Best Dispersed Camping near Concrete, WA

Dispersed camping near Concrete, Washington concentrates around several free sites in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp, Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite, and NF Dispersed Camping provide primitive camping options with varying levels of amenities. Most sites require permits and allow both tent and RV camping, though facilities are minimal. The Baker Lake area contains multiple dispersed camping zones, including Baker Lake Horse Camp and sites along Baker Lake Road.

Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles due to potholes, rough terrain, and unpaved surfaces. Reviews consistently mention challenging road conditions, particularly at NF Dispersed Camping where deep potholes make access difficult without appropriate vehicles. Lower Sandy Camp features pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, while most other sites provide no amenities beyond established fire rings. Water availability varies by location, with most sites requiring campers to bring their own supplies. During summer months, fire bans may be in effect regardless of site amenities.

These primitive camping areas attract visitors seeking lakeside views and mountain scenery. Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite receives praise for its serene setting and lake access. According to reviews, Lower Sandy Camp offers "quiet camp with great views" though it has "very few spots and very crowded" conditions during peak periods. NF Dispersed Camping provides more seclusion but requires navigating difficult roads. A camper noted the area is "really deep into the woods. Driveway is a little rough but I made it in a car." Some sites suffer from litter problems, with one review mentioning "both sites were straight up trashed! Trash everywhere!" Visitors should practice Leave No Trace principles and be prepared for primitive conditions.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Concrete, Washington (18)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 18 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Concrete, WA

34 Reviews of 18 Concrete 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.

  • H
    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.

  • 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.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    NF Dispersed Camping

    Quiet, easy to get to in SUV, not very level

    Probably a 4.5. Not the best site ever, but definitely good enough for a one nighter. Went all the way to the coordinates and found a spot good enough for a tent and a car. Not super level, but worked with limited options available. Proximity to North Cascades is nice. River nearby.

    There were some people pulled off on the side of the road camping that we saw before getting all the way to the coordinates. My guess is that you could find somewhere to pull off and sleep in a car because the road goes on for awhile. Not as tent friendly, but we were able to find a spot. Not super busy on a weekday. Bugs kind of annoying but not terrible. Road was easy enough in a Subaru. Not paved and some small pot holes, but not a problem at all for us. No road noise or traffic at night. No service.


Guide to Concrete

Dispersed camping sites near Concrete, Washington lie within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet. The area receives approximately 65 inches of annual rainfall, with driest camping conditions occurring from July through September. Winter access becomes difficult as many forest roads aren't maintained during snow season.

What to do

Water activities at Baker Lake: Kayaking and swimming access points exist along Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite, where campers note "plenty of spots with easy lake access" and "spots are close together and there are a lot of people. But we couldn't tell we had people around us."

Hot springs soaking: Free camping areas near Baker Hot Springs provide access to natural thermal pools. Primitive soaking tubs maintain temperatures around 100°F year-round. A camper at nearby Lower Sandy Camp mentioned "our spot (site #3) was tucked away in low area by the water. Semi-private and peaceful."

Forest hiking: Several trail access points exist within 5-10 miles of most dispersed camping areas. The Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp serves as a good base camp for hikers, with one camper noting it offers "meandering sites along the river with good logs for benches and fire rings made from forest rocks."

What campers like

Riverside camping spots: Many free camping areas near Concrete feature river or creek access. At Suiattle Riverside Camp, one camper described their experience as "so beautiful over looking a stream rushing over rocks. Ferns and big pines in the background."

Natural separation between sites: Despite popularity during summer months, many dispersed sites maintain privacy. A reviewer at Baker Lake Road noted "spots are not near each other so you get privacy that way," while another mentioned "if you think all the spots are taken, keep driving. So many spots along Baker Lake Road."

Budget-friendly longer stays: The free camping areas can accommodate extended visits without fees. Campers appreciate this aspect, with one noting at Lower Sandy Camp, "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."

What you should know

Road condition challenges: Many forest service roads deteriorate further from highways. A camper at NF Dispersed Camping reported "probably some good camping out this way, but we didn't get more than a mile in our promaster before turning around."

Limited facilities: Most sites lack basic amenities. Lower Sandy Camp stands out with its "pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available. No water," according to one camper. Most other locations require completely self-sufficient camping.

Site cleanliness varies: Trash management remains inconsistent across dispersed sites. A visitor to Mountain Loop Hway noted "easy enough to access right off the mountain loop highway," but others have found issues with previous campers leaving garbage behind.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection timing: Arrive midweek for better family site options. One camper at Lower Sandy mentioned "arrived around 4pm on a Friday and there were a few spots left," suggesting Thursday arrivals provide more choices for family groups needing larger spaces.

Wildlife awareness: Bears and smaller mammals actively search for food throughout summer months. Store all food items in vehicles or bear canisters at night. Campers should maintain clean sites.

Swimming safety: Lake and river access points often feature steep drop-offs without designated swimming areas. At Hard Creek Bridge, a visitor noted the "babbling creek below is a plus," but parents should supervise children near all water features.

Tips from RVers

Length restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs under 25 feet. One reviewer at NF 33 Dispersed Camping noted the road "does get much rougher the further you go, so not big-rig friendly nor for low-clearance vehicles."

Leveling requirements: Bring leveling blocks as most sites feature uneven terrain. A camper mentioned spots are "not super level, but worked with limited options available."

Turnaround planning: Scout potential sites before driving deep into forest roads. One RVer recommended "if staying longer I'd say it's best to keep going to south fork sauk," suggesting the extra scouting effort yields better results for vehicle positioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Concrete, WA area?

Dispersed camping regulations around Concrete typically include pack-in/pack-out policies for all trash. At NF Dispersed Camping sites, you'll need to maintain sites responsibly as they aren't regularly maintained. Some areas require vehicle clearance similar to Subaru-level vehicles, though 4WD isn't always necessary. Hard Creek Bridge and similar small sites are generally best for car/van camping rather than large RVs. Standard Forest Service rules apply: camp at least 100 feet from water sources, limit stays to 14 days within a 30-day period, and follow any current fire restrictions. Most dispersed sites don't offer water, so bring plenty. Toilet facilities are limited—carry a portable toilet or be prepared to dig catholes 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water.

Are there any free dispersed camping options near Concrete, Washington?

Yes, several free dispersed camping options exist near Concrete. Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite offers beautiful lake views with no facilities and easy drive-in access. It's completely free and provides a serene camping experience. Baker Hot Springs also offers free dispersed camping opportunities. Other free options include pullouts along forest roads, particularly in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. These sites typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis and don't require reservations or payment. While amenities are minimal or non-existent (no running water, garbage service, or maintained toilets), the trade-off is beautiful surroundings and peaceful camping. Come prepared with everything you need, including water and waste disposal methods.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Concrete, WA?

The Concrete area offers several excellent dispersed camping options. Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp on Baker Lake provides sites with tables and fire rings near Mount Baker. Take the first turn after Horseshoe Cove campground and follow the gravel road to the lake. For a more secluded experience, Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp offers spots along the scenic highway, with better sites available once the road turns to gravel. Look for pull-offs near streams for peaceful camping. Both locations are accessible by car, though some areas may require higher clearance vehicles. These dispersed sites typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early on weekends is recommended.