Tent campsites around Easton, Washington offer a mix of established and dispersed options within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Owhi Campground on Cooper Lake provides walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while Kachess Lake Logging Road offers more primitive tent camping experiences along forest service roads. White River Dispersed Camping provides free tent sites with drive-in and walk-in access approximately 25 miles southeast of Easton.
Most tent camping areas near Easton require campers to bring their own water, as drinking water is rarely available at primitive sites. Tent pads vary from established platforms at Owhi to ungraded forest floor at dispersed locations. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, with one review noting, "We stayed here 2 nights and will definitely be coming back. Tons of open sites to choose from right along the river. Designated fire rings but currently there's a burn ban." Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds like Owhi and Cold Creek, but dispersed areas require campers to pack a trowel and practice Leave No Trace principles. Many sites require Northwest Forest Passes or wilderness permits.
The tent camping experience around Easton offers significant advantages for those seeking natural settings. Sites at Owhi Campground provide lake access with non-motorized boating opportunities, while dispersed areas along forest roads offer greater solitude. A camper at Kachess Lake noted, "There are three fire rings, and plenty of places for tents. No water. No electricity. We enjoyed our stay and we sat outside for a couple of hours in the sunshine on our last day." Tent campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions, as mountain elevations can bring unexpected temperature drops even in summer. Many tent sites feature good tree cover for shade and hammock options, though some dispersed areas may require clearing small debris before setting up. Wildlife encounters are possible, so proper food storage is essential at all tent camping locations.
"You can float the river down to Cle Elum lake. Once the weather warms up the river lowers and slows down. Lots of area for kids to create their little pools to swim in."
"Lots of space for big groups, but it does get crowded on the weekend. Lots of little secluded spots which are more quite at night. Easy river access from all camp spots."
"Cooper Lake is absolutely stunning and admittedly the campsites are situated pretty well for views and privacy but there are definitely Pros and Cons to this campground."
"Ranger Review: OOFOS OOMG Low Shoe at Owhi Campground on Cooper Lake, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington State Campground Review: [Owhi Campground](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea"
from $14 / night
"We had a hard time finding an open spot so we could set up camp. We almost made it to the end of the dirt road before we found a lot with a fire pit that could fit our group of 4."
"Lots of dispersed camping opportunities leading up to the Rachel Lake Trailhead and the Box Canyon Creek Site on NF-4930. Also many spots on the NF-118 spur, which is where we stayed."
"Right outside the entrance to Mt."
"If you come here you must leave no trace."
"No porta potty, no water, no electricity. Could accommodate a group. No picnic table. Not an actual metal fire pit but someone made a rock ring. The downside is the shooting pit right below the site."
"Nov 2025- basic rock fire ring, very quiet and private in the evening. We were only campers."
"This lake is a fairly easy hike in from the end of Forest Service Road 4312, my hiking guidebook says to park at the Thorp Lake trailhead but the path is pretty overgrown and if you want to just camp park"
"We arrived late close to sunset with the campground closed and the camp host site vacant."
ScoutIt was fairly easy to get to this area however despite our best efforts we only found one established campsite with a fire ring. Road getting here was mostly paved with some debris on the roadway. We lost GPS signal just before arriving and passed NF200. I gave 3 stars because we were unable to locate other sites. Maybe it was just me but we drove quite a while on NF200 and only found the one right at the entrance.
TravelerCute spot! Spots are tight. Water, electricity, showers and bathroom. Cute lil' dog park that is also a wedding venue. Great stop right before Mt. Rainier. We stayed in spot #10 a little tight for a 27ft camper, but we made it work!
TravelerNice, clean, & beautiful overnight stop. There were plenty of sites to choose between, we stayed in site 11 since we were departing early. Like other reviews stated, no water or cell service but that’s to be expected.
TravelerThe heated bathrooms with showers were definitely comfort on our cross country road trip. We arrived after hours but because we already had made reservations that morning we were able to use the slider and enter the campground. Star gazing is always top priority. We headed down to the lake’s beach to snap some shots with my iPhone 14 Pro night, setting on a tripod and remote.
RangerIt was MAGICAL- mushrooms, fall leaves, and moss everywhere. Keep in mind that there’s no signal, Starlink nor cell.. we also were freezing at night (35 degrees) in early October and the spots were tricky for our bigger rig. But if you have a smaller rig there’s tons of places off of road 73 for dispersed camping. Bumpy road to get there but keep on driving and you’ll find places with even firepits.
LegendRoad closures due to a bridge out closed off probably the better sites up top but we did find a great spot off the road with a view. Enjoyed a nice evening under the stars and a campfire.
LegendWe spent a pleasant evening in this beautiful park. Facilities are clean and well kept. Sites are spread out with plenty of grassy area between each site.
ScoutDriving here from Graham washington, I passed so many camp spots I was shook lol. Amazing camp site for free, I believe u need discover pass. the water is beautiful not many people here so many spots by the water Amazing, where i am u definitely need high clearance to even be close to water, Unless u tent camp away from your vehicle which is not far there are a lot of spots everywhere. The water moves fast and your up high bring your hammocks.
ScoutMy wife and I came to this campground recently (9/26 - 9/29) and overall it was a great trip. The staff (Rangers) were so friendly and helpful. The site we had for our 20 ft trailer was a pull-through site which was quite level. It was pretty shady and use of our solar panel was minimal. The proximity to Paradise was great. It was incredibly crowded at Paradise despite being so late in September. The campground filled up to full within a couple of hours of our arrival around 2:30 pm. Bathrooms are very basic (flush toilets and only cold water sinks). There was a water bottle filler right outside the bathroom and tasted great. There is no option to fill trailer tanks with water. Their water filler and dump station has been out of order for a couple of years per the ranger, so I don't expect it to be fixed anytime soon. We were told that there was a water filling station in Alder Lake Park but it is a ways from this campground. We brought our own water so didn't need it. Our site itself was great but there is a reasonable amount of debris around other sites. Overall, we would come again.
Dispersed tent camping dominates the landscape surrounding Easton, Washington, with elevations ranging from 2,200 to 4,800 feet throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach 75-85°F but drop significantly at night, often falling to 40-50°F even in July and August. Most camping areas require Northwest Forest Passes for parking, available at ranger stations or online for $5 daily or $30 annually.
Fishing opportunities: Cooper Lake at Owhi Campground offers excellent rainbow trout fishing with no motorized boats permitted. "Fishing is excellent. Road has some pot holes, but otherwise easy for small vehicles," notes one camper at Owhi Campground.
River floating: The Cle Elum River near Salmon la Sac Road Dispersed Camping provides a popular floating route during summer months. "You can float the river down to Cle Elum lake. Once the weather warms up the river lowers and slows down," explains a regular visitor.
Alpine hiking: Multiple trail networks extend from camping areas, with options ranging from easy lakeside walks to challenging summit climbs. A camper at Colchuck Lake advises: "I would suggest 6 to 8 hours to hike in, sight see around the lake and hike out. Moderate to heavy traffic. Get to the parking lot early or no parking."
River proximity: Many dispersed sites offer immediate water access, which campers consistently rate highly. At White River Dispersed Camping, a visitor shared: "We found a spot tucked super far in that had a small private beach. It was farther from the road so you couldn't see or hear anything."
Wilderness solitude: Despite growing popularity, numerous secluded camping options remain available for those willing to venture farther from main roads. "Lots of dispersed camping opportunities leading up to the Rachel Lake Trailhead and the Box Canyon Creek Site on NF-4930. Also many spots on the NF-118 spur," reports a camper at Kachess Lake Logging Road Campsites.
Mountain views: Several camping areas feature direct sightlines to Alpine Lakes Wilderness peaks. "We canoed on the lake and saw a few Elk bugling. Really amazing views," notes a visitor to Owhi Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads to many dispersed sites require higher-clearance vehicles. At White River Dispersed Camping, a reviewer cautions: "4x4/high clearance vehicles recommended - saw some subarus trying to navigate into a cleared area and it was pretty scrape-y."
Site availability patterns: Weekends fill quickly at all camping areas from June through September, often by Thursday afternoon. "We arrived on a Thursday early afternoon and there were only 4 sites left of the 22 available first-come-first-served sites," reports one camper at Owhi Campground.
Wildlife considerations: Food storage containers are essential as bears frequent the area. At Thorp Lake, a camper notes: "This lake is a fairly easy hike in from the end of Forest Service Road 4312... The campground is on the other side where Thorp Creek dumps into the lake. Look for fire rings and bring your trowel as there's no outhouse that I could see."
Swimming spots: Several areas offer child-friendly water access with gentle entry points. At Salmon la Sac Road Dispersed Camping, one reviewer mentions: "Lots of area for kids to create their little pools to swim in. Outhouses are sparse so bring tp. Very peaceful."
Short hike options: For families with younger children, numerous day hikes under 2 miles provide wilderness experiences without extensive trekking. "There are trails to explore but we didn't get a chance to try them," notes a camper at Cold Creek Campground.
Site selection: Arrive mid-week when possible to secure prime family-friendly locations. "We arrived mid afternoon on a Friday and there were plenty of options to pick from but it did fill up by around 9pm," advises a visitor to White River Dispersed Camping.
Size limitations: Most dispersed areas accommodate smaller RVs (under 25 feet) but present challenges for larger vehicles. At Kachess Lake Logging Road Campsites, an RV camper observed: "There are only one or two sites on this logging road that are available for RVs our size (ours is a Class A 35') about a mile up the compacted gravel road from the lake."
Power considerations: No hookups exist at any tent camping areas near Easton, requiring complete self-sufficiency. "No water. No electricity," confirms the same RVer at Kachess Lake.
Turnaround options: Forest roads often lack suitable turning areas for larger vehicles. "There is camping on the other side of the lake only excess by boat... There are horse camps at the end of the fire road with a cul-de-sac to turn around and head back out," notes a visitor to Owhi Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Easton, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Easton, WA is Salmon la Sac Road Dispersed Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
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