Best Dispersed Camping near Burbank, WA

Dispersed camping can be found along the Columbia and Snake Rivers near Burbank, Washington, primarily on public lands managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Several primitive sites exist, including Ringold Springs near Mesa, Ice Harbor Dam, Vernita Bridge, and Riparia. These areas typically offer minimal amenities with basic access to riverfront locations. Most sites require a Washington Discover Pass ($30 annually) but remain otherwise free to use.

Access to these primitive camping areas ranges from paved to rough gravel roads. Many sites have flat, open terrain suitable for tents and some RVs, though dedicated RV hookups are not available. The region experiences seasonal fire restrictions, with complete bans typically in effect from June through October at most locations. Roads to Riparia include steep grades that may challenge larger vehicles or trailers. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including drinking water, as potable water is not available at these dispersed sites. Toilet facilities vary by location, with some areas offering vault toilets or portable units while others have no facilities.

These riverside camping areas attract primarily fishing enthusiasts and boaters. Wildlife viewing opportunities include pelicans, waterfowl, and occasional coyote sightings. The camping experience varies significantly between locations, with some offering more amenities than others. Reviews indicate that usage levels fluctuate throughout the year. "This is a great mostly unknown little campground," noted one camper about Riparia, while another mentioned that Vernita Bridge "has its good points: easy access to highway, quiet, wide open space." Most sites offer minimal privacy but compensate with direct river access and uncrowded conditions outside peak fishing seasons.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Burbank, Washington (6)

    1. ice harbor dam

    1 Review
    Burbank, WA
    5 miles

    "Lots of flat open space below the dam. Nice river view, lots of pelicans. Quiet and uncrowded."

    2. Ringold Springs Camping

    1 Review
    West Richland, WA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 575-2740

    "I camped on a Friday evening and was the only one there camping except for an RV boondocking in a different section. Has a boat ramp and a spot you can fish from. No campfires."

    3. Devil's Bench Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Washtucna, WA
    33 miles

    "Large spot, with paved access right near the Dam, toilet, no service, 4 tables"

    4. McDougall Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Weston, OR
    49 miles

    "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!"

    "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."

    5. Vernita Bridge

    6 Reviews
    Mattawa, WA
    48 miles
    Website

    "I just love this spot, no amenities, isolation, river front view, and a boat ramp. Bring your own everything!!"

    6. Riparia

    4 Reviews
    Hooper, WA
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 751-0240

    "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."

    "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."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Burbank, WA

4 Photos of 6 Burbank Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Burbank, WA

16 Reviews of 6 Burbank Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Jeremy H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Ringold Springs Camping

    If you are just looking for a place to put your tent

    The sign says you need to register, couldn't find anywhere to register. Sign on board says closed for camping, it was a Covid-era sign. Requires a discover pass, but otherwise, free. Didn't see any park employees. I camped on a Friday evening and was the only one there camping except for an RV boondocking in a different section. Has a boat ramp and a spot you can fish from. No campfires.

  • 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!

  • P
    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/

  • 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.

  • H
    Aug. 31, 2022

    Vernita Bridge

    Awesome Spot

    I just love this spot, no amenities, isolation, river front view, and a boat ramp. Bring your own everything!!

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Vernita Bridge

    Free campground on Columbia River

    This is a Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing access site. It is free with a Washington State Discovery Pass for $30/year. This annual pass will also gain you admission to state parks. There are several boat launch sites here and a number of those Sani Cans. The area is spread out over open land with smooth rocks. It can be a bit bumpy if hauling a trailer unless you stick to the smooth rock roads. No shade except along the shore.

    For a free site, it has its good points: easy access to highway 24/243 which will bring you to I-90, quiet, wide open space, near the Vernita Bridge Rest Area for free tank dump site. If you arrive on the last weekend of October, there is a huge king salmon fishing derby with about 100 entrants so you will have company. But, it is usually quiet midweek in the spring and fall. It may be busier in the summer midweek as there are lots of fishing enthusiast ps and boaters who live close by in the Tri Cities area.

    If you need a quiet place for one night or are hauling a river fishing boat, this is a good place to stay.

  • 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.

  • Angela P.
    Jul. 27, 2018

    Riparia

    Always Fun

    We used to frequent this park quite often. It is a tiny forest tucked away along the river.... when I say tiny, I mean fairy like.
    You can easily set up a tent and float along the river's edge. There are a few little coves that are nice for kids to play in and great to stay out of the river current. Just a fun location!


Guide to Burbank

Rustic camping near Burbank, Washington centers around several primitive sites situated along the Columbia and Snake Rivers at elevations ranging from 340 to 450 feet. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from July through September, and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Wind patterns along the river corridors create challenging conditions for tent campers during spring months when gusts regularly exceed 20mph.

What to do

Fishing opportunities year-round: Ice Harbor Dam area provides excellent fishing access with seasonal variations. "Lots of flat open space below the dam. Nice river view, lots of pelicans. Quiet and uncrowded," notes Lloyd M. about Ice Harbor Dam.

Wildlife observation: The riverside camping locations offer chances to spot various animals throughout the year. Kevin C. describes his experience at Vernita Bridge: "We saw many ducks and some geese floating down the river at high speeds. Also saw coyotes and friendly bees."

Boating access: Multiple locations feature boat ramps for water recreation. "Discover Pass required. Not for regular camping. Used for staying overnight and getting up early to hit the water," explains Jennifer R. about the boating focus at Vernita Bridge.

Stargazing: The remote locations with minimal light pollution create ideal conditions for night sky viewing. One camper at Riparia notes the complete absence of electricity means "AMAZING star gazing" conditions.

What campers like

Uncrowded conditions: Most dispersed sites around Burbank see minimal use, particularly midweek. "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," reports Nick E. about Riparia.

River access: Direct water frontage provides cooling opportunities during hot months. Angela P. shares about Riparia: "You can easily set up a tent and float along the river's edge. There are a few little coves that are nice for kids to play in and great to stay out of the river current."

Budget-friendly options: All sites in the area are either free or require only a Discover Pass. Jeremy H. notes about Ringold Springs Camping: "Requires a discover pass, but otherwise, free. Didn't see any park employees. I camped on a Friday evening and was the only one there camping except for an RV boondocking in a different section."

Off-grid experience: The isolation and lack of services appeals to those seeking disconnection. Horace M. enthusiastically shares about Vernita Bridge: "I just love this spot, no amenities, isolation, river front view, and a boat ramp. Bring your own everything!!"

What you should know

Seasonal fire restrictions: Most sites prohibit wood fires during peak dry periods. "Wood fires are NOT allowed from June 10th through October 10th. It gets very dry out here," cautions a Riparia camper.

Limited facilities: Most locations have minimal or no amenities. At Devil's Bench Recreation Area, Anton reports: "Large spot, with paved access right near the Dam, toilet, no service, 4 tables."

Access challenges: Some roads to camping areas have difficult grades. Nick E. warns about Riparia: "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."

Seasonal crowding: While typically quiet, certain periods bring crowds. A Vernita Bridge camper notes, "If you arrive on the last weekend of October, there is a huge king salmon fishing derby with about 100 entrants so you will have company."

Tips for camping with families

Water safety precautions: The river currents can be dangerous despite calm appearances. "There are a few little coves that are nice for kids to play in and great to stay out of the river current," advises a Riparia camper.

Insect preparation: Bring appropriate protection against seasonal pests. "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," warns a camper at Riparia.

Shade considerations: Limited tree cover at most sites means preparation for sun exposure. "Limited sites have shade all day. Get there early to get one of these prime spots," suggests Nick E. about securing the best family camping locations.

Supply planning: The remote nature of these locations requires bringing all essentials. One camper at McDougall Dispersed Camping advises: "Primitive location, nothing there, but maybe a fire ring and a spot to park your vehicle."

Tips from RVers

Water conservation: No hookups means careful usage of onboard resources. An RV camper at Riparia shares: "We stayed here with our Travel Trailer with a 50 gallon fresh water tank. It lasted the 4 of us the 5 day weekend."

Generator needs: Temperature extremes may require power for cooling. "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," notes an RVer about summer conditions.

Road conditions: Unpaved access roads affect vehicles and equipment. "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," warns a Riparia visitor.

Dumping station planning: No facilities exist at the primitive sites. Nicole C. mentions that for Vernita Bridge, "The closest [dumpsite] I found is right off highway 395 at the rest area."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Burbank, WA is ice harbor dam with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Burbank, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.