Top Free Dispersed Camping near Ephrata, WA

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Ephrata, look no further. Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Ephrata, WA (19)

Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Ephrata

32 Reviews of 19 Ephrata Campgrounds


  • Charlotte F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Lake
    Sep. 30, 2024

    Long Lake

    8/10 recommend!

    Only reason for 4 stars is because people have left trash here. Otherwise, it’s a great spot. Very private and spread out. There’s a handful of sites, each with make shift fire pits and none super close to each other. No fee other than discover pass. There’s an outhouse but we didn’t use it. We have Verizon and AT&T and had decent service.

  • b
    Camper-submitted photo from Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping
    Sep. 23, 2024

    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.

  • Luther R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Lake
    Sep. 21, 2024

    Long Lake

    A Gem

    Beautiful lakes. I was one of only 3 campers in and around long lake. Lots of privacy.

  • Joshua C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping

    Nice Spot Mid Week to Beat the Crowds

    Popular rock climbing area that gets many people through the day. Dispearsed camping in 2 areas. The first spot as you come from the road is much smaller and doesn't have any pit toilets. I prefer to park here when its not busy as the "Feathers" basalt columns are really pretty to camp up next to. The second open site down the road has pit toilets and is a much larger area. Both are nice but also there are many cars, campers, tents and becomes a much more lively area in the evening depending on the crowds.

    I think this is a great spot but I move on during the day when the rock climbing crowds start to swarm and park near you. There are some nice trails that take you up above the climbing area and you can get to the backside to get some nice views and away from the crowds. Can get pretty hot here in the warmer months but a beautiful spot to camp if you can avoid the busy/peak times.

  • F
    Camper-submitted photo from Frenchman Coulee Overland Overlook Dispersed Campsite
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Frenchman Coulee Overland Overlook Dispersed Campsite

    A good getaway from the crowd

    This, like the other spots in Frenchman Coulee, is seldom empty, but it's much less packed than the areas closer to the climbing. 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. OF NOTE: The vault toilets are about a mile away from here.

  • Tee C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping
    Sep. 19, 2023

    Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping

    Amazing hidden gem!

    Waterfall, gorge, amazing scenery! 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! Note: some of the rocks on the paths to the campsites were pretty pointy, but the road in is well maintained.

  • Alyson M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping
    Aug. 3, 2023

    Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful View

    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. It seemed like there was only one large spot at the top/end of road. There was a fire ring which is how we could tell it was a spot. The views of the mountains all around are insane!!! Loved watching the sunset and sunrise up here. It is very windy!

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Lake
    Jul. 29, 2023

    Long Lake

    Beautiful landscape

    Great place for camping right next to the lake. A little broken glass here and there but mostly pretty natural. Water did not look that great for swimming but plenty of big fish in the lake, pelicans and weasels. No fires may through Oct. A few other people fishing but everyone was a ways away.

  • Maui F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Trail Lake
    May. 20, 2023

    Trail Lake

    Great spot

    Great spot to disperse camp, no toilets , great for swimming fishing kayaking paddle boarding and disperse camping, sunken boat at edge of water cool feature. Lots of bugs and spiders. Also close the cow gate.

  • H
    Camper-submitted photo from Vernita Bridge
    Aug. 31, 2022

    Vernita Bridge

    Awesome Spot

    I just love this spot, no amenities, isolation, river front view, and a boat ramp. Bring your own everything!!

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jameson Lake
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Jameson Lake

    Free dispersed campsites on a fishing lake

    We camped here because my grandparents used to fish here long ago. The camping is free and dispersed. There is a large gravel parking lot suitable for large RVs plus those towing a trailer or boat. We chose to find a more secluded site away from the strong winds. The views of the lake were beautiful especially in the fall.

    Below the gravel area was a large paved area for boat trailers. A discover pass is needed ($30/year) but we always get one and use it extensively.

    You access this area via long wide well graded gravel road. There are no site numbers; you just find a spot and stay.

  • Dakota T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Lake
    Sep. 11, 2021

    Long Lake

    Pretty decent if it's not busy

    I love heading here to tent camp out of my car, I own a sedan and it's easy to get to on gravel roads, they have outhouses nearby that are regularly stocked and you can camp feet from long lake and enjoy the open air. during some months their is cattle in the area and they come down to the lake in the morning and greet you, I've been here 3 times as of this post, love it

  • Jennifer R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Vernita Bridge
    Jun. 24, 2021

    Vernita Bridge

    Great for Boat Fishing

    Discover Pass required. Not for regular camping. Used for staying overnight and getting up early to hit the water.

  • Emma A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead
    Apr. 30, 2021

    Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead

    Great dispersed camping on the East side of the Cascades

    Camped here in February and November and in generally recommend it for fall and spring. Avoid summer when it gets too hot and ticks and rattlesnakes are around. It gets cold at night so come prepared.

    There are several established sites near Ancient Lakes and Dusty Lakes that can be accessed from the lower trailhead hiking or biking in.

    Ancient Lakes sites are only 2 miles from the trailhead on flat terrain which makes it for an ideal first backpacking experience.

    Only catch is that the lakes are polluted with agricultural runoff so that water should not be used for drinking not even if filtered. Pack all the water you will need.

    No facilities at the lakes. Port-a-potty at the trailhead.

    Need Discover Pass to park here.

  • Meghan
    Camper-submitted photo from Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping
    Mar. 28, 2021

    Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping

    Great area to camp along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route

    Within the almost 4 million acres of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, lie countless locations for dispersed camping. This area of the southeast corner of the NF has very little traffic compared to others, we saw only one ATV for the whole time we were there. This area lies along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route between the Cashmere and Chelan sections along NF-7400. Obviously, this is a 4X4 road and I wouldn't suggest it in anything less. Incredible sunset views of the valley in front of Chumstick Mountain, it gets pretty windy at night but there are treelines you can position against. This particular spot photographed is just up the hill off the roadside in a nice grassy clearing. More spots were just up the hill around the bend as well.

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Vernita Bridge
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Vernita Bridge

    Free campground on Columbia River

    This is a Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing access site. It is free with a Washington State Discovery Pass for $30/year. This annual pass will also gain you admission to state parks. There are several boat launch sites here and a number of those Sani Cans. The area is spread out over open land with smooth rocks. It can be a bit bumpy if hauling a trailer unless you stick to the smooth rock roads. No shade except along the shore.

    For a free site, it has its good points: easy access to highway 24/243 which will bring you to I-90, quiet, wide open space, near the Vernita Bridge Rest Area for free tank dump site. If you arrive on the last weekend of October, there is a huge king salmon fishing derby with about 100 entrants so you will have company. But, it is usually quiet midweek in the spring and fall. It may be busier in the summer midweek as there are lots of fishing enthusiast ps and boaters who live close by in the Tri Cities area.

    If you need a quiet place for one night or are hauling a river fishing boat, this is a good place to stay.

  • Nicole C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Vernita Bridge
    Sep. 12, 2020

    Vernita Bridge

    For Fisher-folks only

    The main draw here is that there's a boat ramp into the Columbia. If you've got a fishing/camping rig and like to tell fish stories, this is a great spot for you.

    If you're looking for a private, secluded or picturesque spot, this isn't for you.

    This place does require a Discover Pass, but it's otherwise free. There were portapotties available, but I wouldn't count on them always being available.

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead
    Apr. 3, 2020

    Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead

    This place is awesome.

    Really easy straight on hike. It is definitely dusty but a really nice change of pace from the trees and mountains. Several waterfalls that you can get super close to. We have not camped there yet but it looked super fun.

  • Dawn G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Jameson Lake
    Dec. 1, 2019

    Jameson Lake

    Kayaking Fun!

    We arrived here on a Sunday night in May and the place was empty...... only one other camper and it was really far away. 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 everywhere, it looked totally booked. Then you cross over the line into the campground where a$30 annual pass is required, yet the per night cost is$0 as of 2017, and there was nobody around! The campground is like a big open parking area with a boat launch and toilets and then there is also a little more dispersed sites where random fire pits have been built. We had our choice of sites so we picked one that sat away from others and was right above the water making the launch of the kayaks pretty easy.

  • David V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Jameson Lake
    Jun. 5, 2019

    Jameson Lake

    Jameson Lake Resort on N. Jameson Lake Rd

    Amazing time and the hosts of the resort are great. I can’t wait to come back next year!

  • Cheese H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Jameson Lake
    May. 6, 2019

    Jameson Lake

    Gramping

    Skip this dirt field and stay at Jack’s Resort. My grandparents invited me out and, be it not my dispersed style (hence the two stars), I enjoyed the beautiful lake. Jack’s Resort is extremely well maintained. It has a little cafe. Immaculate bathrooms and even a few cabins for those who would rather. Lots of fishing if that’s your thing. Take a little boat and an ice chest of cold beverages and enjoy a day on the lake.



Guide to Ephrata

Camping near Ephrata, Washington, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campers enjoy fishing and boating at Potholes State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Perfect in every way. Close to a major town, store and restaurant across the road, giant sites with a good layout to still feel somewhat secluded."
  • Hiking and Exploring: The area is great for hiking. A visitor at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground said, "This place is close to home for anyone in central Washington, the sites are giant and the views are amazing."
  • Swimming: If you’re looking to cool off, Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park has a fantastic swimming hole. One camper noted, "Awesome swimming hole very clean little spendy."

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the large sites at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground. A happy camper shared, "Site 49 in particular has enough room for our RV, a giant tent in the grass, a picnic table and separate section to grill at."
  • Clean Facilities: Cleanliness is a big plus. A reviewer at Washington Potholes State Park said, "Overall it's really well maintained and accessible."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the friendly vibe at Crescent Bar Campground. One parent mentioned, "Nice little RV camp site, good for kids."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A visitor at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park warned, "We chose a spot in the RV tent area which was not very clean and very loud."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Sand Hollow Campground noted, "There are no hookups and no water on site, though there are several vault toilets."
  • Windy Conditions: Be prepared for windy nights, especially at Crescent Bar Campground. One camper said, "It was REALLY windy at night, which made mosquitos not bad and the high temps feel downright pleasant."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites like Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Campground to give kids room to play. A reviewer mentioned, "The sites have a massive amount of room to spread out."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to plan activities like swimming or hiking. A family at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park enjoyed the "abundance of things to do in the area."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A camper at Washington Potholes State Park found it convenient to have a store nearby for essentials.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the RV sites. A visitor at Sage Hills Golf Club & RV Resort said, "Never been to an RV Park where all the sights are 50’ plus and pull-thrus."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Opt for campgrounds with full hookups for a more comfortable stay. A reviewer at Crescent Bar Campground appreciated the "huge sites, lots of choices for water access."
  • Be Prepared for Dust: Dust can be an issue, especially in dry areas. A camper at Blue Lake Resort mentioned, "Though they are working really hard on cleaning up the grounds and buildings, it’s still really dirty and dusty."

Camping near Ephrata, Washington, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ephrata, WA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ephrata, WA is Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ephrata, WA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 19 dispersed camping locations near Ephrata, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.