Best Dispersed Camping near Carlsborg, WA

Dispersed camping near Carlsborg, Washington concentrates along several forest service roads in Olympic National Forest, particularly along FS-2918 which runs parallel to Olympic National Park. Multiple free camping areas exist along paved and unpaved forest roads, with several sites offering river access. Forest Road 2918 features multiple dispersed sites with established fire rings, while NF-27 Tunnel Creek and NF-2419 provide additional options for primitive camping on public lands.

The main forest roads accessing these dispersed sites are primarily paved, with some sites requiring navigation down unpaved sections with potholes and occasional mud. Most areas have no amenities - no toilets, trash service, or drinking water. Visitors must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some sites allowing campfires in established rings while others prohibit fires entirely. Cell service is surprisingly available at many sites, particularly along FS-2918. A camper noted, "This road was easy getting on to with many spots available. We got one right by the river with a fire pit already included."

These forest road dispersed sites provide convenient access to Olympic National Park attractions. The terrain ranges from dense rainforest settings to riverside locations, offering varied camping environments. Wildlife sightings are common, with one reviewer reporting bear activity: "There was a black bear walking around in the morning near the river also so had to be careful with our things." Some areas become muddy after rain, making high-clearance vehicles preferable for accessing certain spots. While multiple pull-offs accommodate different vehicle sizes, larger RVs may struggle with limited turning space on narrower sections. For hikers seeking backcountry options, Lake Angeles offers primitive camping accessible only by a challenging 4-mile hike with 2,500 feet of elevation gain from Olympic National Park.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Carlsborg, Washington (30)

    1. Lake Angeles — Olympic National Park

    1 Review
    Port Angeles, WA
    13 miles
    Website

    "Super cool, isolated campground right next to Lake Ángeles. Only way to access is by hiking to it. Lots of bugs so make sure to bring bug repellant."

    2. Dispersed Camping NF 2918 — Olympic National Park

    15 Reviews
    Joyce, WA
    37 miles

    "We arrived very late at night and found a quiet spot up the mountain but moved in the morning in search of shade. We came upon a little dirt road off of 2918 near the river."

    "Couldn’t get a spot at Fairholme so I opted for this location. I only saw 2 small areas you could back in with fire pits. One closer to the 101, and one further back before you cross the bridge."

    3. NF-27 Tunnel Creek

    1 Review
    Quilcene, WA
    23 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."

    4. FS-2918 Dispersed Site

    9 Reviews
    Joyce, WA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 374-6522

    "We didn’t feel comfortable driving our class C into any of the nicer, more private spots off of this road due to large potholes, ruts, etc."

    "I usually only stay at the places identified as "Big Rig Friendly" but I gave this location a shot since a review said there were buses that found a spot..."

    5. Forest Road 2918 Dispersed Site

    7 Reviews
    Joyce, WA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 765-2200

    "I would not recommend attempting to get down here if your vehicle doesn’t have 4 wheel drive and high clearance."

    "Spot is great, it’s a little tight for a truck but tent camping would be easy. Reception was pretty good as long as you stay near the asphalt road"

    6. Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit County

    3 Reviews
    La Conner, WA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 675-3767

    "Very different, primitive camping. Small island with only 2 sites that I could find. According to the website there were supposed to be more. 1 vault toilet available, picnic table and fire ring."

    "It's a short trip to the island, which is only accessible by boat. I was worried, with only four camping spots, that we wouldn't get one, but we ended up being the only people on the island."

    7. NF-2419 Dispersed Site

    5 Reviews
    Lilliwaup, WA
    40 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."

    8. Forest Service Road 2918 Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Sol Duc Hot Springs, WA
    37 miles

    "There’s multiple camping spots, multiple camp fire spots, and there’s a bench someone made from a fallen tree. it’s incredible. if you have a solar shower, this is the place to shower at!"

    "Lots of pull offs available on a Friday night around 6:30-7ish. Wasn’t super close to the river but could still hear from my site which made for the perfect background noise."

    9. Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419

    3 Reviews
    Lilliwaup, WA
    40 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!"

    10. Forest Service Road 29 Dispersed Camping Loop

    6 Reviews
    Beaver, WA
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 956-2402

    "- 4 bars LTE with Verizon

    • several gravel roads with large open spots for decent solar/Starlink access
    • quiet, secluded
    • not super busy (2 other vans at the road I went down, but plenty of space for"

    "All of the other campgrounds near Olympic NP were full, so we checked this spot out that we found on Campendium. Just a simple loop that you can park along, no privacy from neighbors but very quiet."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Carlsborg, WA

77 Reviews of 30 Carlsborg 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.

  • Andi F.
    Aug. 1, 2022

    Dispersed Camping NF 2918 — Olympic National Park

    Stunning rain forest with a river

    I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and spent a lot of my childhood out here in the Olympic National Park. Coming back to this scenic area was a real treat! We arrived very late at night and found a quiet spot up the mountain but moved in the morning in search of shade. We came upon a little dirt road off of 2918 near the river. We have a Jeep and I will say, it was needed for the area we found but if you have a high clearance whip, I recommend it highly. There are plenty of spots to stop on the paved areas too, but they are less ideal for my kind of camping. The spot we chose had three firepits: two up above and one down on the bank of the river. It's about 1/4 mile off the paved road and the river noise is enough to drown out the occasional passerby. We parked our Jeep along the road to let others know the area was occupied. I recommend doing so because you cannot see the dispersed area until you're right on top of it. We had a few people pull in looking to see if the area was taken. It can accommodate a group or a single party. Absolutely stunning, quiet area in the rainforest with trails and fresh water.

    PLEASE remove your trash when you leave. The previous occupants left a full large black trash bag. THIS IS A RAIN FOREST IN A NATIONAL PARK. Have some decency people.

    T-Mobile has 5G service in this area. Verizon is 1-2 bars of 4G.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2025

    FS-2918 Dispersed Site

    Lots of options

    We didn’t feel comfortable driving our class C into any of the nicer, more private spots off of this road due to large potholes, ruts, etc. Since we just needed a place for the night, we decided to just stay at one of the large pullouts, which was fine. We didn’t even need levels. 

    Obviously no amenities here, but we were pleasantly surprised that there wasn’t much trash to be found. 

    Cell service was good here. Be sure to find a spot in the National Forest, and not the National Park that’s adjacent, because you will definitely get a knock on the door if you try to stay overnight within park boundaries.

  • Ashley A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Forest Road 2918 Dispersed Site

    Great spot if you can get there!

    Perfect cozy little spot far enough from the road with views of the river! I would not recommend attempting to get down here if your vehicle doesn’t have 4 wheel drive and high clearance. We did it in an f150 and struggled with rocks and slipping on roots and the grade to get to the bottom is well over 12%. It was definitely worth the effort though!!

  • 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!

  • Chris
    Jun. 12, 2021

    Cardlin Run — Olympic National Park

    A night in the rainforest

    Going East on Upper Hoh Rd, a site is on the Left side, before the pay booth for Olympic NP. The have 2 signs posted, Discover Pass required and no campfires. This location has 1 designed campsite, which is completely out of view from the road. Quiet location, rains often...ie rainforest.

  • B
    May. 1, 2023

    Upper Hoh Rd Dispersed Camping

    Great spot by the river

    This is a killer camp site, we parked a 25 foot travel trailer here with a lot of room to spare. The bluff it very steep into the river so watch how close you get to the edge. As a note, it is NOT on the national forest. It’s on the nature conservancy land. The best googling I can do says it’s legal to camp here. Just FYI.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2024

    FS-2918 Dispersed Site

    Looks nice but NOT for big RVs

    I usually only stay at the places identified as "Big Rig Friendly" but I gave this location a shot since a review said there were buses that found a spot... we tried it in our 40ft Class A and got pretty jammed up down a narrow road, trying to follow the directions in the comment. Disconnected the toad and ran around trying to find anything that would work but there was nothing for our size. I do not recommend trying if you're in a large Class A.

  • Cassie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Hoh River Dispersed Camping

    River camping 30 min away from hoh river visitor center

    Camping right next to river. Tall bushes for shade. Need to drive over very bumpy dirt road to get to sites near river. Then need to drive over rocky road to get into sites near river. The sites were well tucked away and cozy. Just make sure your tires can handle the bumps and rocks.


Guide to Carlsborg

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Carlsborg, Washington, where nature enthusiasts can find secluded spots to unwind and connect with the great outdoors. With a variety of locations to choose from, campers can enjoy the tranquility of the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park.

Dispersed campers should check out Lake Angeles

  • The Lake Angeles — Olympic National Park offers a unique hiking experience, requiring a 4-mile trek to reach this isolated spot next to the lake.
  • Be prepared for primitive camping conditions, as there are no amenities like drinking water or toilets, so bring everything you need for your stay.
  • The stunning views and serene environment make it a perfect getaway, but don't forget to pack bug repellent to fend off the local insects.

Top activities while free camping near Carlsborg

  • Enjoy the scenic beauty and wildlife at Dispersed Camping NF 2918 — Olympic National Park, where you can set up camp and explore nearby trails or relax by the river.
  • This location allows campfires, making it ideal for evening gatherings under the stars, but remember to pack out your trash to keep the area clean.
  • With easy access to the freeway, you can quickly venture out for day trips to explore more of the Olympic Peninsula.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Carlsborg, Washington

  • When visiting FS-2918 Dispersed Site, be aware that large RVs may struggle to navigate the narrow roads, so consider a smaller vehicle or tent camping for a better experience.
  • Always check for any specific regulations or permits required for your chosen spot, as some areas may have restrictions on campfires or alcohol.
  • If you're looking for a quieter experience, try to arrive during the week, as weekends can get busier at popular spots like NF-2419 Dispersed Site.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Carlsborg, WA is Lake Angeles — Olympic National Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 30 dispersed camping locations near Carlsborg, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.