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Best Dispersed Camping near Bremerton, WA

29 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Bremerton, Washington concentrates primarily in the Olympic National Forest, with several established pull-off sites along forest roads. Free primitive camping options include locations on NF-2419, Forest Road 24, and FS-2292, all situated within reasonable driving distance from Bremerton. The Olympic National Forest allows dispersed camping with various levels of accessibility, from roadside pull-offs to walk-in sites that require short hikes from parking areas. Most sites are undeveloped with no designated facilities, following standard Forest Service regulations for primitive camping.

Access to dispersed sites varies significantly by location and season. Forest Roads such as NF-2419 and FS-2292 feature gravel surfaces that may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain or during winter months. Several reviewers note that roads can be "rough but passable" in standard vehicles during dry conditions. Camping is typically permitted for up to 14 days in a 30-day period, following standard Forest Service regulations. Most dispersed sites have established fire rings, though fire restrictions apply during dry summer months. A visitor reported that "the road was a little rough but my SUV made it fine," while cautioning about snow at higher elevations during cooler months. Sites lack amenities such as potable water, toilets, and trash service, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.

These primitive camping areas feature notable views and natural surroundings. The Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419 provides panoramic vistas, with one camper noting it offers "stunning views, no light pollution or car sounds at night." Sites along FS-2292 are described as having "epic views" with nearby walking trails leading to scenic overlooks. Olympic National Forest dispersed camping areas provide relative solitude, though some locations experience occasional traffic. A recent review mentioned that "this is a gravel road through the National Forest with a bunch of pull-offs where you can camp. It was nothing special but very quiet and peaceful other than one or two cars that passed by." Cell service varies significantly by carrier and location, with some areas having no signal while others maintain reasonable connectivity.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Bremerton, Washington (15)

    1. Joemma Beach State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lakebay, WA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 884-1944

    $12 / night

    "Simple, small, peaceful campground with pit toilets and potable water. Mid week after Labor Day, I had my choice of sites arriving in late afternoon."

    "We arrived little later around 6 p.m. And being such a nice day there were only few sites left."

    2. Large Pull Out (Dispersed) on FR 24

    2 Reviews
    Lilliwaup, WA
    17 miles
    Website

    "Not the most private spot if vehicles were to pass. the road looks like it’s used but no one around when we arrived. the road itself is a gorgeous drive and since it’s free it’s worth it!"

    3. NF-27 Tunnel Creek

    2 Reviews
    Quilcene, WA
    21 miles

    "The drive up to this road is half paved and unpaved , not too bumpy. Big area for camp- dry camping. There was already a fire ring made, we opted out of having a fire."

    "There’s a trail from this site that leads to a great tint site as well. Plenty of space if you have a decent sized group. Easily accommodating 3 cars. We have plenty of space with our rig."

    4. NF-2419 Dispersed Site

    5 Reviews
    Lilliwaup, WA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 956-2402

    "Great avenue to get out into nature with various streams crossing the path of the service road. Truly magical place."

    "Not many other campers' sites are well dispersed . Got to feed 3 Bluejays by hand with my oldest one of our new favorite memories."

    5. Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419

    3 Reviews
    Lilliwaup, WA
    24 miles

    "Gorgeous little spot off a national forest road. Stunning views, no light pollution or car sounds at night."

    "No water. First come first served and this one goes quickly!"

    6. Top of the Hill camping

    1 Review
    Quilcene, WA
    22 miles

    "This is actually a really secluded, pivate location with a beautiful view! The road is fairly easy to get up to this spot but really just room for one vehicle."

    7. FR27 Landing

    1 Review
    Quilcene, WA
    22 miles

    "Great large flat spot for camping. Could easily fit about 5 cars here. About 4 fire rings set up and the road is pretty easy getting here."

    8. NF-2419 Dispersed Pullout

    2 Reviews
    Lilliwaup, WA
    25 miles

    "Great spot on the NF-2419, about a mile before the Mt Elinor lower trailhead. Plenty of space for a large vehicle"

    9. DUCKABUSH SKIDER LOOKOUT

    Be the first to review!
    Brinnon, WA
    15 miles

    10. Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Matlock, WA
    32 miles

    "We camped near Vance Creek trailhead to do the Olympic Bridges bike ride the next morning. Since this is a national forest, dispersed camping is allowed."

    "This is a gravel road through the National Forest with a bunch of pull-offs where you can camp. It was nothing special but very quiet and peaceful other than one or two cars that passed by."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Bremerton, WA

32 Photos of 15 Bremerton Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bremerton, WA

29 Reviews of 15 Bremerton Campgrounds

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Dispersed South Shore Road

    Quilaut River-South Shore Road

    Several campsites along the gravel road, we found the perfect secluded spot next to the Quinault River. Drove right into the hidden alcove in our stealth camper van.

  • Mar Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead

    Perfect woodsy rest stop off highway

    Right off the highway. Pit toilet and wooded areas. Can still hear highway from this exact GPS location, so I went further on up the road for a quieter spot. A few trucks did speed by in the middle of the night, but it was a Saturday and July 4th weekend. 5 bars of cell service.

  • Sam S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping

    Olympic National Forest - Dispersed Camping

    We camped near Vance Creek trailhead to do the Olympic Bridges bike ride the next morning. Since this is a national forest, dispersed camping is allowed. We picked the first spot we got to since it was getting kind of late. It wasn't the most ideal spot and I think further down the road has prettier and more remote options, but it made do. There were really huge flies but they did not bite. The only complaint was that there was more car traffic than I wanted very late at night into the early morning. One car even slowed down and yelled at our tent around 2am. We never felt unsafe but it was annoying. A lot of trash was left behind from previous camper. I would suggest finding alternative spots if you're looking for a more enjoyable night but if you are just there for an overnight, it is fine.

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2022

    Dispersed South Shore Road

    Rainforest heaven!

    There are about 5 sites hidden on the road. Please be careful the road is a mix of private land, national forest, national park. The sites can be easily found by their stone fire rings. The site that is directly on the river was very popular. I ended up staying 2 nights at one of the last sites before it turns to private land. It was tucked away, walk in site, had a nice fire ring, nice tent pad area. It has a large rope so you can access the river. The scenery is breath taking. Down the road there are at least 2 waterfalls on the right. In the town of quinault there is a laundry mat/shower facility!

  • Suzie K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping

    Safe and quiet

    This is a gravel road through the National Forest with a bunch of pull-offs where you can camp. It was nothing special but very quiet and peaceful other than one or two cars that passed by. Felt safe as a single tent camper

  • Nicholas G.
    Dec. 12, 2024

    FS-2292 Dispersed

    There was a ton of dispersed sites on this FR

    The road was a little rough but my suv made it fine. No signal and got a little snow on the roof in the morning but it was a good spot with a great view.

  • Amber G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 2, 2024

    Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419

    Amazing

    Gorgeous little spot off a national forest road. Stunning views, no light pollution or car sounds at night. It’s December so of course it’s a bit cold at night and I’d recommend at least AWD to get up here. Will be back.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2025

    Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead

    Not suitable for Winter camping.

    Located just past the restaurant on the southbound side there is a drive that goes back into Rock Candy mountain Road trailhead. I drove 5 mi up the road. There are few houses on the side of the road. Speed limit is a maximum 15 mph. There are signs posted thinking drivers for slowing down. Mainly a logging Road well if you pull out to the right on the main road. I noticed a road that had a pipe gate that was closed and locked. It gets pretty steep going up the road. The right steep. They wrote it on barely white enough for two vehicles to safely pass each other. Not suitable for anything wider than a class B. In my opinion this area is not suitable for winter camping. In my opinion if this road got congested it would become pretty dangerous thus why caution is needed driving on the main road and on other roads leading from main road. Definitely not road you want to be intoxicated to drive on. There is a long drop if you lose control and fail off road. I feel if you did and survived the fall it would be expensive to recover your vehicle. To me it's to dangerous to risk trying to camp here if it ever became busy.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2024

    Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419

    Incredible view!

    Fairly large and level site with an amazing view. No water. First come first served and this one goes quickly!

Guide to Bremerton

Dispersed camping near Bremerton, Washington primarily centers around Olympic National Forest where elevation ranges between 600-3,000 feet, creating variable road conditions and weather patterns throughout the year. Most sites sit on unmaintained forest service roads that branch from Highway 101 or Forest Highway 24, with camping permitted at established pull-offs marked by existing fire rings. Winter access becomes significantly limited due to snow accumulation at higher elevations, particularly from November through April.

What to do

Hiking nearby trails: Several dispersed sites along FS-2292 provide direct access to walking paths with panoramic views. "East of the campsite there is a walking trail that takes you to an overlook, perfect for watching the sunrise," notes one camper who enjoyed the ridgeline location.

Beach exploration: Within a 30-minute drive from many forest dispersed sites, public beaches offer shoreline activities. At Joemma Beach State Park Campground, "Beach is walking distance. And you can walk around if you want we did spot a bald eagle early in the morning," reports one visitor who appreciated the wildlife viewing opportunities.

Mountain biking: Forest service roads throughout Olympic National Forest double as biking routes with varying difficulty levels. One camper at Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping mentioned, "We camped near Vance Creek trailhead to do the Olympic Bridges bike ride the next morning," highlighting recreation possibilities beyond the campsite.

What campers like

Ridgeline views: The elevated positions of many dispersed sites offer expansive vistas. A camper at Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419 shared, "Gorgeous little spot off a national forest road. Stunning views, no light pollution or car sounds at night," emphasizing the dark sky viewing opportunities.

Privacy between sites: Many pullouts are spaced far enough apart to provide seclusion. One camper at FS-2292 noted, "Very far off the beaten path, every time I camp here I don't run into anyone," highlighting the solitude factor that many dispersed camping enthusiasts seek.

Wildlife encounters: The forest setting provides opportunities to observe native species. At NF-2419 Dispersed Site, a visitor recounted, "Got to feed 3 Bluejays by hand with my oldest one of our new favorite memories," showing the potential for memorable wildlife interactions.

What you should know

Road conditions vary seasonally: Forest roads can deteriorate after wet weather. One camper at Large Pull Out (Dispersed) on FR 24 observed, "The road itself is a gorgeous drive and since it's free it's worth it!" while another visitor at NF-2419 added, "My 2011 Ford Flex made it up no problem."

Campsite availability is unpredictable: No reservations means planning for alternatives. A visitor to Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead explained, "Overall I had a nice quiet stay. This spot isn't anything too awful special. There are about four pull outs to set up for the night."

Cell service fluctuates: Connectivity depends on location and carrier. At NF-2419 Dispersed Pullout, one camper reported, "There was, unfortunately, a lot of trash and no Verizon service," while another at Hilltop Camp noted, "Cell phone service for Cricket was great. Not so much for Verizon!"

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any costs or fees for boondocking around Bremerton?

Most dispersed camping options around Bremerton are free of charge. Areas like Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419 and Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead offer no-cost camping experiences. These sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis without reservation systems or fee collection stations. However, always check for any recent regulatory changes before heading out, as management policies can occasionally shift. While dispersed camping is typically free, you should still prepare to be fully self-sufficient with your own water, waste disposal solutions, and supplies since these areas lack amenities and services that would normally be covered by camping fees.

What amenities are available at primitive camping sites near Bremerton?

Primitive camping sites near Bremerton typically offer minimal amenities. NF-27 Tunnel Creek provides large dry camping areas with existing fire rings but no additional facilities. For those needing basic facilities, Joemma Beach State Park Campground offers pit toilets and potable water alongside beautiful water views. Some sites like Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead include pit toilets at the trailhead parking lot, though maintenance may be limited. Cell service varies significantly by location—some areas have strong coverage (Rock Candy reports 5 bars), while others have minimal to no signal (FS-2292 reports no coverage). Most primitive sites feature established fire rings, but you'll need to bring everything else including water, food, and waste disposal solutions.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bremerton?

The Olympic National Forest offers several free dispersed camping options near Bremerton. Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping provides multiple pull-offs along gravel roads where camping is permitted. The forest features peaceful spots with minimal traffic, making it ideal for those seeking seclusion. Another excellent option is Dispersed South Shore Road, which offers about five hidden sites along the road, some directly adjacent to the Quinault River. Look for existing stone fire rings to identify established sites. Be mindful that this area contains a mix of private land, national forest, and national park property, so ensure you're camping in designated areas.

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