Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp is located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, featuring forested terrain with nearby rivers and trails. Temperatures can range from 30°F in winter to 80°F in summer, providing varied conditions for camping. Visitors can explore the nearby Big Four Ice Caves and enjoy hiking opportunities in the surrounding area.

What is Dispersed Camping?
Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Typically, it refers to roadside car camping, but also refers to backpacking in undeveloped sites. Dispersed camping means there are no services like trash removal, and amenities such as toilets, tables and fire pits, are not usually available.

It is your responsibility to plan ahead and learn the extra skills necessary for dispersed camping. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.

Dispersed camping along Forest Service roads is allowed where there is adequate space to safely park completely off the roadway and not on any vegetation. Whether car camping or backpacking, choose an existing campsite on bare or compacted soil. Unless signed as an area where a fee is required, dispersed camping is free. Dispersed camping is prohibited in developed campgrounds and areas posted closed or no camping. Some designated Wilderness areas have additional restrictions. For the best information on dispersed camping opportunities and local restrictions, please contact the nearest ranger district office. 

Rules for Dispersed Camping
These rules apply to car camping and backpacking

You may camp in a dispersed area in an individual Ranger District for up to 14 days within a 30-day period. After 14 days, you must move to another Ranger District or off the National Forest until the 30 days has elapsed.
Do not blaze new roads to campsites, create new campsites, clear ground, cut or harm vegetation or construct a trail. 
Do not drive beyond constructed physical barriers, such as berms or gates.  
Do not drive through streams or wetlands to access a camp. 
If campfires are legal in your location and you choose to have a campfire, pick a site with an existing fire pit.  Do not create new fire pits. Make sure your campfire is always attended and is dead out and cold to the touch before you leave your site. Fires may be restricted or banned based on the fire danger rating. 
Follow  Leave No Trace  principles and come prepared to “Pack it in. Pack it out.” Pack all trash home. Dispose of human waste in a sanitary manner. In high use locations, areas above tree line and snow-covered areas it is not possible to bury human waste in a sanitary manner. It will need to be packed out and disposed of at home using a wag bag, blue bag, portable toilet or another Leave No Trace approved method.  
Do not block roads or gates.
Keep food and scented items secure from wildlife by keeping a clean camp and store items in your vehicle or use a wildlife resistant storage canister. 
Failure to follow regulations can lead to legal consequences. Additional Forest rules and links to report crimes can be found on our Law Enforcement page.

Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp

Are you in need of a campground near Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WA? Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

The Best Camping Near Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington

Easy enough to access right off the mountain loop highway. Meandering sites along the river with good logs for benches and fire rings made from forest rocks. Heavily forested and beautiful. 

Sites just off the gravel portion of the mountain loop 

Easy to find and peaceful next to the river. No noise from the road.

Peaceful 

The directions had me believing that the dispersed camping was just various pull offs on the highway loop and that’s where I stayed. It was loud and it felt like the traffic was coming through my tent at times. After driving to North Cascades I discovered that there was real dispersed camping on that road but probably 45 minutes to an hour past where the coordinates took you. Once the highway turned into a gravel road is when I started seeing nice dispersed campsites 

Photos of Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp

Real photos from real campers