Best Tent Camping near Ellensburg, WA
Searching for a tent campsite near Ellensburg? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Ellensburg with tent camping. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Washington tent camping excursion.
Best Tent Sites Near Ellensburg, WA (67)
1. Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites
Vantage, Washington8 Reviews•41 Photos•118 SavesThe free camp sites - There is a designated areas located near the main parking area. There are no designated sites but you can drive in on rough dirt trail. Portable toilets are nearby but there is no running water, no picnic tables and no fires are allowed. The area can become quite busy during long weekends or when there are big concerts held at the nearby amphitheater in George.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
2. Liberty Recreation Site
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington4 Reviews•19 Photos•40 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Picnic Table
3. Rocky Coulee Recreation Area
Vantage, Washington5 Reviews•46 Photos•56 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
$10 / night
4. White River Dispersed Camping
Greenwater, Washington19 Reviews•58 Photos•726 SavesThe historic Mather Memorial Parkway (State Route 410) is the gateway to a recreational haven. On a clear day, enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Rainier. For more excitement, take a spin in the off-road vehicle area at Evans Creek, or zip down the slopes of Crystal Mountain Ski Area. Or if you prefer solitude, escape into the solace of the forest and leave the world behind.
Mather Memorial Parkway Created in 1931, this paved two-lane classic Cascades drive along Highway 410 from Enumclaw to the eastern edge of Mount Rainier National Park presents majestic views of Mount Rainier and surrounding peaks. More than 200 miles of trails accommodate hikers, horses and mountain bikes. Drive, hike or ride to the Suntop Lookout Cabin at the top of Forest Road 7315. Choose a primitive campsite along forest roads east and west of the parkway. In November buy a permit at the Enumclaw office and take the family out to the woods to cut your own Christmas tree. Most forest roads are unpaved and minimally maintained. Cell phones have limited coverage in the mountains.
Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Typically, it refers to roadside car camping, but also refers to backpacking in undeveloped sites. Dispersed camping means there are no services like trash removal, and amenities such as toilets, tables and fire pits, are not usually available.
It is your responsibility to plan ahead and learn the extra skills necessary for dispersed camping. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Dispersed camping along Forest Service roads is allowed where there is adequate space to safely park completely off the roadway and not on any vegetation. Whether car camping or backpacking, choose an existing campsite on bare or compacted soil. Unless signed as an area where a fee is required, dispersed camping is free. Dispersed camping is prohibited in developed campgrounds and areas posted closed or no camping. Some designated Wilderness areas have additional restrictions.
- Pets
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
5. Riders Camp Campground
South Cle Elum, Washington1 Review•7 Photos•9 SavesThis camping area has an improved dispersed camp area for groups. Seasonal stock water available at the creek.
- Pets
- Reservable
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
7. Colchuck Lake
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington5 Reviews•27 Photos•155 Saves- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Toilets
$10 - $25 / night
8. Taneum Junction
South Cle Elum, Washington1 Review•1 Photo•14 SavesThis campground has a 15 vehicle and 75 person capacity. This is an improved dispersed camping area suitable for groups or individual camps which serves as a trailhead for single track trails open to both motorized and non-motorized use.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Toilets
- Alcohol
10. Owhi Campground
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington7 Reviews•35 Photos•317 SavesBEAR WARNING: bears frequent this area, make sure to store food and garbage properly
This walk-in campground on Cooper Lake offers 22 tent-only sites.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Equestrian
- Trash
$14 / night
Recent Tent Reviews in Ellensburg
720 Reviews of 67 Ellensburg Campgrounds
Allen K.
Scout
Squaw Rock RV Resort and Campground
It's a good place but the owners
The camping is good but the owners are rude drunks I would not stay here the owners are always on site there mean to campers kids not good atmosphere
- c
cindy
Guide
Umtanum Campground - Yakima River Canyon
Beautiful autumn site
Spent overnight here. Many cars in the pkg lot—hikers & fishermen. By early evening, everyone was gone except for 3 of us campers. There is road noise which is close, but that quiets at night as well. The train is also close, but I don’t mind hearing trains. Overall, a lovely place to hang for the night and take in a hike right there at the site. Good pit toilets too!
- PPhil&Melinda O.Guide
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground
Nice location on the lake
Nice spacious sites. Lots of privacy between sites. No dog park. Great view of the lake from your door. We took a 4 mile, one-way, bike ride to the town of Vantage and then to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest. The town of vantage is very small with a lot of closed shops. Has a gas station and convenience store. That’s about it. Very scenic area and quiet and relaxing.
- DDougScout
Lodgepole Campground (washington)
Great campground we have stayed at several times.
This is a newer campground with spacious and private sites away from the river. Sites at riverside are narrow, long, flat, but not so private. While the outhouses in general are pristine, by late summer those in the lower loop are usually over full, you would be better of with a bucket. That said, we need an ADA site and the ADA and a few of the other accessible sites here are very good. This is always on our short notice list of great places to relax.
- JJason S.
Ranger
Bumping Lake Campground
Beautiful lake with nice swimming areas
Stayed here a few days a couple years ago and it was a great place. The campsites are nice and spacious with good privacy from other campers. The lake level was pretty low when we were there so you had to walk out a bit of distance to get to the water. But it's a nice sandy shore so great for the kids swimming and the water is so shallow for a long way out so you don't have to worry about the kids. It's a beautiful lake and nice area.
- JJason S.Ranger
Windy Point Campground
Pretty river and waterfall camping
We stayed here a few days in July and loved it! The river is so beautiful with the waterfall cascading down into the river directly across from the campsite. There is a shallow part near the shoreline where the kids had a great time playing in the river. The river itself is wide and very fast moving. The campsite we stayed in was fairly close to the next one, but we were camping with friends in the next one so it was fine. But be aware, some campsites are very close together. There is some road noise, but mostly you just hear the river.
- PPhil&Melinda O.Guide
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground
Peaceful and Quiet
Arrived on a Sunday without reservations and had several spots to choose from for our 3 night stay. Easy Lake access. The grounds are immaculately kept up - sites are very spacious - bathrooms and showers super clean. Road our e-bikes into Vantage - only a gas station/convenience store - very expensive - but it is the only game in town as everything else is closed. Continued our e-bike ride to Ginkgo Petrified forest - nice little 3 mile hike. The town is 2.5 miles from camp and another 2 to get to the petrified forest. Would stop here again. Had a relaxing time.
- GGil W.Guide
Yakima River Canyon Campgrounds (Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, Big Pines, Roza) — Yakima River Canyon
Quiet and Peaceful next to river
Overall a nice experience. $7.50/night with Access Pass. Dry camping only but close to Yakima. A fly fishing paradise.
There are train tracks close by which can be a bit noisy. However, trains don’t blow horn when passing by.
- JJason S.Ranger
Taneum Campground
Pretty little creekside camping
We had a fantastic time at this pretty little creekside campground! The campsites along the creek were perfect—each one felt private and tucked away, with the soothing sound of the creek flowing nearby. The mountain views surrounding the area added to the peaceful, scenic vibe, making it a great spot to disconnect and enjoy nature. Our kids had a blast playing in the creek and biking around the campground. It’s a great place for families, with enough space and fun activities to keep the little ones entertained. We were lucky enough to have the place to ourselves during our stay, probably because it was a rainy weekend. The pit toilets were clean. However, one downside was that there was a fire ban in place during our August visit, so we couldn’t have a campfire. It was rainy and cold at times so it was very annoying that we couldn't have a fire to warm up.
Overall, this is a lovely, well-maintained campground, especially if you enjoy a quiet, private getaway by the creek. Just be prepared for fire restrictions if you visit in the summer months. There is some great ATV trails in this area so be prepared for some ATVers riding by on the main road, but there is enough distance from the road so it's not too loud.
- hhuckleberryScout
Umtanum Campground - Yakima River Canyon
Off-road Tent camping
The site offer approximately 10 sites that can be used for tent or RV camping. Moderately spaced from the other sites. Parallels the river. The tent areas are all level, ground mainly dirt/gravel. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. We did not hear the road noise. Can’t speak to the condition of the toilets as we didn’t use them. This is a favorite of the locals for fall fishing so you need a reservation…
Brandon K.Guide
4th of July Trail Levenworth
Happy Tail on the River
Nice little spot along the river off Icicle Road…approximately 2 miles west of eight mile campground. Though the water level was low due to the time of the season, this spot still offered the tranquil sound of river flowing over boulders. Doors open on a brisk morning with clear skies made it that much more beautiful.
James B.Ranger
Meadow Landing on Forest Road 7200
Beautiful morning view of Mount Rainier
Our daughter told us about this place. You have to climb up a narrow gravel road to get here. A drive leads out to a flat area with a fire pit It was raining when we pulled in, so views were limited. In the clear morning, we got a beautiful view of Mount Rainier. We got decent Starlink signal with a bar of Verizon. Spot would be perfect except prior campers left toilet paper around a bush.
- bbillie J.
Traveler
Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping
My home away from home
I travel for work and I stay here almost every week to save money on hotels. I’ve also taken my family here over the summer for camping and hiking. We all love it. Very quiet. Weekends can get kinda busy due to hikers and rock climbing enthusiasts. I suggest coming up early if you plan to stay the weekend. Many beautiful views. There is even a waterfall I sleep across from. On clear nights you can see all the stars. Which is my favorite! There are lots of sites to camp. In car/tent/RV it’s pretty accessible. There are some rougher spots where you probably should have four-wheel-drive or at least a higher stance vehicle.
Josh S.Traveler
White River Dispersed Camping
Could be beautiful
We intended to stay a week, left after 4 days. Could be a beautiful place if not for people.
Pros:
Open space, plenty of room Beautiful View Near the parkCons:
Crowded, even mid week we had close neighbors
Party spot, loud people with loud music
Dirty, we picked up an entire garbage bag of trash just in the spot we were at. Much more in the rest of the area.
Road noise, you're literally right off the road
River is nice, but it's a glacial run off so it's definitely not a swimming area (dirty)
Road in is super rough
Again, overall it could be a nice place. We stayed Wednesday through Saturday after labor day. So not "peak" season and the place was absolutely trashed. Feces, TP, beer cans and bottles, food trash, even car parts litter the area. We did a clean up but barely made a dent.
The first night was quiet and then some locals came and you could tell it was a party area. Loud music, dogs off leash, close neighbors.
We ended up leaving Saturday because it just wasn't enjoyable.
- MMichalyn M.Traveler
White River Dispersed Camping
Amazing
Right off the main road, but several sweet camping spots more tucked away and along the river. I’d definitely recommend a higher clearance vehicle if you want to camp deeper near the river due to rocks and tree roots. People need to clean up after themselves though. We pulled up to a spot that was thrashed. That is how free things get shut down.
- BBella M.Traveler
White River Dispersed Camping
Beautiful spot!
This place was gorgeous. Right off a busy road but with being right by the water it tunes out the noise of the traffic. Plenty of spots and can drive in further to be more secluded if needed.
- AAutumn B.Traveler
White River Dispersed Camping
Fantastic camping spot
We had a bit of trouble finding it at first (came from the south of white river), but the little shop down the street has WiFi and we weren’t too far from the entrance. Lots of places to camp, friendly visitors, and overall pretty quiet even with the road right there. The river is so peaceful! Bring a ground sheet for your tents, lots of twigs and foliage.
- RRandall B.Scout
Halfway Flat Campground
We plan on a return visit . But will bring a rake
We reserved #8 too. We arrived shortly after 1:00 which is check in time. There was 10-14 people and kids in our site. 1 women spoke some English and said they were in the free site across the road. I told them we reserved it and to get out. They left a mess of watermelon, cantaloupe, orange peel and egg shells, and water bottles. So of course the hornets we thick but we picked up what we could. They also had a ATV which are not allowed in the campground. I could mention about the Forest Service pickup, parked watching this no doing nothing. But I’ve said enough.
- Angela A.Traveler
Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping
Beautiful
Great location so close to 90 but tucked away - will be staying here often
- BBrad T.Traveler
Halfway Flat Campground
Good for 1 or 2 nights
There are a few spots by the river as soon as you turn off of hwy 410 but look to be mostly used for tents and the area was kinda trashed by all the pigs out there that forget how to clean up after themselves. Keep going over the bridge, take the immediate left and you’ll come to an open area on the right up a small hill. It works for a fairly close spot to Mt Rainier but that’s about it. Zero service with ATT and Verizon.
Shalena U.ScoutWhite River Dispersed Camping
Great views of the river
There are plenty of space and camping areas. Nice view of the river. A bot crowed around the weekend
mark A.Scout
Barn Valley - closed
Barn valley has been sold and is not open for camping at this time
I was unhappy we could not find this place on Hipcamp.
I was excited to find it on dyrt.com
I am sad the former owner emailed me to explain he had sold it to a neighbor and it is not available.
Chuck B.TravelerSquaw Rock RV Resort and Campground
Great Staff
The staff was friendly and very helpful and that’s a big deal to me. Many sites are on the river and are close together, but wasn’t too busy when I was there.
Lets Go O.Traveler
Kachess Lake Lakebed
Land Destruction
Up to $5,000 fines for litter and $10,000 for illegal fire (plus up to a year jail time) now enforced!
People are destroying this lake. There is NO legal driving in the lake bed, even when the water is low. The lake bed is spawning grounds for the endangered Bull Trout. The lake nearby, Kacheless, is now closed due to people driving in the lake bed.
There are also burn bans July-September due to extremely high fire danger. Mountains of garbage around due to no garbage services, and human feces everywhere.
PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT. Respect the land on which you travel, or this too will be closed down.
Katy W.Scout
Teanaway Campground
Quiet camping in forest
About a 20 minute drive from Clu Elum. Free with a Discovery Pass but no one checked while I was there. Plenty of spots even late on a Friday. No water or trash but some vault toilets
Phoebe H.Scout
FS Road 7601 Dispersed
Great place to camp!
Beautiful scenery, not hard to find, and lots of spaces open along the road. The road did get quite bumpy and rocky at points, but I assume this is normal for dispersed camping (this was my first dispersed camping experience). The only concern my friend and I had was an old RV near the entrance. That being said, the spot we chose was much higher and farther up the road from where the RV was, and we were not bothered. We actually didn’t see anyone else up there when we went in late July.
- CCharles K.Scout
Rock Island Campground
Go Elsewhere- Not Good
Small cramped campsite with seemingly endless yellow jackets, mosquitoes and continuous traffic at all hours of the night. Would advise checking out other sites closer to Leavenworth.
No cell service, unsurprisingly.
Guide to Ellensburg
Tent camping near Ellensburg, Washington offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature, with various campgrounds providing unique experiences and amenities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Some prices for tent camping range from $5 to $20
- Enjoy a budget-friendly stay at Riders Camp Campground for just $5 per night, perfect for those looking to ride ORVs and explore the trails.
- For a peaceful retreat, Taneum Junction charges $20 a night, offering a serene environment along a small river.
- If you're seeking a quiet spot, Liberty Recreation Site provides a relaxed atmosphere, although specific pricing details may vary.
Tips for tent camping near Ellensburg
- Be prepared for limited amenities at Liberty Recreation Site, which has no toilets or sanitary dump facilities, making it essential to plan accordingly.
- If you're camping at Taneum Junction, remember to bring your own drinking water, as there are no water hookups available.
- For those heading to Riders Camp Campground, it's a good idea to pack out all trash, as there are no trash facilities on-site.
Local activities to enjoy while tent camping
- Explore the off-road trails and enjoy ORV riding at Riders Camp Campground, which features a beginner loop trailhead.
- Take advantage of the hiking opportunities near Liberty Recreation Site, where you can discover scenic routes and enjoy the tranquility of the area.
- Experience the natural beauty of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest while camping at Taneum Junction, where you can relax by the river and soak in the surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ellensburg, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ellensburg, WA is Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites with a 4.1-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ellensburg, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 67 tent camping locations near Ellensburg, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.