Primitive camping near Hamilton, Washington offers access to several remote sites along forest roads and lakeshores. The Baker Lake area sits in the western foothills of the North Cascades at elevations between 700-900 feet, creating variable weather conditions throughout the year. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-75°F, while winter conditions bring frequent precipitation and temperatures between 30-45°F.
What to do
Waterfront activities: Baker Lake provides multiple spots for swimming and paddling, particularly at the pull-off sites. "Cute little off the road site. There's 2 little walkways down to your own little private section of the lake. Beautiful," notes a camper about Baker Pull-Off.
Fishing opportunities: Several dispersed camping locations offer access to streams and lake fishing. NF-1062 sites provide creek access for anglers. A visitor described "watching a fish swim upstream" during their stay at NF Dispersed Camping.
Hiking access: Many dispersed sites serve as bases for exploring nearby trails. One camper mentioned NF-33 camping benefits: "Nice in a pinch or if you're looking to hike the Cougar Divide at the end of this road."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Despite busy conditions, many campers appreciate the space between sites. "Spots are not near each other so you get privacy that way," notes one visitor to Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe animals. At NF Dispersed Camping, one camper reported "watching a fish swim upstream and large buck taking a stroll along the creek."
Scenic viewpoints: Many free sites offer direct views of Baker Lake and surrounding landscapes. "Very spacious. There are 2 fire rings set up with an upper and lower camping option. The lower is right by a river that spills into the lake," notes a visitor to Baker Lake Tent camping.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many dispersed sites require navigating rough roads. A camper noted about NF-33: "The road does get much rougher the further you go, so not big-rig friendly nor for low-clearance vehicles or vehicles with bald/old tires."
Site cleanliness issues: Some free camping areas suffer from neglect. "Both sites were straight up trashed! Trash everywhere! The site closer to hwy 20 had both trash and food debris everywhere," reported one NF Dispersed Camping visitor.
Weekend crowds: Availability decreases significantly on weekends. "Seems like a pretty popular spot but we were able to get a site mid week at the end of August," states a camper at Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with defined boundaries: Look for established fire rings and flat tent pads. "Lots of spots with tables and fire rings, some spots have nice tent pads," notes a Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp visitor.
Water access considerations: Sites with gentle water entry points work better for children. "We found an amazing site right on the lake, with great views and it was fairly quiet," reports another Lower Sandy camper.
Security awareness: Some areas have reported theft or vandalism issues. One camper warned about "two busted up cars with windshields busted out" at NF Dispersed Camping.
Tips for RVers
Size limitations: Most free sites accommodate smaller recreational vehicles only. "We have a 27 foot RV. I would not bring any trailers down here. Vans were there," notes a camper at NF Dispersed Camping.
Parking challenges: Many sites have limited parking space. A Lower Sandy camper mentioned: "Parking for some of the spots is not the best but we were still able to car camp comfortably."
Alternative options: For RVs, consider established campgrounds instead of primitive camping near Hamilton. "Not many sites with large enough spots to park trailers or vans. Mostly tent sites that are walk in," explains a visitor to Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp.
