Best Dispersed Camping near Elma, WA

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Elma

25 Reviews of 12 Elma Campgrounds

• b

  brandon W.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 5, 2024

  NF-2419 Dispersed Site

  Nice free boondocking between Port Angeles and Forks

  Not a bad find that doesn't require any permit of any kind which was great! Would stay here again I pitched a tent which was nice and found a spot right by the river.

• 

  Mary S.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 10, 2024

  Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

  Nice view, bumpy drive!

  This spot was great for a night! Super quiet. There was some trash around the site and the road, so I picked up as much as I could. The view was misted over but beautiful anyway- however, in my little Nissan Versa, I struggled on the roads up and down. I eventually kept it around 5-10mph to avoid damaging my car, but I got there just fine and had no issues at the campsite. I've got T-Mobile and had full bars.

• 

  Sam S.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 6, 2024

  Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping

  Olympic National Forest - Dispersed Camping

  We camped near Vance Creek trailhead to do the Olympic Bridges bike ride the next morning. Since this is a national forest, dispersed camping is allowed. We picked the first spot we got to since it was getting kind of late. It wasn't the most ideal spot and I think further down the road has prettier and more remote options, but it made do. There were really huge flies but they did not bite. The only complaint was that there was more car traffic than I wanted very late at night into the early morning. One car even slowed down and yelled at our tent around 2am. We never felt unsafe but it was annoying. A lot of trash was left behind from previous camper. I would suggest finding alternative spots if you're looking for a more enjoyable night but if you are just there for an overnight, it is fine.

• 

  Danielle S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 27, 2024

  FS-2292 Dispersed

  Epic views

  Very far off the beaten path, every time I camp here I don’t run into anyone. You’re camping on the Ridgeline so it can be a bit windy. East of the campsite there is a walking trail that takes you to an overlook, perfect for watching the sunrise.

• 

  Kaitlin B.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 26, 2024

  Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

  Views

  Excellent dispersed site next to electronic towers.

• C

  Carolyn P.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 20, 2024

  Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419

  Incredible view!

  Fairly large and level site with an amazing view. No water. First come first served and this one goes quickly!

• 

  Bobby J.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 19, 2024

  Large Pull Out (Dispersed) on FR 24

  Various Large Pullout spots

  There was a handful of large pull out spots along this road. Nothing fancy and not secluded but got the job done

• 

  Mar Z.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 7, 2024

  Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead

  Perfect woodsy rest stop off highway

  Right off the highway. Pit toilet and wooded areas. Can still hear highway from this exact GPS location, so I went further on up the road for a quieter spot. A few trucks did speed by in the middle of the night, but it was a Saturday and July 4th weekend. 5 bars of cell service.

• S

  Spencer L.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 29, 2024

  NF-2419 Dispersed Site

  It’s was ok

  NF-2419 is a very busy road at all hours. 2 or 3 cars drive by all day and all through the night. As far as we could find there aren’t many spots that are more secluded they are mostly just turn outs.

• 

  Jason C.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 22, 2024

  NF-2419 Dispersed Site

  NF-2419

  Great avenue to get out into nature with various streams crossing the path of the service road. Truly magical place. It is frequented by others so low privacy unless you camp away from the vehicle path. Grateful a place like this exists.

• R

  Robert N.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 10, 2024

  Dispersed South Shore Road

  Quilaut River-South Shore Road

  Several campsites along the gravel road, we found the perfect secluded spot next to the Quinault River. Drove right into the hidden alcove in our stealth camper van.

• I

  Iwa

  Traveler

  

  May. 24, 2024

  Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

  Great views, privacy, and cell service!

  Great cell service! I was able to work remotely (teams calls) for 3 days with no issues. Also beautiful views! I went all the way to the top near the cell towers.

• K

  Kim K.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 27, 2024

  Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419

  The view!!!!!

  Fantastic secluded spot at the top of the mtn with amazing views! First night we camped next to the creek pull off site and the second night we scored the top of the mountain. Please be aware it’s at the snow line and very cold in March! Cell phone service for Cricket was great. Not so much for Verizon!

• 

  Beamus R.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 8, 2024

  Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead

  A spot to sleep

  Overall I had a nice quiet stay. This spot isn't anything too awful special. There are about four pull outs to set up for the night. The bathrooms are located in the trailhead parking lot. They could use cleaning, but they are open 24 hours. As for cell service Verizon was barely there. To sum it up if you need a spot to crash for the night this place will work. Y'all stay safe and be well out there.

• K

  Kahli C.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 2, 2024

  Large Pull Out (Dispersed) on FR 24

  Good spot for a night

  Not the most private spot if vehicles were to pass. the road looks like it’s used but no one around when we arrived. the road itself is a gorgeous drive and since it’s free it’s worth it!

• 

  Jonas S.

  Scout

  

  Feb. 27, 2024

  Quinault Ridge Road

  Great place to spend the night, but not really great to stay longer

  I was camping out there while being on the way to the coast. It was quiet and easy accessible. Once you enter the road there are a few turn outs sprinkled on the side of the road that you can pull in. Please clean up after yourself! When I was there it was kind of sad how much trash there was laying around. But for a quick overnight trip it worked out

• H

  Hannah G.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 19, 2023

  NF-2510 Dispersed Site - CLOSED

  ROAD IS BLOCKED AND CANNOT ENTER

  The road to this campsite is blocked and you are unable to get to it anymore. Someone dropped a dirt pile in the road and now there’s a trench.

• 

  Renee S.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 3, 2023

  Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

  Nice place for a night

  Perfect place to stay for a night. A lot of trash left behind by others though.

• 

  Jen C.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 26, 2023

  Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

  Primative yet beautiful

  I have been coming here for 15 years had great times . Love the lakes snag and western. Stocked each spring with trout. So much fun for the kids to catch and eat them ..

• 

  Trevor M.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 19, 2023

  NF-2419 Dispersed Site

  Forest Road camping

  Had a blast coming up the mountain with the family , found a few great spots that we pinned for later that are unmarked with fire rings. Not many other campers' sites are well dispersed . Got to feed 3 Bluejays by hand with my oldest one of our new favorite memories. Definitely recommend going , we saw people driving various types of vehicles so most will make it up. My 2011 Ford Flex made it up no problem . Bring in water and plenty of fire wood. Happy camping!

• 

  Rachel K.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 9, 2023

  NF-2510 Dispersed Site - CLOSED

  Beautiful views- Use EXTREME CAUTION when on this road

  I love this area and come out here frequently, many rivers and creeks with camping spots right next to them. The people camping are always super kind, secluded, but not too far from each other and always willing to help. DRIVE VERY CAREFULLY, LOTS OF POT HOLES AND DOWNED DEBRIS IN ROAD - STEEP DROP OFFS AND TIGHT TURNS The road goes from ground level up and around the mountain, so be cautious of time of year traveling as I have gotten stuck in the snow up at higher elevations trying to get back down to the other side. This is an area that they do regenerative forest work so big open areas from clear cuts give an amazing view of the hills and mountains.

• 

  Lauren M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 23, 2022

  Dispersed South Shore Road

  Rainforest heaven!

  There are about 5 sites hidden on the road. Please be careful the road is a mix of private land, national forest, national park. The sites can be easily found by their stone fire rings. The site that is directly on the river was very popular. I ended up staying 2 nights at one of the last sites before it turns to private land. It was tucked away, walk in site, had a nice fire ring, nice tent pad area. It has a large rope so you can access the river. The scenery is breath taking. Down the road there are at least 2 waterfalls on the right. In the town of quinault there is a laundry mat/shower facility!

• 

  Alyson M.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 29, 2022

  Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

  Beautiful Views and Great Service

  Snag Lake and Western Lake Campgrounds were both full, so we explored and went to the top of the mountain/hill near the cell towers. It had cement for parking and seemed to be a viewing point so we called it good. Not sure if this is a “legal” campsite but it sure was beautiful.

• 

  Allyson N.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 24, 2022

  Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

  Has what you need

  in a clearing for solar power, surrounded by brush had has decent cell signal. seems to be a quiet road.

• 

  Jeremy B.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 10, 2022

  Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

  Great secluded spot in the woods

  Great spot because it's so secluded in the forest. There's basically zero traffic on the dirt road near the campsite. A lot of the trees around seem to be new growth. Great view of the stars at night!

  There are at least 4 other campsite off this road at different points if you keep driving. Some of them are more or less level and more or less muddy. This one was the best, but there are lots of options. All of them are commonly used because there are ashes from fires. There's a moderate amount of trash at most of them.

  Requires a Discovery Pass. I bought a day pass for $12 online since I don't need the annual pass. They tell you to write the date and order number in large print on a piece of paper and put it on your dash. No one came to check my pass though (in January, so it's the off season)

  You have to take a dirt road to reach the campsite, but it is pretty well maintained. The only difficulty I encountered were two points where a few inches of road were a bit washed out. They were small enough that I could manage them alright in a 2WD van that had normal clearance. So most cars could probably manage them.

  There's a small trail behind this spot that that leads to the creek, which is nice. Other than that, you can hike along the dirt roads, but there aren't any actual hiking trails that I found. I saw a porcupine for the first time while wandering one of the side roads! I didn't drive up to Snag Lake.