Best Dispersed Camping near Baring, WA

Dispersed camping opportunities near Baring, Washington include several primitive sites along forest service roads and waterways. Old Cascades Highway Dispersed, located just a couple miles east of Skykomish, features riverside camping with established fire rings in a lush forest setting. The US Highway 2 corridor from Skykomish to Stevens Pass and Beckler Creek areas provide additional free camping options with varying levels of accessibility and amenities.

Most dispersed sites in this region require a Northwest Forest Pass or appropriate permit. According to recent visitors, many sites lack basic facilities such as toilets, potable water, or trash service. One camper noted that "the sound of waterfalls drowns out road noise" at Old Cascades Highway sites, making them more peaceful than their proximity to roads might suggest. Visitors should prepare for self-sufficient camping by bringing all necessary water and packing out all waste.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area. South Fork Snoqualmie River sites have "unpaved access roads with numerous potholes" that require vehicles with good ground clearance. Several campers reported that Beckler Creek sites offer water access but sometimes suffer from improper waste disposal by previous visitors. Strict adherence to Leave No Trace principles is essential for preserving these areas. Seasonal fire restrictions are common during summer months, and campers should check current regulations before planning to have a campfire.

Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region, with Verizon typically providing better coverage than other carriers. Weekends often see high demand for prime sites, particularly those with river access. For the best experience, arrive mid-week when possible and be prepared to explore forest service roads to find available sites away from main corridors.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Baring, Washington (45)

    1. Old Cascades Highway Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Skykomish, WA
    13 miles

    "Just a couple miles East of Skykomish, up a paved road, the campsite is just before you go over the bridge on your right and had enough room for high clearance vehicles to pull into it and smaller cars"

    "You could put 2 rigs down here if you’re friends, but plenty of turn offs for smaller vehicles"

    2. US Highway 2 - Skykomish Area east to Stevens Pass

    4 Reviews
    Baring, WA
    12 miles

    $50 / night

    "Skylomish is a fairly short drive away from the city but towards the mountains. You have a great view of the water in some places and it’s still pretty peaceful and quiet."

    "Our favorite camp spots are right on the water, and most spots you'll find here deliver - creeks run through the (what seems to be) endless forest, trees provide shade and lovely hammock set ups, and most"

    3. Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek

    3 Reviews
    Skykomish, WA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 677-2414

    "Nice large campsite near the water. There were many campsites along the road. I had to clean up a lot of trash when it got here. Please pack out your own trash and follow other leave no trace rules."

    "Various dispersed camping spots along the road and up the forest service roads. There are some really sweet spots along the road with water access."

    4. Lake Dorothy

    2 Reviews
    Skykomish, WA
    13 miles
    Website

    "The lake is ice cold, which is nice if you’re just finished a hot hike in. There are some areas sort of cleared for camping, that have clearly been used before."

    "Easy stair stopped trail; a bit harder with a 40# pack. Lots of camp sites to choose from, but the one on the far shore of the lake is my fav. Great for groups. Primitive toilets along the way."

    5. South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site

    18 Reviews
    Snoqualmie Pass, WA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (425) 888-1421

    "Access road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn’t recommend driving down it without good ground clearance."

    "PLEASE LEAVE NO TRACE! Other wise we really enjoyed a quick night away in our van."

    7. Iron Goat

    1 Review
    Skykomish, WA
    16 miles

    "It has an awesome trail showing an old railroad that was decommissioned in 1929 with tunnels and walking pads and historical placards to explain its history in an amazing rainforest."

    8. Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp

    4 Reviews
    Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 436-1155

    "the better spots were once the road turned to gravel, found a spot by the stream, parked the car to protect us. if staying longer i’d say it’s best to keep going to south fork sauk. but it was nice for"

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

    9. South Fork Sauk River

    2 Reviews
    Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WA
    21 miles

    "All had fire rings, and quite a few had spare firewood from previous occupants. Thanks, all!"

    "Half way along the mountain loop highway you encounter numerous spacious tent sites with fire rings and gorgeous river & Mountain View camp grounds."

    10. Keechelus Lake

    7 Reviews
    Snoqualmie Pass, WA
    27 miles

    "Great spot to land after long day of driving."

    "Super easy to drive up to the lake and camp, have a fire, hang out and explore!"

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Baring, WA

109 Reviews of 45 Baring Campgrounds


  • Ashley V.
    May. 23, 2022

    Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400

    Dispersed campsites along the service road.

    As described, little to no water sources. Private property marked in some areas. Camp sites are just off the road so there is some road dust. In May there was plenty of wood for burning. Do be mindful of burn restrictions later in the season. This area is very popular with mountain bikers and some dirt bikes. Service roads did have some heavily washed out areas and rocks that higher ground clearance and AWD/4WD would be beneficial, but a 2WD car could make it to some sites. Great spot though to camp near Leavenworth Wenatchee area. Verizon phone service was ok, T-Mobile was spotty at best occasionally a message would get through.

  • Ashley M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 5, 2020

    Dispersed near Salmon la Sac

    Dispersed near Salmon la Sac

    Single campsite off the forest service road. No porta potty, no water, no electricity. Could accommodate a group. No picnic table. Not an actual metal fire pit but someone made a rock ring. The downside is the shooting pit right below the site. When we were there a family came to shoot but they stopped by our site to let us know beforehand.

  • Cheryl M.
    Oct. 1, 2022

    Old Bluett Pass Road Dispersed

    High Elevation Site off Hwy 97N

    Dog wasn’t feeling well so took a chance and went up this USFS mostly paved road. There are lovely views on the trip up and a few roadside areas you could car or van camp in a pinch. Towards the top a couple private roads break off, and just above the now dirt USFS road continues. Here is 1 large, not terribly level, high clearance needed, site with fire ring and lots of parking options.

  • Theresa K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2023

    Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek

    Repulsive

    Every dispersed campground we checked along this road (maybe five or so) was littered with human feces and toilet paper everywhere. We found a literal bucket of human waste beside the river with a soiled pool noodle nearby I can only assume was being used as a toilet seat. Please, if you care about keeping nature wild, carry out your toilet paper and dig a cathole or use the outhouse in the campground. If you don’t know what a cathole is, you should probably should not being using dispersed camping and try the campground down the road. We ended up staying at the campground because we couldn’t find dispersed camping where there wasn’t poop and had a positive experience there. Leave no trace!! 

    https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm

  • Parker C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 24, 2025

    South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site

    Pretty neat spot

    Access road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn’t recommend driving down it without good ground clearance. There are a number of established sites where you can pull off the road and drive back into the woods a bit. And I had cell service everywhere!

  • Sara J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek

    Beckler creek riverside

    Nice large campsite near the water. There were many campsites along the road. I had to clean up a lot of trash when it got here. Please pack out your own trash and follow other leave no trace rules. The campfire was awesome

  • Ginger M.
    Jul. 8, 2024

    South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site

    Quick easy getaway

    Went up at the end of 4th of July weekend. Found a great spot but it was apparent that the group before us used everywhere to go to the bathroom and covered it with paper towels. PRO TIP: make the hole first for when you need it and you want have any excuse not to use it! PLEASE LEAVE NO TRACE! Other wise we really enjoyed a quick night away in our van.

  • Meghan The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 28, 2021

    Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping

    Great area to camp along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route

    Within the almost 4 million acres of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, lie countless locations for dispersed camping. This area of the southeast corner of the NF has very little traffic compared to others, we saw only one ATV for the whole time we were there. This area lies along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route between the Cashmere and Chelan sections along NF-7400. Obviously, this is a 4X4 road and I wouldn't suggest it in anything less. Incredible sunset views of the valley in front of Chumstick Mountain, it gets pretty windy at night but there are treelines you can position against. This particular spot photographed is just up the hill off the roadside in a nice grassy clearing. More spots were just up the hill around the bend as well.


Guide to Baring

Dispersed camping areas near Baring, Washington sit within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest at elevations ranging from 800 to 3,000 feet. The region receives over 100 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forest conditions throughout the camping season. Most free camping spots in this area require high-clearance vehicles to access due to unmaintained forest service roads.

What to do

Creek exploration: Old Cascades Highway Dispersed offers direct access to flowing water. One camper noted, "We could walk to the river and sit by it for the evening before heading back to the car to sleep," making it ideal for water-based activities without requiring additional travel.

Berry picking: The Highway 2 corridor from Skykomish to Stevens Pass provides seasonal foraging opportunities. A visitor mentioned, "Fantastic berry picking & great views (when there is no smoke)," with peak season typically running from July through early September depending on elevation.

Historic hiking: Explore abandoned railway infrastructure near the Iron Goat trailhead. According to a recent visitor, it "has an awesome trail showing an old railroad that was decommissioned in 1929 with tunnels and walking pads and historical placards to explain its history in an amazing rainforest."

What campers like

Water sounds: Many campers appreciate how water features mask road noise. At Old Cascades Highway, campers report that "we enjoyed the sounds of the waterfall/river all night, never heard a single car," making sites closer to the highway more appealing than they first appear.

Cell service: For remote workers, the South Fork Snoqualmie River dispersed sites offer connectivity. One camper shared, "I travel and work remotely so I'm always looking for free places that have cell reception and this place hits the jackpot. I have Verizon and have 2-3 bars of service."

Established fire rings: Many dispersed sites around Baring feature existing fire pits. Along the South Fork Sauk River, campers mention that "all had fire rings, and quite a few had spare firewood from previous occupants," reducing the need to bring fire-starting materials during non-restriction periods.

What you should know

Road quality varies: Access roads deteriorate significantly after rain. At South Fork Snoqualmie, a visitor warned, "Access road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn't recommend driving down it without good ground clearance."

Seasonal closures: Some areas close during specific periods. At Keechelus Lake, a camper reported, "Says when water gets below 2840 ft to protect the fish they close the road and no camping is permitted," typically occurring in mid-summer.

Sanitation concerns: Many sites suffer from improper waste disposal. At Beckler Creek, a camper shared the stark reality: "Every dispersed campground we checked along this road (maybe five or so) was littered with human feces and toilet paper everywhere," underscoring the importance of proper waste management.

Tips for camping with families

Safety hazards: Watch for poisonous plants in some camping areas. At the South Fork Snoqualmie River, a visitor cautioned, "Near one of the camp sites are very dangerous plants that are fatal and they are lined all around the campground so not recommended if you have children."

Privacy considerations: Weekday camping provides better experiences for families. For Beckler Creek camping, arrive Tuesday through Thursday to find "nice large campsite near the water" without weekend crowds.

Security awareness: Solo campers should exercise caution at some sites. One camper at South Fork Snoqualmie reported, "As soon as it got dark, someone decided to sneak around my campsite with a flashlight and stand outside my tent for some time," suggesting families camp together rather than individually.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. At Old Cascades Highway, a camper noted, "You could put 2 rigs down here if you're friends, but plenty of turn offs for smaller vehicles," making it suitable primarily for vans and truck campers under 20 feet.

Motorhome access: Look for wider pullouts along forest roads. One RVer at South Fork Snoqualmie shared, "A lot of the spots are on the smaller side, so we had a bit of trouble finding one that could fit our motorhome, but it was worth it."

Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain. At Old Cascades Highway Dispersed, a van camper mentioned, "It was hard to find a large enough spot that was also level to park our van," suggesting extra equipment for comfortable overnight stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Baring, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Baring, WA is Old Cascades Highway Dispersed with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 45 dispersed camping locations near Baring, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.