Dispersed camping near Kenmore, Washington clusters primarily in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains, with elevations ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet. Most primitive sites experience typical Pacific Northwest rainfall patterns with annual precipitation between 45-60 inches, creating lush forest conditions. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F with cooler evenings, while fall camping often means dealing with morning condensation on tents and gear.
What to do
Hike to Lake Dorothy: This backcountry destination requires a moderate 3.5-mile trek on a well-maintained trail. According to one camper who visited Lake Dorothy, the area has "lots of camp sites to choose from" following an "easy stair stopped trail" with primitive toilets along the route.
Explore waterways: The rivers and creeks around Old Cascades Highway Dispersed provide scenic recreation spots. One visitor noted, "We could walk to the river and sit by it for the evening before heading back to the car to sleep." Another camper mentioned "the sounds of the waterfall/river all night" created a peaceful atmosphere.
Paddle on Keechelus Lake: When water levels permit, this area offers excellent standup paddleboarding opportunities. A camper at Keechelus Lake shared: "I love any spot where I can camp free and safely at night and wake up early to paddleboard a few hundred feet away. Great spot to SUP."
What campers like
Privacy in select areas: Rustic camping spots near Kenmore vary widely in seclusion levels. At Mountain Loop Hwy Dispersed Camp, campers report "the better spots were once the road turned to gravel" and appreciate that many sites are "peaceful next to the river" with "no noise from the road."
Accessible wilderness: Despite being relatively close to urban areas, many sites provide genuine forest experiences. The South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site receives praise for its accessibility, with one reviewer noting: "The place is beautiful. Super dark at night, and besides the sound from the interstate and cars driving up and down, it's quite[sic]. Even with the noise, it's peaceful and perfect for a little getaway."
River proximity: Many primitive camping areas feature water access as a major draw. According to a visitor at the NF-27 Tunnel Creek area: "Big area for camp- dry camping. There was already a fire ring made," though they warned about "lots of mosquitoes around" due to the water proximity.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access routes require careful driving. A reviewer at South Fork Snoqualmie River warned: "Access road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn't recommend driving down it without good ground clearance."
Seasonal closures: Some areas shut down during specific periods. At Keechelus Lake, a camper reported: "Says when water gets below 2840 ft to protect the fish they close the road and no camping is permitted."
Safety concerns: Remote areas occasionally have security issues. One solo camper at South Fork Snoqualmie described: "As soon as it got dark, someone decided to sneak around my campsite with a flashlight and stand outside my tent for some time. Packed up quick and zoomed out of there, very uncomfortable and would not recommend for solo campers."
Tips for camping with families
Check for hazardous plants: Some camping areas near Kenmore require extra caution with children. A reviewer at South Fork Snoqualmie noted: "Lovely area such beautiful surroundings. But be very cautious as near one of the camp sites are very dangerous plants that are fatal and they are lined all around the campground so not recommended if you have children."
Prepare for varying noise levels: Highway proximity affects some sites more than others. A family camping at Joemma Beach State Park Campground observed: "I had to cap the families because our first night Campsite Karen went crazy because I was camping with kids... But as a local, this is also the spot where you go to camp and party with friends and family. So if you're looking for quiet, that's not always the case here."
Arrive early on weekends: Popular dispersed camping areas fill quickly during peak times. A South Fork Snoqualmie visitor advised: "There are a ton of really great sites along this road, although most of the drive-in sites will be taken if it's a busy weekend, so get there early!"
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Many rustic camping spots near Kenmore have space constraints for larger vehicles. One RVer noted about Joemma Beach State Park: "We arrived little later around 6 p.m. And being such a nice day there were only few sites left. Size of the sites varies but one we got we were avail to put up 2-2 person tent and 1- 4 person tent (only had one vehicle so used extra spot for vehicle as temt site."
Cell service considerations: Remote workers can find viable options in select areas. At South Fork Snoqualmie, an RVer reported: "I travel and work remotely so I'm always looking for free places that have cell reception and this place hits the jackpot. I've come in twice on a Saturday afternoon and have been able to find an open spot with my 18 ft travel trailer, I have Verizon and have 2-3 bars of service."
Parking strategy: The limited flat terrain requires careful positioning. One camper at Old Cascades Highway Dispersed noted: "It's a lovely area right by a beautiful river. However, it was hard to find a large enough spot that was also level to park our van."
