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Best Dispersed Camping near Clearlake, WA

32 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Clearlake, Washington concentrates around several primitive sites in the surrounding national forest lands and state parks. The region includes Hope Island Marine State Park, accessible only by boat, alongside more remote options like Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite, Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp, and several unnamed Forest Service pull-offs. Most sites require permits despite being designated as free camping areas, reflecting standard regulations on public lands throughout Washington.

Access varies significantly between locations, with many areas requiring high-clearance vehicles or specialized transportation. Baker Lake Road features multiple pull-offs along a gravel road with lake views, though visitors note "the drive in is easy" despite the primitive conditions. Forest Service roads like NF-1062 provide additional options but may demand four-wheel drive vehicles in certain sections. Several locations maintain basic amenities despite their dispersed designation - Lower Sandy Camp offers pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings, though these amenities are inconsistent across sites. Most locations enforce the standard 14-day camping limit typical of national forest dispersed camping.

The dispersed camping experience in this region centers around water access, with many sites positioned along Baker Lake or near smaller waterways. Visitors frequently comment on the natural beauty and relative solitude of these areas. At Baker Lake Road, visitors report: "Spots are not near each other so you get privacy that way," though they caution about "a lot of through traffic because of the hikes nearby." Lower Sandy Camp receives mixed reviews regarding crowding, with one visitor noting it as a "quiet camp with great views" while another warns it can be "very crowded, there were people trying to camp off the side of the road." Several locations experience seasonal fire restrictions, with rangers strictly enforcing burn bans during dry periods.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Clearlake, Washington (16)

    1. Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit County

    3 Reviews
    La Conner, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 675-3767

    "Very different, primitive camping. Small island with only 2 sites that I could find. According to the website there were supposed to be more. 1 vault toilet available, picnic table and fire ring."

    "It's a short trip to the island, which is only accessible by boat. I was worried, with only four camping spots, that we wouldn't get one, but we ended up being the only people on the island."

    2. Pine Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Bellingham, WA
    17 miles

    "Cute sites, but you will be interrupted 500 times a day with walkers who use the trail and want to go straight through your site."

    3. Walker Valley ORV Recreation Area

    Be the first to review!
    Clearlake, WA
    7 miles

    4. Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

    7 Reviews
    Concrete, WA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 854-2553

    "Arrived around 4pm on a Friday and there were a few spots left. Pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available. No water. Got a spot with lake and Mountain View’s."

    "Loved this free campground on Baker Lake near mt baker, WA! Take the first turn after horseshoe cove campground and follow the gravel road all the way to the lake."

    5. Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite

    5 Reviews
    Concrete, WA
    34 miles

    "Stayed at one that was overlooking the lake. Lots of spots with easy lake access.

    Pros: free, good views, easy to get to, plenty of spots (even on Labor Day), fire rings."

    "No facilities! The drive in is easy."

    6. NF Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Marblemount, WA
    39 miles

    "(CLEARANCE NEEDED - around the same amount as the Subaru line of vehicles or greater - 4wd not necessary)

    Beautiful area, small town nearby where you could likely pick up a few things. I didnt stop."

    "Beautiful spot near the water also has some more secluded spots if wanted. Didn’t see too many people. And had no issues picking a spot to car camp. Definitely recommend."

    7. Old Quarry by Sulphur Creek

    2 Reviews
    Concrete, WA
    27 miles

    8. Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp

    4 Reviews
    Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WA
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 436-1155

    "the better spots were once the road turned to gravel, found a spot by the stream, parked the car to protect us. if staying longer i’d say it’s best to keep going to south fork sauk. but it was nice for"

    "Easy to find and peaceful next to the river. No noise from the road."

    9. Point Doughty

    3 Reviews
    Eastsound, WA
    37 miles
    Website

    10. NF 33 Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Maple Falls, WA
    34 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Clearlake, WA

18 Photos of 16 Clearlake Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Clearlake, WA

32 Reviews of 16 Clearlake Campgrounds

  • Eric O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite

    All things considered, good spot

    Many pull offs along the gravel road. Stayed at one that was overlooking the lake. Lots of spots with easy lake access.

    Pros: free, good views, easy to get to, plenty of spots (even on Labor Day), fire rings.

    Cons: some spots have lots of trash (please remember leave no trace), most spots are along the gravel road so there are cars passing by every once in a while and sometimes they go by quite quickly kicking up lots of dust.

    All things considered, pretty good spot and would stay again.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

    Quiet camp with great views

    Arrived around 4pm on a Friday and there were a few spots left. Pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available. No water. Got a spot with lake and Mountain View’s. Very small, quiet, stunning campground. Felt safe. We have a rooftop tent, not many sites with large enough spots to park trailers or vans. Mostly tent sites that are walk in. Mostly open, some sites in the forest. Had one bar of Verizon service. Would stay again!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2023

    Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

    Great free spot on Baker Lake

    Loved this free campground on Baker Lake near mt baker, WA! Take the first turn after horseshoe cove campground and follow the gravel road all the way to the lake.

    Lots of spots with tables and fire rings, some spots have nice tent pads. Some sites are marked and some are not. There’s a single pit toilet and no running water. Seems like a pretty popular spot but we were able to get a site mid week at the end of August.

    Parking for some of the spots is not the best but we were still able to car camp comfortably. Will definitely be staying here again!

  • Russel M.
    Mar. 31, 2023

    NF Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful

    No rain while I was there but I dont imagine it would get too muddy/sloppy. The road does have minimal gravel lining it. (CLEARANCE NEEDED - around the same amount as the Subaru line of vehicles or greater - 4wd not necessary)

    Beautiful area, small town nearby where you could likely pick up a few things. I didnt stop. Gas station nearby.

    There is a fast flowing stream with crystal clear water. Quiet mountain/forest area. No sounds of civilization. Multiple turnouts/improvised camping spaces. Keep driving till you find one you like. Easy to access the creak bank at any point along the road by walking through a little brush.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2024

    NF Dispersed Camping

    Bacon Point

    Beautiful spot near the water also has some more secluded spots if wanted. Didn’t see too many people. And had no issues picking a spot to car camp. Definitely recommend.

  • Jill R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2019

    Point Doughty

    DNR site badly in need of care

    For such a fabulous location, this campground is woefully behind the times. Compared to other Cascade Water Trails locations under the WA State Parks jurisdiction that are clean and now sport awesome composting toilets, Point Doughty under the Department of Natural Resources has a particularly horrible pit toilet that you have to scramble up a bluff to get to. I understand a storm took out the stairs a while back and it's obvious there's been some activity to get stairs rebuilt. However, it's impossible as of this writing to get any gear from the beach to the campsites on the bluff. I wound up camping on the beach as I was in my kayak and there were no other options nearby. Actually the beach was quite pleasant as 2 orca whales cavorted just 100' off and a stellar sea lion, harbor seals and many sea bird varieties provided fantastic entertainment.

  • Bobby J.
    Jul. 21, 2024

    Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp

    Coordinates off

    The directions had me believing that the dispersed camping was just various pull offs on the highway loop and that’s where I stayed. It was loud and it felt like the traffic was coming through my tent at times. After driving to North Cascades I discovered that there was real dispersed camping on that road but probably 45 minutes to an hour past where the coordinates took you. Once the highway turned into a gravel road is when I started seeing nice dispersed campsites

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2022

    NF Dispersed Camping

    Great location

    The location is amazing!!!! Sadly though the campsites are not well cared for. I stayed at two different sites, one toward the end of the road and one closer to hwy 20. The end of the road spot did require 4wheel drive and higher clearance (suv height), the one closer to hwy 20 could have easily been driven to in a std. car. The river was gorgeous! The further down the road the likelihood you won’t have access to the river (creek). Both sites were straight up trashed! Trash everywhere!!! The site closer to hwy 20 had both trash and food debris (pineapple and coconut shell) everywhere. The tent pad was completely unusable because of trash. This site has a gorgeous water access but again found plastic bags floating on the creek edge. The site further down was littered with toilet paper and a huge polystyrene cooler full of “waste” so gross. I just used these spots as jumping off point for my hikes in the cascades and I slept in my car so it was a fine stay both times.

Guide to Clearlake

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Clearlake, Washington, where nature's tranquility awaits. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.

Dispersed campers should check out Hope Island Marine State Park

  • This unique location allows for primitive camping on a small island, accessible only by boat, making it a truly secluded experience. Check it out at Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit County.
  • Visitors have noted the romantic setting, complete with beautiful views and a trail that circles the island, perfect for a scenic stroll.
  • Be prepared for a rough paddle to the island, so it's advisable to check water conditions before heading out.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Clearlake, Washington

  • For those looking for a quiet escape, Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp offers stunning views of the lake and mountains, with picnic tables and fire rings available.
  • This area is known for its peaceful atmosphere, making it ideal for tent camping, though it’s important to note that there are no water hookups or trash services.
  • Arriving during the week can increase your chances of finding a spot, as weekends tend to be busier with fellow campers.

Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite: A Hidden Gem

  • The Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite is praised for its abundance of camping spots along the scenic road, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of exploration.
  • Visitors can enjoy a serene environment with beautiful views, although it can get lively during peak summer months due to nearby lake activities.
  • This site is free to use, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious campers looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping around Clear Lake, Washington?

For dispersed camping near Clear Lake, head to Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite which offers free lakeside camping with beautiful views and easy drive-in access. Another option is Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp located on Baker Lake near Mt. Baker - take the first turn after Horseshoe Cove campground and follow the gravel road to the lake where you'll find multiple spots. The area around Highway 20 also offers numerous dispersed camping opportunities in the National Forest. Most sites are first-come, first-served, so arriving early on weekends is recommended, especially during summer months.

What amenities are available at Clear Lake dispersed camping sites?

Dispersed camping sites around Clear Lake typically offer minimal amenities. NF Dispersed Camping provides beautiful waterfront spots but no facilities - you'll need to pack in all essentials. At Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp, you'll find primitive sites with no services. Some designated dispersed areas like certain lakeside spots may have basic fire rings and cleared tent pads, but no running water, electricity, or garbage service. Plan to bring your own water, pack out all trash, and be prepared for primitive bathroom conditions. Cell service is spotty throughout the area, so download maps in advance.

Are permits required for dispersed camping at Clear Lake, WA?

Most dispersed camping areas around Clear Lake do not require specific camping permits, but you may need a recreation pass depending on the location. Hope Island Marine State Park requires a Discover Pass for access. For sites in National Forest areas like Hard Creek Bridge, a Northwest Forest Pass might be necessary for parking. Always check current regulations before your trip, as requirements can change seasonally. Remember that dispersed camping in National Forests typically has a 14-day stay limit. Campfire restrictions are common during summer and fall, so verify current fire conditions with the local ranger district.

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