Top Free Dispersed Camping near Anacortes, WA

Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Anacortes? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Anacortes, WA (8)

    Camper-submitted photo from Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit
    Camper-submitted photo from Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit
    Camper-submitted photo from Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit
    Camper-submitted photo from Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit
    Camper-submitted photo from Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit
    Camper-submitted photo from Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit

    1. Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit

    3 Reviews
    16 Photos
    69 Saves

    The park offers four primitive campsites on the north shore bay. The pay station is near the eastern campsite. A vault toilet is in the woods 100-feet south of the campsites. The rest of the island is a Natural Area Preserve, off limits to recreational use. Standard primitive campsite rules apply.The overnight parking fee is in effect at Cornet Bay boat launch.

    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Dispersed
    • Picnic Table
    • Alcohol
    • No image available

      2. Pine Lake Campground

      1 Review
      23 Saves
      • Pets
      • Phone Service
      • Tents
      • Toilets
      • Alcohol
      Camper-submitted photo from Point Doughty

      3. Point Doughty

      3 Reviews
      1 Photo
      12 Saves
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • Tents
      • Picnic Table
      • Toilets
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

      4. Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

      4 Reviews
      11 Photos
      361 Saves

      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.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • RVs
      • Tents
      • Group
      • Standard (Tent/RV)
      Camper-submitted photo from Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite
      Camper-submitted photo from Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite
      Camper-submitted photo from Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite
      Camper-submitted photo from Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite
      Camper-submitted photo from Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite
      Camper-submitted photo from Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite
      Camper-submitted photo from Lake Angeles
      Camper-submitted photo from Lake Angeles
      Camper-submitted photo from Lake Angeles
      Camper-submitted photo from Lake Angeles
      Camper-submitted photo from Lake Angeles
      Camper-submitted photo from Lake Angeles

      6. Lake Angeles

      1 Review
      15 Photos
      112 Saves
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • Dispersed
      • No image available
        • No image available

        Recent Dispersed Reviews In Anacortes

        11 Reviews of 8 Anacortes Campgrounds


        • HThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp
          Oct. 13, 2024

          Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

          Quiet camp with great views

          Arrived around 4pm on a Friday and there were a few spots left. Pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available. No water. Got a spot with lake and Mountain View’s. Very small, quiet, stunning campground. Felt safe. We have a rooftop tent, not many sites with large enough spots to park trailers or vans. Mostly tent sites that are walk in. Mostly open, some sites in the forest. Had one bar of Verizon service. Would stay again!

        • HThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp
          Aug. 19, 2024

          Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

          Great spot on the lake

          We found an amazing site right on the lake, with great views and it was fairly quiet. There were a couple people who decided to have campfires despite the statewide burn ban in effect, which was a bit of a bummer. Despite that, great campground with toilets, picnic table, fire ring (when allowed), and lots of trees for hammocking. Loved our weekend here!

        • DThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite
          Jul. 28, 2024

          Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite

          Plenty of spots

          If you think all the spots are taken, keep driving. So many spots along Baker Lake Road.

          Late July, there’s a lot of partying on the lake. It’s not so bad but you’ll definitely hear people having fun.

        • O
          Camper-submitted photo from Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp
          Aug. 30, 2023

          Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

          Beautiful spot

          We was there during the week and we could to find a free spot easily.

          Just turn right after the Horseshoe Cove CG. It’s a unpaved road, go until the lake. Has a toilet and 10ish campsites with fireplaces and tables.

        • J
          Camper-submitted photo from Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp
          Aug. 25, 2023

          Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

          Great free spot on Baker Lake

          Loved this free campground on Baker Lake near mt baker, WA! Take the first turn after horseshoe cove campground and follow the gravel road all the way to the lake.

          Lots of spots with tables and fire rings, some spots have nice tent pads. Some sites are marked and some are not. There’s a single pit toilet and no running water. Seems like a pretty popular spot but we were able to get a site mid week at the end of August.

          Parking for some of the spots is not the best but we were still able to car camp comfortably. Will definitely be staying here again!

        • Luis N.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Lake Angeles
          Jun. 25, 2021

          Lake Angeles

          Lake Ángeles Campground

          Super cool, isolated campground right next to Lake Ángeles. Only way to access is by hiking to it. Lots of bugs so make sure to bring bug repellant. Primitive campground, so bring your own water, trowel, tp, everything!! Hike is about 4 miles from the trailhead with ~ 2,500ft of elevation gain. Trailhead is right by the toll booths for the park. Parking is limited so try to get there at a reasonable time.

        • Jill R.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Point Doughty
          Sep. 25, 2019

          Point Doughty

          DNR site badly in need of care

          For such a fabulous location, this campground is woefully behind the times. Compared to other Cascade Water Trails locations under the WA State Parks jurisdiction that are clean and now sport awesome composting toilets, Point Doughty under the Department of Natural Resources has a particularly horrible pit toilet that you have to scramble up a bluff to get to. I understand a storm took out the stairs a while back and it's obvious there's been some activity to get stairs rebuilt. However, it's impossible as of this writing to get any gear from the beach to the campsites on the bluff. I wound up camping on the beach as I was in my kayak and there were no other options nearby. Actually the beach was quite pleasant as 2 orca whales cavorted just 100' off and a stellar sea lion, harbor seals and many sea bird varieties provided fantastic entertainment.

        • Pat M.
          Camper-submitted photo from Point Doughty
          Jul. 22, 2019

          Point Doughty

          Gamble for a view

          Only 3 non-reservable sites with tables and fire pits on DNR land. The path up to the sites from the beach is very steep and slippery on the dirt but there is a rope to help. Looks like they’re trying to create a stairway in the future. Not recommended if you need to haul myriad items up to the campground. One vault toilet had no toilet paper and was quite unsavory. We grabbed some rolls from Sucia to restock it for people. There is an epic view with short trails to walk around though.

        • Pat M.
          Camper-submitted photo from Point Doughty
          Jul. 18, 2019

          Point Doughty

          Point

          3 non-reservable sites are available on Washington area preserve land. The path up to the sites is steep and slippery with loose dirt but there’s a rope to help out. Looks like they started to build steps, who knows if it will get finished. Not recommended for hauling myriad items up from kayaks. The restroom is a vault toilet that lacked toilet paper and was quite unsavory. We brought a couple rolls from Sucia to help out. During low side it is very rocky and tough on fiberglass kayaks, but there’s a small path that can launch one or two kayaks at a time. There’s a couple short paths to explore the area, and an epic view at the tip of the point. Best used for small groups and simple camping.



        Guide to Anacortes

        Camping near Anacortes, Washington, offers a fantastic mix of beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and family-friendly options. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

        What to do:

        • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Deception Pass State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The hike to see Deception Pass Bridge is awesome," making it a must-do for nature lovers.
        • Beach Access: Enjoy the sandy shores at Larrabee State Park Campground. A camper noted, "Close to Bellingham, Spots are veryyyy Close together, Walk to Beach and the View Priceless."
        • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife at Fort Flagler Historical State Park Campground. One reviewer shared, "Witnessed a beautiful sunset camping on the bluff," highlighting the area's natural beauty.

        What campers like:

        • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Birch Bay State Park Campground said, "Hot showers and nice restroom facilities" made their stay enjoyable.
        • Friendly Staff: Many campers rave about the helpful park rangers. One reviewer at Sequim Bay State Park Campground mentioned, "Host was a class act helping us out with everything at 11pm when we arrived."
        • Scenic Views: Campers love the picturesque settings. A guest at Dungeness Recreation Area said, "Super level and spacious spots. I had reception there. Would definitely camp here again."

        What you should know:

        • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or train tracks. A camper at Larrabee State Park Campground noted, "The negatives: road noise, train noise and light noise from the RV pull thru sites."
        • Site Sizes: Campsite sizes vary, and some may feel cramped. A visitor at Bay View State Park Campground mentioned, "The road through campsites are a little tight, but we fit!!"
        • Reservations: Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A reviewer at Fort Flagler Historical State Park Campground advised, "During the summer months reservations are required."

        Tips for camping with families:

        • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and easy trails. A camper at Dungeness Recreation Area mentioned, "Had a nice playground for kids."
        • Privacy: Choose sites that offer some separation from other campers. A visitor at Camano Island State Park Campground noted, "The site feels very private but you have people passing on the trail/road."
        • Pack Essentials: Bring bug spray and other necessities, especially in warmer months. A camper at Camano Island State Park Campground warned, "Bring bug spray as mosquitoes were vicious."

        Tips from RVers:

        • Check Hookups: Make sure to confirm the availability of electric and water hookups. A visitor at Rasar State Park Campground mentioned, "The water hookups were shut off during the time, but we were able to fill up our water tank near the entrance."
        • Space Between Sites: Look for campgrounds that offer spacious sites for RVs. A reviewer at Sequim Bay State Park Campground said, "The whole park is right off the freeway though."
        • Plan for Dump Stations: Be aware of dump station availability. A camper at Rasar State Park Campground noted, "The dump station worked as expected and had potable water available."

        Camping near Anacortes, Washington, provides a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

        Frequently Asked Questions

        • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Anacortes, WA?

          According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Anacortes, WA is Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

        • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Anacortes, WA?

          TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Anacortes, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.