Primitive camping near Conconully, Washington offers self-sufficient outdoor experiences throughout the Okanogan Highlands, where elevations range from 2,000 to 8,000 feet. Most dispersed sites sit on Forest Service and BLM lands within the greater Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest system. The terrain features ponderosa pine forests transitioning to higher elevation Douglas fir and subalpine zones.
What to do
Fishing access: Chopaka Lake provides year-round fishing opportunities for rainbow trout. Visitors can access the water from multiple points along shoreline campsites. According to one camper at FR51, "It's on a high flat above a river, which would be easy to walk down to if you wanted to fish."
Wildflower viewing: Spring and early summer bring diverse wildflowers to the area's meadows and forests. A camper at Sullivan Pond Camp described it as "Really peaceful and lovely campsite. Lots of flowers, just a few camping spaces available."
Swimming spots: Several backcountry lakes offer swimming during summer months when temperatures reach 80-90°F. Black Lake provides "awesome lake access" according to one backcountry camper who rated it 4 stars.
What campers like
River proximity: Multiple dispersed sites provide direct river access. A camper at Upper Bobcat Dispersed Camping noted, "Super close to the river. There were a lot of people, mainly families, but everyone was super respectful and it honestly made me feel safer and a solo traveler."
Personal beach areas: Some sites offer secluded water access. At Chewuch River Camping, a visitor explained, "The one in the very back left has its own personal beach area, which is the one that we stayed at. Plenty of spots to choose from and it looks like a paid campground, but it's free dispersed camping."
Lake views: Blue Lake provides multiple vantage points and water access. One camper stated, "Beautiful lake, long, big and I hear they have fish (not a fisherman). Has several points of access to the lake."
What you should know
Vehicle clearance requirements: Many dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles. For Sullivan Pond Camp, one camper advised, "Recommend 4wd with good clearance. Washington Discover Pass required."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly at riverside and lakeside locations. A camper at Upper Bobcat Dispersed Camping reported, "Was here last summer and the bugs were BAD, like hiding in the car and tent bad. Left with more bug bites than I could count."
Permit requirements: Most sites require a Washington Discover Pass, while others may need forest permits. At Sullivan Pond Camp, a camper confirmed, "Washington Discovery Pass is required for camping here."
Fire restrictions: Seasonal restrictions often prohibit campfires during summer months. A recent Sullivan Pond Camp visitor noted, "Fire restrictions are in place for the summer months, so no campfires."
Tips for camping with families
Safer group options: Some areas provide better security for families with children. Upper Bobcat Dispersed Camping features "Lots of room at your site and between neighbors" with one camper adding it "made me feel safer and a solo traveler."
Pit toilet locations: For families with young children, sites with vault toilets provide convenience. Goat Creek Sno-Park offers a "Long drop toilet" and one visitor described it as having a "Clean pit toilet. Nothing wrong with it, great place just to sleep and keep moving."
Multi-site options: Groups traveling together can find larger areas with multiple sites. Chewuch River Camping provides "plenty of spots and each spot has access areas to the river," according to recent visitors.
Tips from RVers
Size-appropriate sites: Some dispersed areas accommodate larger vehicles despite primitive conditions. A visitor to Goat Creek Sno-Park described it as a "Big open lot where you can easily park cars/campers/RVs/etc. Lots of space and room to pitch tents along the edges."
Larger rig accommodation: A few sites specifically mention space for bigger vehicles. At Forde Lake, a camper advised, "I recommend not taking the first site in even though it looks like it would accommodate a 40 ft rig. Four of the sites looked able to handle our 27 ft trailer."
Arrival timing: RVers should arrive before dark as most sites lack lighting. At Goat Creek Sno-Park, one camper observed, "People are rolling in until about 10:30 and start leaving at 6."
