Dispersed camping near Carlsborg, Washington centers around Olympic National Forest's network of forest service roads that border Olympic National Park. Primitive sites along these roads range from 600 to 1,800 feet in elevation, with summer temperatures averaging 65-75°F during day and 45-55°F at night. The area receives significant rainfall from October through April, making many sites muddy during spring months.
What to do
Wildlife watching: Forest Road 2918 offers opportunities to spot local fauna in their natural habitat. Campers should properly store food and garbage to prevent wildlife encounters. According to a camper at Dispersed Camping NF 2918: "There were several spots we saw while exploring the left fork of the road, but wouldn't be possible for us to get into with the trailer. I saw several vehicles with overland tents, and even just people sleeping in their cars."
Fishing access: NF-2419 features multiple creek and river access points for anglers. Fishing requires a Washington state license, available online or at sporting goods stores in Port Angeles. A visitor noted: "Great avenue to get out into nature with various streams crossing the path of the service road. Truly magical place. It is frequented by others so low privacy unless you camp away from the vehicle path."
Hiking trails: Olympic National Park borders many of these dispersed sites, offering day hiking options. The Lake Angeles trail requires a Northwest Forest Pass for parking. According to one hiker at Lake Angeles: "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. Primitive campground, so bring your own water, trowel, tp, everything!!"
What campers like
River proximity: Many sites offer direct water access for cooling off during summer months. The sound of flowing water provides natural white noise that masks occasional traffic. A camper at Forest Service Road 2918 Dispersed shared: "Perfect for a free night in nature. 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."
Established fire rings: Several sites come with pre-built fire rings, reducing impact on the environment. Always check current fire restrictions before planning to have a campfire. One visitor at NF-27 Tunnel Creek noted: "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."
Cell service coverage: Unlike many remote camping areas, several Carlsborg dispersed sites maintain usable cell reception. A camper at Forest Road 2918 Dispersed Site commented: "I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and spent a lot of my childhood out here in the Olympic National Park. T-Mobile has 5G service in this area. Verizon is 1-2 bars of 4G."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Some sites require high-clearance vehicles, especially after rain. Main roads are typically well-maintained, but spur roads can deteriorate quickly. A camper at Forest Road 2918 Dispersed Site warned: "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."
Pack all supplies: No services are available at these sites - bring drinking water, toilet supplies, and garbage bags. The nearest supplies are in Port Angeles, about 20 minutes from most sites. A visitor shared: "Couldn't get a spot at Fairholme so I opted for this location. My only gripe, PACK OUT YOUR TRASH. Saw numerous bags, tissues, etc. stretching down the road and one of the fire pits at the sites had toilet paper all over it."
Arrival timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. Arriving mid-week or before 3pm on weekends improves your chances of securing a prime spot. A camper noted: "Very cool spots but we could not find one suitable for a tent (3 suitable spaces total) that wasn't occupied by 6pm on a saturday. Tons of little pull offs for RVs or campervans tho."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly sites: For families new to dispersed camping, stick to areas along paved forest roads with established sites. These spots provide easier access while still offering privacy. A visitor to FS-2918 Dispersed Site shared: "Very cool, spacious, private, and has a gorgeous lookout of the creek below. i'm in love."
Safety considerations: Choose sites away from steep drop-offs, especially with young children. Be prepared for limited medical services - cell reception helps but response times can be long. A camper warned: "Overall a pretty good spot, there are plenty of spaces for any size. I ended up staying in a spot further up next to a burned up trailer which wasn't ideal but it had a nice fire spot next to the river."
Educational opportunities: These sites provide natural learning environments for kids to explore forest ecosystems. Bring field guides for identifying local plants and animals. One parent reported: "Had a blast coming up the mountain with the family, found a few great spots that we pinned for later that are unmarked with fire rings. Got to feed 3 Bluejays by hand with my oldest one of our new favorite memories."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Many forest road pull-offs accommodate smaller trailers and campervans, but larger RVs have limited options. A camper with a large RV noted: "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."
Leveling challenges: Most sites have uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. Scout potential spots on foot before attempting to park larger rigs. One RVer at NF-2419 Dispersed Site shared: "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."
Turn-around space: Many forest road sites lack adequate turn-around space for larger vehicles. Consider backing into sites or using pull-through options when available. An RVer commented: "This is a great spot to stay for a bit if you're looking to do that OR just stay for a night. It's like, a big circle that you pull in and out of. Plenty of space if you have a decent sized group. Easily accommodating 3 cars."
