Top Free Dispersed Camping near Chelan, WA

Looking for dispersed camping near Chelan? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Chelan's most popular destinations.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Chelan, WA (25)

Showing results 1-10 of 25 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Chelan

40 Reviews of 25 Chelan Campgrounds


  • Brandon K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from 4th of July Trail Levenworth
    Sep. 29, 2024

    4th of July Trail Levenworth

    Happy Tail on the River

    Nice little spot along the river off Icicle Road…approximately 2 miles west of eight mile campground. Though the water level was low due to the time of the season, this spot still offered the tranquil sound of river flowing over boulders. Doors open on a brisk morning with clear skies made it that much more beautiful.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed
    Sep. 11, 2024

    Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed

    Awesome View from the Top of the Ridge

    Great campsite with an awesome view. Sandy dirt camping site near the USGS sensor station. No fires today due to high fire danger, but there was a pit in the camp. Tent right on the ridge. Dirt road was 12 miles up the mountain. Lots of switchbacks, but passible in a sedan. Takes 45 mins to get up. Take shady pass road to the top.

  • Phoebe H.
    Camper-submitted photo from FS Road 7601 Dispersed
    Jul. 29, 2024

    FS Road 7601 Dispersed

    Great place to camp!

    Beautiful scenery, not hard to find, and lots of spaces open along the road. The road did get quite bumpy and rocky at points, but I assume this is normal for dispersed camping (this was my first dispersed camping experience). The only concern my friend and I had was an old RV near the entrance. That being said, the spot we chose was much higher and farther up the road from where the RV was, and we were not bothered. We actually didn’t see anyone else up there when we went in late July.

  • P
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Wenatchee Airstrip SnoPark
    Jun. 21, 2024

    Lake Wenatchee Airstrip SnoPark

    Lake Wenatchee Airstrip

    We turned at (47.8178974, -120.7258512) which you travel a short distance down a well maintained FS road to a very large gravel and dirt parking area. You can park in this parking lot if you choose, lots of space, great internet speeds. To the right of the information sign you will see a small sign with a snowmobile on it. That is the road that you can take back to the airstrip portion of the site. You will only travel about 100 yards on that road before it opens up to a very large grass field (and airstrip) you will need to turn left to head toward the camping locations. To the right will be the landing strip so you need to avoid that area. There is a dirt/sandy road leading back to 2-3 sites with fire rings but also a very large open field where you can camp as well. MOSQUITOES WERE AWFUL AT NIGHT FYI. A forest service rig pulled up on us in the AM and just waved :)

  • Sydney D.
    Camper-submitted photo from 4th of July Trail Levenworth
    May. 16, 2024

    4th of July Trail Levenworth

    2 night “Lake Front Property” Asking price- FREE

    This pull in is nestled behind a HUGE rock. The little loop has enough room for big rigs, it’s flat, it has one fire circle, little to no shade, large enough for 6 average sized vehicles, right on the river, and due to the big rock(depending where you park) the road noise is blocked out. Between the sound of the rivers tides whipping and the bugs cheeping, I would be surprised if anyone can hear the cars go by at night. This spot did have a few bees buzzing around but I couldn’t find the location. The site has a cool natural rock staircase down to the river. I highly recomend getting there early becsue 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. WE GOT LUCKY

  • Jake S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Road Dispersed Site
    Aug. 13, 2023

    Forest Road Dispersed Site

    I was about to rate this 5 stats but...

    I stopped by to scope this one out. it looks like there's 2 entrances, one on the north and one on the south, but the south side doesn't connect to the main road so taje the north one. there isn't really a good turn around so you'll have to use the one turn off or an empty site to turn around if needed. I thought the 5 or so sites looked alright, but if you pull back past the site on the turn off there's an abandoned camper and a bunch of trash around a bend(I wouldn't have gone that far back if I'd been pulling a trailer since there are tight turns and no real good turnaround. it seems fairly decent if you don't go to the back site and out of 5 or more campsites on a Sunday afternoon only one was taken.

  • Alyson M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping
    Aug. 3, 2023

    Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful View

    This would get 5 stars if it weren’t for the terribly bumpy and long road up to the main site. My Toyota Highlander made it up, but I was a little nervous. It seemed like there was only one large spot at the top/end of road. There was a fire ring which is how we could tell it was a spot. The views of the mountains all around are insane!!! Loved watching the sunset and sunrise up here. It is very windy!

  • John T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sullivan Pond Camp
    Jul. 25, 2023

    Sullivan Pond Camp

    Sullivan Pond, Winthrop WA

    Nice, quiet dispersed camping next to Sullivan Pond near Winthrop Washington. Recommend 4wd with good clearance. Washington Discover Pass required.

  • Anna Marie .C. B.
    Camper-submitted photo from FS Road 7601 Dispersed
    Jul. 16, 2023

    FS Road 7601 Dispersed

    Secluded but rocky road to get there

    Absolutely stunning! We went to the left side past the Porta potty’s along the off-road trail very bumpy, but absolutely worth it. We camped right along the river, and there was even a little access point for kayaks and canoes and calm water for the kids.

  • Jonah C.
    Camper-submitted photo from FS Road 7601 Dispersed
    Jul. 4, 2023

    FS Road 7601 Dispersed

    Awesome pull offs

    There are multiple pull off spots along this road, each with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. I camped at two different pull offs. Didn’t worry too much about not finding a vacant spot. The road does go up to a busy trailhead, so traffic in the morning starts early. It’s pretty dusty as vehicles drive by. All around really enjoyed these dispersed campsites.

  • Maui F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Trail Lake
    May. 20, 2023

    Trail Lake

    Great spot

    Great spot to disperse camp, no toilets , great for swimming fishing kayaking paddle boarding and disperse camping, sunken boat at edge of water cool feature. Lots of bugs and spiders. Also close the cow gate.

  • Cheryl M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Old Bluett Pass Road Dispersed
    Oct. 1, 2022

    Old Bluett Pass Road Dispersed

    High Elevation Site off Hwy 97N

    Dog wasn’t feeling well so took a chance and went up this USFS mostly paved road. There are lovely views on the trip up and a few roadside areas you could car or van camp in a pinch. Towards the top a couple private roads break off, and just above the now dirt USFS road continues. Here is 1 large, not terribly level, high clearance needed, site with fire ring and lots of parking options.

  • Renee G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from FS Road 7601 Dispersed
    Sep. 3, 2022

    FS Road 7601 Dispersed

    Wonderful campsite near the Enchantments!

    Awesome spot! Felt quite private despite being right off the forest service road. Each of the 3 spots had easy access to the river. It's only 2 miles away from the Stuart and Colchuck Lake TH too!

  • Alan-Mark I.
    Camper-submitted photo from Secret Camping Spot #1
    Aug. 16, 2022

    Secret Camping Spot #1

    Bare Necessities

    A place to sleep. You can set up tent on the elevated ridge you see as you drive in off the pull-off from the hwy. But be mindful of the cactuses, these are small but quite sharp.

  • Alyson M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Roadside Dispersed Site - FS7601
    Aug. 9, 2022

    Roadside Dispersed Site - FS7601

    Simple Roadside Spots

    There are lots of pull offs along this road that would be suitable for car camping, but not big rigs or tents. We were originally parked at one of the roadside pull offs until we saw an empty designated dispersed site up the road so we moved there instead. There are only 3 designated sites so the pull offs are fine for a night if those are full.

  • Alyson M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from FS Road 7601 Dispersed
    Aug. 9, 2022

    FS Road 7601 Dispersed

    Great spot near trailhead.

    Originally we were set up on a small pull off on the side of the road, but then we took a walk and saw a small road shooting off the side with 3 large spots with fire pits. So beautiful and pretty quiet besides the cars during the day. The trailhead to the Enchantments trails is right up the road so it is very convenient compared to sleeping in the parking lot at the trailhead.

  • Ashley V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400
    May. 23, 2022

    Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400

    Dispersed campsites along the service road.

    As described, little to no water sources. Private property marked in some areas. Camp sites are just off the road so there is some road dust. In May there was plenty of wood for burning. Do be mindful of burn restrictions later in the season. This area is very popular with mountain bikers and some dirt bikes. Service roads did have some heavily washed out areas and rocks that higher ground clearance and AWD/4WD would be beneficial, but a 2WD car could make it to some sites. Great spot though to camp near Leavenworth Wenatchee area. Verizon phone service was ok, T-Mobile was spotty at best occasionally a message would get through.

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jameson Lake
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Jameson Lake

    Free dispersed campsites on a fishing lake

    We camped here because my grandparents used to fish here long ago. The camping is free and dispersed. There is a large gravel parking lot suitable for large RVs plus those towing a trailer or boat. We chose to find a more secluded site away from the strong winds. The views of the lake were beautiful especially in the fall.

    Below the gravel area was a large paved area for boat trailers. A discover pass is needed ($30/year) but we always get one and use it extensively.

    You access this area via long wide well graded gravel road. There are no site numbers; you just find a spot and stay.

  • Emma A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Wenatchee Airstrip SnoPark
    May. 1, 2021

    Lake Wenatchee Airstrip SnoPark

    Great dispersed camping near Lake Wenatchee

    A good option for Dispersed camping if Lake Wenatchee State Park campground.  This is a at the Lake Wenatchee Airstrip Snoparks at the junction of 207 and 22 near Lake Wenatchee and Fish lake. There is a large parking lot and some pull outs off an old forest road the loops around from one side of the road to the other. Quiet in the spring. No facilities and good AT&T cell reception.



Guide to Chelan

Camping near Chelan, Washington, offers a fantastic mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just relaxing by the water, there’s something for everyone.

What to do

  • Kayaking and Swimming: Lake Chelan is perfect for water activities. One visitor mentioned, “We did a lot of kayaking early and later in the day and had a wonderful time. The water was calm like glass and so clear” at Lake Chelan State Park Campground.
  • Hiking: There are many trails around the area. A camper noted, “There are paths to take our kids for walks or bike rides” at Alta Lake State Park Campground.
  • Fishing: The lakes and rivers are great for fishing. One review highlighted, “The lakes offer fishing, boating, and swimming” at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the parks. A visitor at Lake Chelan State Park Campground said, “The bathrooms were clean and the staff super friendly and helpful.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. One camper at Wenatchee Confluence State Park Campground remarked, “The spaces were level, lots of grass and enough trees to provide shade at every spot too.”
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds often have activities for kids. A review from Leavenworth-Pine Village KOA mentioned, “There was a great shallow area for the kids and Dog to swim around.”

What you should know

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Wenatchee Confluence State Park Campground warned, “Nice campground, too many mosquitoes. Campground is close to a swamp infested with mosquitoes.”
  • Tight RV Sites: Some campgrounds have close RV sites. A visitor at Leavenworth-Pine Village KOA noted, “The sites were so tight that we could barely fit the provided picnic table next to our trailer.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores or markets. A review from Nason Creek Campground mentioned, “No market, but the hosts are great.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots. One camper at Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground said, “Great playground for kids and the restrooms were the cleanest of any campground I have been to in years!”
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities lined up. A visitor at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park shared, “We spent time on and on the water every day. Gorgeous location and super friendly staff.”
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks handy can keep kids happy. A camper at Alta Lake State Park Campground enjoyed the “snack shack” available at the park.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review from Daroga State Park Campground mentioned, “The site pads are very narrow which makes them difficult to pull through or back into.”
  • Be Ready for Wind: Some campgrounds can be windy. A visitor at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park noted, “It can sure make for a tough setup of camp.”
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Since some sites lack amenities, it’s good to be prepared. A camper at Lincoln Rock State Park Campground advised, “If you are tent camping, pick a place with plenty of shade.”

Camping near Chelan, Washington, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Chelan, WA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Chelan, WA is Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 25 dispersed camping locations near Chelan, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.