Best Dispersed Camping near Longview, WA

The forested landscapes surrounding Longview, Washington feature a variety of dispersed camping opportunities within an hour's drive. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping areas provide free, primitive sites with established fire rings and flat tent pads approximately 45 miles east of the city. Closer options include Gifford Pinchot National Forest's Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping near Amboy, which operates seasonally from May through October. Across the Columbia River in Oregon, Beaver Falls Trailhead offers overnight parking for car camping with nearby waterfall access. Most sites lack amenities but provide seclusion among dense Pacific Northwest forests, volcanic landscapes, and river corridors.

Forest service roads throughout the region require careful navigation, particularly during wet seasons when washouts and muddy conditions are common. A Washington Discovery Pass ($12 daily or annual option) is required at many sites, while others in Gifford Pinchot National Forest require specific permits. Cell service is typically limited or nonexistent, with reviewers noting "absolutely no cell service" in Tillamook State Forest areas. Road conditions vary significantly, with one camper reporting: "The road coming in the last 10 miles is rough in many spots. It's hard to see the bumps and dips in the road in the early evening." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing more remote sites, though many main forest roads remain accessible to standard passenger vehicles during summer months.

Scenic views represent a significant draw for campers in the region. Sites near Mount St. Helens offer volcanic landscapes and forest recovery areas, while higher elevation spots provide panoramic vistas. One visitor to Road to Snag Lake noted: "The spot we chose has a great view overlooking the valley and bay, and you can see the ocean between the peaks in the distance." Weekday camping typically offers more solitude, as OHV and logging activity can create noise on weekends. Wildlife sightings include elk, mountain goats, and porcupines. Most dispersed sites feature established fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions apply during dry summer months. Campers should prepare for self-sufficient stays with no water sources or waste facilities.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Longview, Washington (23)

    1. Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    8 Reviews
    Clatskanie, OR
    8 miles

    "Definitely best for car camping as the spots down by the river were pretty wet and muddy this time of year. The waterfall is amazing and only a 15 minute hike down!"

    "The river is a walk down a very steep hill behind the pullout. No place to pitch a tent, best for car camping."

    2. Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

    16 Reviews
    Naselle, WA
    44 miles
    Website

    "There's basically zero traffic on the dirt road near the campsite. A lot of the trees around seem to be new growth. Great view of the stars at night!"

    "There are several spots off the road around these radio tower stations and it is quite secluded. We didn't see any other person the whole time we were there."

    4. Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    15 Reviews
    Tillamook State Forest, OR
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 357-2191

    "Accessible through the Jones Creek campground turn off, continue up the forest roads past the OHV staging area and you’re in paradise!"

    "My mistake, these coordinates took us to the top of the mountain. It is currently an active logging area, so the truckers are out at 3am. The road up was a very narrow road."

    5. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    41 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."

    6. Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 891-5000

    "Found in typical condition. Please pick up after yourself. Many sites out here. Camped on a week day. One other camper out here. No traffic on road. Like others said road getting in sucks."

    "Road got a little bumpy getting out here but once we found a spot right near the riverbank, you felt like you were deep in it. Saw a few people on the way out."

    8. Butte Camp/Climbers Bivouac Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    36 miles
    Website

    "Group camping with 4-5 places for tents and 2 maybe 3 spots for travel trailers but will need to back in. 2 fire pits and a few walking trails. Solar friendly and level."

    "The area around mount Saint Helens is beautiful, tons of space to park any rig, tent, or vehicle. The forest has majestic trees and when it rains, it resembles a rainforest."

    9. McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed

    1 Review
    Cougar, WA
    34 miles

    "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. "

    10. Pumice Butte- Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    37 miles

    "Pumice Butte is a dispersed camping area along the Loowit trail that circles Mt St Helens."

    "The camp is around a gully on the north side of Pumice Butte with outstanding views of Mt St Helens and Mt Adams."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Longview, WA

70 Reviews of 23 Longview Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2022

    Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    Perfect for Overland and off-road vehicle camping

    Accessible through the Jones Creek campground turn off, continue up the forest roads past the OHV staging area and you’re in paradise! Gorgeous spots all over that are accessible in most 4WD/off-road capable vehicles. There is a massive network of forest service roads many with spots to set up your own quiet camp away from all the dirt bikes and RVs. No facilities obviously but that’s what makes this place special. It’s incredibly quiet and peaceful and a gorgeous piece of the PNW coastal area.

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2025

    Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    GPS takes you to the top!

    My mistake, these coordinates took us to the top of the mountain. It is currently an active logging area, so the truckers are out at 3am. The road up was a very narrow road. So careful if there’s other cars coming through, especially the logging semis.

    Nonetheless a cool spot. Dry camping. Please clean up after yourselves.

  • 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."

  • Jeremy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 10, 2022

    Road to Snag Lake - Dispersed

    Great secluded spot in the woods

    Great spot because it's so secluded in the forest. There's basically zero traffic on the dirt road near the campsite. A lot of the trees around seem to be new growth. Great view of the stars at night!

    There are at least 4 other campsite off this road at different points if you keep driving. Some of them are more or less level and more or less muddy. This one was the best, but there are lots of options. All of them are commonly used because there are ashes from fires. There's a moderate amount of trash at most of them.

    Requires a Discovery Pass. I bought a day pass for $12 online since I don't need the annual pass. They tell you to write the date and order number in large print on a piece of paper and put it on your dash. No one came to check my pass though (in January, so it's the off season)

    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. They were small enough that I could manage them alright in a 2WD van that had normal clearance. So most cars could probably manage them.

    There's a small trail behind this spot that that leads to the creek, which is nice. Other than that, you can hike along the dirt roads, but there aren't any actual hiking trails that I found. I saw a porcupine for the first time while wandering one of the side roads! I didn't drive up to Snag Lake.

  • 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

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2023

    Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    Amazing Hike!!

    This place was beautiful!! Definitely best for car camping as the spots down by the river were pretty wet and muddy this time of year. The waterfall is amazing and only a 15 minute hike down! The only reason this place got lower than a 5 star is because of all the trash near the parking lot. Too beautiful of a place to be used as a dump!! Definitely used as a party spot but aside from this it’s worth the visit!

  • 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.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2023

    Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    Decent place for the night

    A big pavement pull off on the ride of the road. The river is a walk down a very steep hill behind the pullout. No place to pitch a tent, best for car camping. Had some issues with people stopping and playing loud music, seems to be a hangout spot.

  • Amy & Stu B.
    Oct. 10, 2022

    Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful spot—tons of off road noises and activity

    Loved this spot. Gorgeous, lots of unique sites. Only downside is incredibly loud atv and dirt bike activity.

    These sites are beautiful and really meant for tent camping—but you can park an rv in most of the spots.

    There is a vault toilet closer to site 14 but no hookups.

    OHV vehicles are incredibly loud and ran throughout the weekend— but I have a feeling it’s very quiet on the week days.

    Gorgeous—lovely area, no real amenities or ATT/ Verizon service.


Guide to Longview

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Longview, Washington, where nature meets adventure. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.

Stunning Waterfalls for Dispersed Campers

  • The Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight is a fantastic choice for those looking to enjoy a scenic hike to a beautiful waterfall just a short trek away from your vehicle.
  • Campers can enjoy the tranquility of nature while being just a stone's throw from the stunning views of the falls, making it a perfect spot for photography and relaxation.
  • Although it lacks amenities like drinking water and toilets, the area is well-suited for car camping, allowing you to set up close to the action.

Great Hiking Opportunities While Free Camping Near Longview

  • The Pumice Butte- Dispersed Campsite offers access to the Loowit Trail, which circles around Mount St. Helens, providing breathtaking views and a chance to explore the unique volcanic landscape.
  • This site is ideal for those who enjoy hiking, as it is located near trails that lead to stunning vistas of both Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams.
  • Be prepared for a busy atmosphere during peak summer weekends, as this spot is popular among hikers and campers alike.

Relaxing Riverfront Spots for Dispersed Camping

  • The Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping provides a serene riverside experience, perfect for those looking to unwind by the water.
  • Campers can find flat pads for tents and enjoy the soothing sounds of the river, making it an excellent choice for a peaceful getaway.
  • While the road to access this area can be rough, the stunning scenery and the chance to fish or explore nearby trails make it worth the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Longview, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Longview, WA is Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 23 dispersed camping locations near Longview, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.