Best Dispersed Camping near Blaine, WA
Dispersed camping near Blaine, Washington centers primarily on boat-in and hike-in sites rather than traditional forest road pull-offs. These primitive camping locations include Point Doughty, Pine Lake Campground, Hope Island Marine State Park, NF 33 Dispersed Camping, and Walker Valley ORV Recreation Area. Most sites are on Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land or Washington State Parks property, requiring permits for overnight stays. The majority are free access areas with minimal development and few amenities.
Access varies significantly between locations, with many sites requiring watercraft or hiking to reach camping areas. Point Doughty and Hope Island are boat-in only, accessible via kayak or other small watercraft, while Pine Lake requires hiking to reach camping spots. NF 33 Dispersed Camping features rougher terrain, with a road that "gets much rougher the further you go, not big-rig friendly nor for low-clearance vehicles." Camping duration limits typically follow standard DNR and State Parks regulations, though specific site rules may vary by location.
These dispersed sites feature minimal to no amenities, offering primitive camping experiences in natural settings. Most locations have basic facilities like vault toilets and fire rings, though maintenance varies. Point Doughty provides three non-reservable sites with tables and fire pits atop a bluff, but access from the beach involves "a very steep and slippery" climb. Hope Island provides a unique island camping experience with picnic tables and fire rings, though campers should prepare for wildlife encounters. A visitor noted that on Hope Island, "there were raccoons on the island with us but other than that we had the place to ourselves." For mainland options, Pine Lake sites are convenient but see heavy foot traffic, with one camper noting you "will be interrupted 500 times a day with walkers who use the trail."
