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Best Dispersed Camping near Castle Rock, WA

55 Reviews

Dispersed camping concentrates around Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument near Castle Rock, Washington, primarily on Gifford Pinchot National Forest lands. Several free primitive sites exist along Forest Roads 81 and 83, including Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping areas, Butte Camp/Climbers Bivouac, and McBride Lake NF-81. These undeveloped sites typically require no reservation and accommodate tent camping with minimal facilities, though some areas require permits during peak season or for specific locations like Dome Camp in the Mount Margaret Wilderness.

Access routes to dispersed camping areas near Mount St. Helens include a mix of paved and unpaved forest roads, with some sections requiring careful navigation. Forest Road 81, which connects to multiple camping areas, has both paved and gravel sections that can be rough in places. A review noted that "the road is rough in some spots but any vehicle can drive it," though trailers over 25 feet may have difficulty on narrower roads. Most dispersed sites lack amenities like drinking water, toilets, or trash service, requiring visitors to pack out all waste and bring sufficient supplies.

The Mount St. Helens area attracts campers seeking solitude and volcanic landscapes. Sites range from forested settings to open areas with mountain views. One camper described a spot as having a "complete view of the majestic mountain" with "lots of room and even some flat spots." Another mentioned that "there are a lot of places for dispersed camping along FS-83, but they do get pretty full on nice weekends." The McBride Lake area provides "plenty of shade, very private and trailer friendly" camping with spots that can accommodate smaller trailers. Sites near Pumice Butte feature "outstanding views of Mt St Helens and Mt Adams" but become crowded during summer weekends. Cell service is limited in most areas, with some locations getting 1-2 bars of Verizon service.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Castle Rock, Washington (21)

    1. Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    8 Reviews
    Clatskanie, OR
    16 miles

    "Definitely best for car camping as the spots down by the river were pretty wet and muddy this time of year. The waterfall is amazing and only a 15 minute hike down!"

    "The river is a walk down a very steep hill behind the pullout. No place to pitch a tent, best for car camping."

    2. Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

    16 Reviews
    Naselle, WA
    44 miles
    Website

    "There's basically zero traffic on the dirt road near the campsite. A lot of the trees around seem to be new growth. Great view of the stars at night!"

    "There are several spots off the road around these radio tower stations and it is quite secluded. We didn't see any other person the whole time we were there."

    3. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    39 miles

    "This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it."

    "This dispersed camping is free, huge bonus in my book."

    4. Butte Camp/Climbers Bivouac Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    34 miles
    Website

    "Group camping with 4-5 places for tents and 2 maybe 3 spots for travel trailers but will need to back in. 2 fire pits and a few walking trails. Solar friendly and level."

    "The area around mount Saint Helens is beautiful, tons of space to park any rig, tent, or vehicle. The forest has majestic trees and when it rains, it resembles a rainforest."

    5. Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 891-5000

    "Found in typical condition. Please pick up after yourself. Many sites out here. Camped on a week day. One other camper out here. No traffic on road. Like others said road getting in sucks."

    "Road got a little bumpy getting out here but once we found a spot right near the riverbank, you felt like you were deep in it. Saw a few people on the way out."

    6. McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed

    1 Review
    Cougar, WA
    32 miles

    "I would scout the road and area before committing; however, there is a turnaround that you could use to maneuver the trailer to drive out. "

    7. Pumice Butte- Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    35 miles

    "Pumice Butte is a dispersed camping area along the Loowit trail that circles Mt St Helens."

    "The camp is around a gully on the north side of Pumice Butte with outstanding views of Mt St Helens and Mt Adams."

    8. Dome Camp

    1 Review
    Glenoma, WA
    36 miles

    "In 2019, we hiked the Boundary Trail #1 to the Mount Margaret Wilderness overlooking the Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument."

    9. Gifford Pinchot National Forest Dispersed Site

    5 Reviews
    Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA
    45 miles
    Website

    "This site is amazing people have already set things up for tent camping. There is space for RV but I recommend your really good with it. Has a fire pit with rocks. Plenty of firewood in woods."

    "Waterfalls, hiking trails, remote camping! ♥️"

    10. Gee Creek Rest Area I-5

    1 Review
    Ridgefield, WA
    34 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Castle Rock, WA

36 Photos of 21 Castle Rock Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Castle Rock, WA

55 Reviews of 21 Castle Rock Campgrounds

  • Kevin W.
    Aug. 20, 2024

    McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed

    Lots of shade, very private and trailer friendly.

    I have camped here twice now, once during a scouting trip in 2016 with my boys and again in September 2024 with just me and my dog :).  I could pull my 17' pop-up "A" frame trailer and back into one of the two spots with no problem.  Due to the narrow road, it may be a bit more snug with bigger rigs (25+ feet long and anything more than 8+ feet wide).  I would scout the road and area before committing; however, there is a turnaround that you could use to maneuver the trailer to drive out.  It's plenty big to accommodate a few trucks/cars and one, maybe two towable trailers.  If you're going tent camping, there are about four flat places for tents.  The area has no trails, so you would not have to worry about people wandering into the campsite. The Ape Caves is a small drive away. The town of Cougar, WA. is about 10 miles away if you need gas or food.  There is a lot of shade, and it is not solar-friendly.  The main road is about 100 feet away, relatively quiet, and very private.  There was a large rock fire pit in the middle. There is no cell phone reception; however, if you drive East for a few miles, you may be able to get 2 bars with Verizon.

    Per the state website, "On the southwest side of Mount St. Helens, Forest Road 81 provides an experience away from crowds. On this road, access Kalama Horse Camp, Red Rock Pass, and Forest Road 830, the road to Climber's Bivouac, and the start of the summer climbing route. From the west, the road begins on Forest Road 90, near Cougar, WA, and travels through private timberlands and state lands before entering Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The road connects with Forest Road 83 on its east side. While mostly paved, be prepared for several miles of gravel(between Forest Road 830 and 8123) and a road that is sometimes very rough."

  • Jeremy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 10, 2022

    Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

    Great secluded spot in the woods

    Great spot because it's so secluded in the forest. There's basically zero traffic on the dirt road near the campsite. A lot of the trees around seem to be new growth. Great view of the stars at night!

    There are at least 4 other campsite off this road at different points if you keep driving. Some of them are more or less level and more or less muddy. This one was the best, but there are lots of options. All of them are commonly used because there are ashes from fires. There's a moderate amount of trash at most of them.

    Requires a Discovery Pass. I bought a day pass for $12 online since I don't need the annual pass. They tell you to write the date and order number in large print on a piece of paper and put it on your dash. No one came to check my pass though (in January, so it's the off season)

    You have to take a dirt road to reach the campsite, but it is pretty well maintained. The only difficulty I encountered were two points where a few inches of road were a bit washed out. They were small enough that I could manage them alright in a 2WD van that had normal clearance. So most cars could probably manage them.

    There's a small trail behind this spot that that leads to the creek, which is nice. Other than that, you can hike along the dirt roads, but there aren't any actual hiking trails that I found. I saw a porcupine for the first time while wandering one of the side roads! I didn't drive up to Snag Lake.

  • Vanessa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

    You may get lost

    The coordinates here were incorrect coming from Hood River Oregon. It sent me down a rough dead end forest service road. I ended up lost on the mountain for 3 hours and finally made it out somewhere near camas. Make sure you have lots of fuel

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2023

    Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    Amazing Hike!!

    This place was beautiful!! Definitely best for car camping as the spots down by the river were pretty wet and muddy this time of year. The waterfall is amazing and only a 15 minute hike down! The only reason this place got lower than a 5 star is because of all the trash near the parking lot. Too beautiful of a place to be used as a dump!! Definitely used as a party spot but aside from this it’s worth the visit!

  • Danielle S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2018

    Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed Camping - s. Mount St. Helens

    This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it. There's a lot of space here. From our spot, we saw at least a half a dozen fire pits, but we were the only ones there. It has some nice trees and a trail. Up the road is Lava Canyon, where there are toilets if you need. There are some decently flat spots for a tent and I felt was all around a good site.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2023

    Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    Decent place for the night

    A big pavement pull off on the ride of the road. The river is a walk down a very steep hill behind the pullout. No place to pitch a tent, best for car camping. Had some issues with people stopping and playing loud music, seems to be a hangout spot.

  • Madison D.
    May. 11, 2020

    Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    Free and Secluded

    This dispersed camping is free, huge bonus in my book. While searching for our perfect spot we did come across a few large parties, making us apprehensive that we would experience our ideal peaceful experience, but we were wrong to be. There were dozens of open sites that we had our pick of. A handful of cars drove by throughout the evening and night, but not an outrageous amount. Pretty dang good for very accessible NF camping spots. There are a good deal of trailheads near by, meaning you're never too far from a pit toilet or a bulletin board with information.

    We visited in early September and found the weather to be very pleasant. Our view of Mt. St Helen's was obscured by the tall trees that offered our site seclusion and privacy, but we relished the view of the active volcano while driving to and from our site.

  • Ryan S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 27, 2025

    Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

    Great view of the valley

    There are several spots off the road around these radio tower stations and it is quite secluded. We didn't see any other person the whole time we were there. The spot we chose was the best as it is away from the towers and buildings, plus has a great view overlooking the valley and bay, and you can see the ocean between the peaks in the distance. The road getting here is a bit rough with lots of washboard, steep grades and rocks. But it's fun. No amenities, obviously, but there is a concrete pad from an old structure you can park on. Other sites have solid pack gravel covered by grass.

  • Jeremy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 8, 2022

    Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    Great pullout in the woods

    This is my first wildcamping/boondocking location, but I loved it. It feels like you're right in the middle of the forest! It's a wide dirt pullout with room for 7-10 cars. And although it's right alongside the road, it's not a super busy road like some highway spots, so it felt pretty secluded and quiet. Very few cars at night.

    No signs of any kind indicating "no parking." 1 bar of Verizon LTE.

    The dirt was solid -- I wasn't worried at all about getting stuck in the mud (and I'm here in the middle of winter with tons of recent rain). Plenty of room to turn around with ease.

    And you're right at a hiking trail that takes you to beautiful falls!! What more could you ask for? -- Don't make the mistake I did. The trail all the way on the left side of the parking lot takes you to the falls. The trails in the middle of the lot are super steep and muddy and don't lead to the falls.

    Only downside is it's not perfectly flat. It wasn't too bad though. I just parked with my head pointing uphill when I go to bed, of course.

    There is also another option down the road to the east about 500 feet. It's a paved pullout, but it is smaller so it doesn't have as much space to turnaround.

Guide to Castle Rock

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Castle Rock, Washington, where nature meets tranquility. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Castle Rock, Washington

Scenic Waterfalls for dispersed campers

  • The short hike to the waterfall from Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight is a must-do for those looking to enjoy breathtaking views and a refreshing atmosphere.
  • At Pumice Butte- Dispersed Campsite, campers can enjoy outstanding views of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams, making it a picturesque spot for photography and relaxation.
  • The trails around McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed offer opportunities for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the area, perfect for those who love outdoor adventures.

Top activities while free camping near Castle Rock

  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the access to trails at Dome Camp, where the Boundary Trail leads to stunning views of the Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument.
  • Fishing and swimming can be enjoyed at nearby spots like Swift Creek on Forest Road 83, where the serene waters provide a perfect escape from the heat.
  • For those looking to gather around a fire, Butte Camp/Climbers Bivouac Dispersed Campsite offers fire pits and a chance to connect with fellow campers under the stars.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Castle Rock dispersed camping sites?

Castle Rock dispersed camping sites are truly primitive with minimal to no amenities. Most sites offer established fire rings but no toilets, potable water, or trash services. At Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping, you'll find multiple fire pits in a spacious area, but you need to pack in all supplies and water. Similarly, at McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed, there are basic spots suitable for smaller trailers but no services. Come prepared with your own water, toilet supplies, and trash bags for pack-in, pack-out camping. Cell service is typically limited throughout the area.

How do I access the dispersed camping areas around Castle Rock?

Access to dispersed camping near Castle Rock typically involves forest service roads of varying quality. For Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed, you'll find multiple spots along a dirt road with minimal traffic, providing seclusion in the forest. Some sites are located near radio towers with valley views. Cole Mt Ridge requires looking for a small dirt road uphill, with space for a couple of vehicles. Many dispersed sites are accessible with standard vehicles, though high clearance is beneficial. Always have adequate fuel as forest roads can be confusing - GPS coordinates may not always be precise, and some forest roads can be rough or dead-end unexpectedly.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping at Castle Rock?

Dispersed camping around Castle Rock follows standard Forest Service regulations: camping is free but limited to 14 consecutive days. Practice Leave No Trace principles, packing out all trash - an issue noted at Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight where campers reported trash accumulation. Camp in established sites with existing fire rings when possible, like those at Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping. During fire season, restrictions often apply - check current fire bans before your trip. Stay at least 100 feet from water sources, and use proper human waste disposal methods since no toilets are available. Some areas may have seasonal closures due to weather conditions or wildlife protections.

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