Best Dispersed Camping near Cheney, WA
Several BLM-managed areas near Cheney, Washington permit free dispersed camping in the channeled scablands landscape. Fishtrap Recreation Area, Hog Lake, Escure Ranch/Rock Creek Recreation Area, and Bonnie Lake Island provide primitive camping opportunities on public land. These areas feature open, undeveloped sites with minimal facilities, typical of Bureau of Land Management properties in eastern Washington. The camping areas are generally accessible via unpaved roads and trails, with some sites requiring boat access, such as Bonnie Lake Island.
Gravel roads of varying quality lead to most dispersed camping areas, with several requiring higher clearance vehicles. The Escure Ranch access road is particularly rough for the last two miles, making a vehicle with better ground clearance advisable. Most sites lack amenities, with only select locations offering vault toilets or pit toilets. Water is not available at any of these areas, and campers must bring all supplies needed. Fire restrictions are common, particularly during summer and fall months. Camping is generally permitted for up to 14 days in most BLM areas, as noted in user reviews.
The dispersed camping experience near Cheney offers open skies ideal for stargazing and viewing wildlife in the unique scabland terrain. Campers frequently report coyote sightings and howling at night, adding to the wilderness experience. The Hog Lake area provides lake views from some campsites, though occasional train noise can be heard. Escure Ranch campers can access hiking trails to Towell Falls, with spring visits recommended for wildflower viewing. The landscape offers distinctive geological features typical of the channeled scablands. "This is a lovely secluded spot for amazing star-gazing on a clear night. At night it is in complete darkness, away from traffic noise, and you can hear the coyotes as they move nearer," noted one review of Escure Ranch. Another camper described Fishtrap as having "very quiet open sites" with "plenty of opportunity for solar."
