Dispersed camping opportunities in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest provide free camping near Cashmere, Washington. The forest spans elevations from 1,000 to over 9,000 feet, creating diverse camping experiences from riverside locations to mountain viewpoints. Camping areas typically receive less precipitation than the western Cascades, with hot, dry summers and cold winters making late spring through early fall the optimal camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing spots access: North Fork Teanaway River dispersed sites offer easy access to the river. "It's a mild scramble to get down to the river, but worth it. The water was clear and cold. Very pretty," notes camper Don, though he cautions that fishing isn't permitted in this section.
Mountain biking proximity: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400 provides convenient access to mountain bike trails. Sara S. confirms this location is "super quiet. Great place when you need to escape" while mentioning its proximity to "great MTB trails."
Hiking trail access: FS Road 7601 Dispersed offers practical camping options for hikers. Renee G. highlights its convenience: "It's only 2 miles away from the Stuart and Colchuck Lake TH too!" Another camper notes it's "a perfect spot near trailhead" when preparing for Enchantments trails.
What campers like
River proximity: 4th of July Trail Levenworth sites feature riverside settings. Brandon K. appreciates that "this spot still offered the tranquil sound of river flowing over boulders" while Sydney D. mentions the site has "a cool natural rock staircase down to the river."
Mountain views: Campsites at higher elevations provide panoramic perspectives. At Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping, Alyson M. reports "the views of the mountains all around are insane!!! Loved watching the sunset and sunrise up here," though noting the area "is very windy!"
Privacy levels: Some dispersed areas offer more secluded options. At Liberty Town/Williams Creek, ChiAnn M. notes "spots are far enough away to give you good privacy." Similarly, at North Fork Teanaway River, vicki observed "some sites were close together while many were nice and secluded."
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Road quality differs significantly between camping areas. Phoebe H. reports for FS Road 7601: "The road did get quite bumpy and rocky at points," while Ciara W. notes for Derby Road that they "went as far as we could in our Ram Promaster till there was a crazy steep and washed out climb."
Wind exposure: Several campsites experience significant wind, particularly at higher elevations. At Old Bluett Pass Dispersed Site, campers report consistent breezes, while Meghan at Chumstick Mountain observes "it gets pretty windy at night but there are treelines you can position against."
Site availability: Competition for spots increases on weekends and during peak season. Sydney D. advises: "I highly recommend getting there early because we got there and parked at 11 AM and hiked to the trail head till 5:30 and every 15 min cars were driving by slow to see if anyone was there."
Tips for camping with families
Creek access spots: Sites near water provide natural entertainment for children. At Liberty Town/Williams Creek dispersed camping, one visitor had "a great time near the creek with our dogs!" Anna Marie at FS Road 7601 found "there was even a little access point for kayaks and canoes and calm water for the kids."
Site selection strategy: Finding family-friendly spots requires planning. At Liberty Town / Williams Creek Dispersed Camping, Paige P. advises to "have a back up plan! This is a busy place," and warns families to "bring a citronella candle, the mosquitos are thick."
Flower viewing opportunities: Seasonal wildflowers add educational value. At North Fork Teanaway River, vicki mentions "we had a nice short walk through a secluded walk in site that led to a rocky river bed. We also had a horse trail across the road that we walked. Lots of wild flowers to enjoy."
Tips from RVers
Rig size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate only smaller RVs or vans. Quinn Z. cautions at Williams Creek: "Some of these sites can be tricky to get to unless you have a good vehicle for it" and advises "I don't think I would have been able to get to the further in dispersed sites if I was driving a Civic."
Leveling challenges: Finding flat parking requires scouting. Cheryl M. describes an Old Bluett Pass site as "1 large, not terribly level, high clearance needed, site with fire ring and lots of parking options."
Road dust considerations: Position RVs away from main roads when possible. At North Fork Teanaway River, vicki notes: "Our only complaint was that our site was right off the road and we experienced moderate traffic which caused a lot of dust."
