Best Dispersed Camping near Bennington Lake

Looking for the best campgrounds near Bennington Lake, WA? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Bennington Lake, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Bennington Lake, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Bennington Lake (9)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Bennington Lake

3 Photos of 9 Bennington Lake Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bennington Lake

20 Reviews of 9 Bennington Lake Campgrounds


  • h22 E.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 11, 2024

    North Elgin Dispersed Camp

    Nice quite place

    Great free place to camp 4x4 is advised and not really car accessible. Down side no water near by, not even a creek.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2019

    Riparia

    Great hidden spot

    This is a great mostly unknown little campground. Fun fact: This is the least used campsite maintained by the Lower Granite Natural Resources Management team. 

    Let’s get to the bad/good, depending on how you look at it. 

    1. There is NO running water available, unless you want to get some from the river(NOT suggested)

    2. Absolutely no electricity here, not even for park lights. This makes for AMAZING star gazing. 

    3. ZERO cell service at the campsite. You can get service if you absolutely need it at the top of Hammer Grade road, it’s steep. 

    4. Limited sites have shade all day. Get there early to get one of these prime spots. 

    5.Summer time is HOT here but, you have the river right there to cool off. 

    6. There is a boat launch here though it is not maintained, use at your own discretion. 

    7. There are fire/BBQ pits at each site as well as a picnic table. Wood fires are NOT allowed from June 10th through October 10th. It gets very dry out here. 

    8. Bring bug spray! Day time the bugs aren’t bad but, when the sun starts going down, the mosquitoes are coming out. Also, spring into early summer, there are ticks. Summer through the rest of the year you should be tick free. 

    9. This campsite is open year round and it’s FREE!

    10. There are no trash cans or dumpsters. So keep that in mind and take out EVERYTHING you bring in. 

    11. No dumpsites nearby. Closest I found is right off highway 395 at the rest area. 

    12. You can cross the dam Monday-Thursday excluding holidays and only during daytime hours. 

    13. Your trailer, tow vehicle and anything in the bed is going to get dusty getting here and leaving. It’s a decent trek down a gravel road. Speed limit is 45MPH. Good luck to you if you try to go that fast. 

    14. Come prepared for the whole trip. Washtucna is the closest town and they have limited supplies. No alcohol is available at the “Store” there. 

    15. If hunting season is coming up, get there as early as possible. 

    We stayed here in the most shaded part of the campground with our Travel Trailer with a 50 gallon fresh water tank. It lasted the 4 of us the 5 day weekend. It was a hot weekend and we did end up having to run the generator for a few hours during the day to keep the newborn cool. 

    I followed my GPS which took me off of Highway 26 and onto Old Highway 26. DON’T do this. Take Hay rd. Old HWY 26 will take you onto Hammer Grade Rd. This is NOT a fun road with a trailer. It has some very steep grades and you’ll be HAMMERING the brakes or exhaust brake. 

    All in all, this was a GREAT trip at a great, hidden and secluded area.  We will definitely be revisiting this site.

  • Marasha L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2024

    Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

    Easy Nature

    Many options for private pull-offs once you drive past established NF campgrounds—likely tough to do without high clearance and/or 4WD when wet. Only “traffic” was the occasional ATV/OHV. Tons of great hiking around.

  • Michael W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

    Hasty overnight

    Easy and vacant find for a last minute change to our route. Primitive dispersed campsites with rock fire rings right off the highway. Down side is it's a little too noisy for my taste. Would have driven further down into the woods if I had more time to set up as we got here late. All in all its an easy find just off the highway.

  • lauren C.
    Jun. 20, 2021

    McDougall Dispersed Camping

    Cute place in the woods

    Either these are not the correct coordinates, or the trail has been overgrown. We’re car camping here for one night and it’s a lovely spot! Could not find the trail and just pulled off to camp on the side of the road. Dispersed & free & very wooded area!

  • Matt B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

    Quick and easy

    Quickly and easy stop close to 84 if you are traveling through. Does the trick for an overnighter. Lots of dispersed pullouts. No amenities.

  • Chris
    Jun. 21, 2021

    McDougall Dispersed Camping

    McDougall camping

    Primitive location, nothing there, but maybe a fire ring and a spot to park your vehicle. Go about 2 miles on the dirt road and watch out for the dirt pot holes. At my site, you could fit 2 vehicles comfortably, but 3 is a little crowded. Flying insects during the day. There are many so take appropriate action. Mostly flies and a couple different types of bees. By sunset, the insects went to sleep.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 6, 2021

    Riparia

    Small Army Corps of Engineers campground along the Snake River

    Quiet primitive campsites on the lower Snake River - at least, in late November, when there was only one other campsite in use. I suspect it's a bit busier in the warmer weather.

    Clean, frequently checked toilet. No water or power. Tables and fire rings at each site.

    The Little Goose Dam entry point is open in the daytime from 7:30 to 4:30. Signs state that crossing is only open once an hour on the half hour, but the security guard opened up right when we got there both entering and leaving. There are also campsites along the river before the Riparia campground entry. Easy gravel road into the campground.

    Open all year. No wood fires allowed from June 10 through October 10.

    https://www.nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Lower-Monumental-Dam-Lake-West/Riparia/

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2022

    McDougall Dispersed Camping

    Over grown and no place to park without working about a grass fire

    Drove to the location based on GPS. It was over grown and not well cleared. I decide to go to the NP campground. Glad I did.


Guide to Bennington Lake

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Bennington Lake in Washington, where nature lovers can enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots for those seeking adventure and a connection with nature.

Scenic Views and Outdoor Activities while free camping near Bennington Lake

  • The McDougall Dispersed Camping area is surrounded by tall pines and firs, providing a serene backdrop for hiking and exploring the eastern Oregon forest floor.
  • For mushroom enthusiasts, the McDougall Dispersed Camping location is known for its abundance of Morels, making it a prime spot for foraging during the right season.
  • The Riparia site along the Snake River offers stunning views and opportunities for fishing and kayaking, perfect for those looking to enjoy water activities while camping.

Wildlife Watching for dispersed campers

  • At Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed, visitors can spot a variety of wildlife, including elk and turkeys, making it an exciting destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
  • The Devil's Bench Recreation Area provides a peaceful environment where you might encounter local wildlife while enjoying the river's edge, enhancing your camping experience.
  • North Elgin Dispersed Camp is a great spot for those who appreciate the quiet and might catch glimpses of deer and other animals in their natural habitat.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Bennington Lake in Washington

  • When visiting McDougall Dispersed Camping, be prepared for primitive conditions; it’s best suited for tent camping and requires caution on the dirt roads due to potholes.
  • At Riparia, remember to bring your own water, as there are no facilities available, and be mindful of the fire restrictions during the dry season.
  • For a more secluded experience, consider Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed, where you can find private pull-offs, but be aware of the potential for litter and human waste in some areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Bennington Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bennington Lake is McDougall Dispersed Camping with a 3.5-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Bennington Lake?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Bennington Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.