WD during wet conditions.

What amenities are available at Pumice Butte camping area near Mt. St. Helens?

Pumice Butte- Dispersed Campsite is a true primitive camping experience with no developed amenities. You won't find potable water, trash service, restrooms, or picnic tables. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including water, toilet paper, and waste disposal bags. Fire rings may be present at established sites, but always check current fire restrictions before planning to have a campfire. The Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight area nearby offers similar dispersed camping opportunities with access to natural features but minimal facilities. Be prepared to be fully self-sufficient and practice Leave No Trace principles when staying at Pumice Butte.

Is free camping available near Mt. St. Helens?

Yes, free camping is readily available near Mt. St. Helens. McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed offers free camping with spots suitable for small trailers. The site is accessible for vehicles, including pop-up trailers up to 17 feet. Another option is Dome Camp, located between Coldwater Peak and Mount Margaret, though permits are required and limited. Throughout Gifford Pinchot National Forest, numerous free dispersed camping areas exist, typically allowing 14-day stays. Remember that free sites generally don't provide amenities, so pack in water and pack out all trash. Always check current forest regulations as rules may change seasonally.

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