Dispersed camping options around Littlerock, Washington include several forest service roads that wind through the Capitol State Forest. This region typically receives 50-60 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush undergrowth and dense forest canopy at tent camping sites. Many primitive camping areas in this region have seasonal restrictions due to logging operations that may temporarily close access roads.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead offers direct access to forest trails. A camper noted, "There is a trail next to it I don't know how far but, it's cool. The road up the Montana is dirt but some parts are very rocky."
Target shooting: Designated areas in Capitol Forest near Sherman Valley- State Forest provide opportunities for firearm enthusiasts. One visitor mentioned, "There is even a near by gravel pit owned by the Department of Natural Resources and it is designated for target shooting."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning hours offer opportunities to spot deer, rabbits, and various birds. A camper at one dispersed site reported, "I saw a porcupine for the first time while wandering one of the side roads!"
Lake activities: Some tent camping options near Littlerock provide access to Summit Lake. As one visitor observed about Camp Thunderbird, "It is located at the base of Summit Lake, with a dock and great swimming spot."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many forest road pull-offs provide natural screening. A camper noted about Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed, "Great spot because it's so secluded in the forest. There's basically zero traffic on the dirt road near the campsite."
Cell service availability: Unlike many remote areas, some Littlerock camping locations maintain connectivity. One camper stated, "At least I have great T-Mobile signal. Concrete pads at multiple sites. Nobody drove by all night."
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution around Littlerock makes stargazing exceptional. A visitor mentioned, "Great view of the stars at night!"
Unique camping experiences: Some private properties near Littlerock offer unusual tent camping opportunities. At The Healing Farm, a family reported, "We gathered eggs, milked goats, fed a porcupine and capybaras, cuddled baby bunnies, met a joey in a pouch, hung out with emus, and even snuggled with goats."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. A visitor to Road to Snag Lake noted, "You have to take a dirt road to reach the campsite, but it is pretty well maintained. The only difficulty I encountered were two points where a few inches of road were a bit washed out."
Toilet availability: Facilities vary widely between sites. At Rock Candy Mountain, a camper observed, "The bathrooms are located in the trailhead parking lot. They could use cleaning, but they are open 24 hours."
Permit requirements: Washington State Discovery Pass is required at many sites. One camper explained, "This site is listed as free, but there is a sign at the entrance for needing a discovery pass to use the site. Visit their website for payment options."
Site selection: For optimal experiences when tent camping near Littlerock, Washington, arrive early to secure better locations. A visitor advised, "Go all the way to the very end of the road for the best spot though. Its worth it!!"
Weather considerations: Low elevation sites remain accessible most of the year, but high-elevation options face seasonal limitations.
Tips for camping with families
Bring entertainment: Limited developed recreation means planning activities. One family camping at Malaney Creek Farm discovered, "We found a corn hole game in an open area that they have several picnic tables staged at."
Kid-friendly sites: Some locations offer specific family amenities. A parent noted, "It is hard to find a place to be fun for younger children, but the healing farm was awesome. The kids was in Awh with all the animals and how they would let you walk up to them and interact with them."
Educational opportunities: Many sites offer learning experiences. One visitor mentioned, "They walked around the camp with the animals and allowed the kids to go. They even allowed the kids help milk and feed the goats."
Safety considerations: Forest roads require vigilance with children. A reviewer cautioned, "They wrote it on barely white enough for two vehicles to safely pass each other."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many forest roads have limitations for larger vehicles. A reviewer at Rock Candy Mountain observed, "Not suitable for anything wider than a class B."
Level parking spots: Finding flat areas can be challenging. One RVer mentioned, "Some of them are more or less level and more or less muddy. This one was the best, but there are lots of options."
Turnaround options: Forest roads may lack adequate space for larger rigs to maneuver. A camper warned, "If this road got congested it would become pretty dangerous thus why caution is needed driving on the main road and on other roads leading from main road."
Pad availability: Some sites offer concrete foundations. A visitor remarked, "There is a concrete pad from an old structure you can park on. Other sites have solid pack gravel covered by grass."
