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Best Dispersed Camping near Gifford Pinchot National Forest

108 Reviews

Campers looking for a backcountry experience will find plenty of dispersed options throughout Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Big Huckleberry Mountain Dispersed Campground sits far from developed areas with no facilities whatsoever - you'll need to bring everything and take it all back with you when you leave. Following Leave No Trace is essential here, with rules requiring camps to be set at least 200 feet from both water and roads. Many forest roads become rough and rutted after rain, making high-clearance vehicles necessary for reaching the more isolated spots. The forest enforces a 14-day maximum stay and often implements seasonal fire restrictions depending on conditions. Bears and other wildlife roam throughout the forest, so proper food storage is critical. Forest Service roads lead to numerous pull-offs where you can camp, but they're often 30-45 minutes from the nearest small towns with supplies. Always check current regulations before heading out.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Gifford Pinchot National Forest (55)

    1. Gifford Pinchot National Forest Dispersed Site

    5 Reviews
    Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA
    14 miles
    Website

    "This site is amazing people have already set things up for tent camping. There is space for RV but I recommend your really good with it. Has a fire pit with rocks. Plenty of firewood in woods."

    "Waterfalls, hiking trails, remote camping! ♥️"

    2. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    19 miles

    "This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it."

    "This dispersed camping is free, huge bonus in my book."

    3. Morrison Creek

    1 Review
    Trout Lake, WA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 395-3400

    "Nice flat tent sites, good fire rings, and picnic table. 2 pit toilets and a trailhead."

    4. Hidden St Helens Gem

    1 Review
    Cougar, WA
    13 miles

    "Driving through the area and I stumbled across this gem with a clearing with a full view of Mount St Helens. Big wide area with a fire ring. Not much else."

    5. Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    14 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 891-5000

    "It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there."

    "Spent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around."

    6. Oldman Pass Sno-Park

    2 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 395-3402

    "Access to a couple of toilets and a ton of hiking (well, cross-country skiing, but in summer) trails. Relatively close to a somewhat busy road, but feels isolate enough."

    "Nice area to camp at, vault bathroom close by but there was no toilet paper so bring your own. Does feel like camping in a Parking lot. Trail close by."

    7. Wakepish Sno-Park

    1 Review
    Randle, WA
    15 miles
    +1 (360) 891-5000

    8. Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls

    4 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 395-3400

    "This area of Gifford Pinchot National Forest has lots of dispersed camping spots but this area was a gem."

    "We stayed in the large open area at the top of the rock outcrop above the trailhead parking area and it was perfect."

    9. Panther Creek Creekside Camp

    5 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    26 miles

    "Lots of turnouts along the road with river accesses just steps away ! Definitely recommend!"

    "Man I'm glad I did This is one of the best dispersed camp sites I've ever stayed at!!"

    10. Dome Camp

    1 Review
    Glenoma, WA
    22 miles

    "In 2019, we hiked the Boundary Trail #1 to the Mount Margaret Wilderness overlooking the Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Gifford Pinchot National Forest

81 Photos of 55 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Gifford Pinchot National Forest

108 Reviews of 55 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Campgrounds

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls

    Beautiful dispersed camping near Panther Creek Falls

    This area of Gifford Pinchot National Forest has lots of dispersed camping spots but this area was a gem. To access it, as you are driving on NF 65 you will see a small road to the right just a bit before you see the parking for Panther Creek Falls also on the right. If you are at the parking area for Panther Creek Falls and look up you will see a huge wall of rock…the area is up there and you need to turn on the road before the parking area to access it. There are actually 3 areas where you could camp: As you drive up the small road, you will notice the first, pretty large area for camping straight ahead. It looks like a road continues up toward the right but that is actually blocked. If you go to the left you will see the road continues (and you might not think there is anything up there) and you will see one more spot straight ahead and then if you continue up toward the right (hitting some branches along the way) you will come up to a large, wide open area with tons of space for camping. We were pretty excited when we saw it!

    We spent one night in that huge open area and it was beautiful - the stars were amazing. During the day we would go peek over the edge and could see people parking to go to the falls. You could hear a tiny bit of road noise from up there but it was very light. You can also hear the noise of the waterfall from up on the ridge. The only downfall about this spot is that there is no shade and it was very hot, so hot that we couldn't have a fire. The second night we spent in the spot just down a tad so that we could have some shade and a fire.

    The hike down to Panther Creek Falls is literally right across the road and I think these falls may be the most beautiful falls I've seen in OR or WA. It's a short mile or so hike but really pretty scenery.

  • Kevin W.
    Aug. 20, 2024

    McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed

    Lots of shade, very private and trailer friendly.

    I have camped here twice now, once during a scouting trip in 2016 with my boys and again in September 2024 with just me and my dog :).  I could pull my 17' pop-up "A" frame trailer and back into one of the two spots with no problem.  Due to the narrow road, it may be a bit more snug with bigger rigs (25+ feet long and anything more than 8+ feet wide).  I would scout the road and area before committing; however, there is a turnaround that you could use to maneuver the trailer to drive out.  It's plenty big to accommodate a few trucks/cars and one, maybe two towable trailers.  If you're going tent camping, there are about four flat places for tents.  The area has no trails, so you would not have to worry about people wandering into the campsite. The Ape Caves is a small drive away. The town of Cougar, WA. is about 10 miles away if you need gas or food.  There is a lot of shade, and it is not solar-friendly.  The main road is about 100 feet away, relatively quiet, and very private.  There was a large rock fire pit in the middle. There is no cell phone reception; however, if you drive East for a few miles, you may be able to get 2 bars with Verizon.

    Per the state website, "On the southwest side of Mount St. Helens, Forest Road 81 provides an experience away from crowds. On this road, access Kalama Horse Camp, Red Rock Pass, and Forest Road 830, the road to Climber's Bivouac, and the start of the summer climbing route. From the west, the road begins on Forest Road 90, near Cougar, WA, and travels through private timberlands and state lands before entering Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The road connects with Forest Road 83 on its east side. While mostly paved, be prepared for several miles of gravel(between Forest Road 830 and 8123) and a road that is sometimes very rough."

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Tatoosh Wilderness WA FS52 - Dispersed Camping

    Littered roadside pull-off

    This was a large pull-off right off of NF-52, so there was no privacy from the hwy but at least the area was big enough to be a little distanced from traffic. The spots on the river were already occupied when I was looking late on a Sat afternoon, this is a popular dispersed area. The entire area was littered with toilet paper and discarded furniture. There was also a memorial hidden in some trees just out of sight of 52. Wouldn't have been a bad spot if people had picked up after themselves, but the trash situation was over the top. Thankful to have in a pinch but def wouldn't camp there again. (The pull off is right off the highway from what the coordinates show).

  • Vanessa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

    You may get lost

    The coordinates here were incorrect coming from Hood River Oregon. It sent me down a rough dead end forest service road. I ended up lost on the mountain for 3 hours and finally made it out somewhere near camas. Make sure you have lots of fuel

  • Jess G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2019

    South Fork Tieton Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed camping

    We stayed here 2 nights and will definitely be coming back. Tons of open sites to choose from right along the river. Designated fire rings but currently there's a burn ban. No vault toilets or picnic tables. Pack it in, pack it out! When we first arrived we spent about 20 minutes cleaning the site we chose after the people whom were here before us. Not such a big deal just a little saddening. #1 rule is to leave no trace. Extremely grateful we get to explore and camp on land that is free. We should all do our part and take care of it. 

    A little surprising that we had cell phone reception with sprint! 

    Near this area there are a lot or activities. Biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking.. to name a few!

  • Mandi W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Rimrock - South Fork Bay Dispersed Camp

    Nice spot on the creek, coordinates are off

    This is a really cool spot right on the creek and close to Mt rainier. The coordinates given here do not take you to this campground. Keep going north of these coordinates and very soon you will see a sign that says Rimrock recreation area on the right if you’re headed north (side of the road closest to the creek) turn down there and go a ways until you come to a forest road on your right. It will be pretty obvious it’s a campground when you turn in by the signage (that I have included in my pictures) and there are lots of spots if you go through. The road is very rocky and high clearance does best but we did get our minivan in there fine with some maneuvering.

  • Vanessa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2025

    Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    Amazing spot!

    Absolutely loved the spot. There were about three sites. I believe from what I saw. I stayed at the first site when you first get there back there on the right hand side. It's a short hike down to the creek. It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there. Minimal bugs didn't get any bug bites and it was in the '90s while I was there. Very little traffic. Not far from the highway just in case of emergencies. Absolutely no cell service. You must have a Northwest Forest pass or America the beautiful pass. Forest service does drive through there frequently to check

  • Johny B.
    Jun. 19, 2025

    Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    Peaceful and Scenic Getaway

    Spent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around. We found a great shady spot not far from a small creek, and it was perfect for relaxing. Heads up: there’s absolutely no cell service, so make sure to download any maps or trail guides(we used an offline hiking APK) before you get there. It’s close to Mount St. Helens and Columbia River Gorge, so we got in a great day hike. Nights were cool, days were warm and bug-free. Forest service came by once, which was nice to see. You’ll need a Forest Pass.

  • Danielle S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2018

    Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed Camping - s. Mount St. Helens

    This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it. There's a lot of space here. From our spot, we saw at least a half a dozen fire pits, but we were the only ones there. It has some nice trees and a trail. Up the road is Lava Canyon, where there are toilets if you need. There are some decently flat spots for a tent and I felt was all around a good site.

Guide to Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Dispersed camping near Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of activities, this area is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure.

Enjoy Scenic Views While Free Camping Near Gifford Pinchot National Forest

  • The Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping area provides breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for those seeking solitude amidst nature.
  • Campers at Gifford Pinchot National Forest Dispersed Site can explore nearby waterfalls and hiking trails, enhancing their outdoor experience with stunning scenery.
  • For those who appreciate a more rugged environment, Pumice Butte- Dispersed Campsite offers outstanding vistas of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams, perfect for photography and relaxation.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Panther Creek Falls

  • The area above Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls is known for its beautiful views and proximity to the falls, providing a serene backdrop for camping.
  • Visitors can enjoy the sound of rushing water while camping at this site, which is just a short hike from the parking area for Panther Creek Falls.
  • This location is popular for its starry nights, making it a great choice for stargazers and those looking to escape city lights.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington

  • When heading to FR-604 Dispersed Site, be prepared for some road noise, but enjoy the convenience of being close to a swimming hole and small waterfalls just a short hike away.
  • At Oldman Pass Sno-Park, make sure to bring your own toilet paper, as the vault bathroom may not be stocked, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • For a more secluded experience, consider camping at Big Huckleberry Mountain Dispersed Campground, where you can find lush grass and stunning views of Mt. Adams without the hassle of mosquitoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best dispersed camping spots in Gifford Pinchot National Forest?

Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers numerous excellent dispersed camping options. Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls is considered a gem, accessible via NF 65 with a small road to the right just before the Panther Creek Falls parking area. Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed is another highly-rated spot with about three sites, offering peaceful surroundings and creek access. Other popular areas include South Fork Tieton along the river, McBride Lake NF-81 which accommodates small trailers, and FS-025 which features 3-4 well-spaced sites. For the best experience, arrive early on weekdays as the most desirable spots fill up quickly, especially during summer and early fall.

Is there free camping available in Gifford Pinchot National Forest?

Yes, Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers abundant free dispersed camping options. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping provides free sites on the south side of Mount St. Helens with multiple fire pits and ample space. South Fork Tieton Dispersed Camping offers numerous free sites along the river with designated fire rings. When using these free sites, remember that dispersed camping typically means no amenities—no toilets, picnic tables, or trash service. Follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, properly managing human waste, and respecting fire regulations (burn bans are common in summer). Most dispersed sites in the forest have a 14-day stay limit within a 30-day period.

Do I need a map for dispersed camping in Gifford Pinchot National Forest?

Yes, a map is essential for dispersed camping in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Navigation challenges are common, as evidenced at Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping where incorrect coordinates led to drivers getting lost on rough forest service roads. Similarly, at Rimrock - South Fork Bay Dispersed Camp, campers noted that GPS coordinates did not lead to the actual campground. Forest Service maps are highly recommended and can be purchased at ranger stations or online. Many roads are unmarked or poorly signed, cell service is spotty to non-existent in most areas, and forest roads often have confusing junctions. Always carry paper maps as backup, download offline maps before your trip, and ensure you have plenty of fuel as gas stations are limited in the forest.

Can I go dispersed camping near specific landmarks like Mt. Adams or Lower Lewis Falls?

Yes, you can find dispersed camping opportunities near major landmarks in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Near Mount Adams, McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed offers camping spots suitable for small trailers with good access to the mountain. For Lower Lewis Falls area, Tatoosh Wilderness WA FS52 - Dispersed Camping provides sites with some located right on the river. When camping near popular landmarks, arrive early, especially on weekends, as these areas attract more visitors. Always check for any special regulations that might apply to camping near these landmarks, such as protected wilderness boundaries, and be prepared for potentially rough forest service roads leading to these areas. Most sites near landmarks offer more scenic views but may have limited amenities.

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