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Several dispersed camping areas exist on forest service roads surrounding Entiat, Washington, primarily in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Derby Road (NF7400) offers multiple free sites with mountain views, though road conditions deteriorate the further you travel. Most sites require a Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent permit. As one camper noted, "Dry camping. Bring your own water. Tons of choices all up the hillsides."
Forest roads near Chumstick Mountain and Baldy Mountain provide more remote options with spectacular views of Lake Chelan, but require high-clearance vehicles. "This would get 5 stars if it weren't for the terribly bumpy and long road up to the main site," mentioned one reviewer about Chumstick Mountain. Chelan Lookout on NF8410 sits at nearly 4,750 feet elevation, offering expansive vistas but requires navigating approximately 12 miles of switchbacks that take about 45 minutes to climb. Most sites feature established fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions are common during summer months. Cell service varies by location, with better connectivity at higher elevation sites.
"One fireplace - check if fire ban is active!"
"It was ok don't like the fact that we had to park our vehicle so far away from campsite because it was a bitch to get to camping area"
"Within the almost 4 million acres of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, lie countless locations for dispersed camping."
"The views of the mountains all around are insane!!! Loved watching the sunset and sunrise up here. It is very windy!"
"As 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."
"Found a spot with incredible near-360 mountain views! Exposed to the wind though. Have to go pretty far in along Derby road to find campsites."
"This campsite is along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route between the Cashmere and Chelan sections along NF-8410."
"Sandy dirt camping site near the USGS sensor station. No fires today due to high fire danger, but there was a pit in the camp. Tent right on the ridge. Dirt road was 12 miles up the mountain."
"Lots of spots between Entiat River Rd 19 and this location. Ground is mostly a fine dirt."
"Pretty good view of the lake below and almost no light pollution. Very windy road to get up but I pulled my trailer fine. Washboard road at the beginning but it gets better."
"If you go straight there is private property. Turning right is a loop back to where you started. Anyways, the sites are large and well spaced."
"There was one RV here when we got here, stayed at a spot close to the road, didn’t like that we could hear all the cars. The RV left the next day so we stole his spot right by the creek."
"RV and tent camping. Can be windy during season change. Boat accessible. Gravel and dirt. Very beautiful night, great for star gazing."
"It is very remote, no services around and a little odd to get to, in that you have to wind past a lakeside"resort" with a little store and campsites that didn't look really very nice, yet there were people"
"Small turn out near lake Wenatchee. Road was not visible on google maps, but it’s a small turn out right at the end of the bridge (if going north)."
"Felt quite private despite being right off the forest service road. Each of the 3 spots had easy access to the river. It's only 2 miles away from the Stuart and Colchuck Lake TH too!"
"There are multiple pull off spots along this road, each with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. I camped at two different pull offs. Didn’t worry too much about not finding a vacant spot."
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.
RangerNot far off main road, and gravel road not bad at all. Absolutely no cell coverage, a few designated spots.
ScoutLots of camper trailers, basically a cow field. If you want a private spot you have to traverse a sketchy road that if you don't have awd and decent tires and ground clearance you'll be screwed.
ScoutWas a beautiful spot - road was a bit more narrow and rocky than we expected, but there are a few spots you can pull up before the narrow part of the road. Once you go up, there are a couple spots with really nice views. We were there on a Thursday and no one else was there!
ScoutThis is perfect for a road trip overnight rest, but I would not want to spend the day here. It is a gravel pullout with a raised ledge. There was some trash and old barbed wire where someone might pitch a tent, so inspect with some good light.
There is an old road that is part of the pullout that dead ends. We parked there and raised the rooftop tent. For our purposes this place is perfect and we will probably stay here again.
TravelerThe road starts as gravel then turns into gravel and large stones. Not an easy road definite 4x4 with good tires, not a Subaru Outback track. Eventually it starts gaining altitude toward the Wild Horse Wind Farm and the road turns to broken basalt rock and volcanic stone and gets pretty sharp. We made it about a mile past the wind farm where the road starts to drop again, and a shard of basalt tore through the sidewall flattening a tire.
We managed to change a tire and decided that with no spare, continuing would be stupid. We turned back and spent the night near the wind farm and drive out the following day.
This area is prone to grass fires and getting stuck would be pretty serious. Areas with no cell service, one lane road, grass scab land, volcanic rock and occasional sage brush.
Not a trail I’d advise for a single vehicle.
Staying at the wind farm there is awesome star viewing, near constant wind and you can hear the wind generators in the background.
TravelerThis is a small pull off right off the highway. You need s discover pass to use it. Pulling in there is a single toilet, we didn’t check it out. The gravel parking area along the small lake allows for some privacy, but you are in a gravel parking area near a highway. No water and the bathroom looked dodgy, but there used to be ample parking close enough to hear the highway. The lake is nice, the water is clear, and some locals swim in it. We camped from afternoon until afternoon the following day. A few people cans and went but by nightfall there was one other car and a motorhome all distant from one another. If you listen you can hear the highway. At about 2am when the breeze stopped the mosquitoes came out with a vengeance and stayed until about 8am when a breeze picked up again.
Not a destination, but a welcome rest spot.
GuideWent out for a little weekend trip saw the spot a hot minute ago and decided to finally pull the trigger on. It got some great views along the ridgeline trail was very car accessible, and it was Wellesly quiet we had one neighbor to our left and another one down the road fairly slow, but also wasn’t festival or concert evening so that was expected
TravelerJust used this spot for one night. Not to noisy for being close to the highway. Can put a tent up in the raised area. Ground is very soft so hard to stick stakes in the ground. There was some trash left around. If you bring a dog watch their paws the gravel is supper small and gets caught in between there pads, as well as broken bottles on the ground.
Dispersed camping near Entiat, Washington offers rugged, primitive camping experiences in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Seasonal weather variations significantly impact accessibility, with elevation differences ranging from 1,200 feet near town to over 4,750 feet at higher lookout points. Winter snowpack typically closes many forest service roads from November through May, while summer brings high fire danger and frequently implemented camping restrictions.
Fishing at Jameson Lake: Located about 30 miles northeast of Entiat, Jameson Lake offers free dispersed camping areas with excellent trout fishing opportunities. "Great fishing spot, has split season and is only open during fishing season... Lots of trout, caught limit every time. Witnessed someone pull a 18" trout last visit," notes Robert from Jameson Lake.
Hiking preparation: Camp at FS Road 7601 for early access to popular trailheads. "It's only 2 miles away from the Stuart and Colchuck Lake TH too!" shares Renee G. A FS Road 7601 Dispersed camper mentions, "Each of the 3 spots had easy access to the river," making this location practical for hikers needing water access.
Star gazing: Higher elevation sites provide exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. Ryan S. describes his experience at Lake Chelan Overlook: "Almost at the top of the mountain but not quite. Pretty good view of the lake below and almost no light pollution," making these sites ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.
Mountain vistas: Most campers value the elevated perspectives of surrounding landscapes. "Found a spot with incredible near-360 mountain views! Exposed to the wind though. Have to go pretty far in along Derby road to find campsites," reports Jackie C. from Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400.
Water proximity: Sites near creeks and rivers provide practical water access for filtering. "We camped right along the river, and there was even a little access point for kayaks and canoes and calm water for the kids," explains Anna Marie at FS Road 7601 Dispersed camping area.
Cell service reliability: Unlike many backcountry locations, several Entiat dispersed sites maintain good connectivity. Luke B. at Chelan Lookout confirms: "Great campsite with an awesome view. Sandy dirt camping site near the USGS sensor station... Also have full service. About 4,750 ft high."
Vehicle requirements: Many sites demand high-clearance 4WD vehicles. At Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping, Alyson M. cautions: "This would get 5 stars if it weren't for the terribly bumpy and long road up to the main site. My Toyota Highlander made it up, but I was a little nervous."
Water sources: No reliable drinking water exists at most sites. Ashley V. advises: "As 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."
Road conditions: Expect deteriorating road quality the higher you climb. Danielle J. from Chelan Lookout notes: "This spot is prime and free, just takes about 40 minutes to get to while on an unpaved road."
Seasonal considerations: Fire restrictions frequently limit camping options during summer months. "In May there was plenty of wood for burning. Do be mindful of burn restrictions later in the season," warns Ashley V., highlighting the important seasonal differences in rustic camping near Entiat.
Find sheltered sites: Mountain winds can be persistent and strong at exposed locations. Alyson M. warns about Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping: "It is very windy! Loved watching the sunset and sunrise up here."
Pack appropriate gear: Temperature fluctuations between day and night can exceed 30°F, especially at higher elevations. Meghan from Baldy Mountain notes sites are "worlds away" from conveniences, requiring complete self-sufficiency.
Alternative accommodations: For families wanting more amenities, consider established sites. "Skip this dirt field and stay at Jack's Resort... It has a little cafe. Immaculate bathrooms and even a few cabins," suggests Cheese H. regarding options near Jameson Lake.
Size limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate smaller rigs only. Ciara W. shares her experience: "We went as far as we could in our Ram Promaster till there was a crazy steep and washed out climb. Had to turn around."
Site selection strategy: Arrive early to secure flat spots. Ryan S. from Lake Chelan Overlook advises: "Several places along the way, and beyond, to pull off to camp, at least a dozen, and they're quite dispersed from each other."
Electronics considerations: Solar setups work well at cleared sites with southern exposure. Jennifer J. notes about Lake Chelan Overlook: "Long way to go for one night and no tree shade from sun on a hot day. You just bake."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Entiat, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Entiat, WA is Swakane Canyon/Creek Campsite - Dispersed with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Entiat, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 47 dispersed camping locations near Entiat, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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