Join the fun near Ellensburg. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Ellensburg is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"**Ranger Review: Camp Fare Premium Meals at LT Murray Wildlife Area **
Camping Review: The LT Murray Wildlife Area is located in Thorp, between Cle Elum and Ellensburg."
"After figuring out which gate to go through (make sure and shut the gate behind you), I took a road to the right with my truck and 19 ft. epro."
"Stumbled on this by just exploring the backroads near the BLM campground down the road. Technically this is USDA Forest Service land, but it is RIGHT next to BLM land. "
"Came for the Ellensburg rodeo! Stayed here for a week, had a great time near the creek with our dogs! Attempted some fly fishing after seeing some others give it a shot with no luck."
"Best to have high clearance as there are some good size rock outcroppings. Few people rock climbing, tall waterfall across the valley. Very quiet. Can hear birds fly by."
"There is a pit toilet and there were some people climbing. No accessible water. Only a couple miles from the highway. It was windy, as this whole area is. But well worth it!"
"Avoid summer when it gets too hot and ticks and rattlesnakes are around. It gets cold at night so come prepared."
"This place is where I go when I want to disconnect and get away from the stress of school in Ellensburg."
"Was a perfect Weeknd to Disperse camp, really quite, no toilets no water, Verizon coverage good."
"This spot offers the best views, sunrises, and sunsets, at the cost of no shade and a healthy dose of wind. If you're going for the rugged feel, this'll do it."
"Dispersed camping area with a lot of places to pull off the road and camp. We were able to find a spot with our 32ft camper."
"Right outside the entrance to Mt."
"If you come here you must leave no trace."
TravelerPlenty of sites along the river with multiple ingress/egress options from the road. Right outside the entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park and the access road to Crystal Mountain.
4x4 / high clearance vehicles recommended - saw some subarus trying to navigate into a cleared area and it was pretty scrape-y.
Great place to stay if you can't get a spot at White River / Ohanapecosh.
Leave no trace.
ScoutAs described, little to no water sources. Private property marked in some areas. Camp sites are just off the road so there is some road dust. In May there was plenty of wood for burning. Do be mindful of burn restrictions later in the season. This area is very popular with mountain bikers and some dirt bikes. Service roads did have some heavily washed out areas and rocks that higher ground clearance and AWD/4WD would be beneficial, but a 2WD car could make it to some sites. Great spot though to camp near Leavenworth Wenatchee area. Verizon phone service was ok, T-Mobile was spotty at best occasionally a message would get through.
RangerSingle campsite off the forest service road. 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. When we were there a family came to shoot but they stopped by our site to let us know beforehand.
RangerDog wasn’t feeling well so took a chance and went up this USFS mostly paved road. There are lovely views on the trip up and a few roadside areas you could car or van camp in a pinch. Towards the top a couple private roads break off, and just above the now dirt USFS road continues. Here is 1 large, not terribly level, high clearance needed, site with fire ring and lots of parking options.
LegendWe had high hopes for this USFS campground, having read that it’s on an airstrip, it sounded neat. But we decided not to stay here after we checked it out. There were lots and lots of other campers there, lots of camo, lots of large pickup trucks that don’t slow down on gravel roads, lots of “don’t tread on me” flags.
We drove to the end where the bathroom is and decided to turn around, though it seems that the camp spots do continue after that point. This was on a Saturday, in all fairness, so the vibe might be different during the week.
It’s a 14 day stay limit, and other than the toilets there are no other amenities, so please pack out your trash. At the entrance it says that the following passes are honored: Annual Northwest Forest Pass, Golden Eagle Passport, and Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass. However, at the bathrooms, there’s another sign that says a $5 day use fee required. Doesn’t make sense that camping is free with certain passes but for day use it’s a $5 fee, but since we weren’t staying we didn’t look much into it. No ATV or off road riding here.
Cell signal was very weak for Verizon and non-existent for ATT. Giving it 4 stars instead of 3 because it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't be willing to check it out again the next time we're in the area.
LegendWe had high hopes for this USFS campground, having read that it’s on an airstrip, it sounded neat. But we decided not to stay here after we checked it out. There were lots and lots of other campers there, lots of camo, lots of large pickup trucks that don’t slow down on gravel roads, lots of “don’t tread on me” flags. We drove to the end where the bathroom is and decided to turn around, though it seems that the camp spots do continue after that point. This was on a Saturday, in all fairness, so the vibe might be different during the week.
It’s a 14 day stay limit, and other than the toilets there are no other amenities, so please pack out your trash. At the entrance it says that the following passes are honored: Annual Northwest Forest Pass, Golden Eagle Passport, and Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass. However, at the bathrooms, there’s another sign that says a $5 day use fee required. Doesn’t make sense that camping is free with certain passes but for day use it’s a $5 fee, but since we weren’t staying we didn’t look much into it. No ATV or off road riding here.
Cell signal was very weak for Verizon and non-existent for ATT. Giving it 4 stars instead of 3 because it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't be willing to check it out again the next time we're in the area.
Legend**Ranger Review: Camp Fare Premium Meals at LT Murray Wildlife Area **
Camping Review: The LT Murray Wildlife Area is located in Thorp, between Cle Elum and Ellensburg. It is often referred to as Elk Heights or Joe Watt Canyon. This is primarily an ORV and horseback riding area in the summer. Hunting and elk feeding/wintering grounds area in the winter. This is also a great area to find elk sheds once wintering season is over. There are plenty of dispersed camping sites along the Forest Service roads. All you need is a Discover Pass and a high clearance, capable vehicle.
We were looking for a close by, no reservation, free place to camp for a weekend. I remember riding horses up here as a kid but have not been up to this area for many years. Once you arrive to the Wildlife Area, you must let yourself in the gate and close it after you pass through. From the gate we drove down a rough, rocky road and passed a wide-open meadow where there we a couple other trailers camping, maybe living, along the road. We passed through some very narrow, brush lined roads. It was also steep and rutted with water wash out spots. The rocks that made the road are sharp, large, and loose. We did not go too far as we were not sure what shape the road would be in and did not want to get in a situation with our trailer that we could not get out of. Plug for our Airstream Basecamp. It's advertised as being "built for adventure and tough enough to go anywhere." I think I really believe it now.
The spot we chose turned out to be beautiful. We had a view of the Thorp valley and the forested gully and ridge across from us. The stars were out and the comet NEOWISE was visible. We saw large elk, deer, many birds, and were visited by some wild turkeys in the night. It can get very windy in this area. Fires are not allowed due to red flag conditions. There is nothing out here. You must bring everything you need. Food, water, TP, lights. The best part was we saw two other cars, a couple ORV's, and a couple horseback riders total for the 2 days we were there. You can't get any quieter and more unplugged than that!
Product Review: Camp Fare Beef Burgundy with Field Vegetables and Chicken Tikka Masala with French Green Lentils
I ordered these meals a bit short of our last trip and was unable to make them. I was happy I had them saved for our trip up to LT Murray given we traveled quick and light. Camp Fare https://campfare.com/ advertises their food as high quality, delicious, chef-crafted, and ready to eat- no refrigeration required. All you have to do is submerge in hot water for 2-3 minutes, tear open the pouch, and enjoy. Selection is limited but covers all the bases. Beef Burgundy, Chicken Tikka Masala, Wild Alaskan Salmon, and Brown Rice and Red Quinoa with Pink Beans. They all sound great! We had our camp stove and a pot of water but you could probably stuff the pouch into a larger Jet Boil for backpacking too. I chose the Beef and had my partner eat the Chicken.
Preparation was as quick and easy as promised. The meals may not look amazing, especially on a plate instead of the pouch or in a bowl, but they really are delicious. The Beef Burgundy was flavorful and tender. The Chicken Tikka Masala was Indian restaurant good, seriously. I would way rather eat these meals than something dehydrated ever again. Looking forward to trying the Salmon and maybe getting the Chicken again for future trips.
TravelerAfter figuring out which gate to go through (make sure and shut the gate behind you), I took a road to the right with my truck and 19 ft. epro. We drove up a rocky dirt road, single lane with pull outs, for about 20 mins. Passing only a few other campers along the way. Sites are very spread out and private. Wildflowers were amazing!
ScoutThis road was pretty hard to find but we’ll worth it. Spot was secluded even though there seemed to be two other groups camping at the site. There was an obnoxious amount of used toilet paper in the area but it was avoidable. If you come here you must leave no trace.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Ellensburg, Washington, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best dispersed camping sites near Ellensburg, WA?
The Ellensburg area offers excellent dispersed camping options. L.T. Murray Wildlife Area is a premier location between Cle Elum and Ellensburg, featuring spread-out sites accessible via rocky dirt roads. It's popular for ORV and horseback riding during summer months. Another great option is Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400, which offers numerous sites just off the road. These spots are particularly popular with mountain bikers. For those willing to venture a bit further, areas near Salmon la Sac and along Reecer Creek Road also provide peaceful dispersed camping experiences with beautiful surroundings.
Is there free camping available near Ellensburg, Washington?
Yes, free camping is readily available near Ellensburg. Old Bluett Pass Road Dispersed offers free roadside areas suitable for car or van camping with lovely views along the mostly paved USFS road. Dispersed near Salmon la Sac provides free single campsites off forest service roads that can accommodate groups. Additionally, numerous free dispersed camping opportunities exist throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest surrounding Ellensburg. These sites typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis and don't require fees, though they lack amenities. Remember that most dispersed camping in national forests is limited to 14 consecutive days within a 30-day period.
What are the regulations and permits needed for dispersed camping in the Ellensburg area?
For dispersed camping near Ellensburg, most areas require a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass displayed in your vehicle when parked at trailheads. At White River Dispersed Camping, like most dispersed sites, strict Leave No Trace principles must be followed. The Frenchman Coulee Overland Overlook area and similar sites have regulations prohibiting camping within 100 feet of water sources and limiting stays to 14 days within a 30-day period. Seasonal fire restrictions are common, especially in summer months, so always check current fire bans before your trip. Some wildlife areas like L.T. Murray may require gates to be closed behind you. Always verify if the area requires any special recreation permits, particularly for activities beyond camping such as hunting or off-road vehicle use.
What amenities and facilities can I expect at dispersed camping sites around Ellensburg?
Dispersed camping sites around Ellensburg typically offer very minimal amenities. At Silver Springs Sno Park, you'll find a large gravel parking area accessible for RVs, but zero to weak cell reception. Ranger Creek Airstrip Dispersed features an interesting location on an airstrip but can get crowded. Generally, dispersed sites in this region have no running water, no electricity, no garbage service, and no toilet facilities. Some areas have informal fire rings made of rocks rather than official metal fire pits. You'll need to pack in all water and supplies and pack out all waste. Picnic tables are rare, and you should expect to be fully self-sufficient with the proper equipment for primitive camping.
Keep Exploring
