Best Dispersed Camping near Lyle, WA

Dispersed camping near Lyle, Washington concentrates in the surrounding national forest lands, with several free primitive sites available in both Washington and Oregon sides of the Columbia River Gorge. The area includes multiple Forest Service-managed locations like Avery Recreation Area, Little Soda Springs Road, and dispersed sites above Panther Creek Falls. Most sites sit within Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington or Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon, offering backcountry camping without developed facilities.

Access to many dispersed sites requires careful navigation on forest roads. Several locations, particularly Little Soda Springs Road and areas near Panther Creek, have rough roads that may demand high-clearance vehicles or 4WD capabilities. One camper noted, "The road is GNARLY. We did it in a regular ol 4-door sedan. And I cannot recommend. We made it fine. But it was dumb." Most sites lack amenities like drinking water, restrooms, or trash service. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with some areas requiring permits. Forest Service rangers regularly patrol popular dispersed camping zones to check for Northwest Forest Passes, which are required at many trailheads and some camping areas.

The region provides opportunities for remote camping experiences with varying levels of seclusion. Sites along Little Soda Springs Road feature creek access and relative privacy. "Absolutely loved the spot. There were about three sites. It's a short hike down to the creek," reported one visitor. Another camper mentioned, "We found a great shady spot not far from a small creek, and it was perfect for relaxing." Cell service is virtually nonexistent in most areas, so downloading maps beforehand is essential. Wildlife sightings are common, and many sites offer access to hiking trails, including connections to the Pacific Crest Trail. Summer weekends see increased activity, but midweek camping typically remains quiet even during peak season.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Lyle, Washington (45)

    1. Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge

    10 Reviews
    Wishram, WA
    12 miles
    Website

    "There’s a pit toilet, and a garbage dumpster on-site. Over half the “sites” are right on the water, while the others are less than 50 feet away."

    "This is Army Corps of Engineers recreation site with dispersed camping, vault toilets and a boat ramp. First come first served, $0 and you can stay up to seven days."

    2. Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    4 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 668-1700

    "Took a while to discover this spot, but clearly seems well used for dispersed camping. I parked nearest the access road, as my van would have hit trees to go a little further in."

    "The road was very accessible, high clearance not required. We found a large pull off with several established fire pits. It's absolutely perfect for a group campsite."

    3. Dog Creek Falls Camp

    1 Review
    Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, WA
    19 miles

    4. White River West Sno-Park

    11 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 668-1700

    "Incredible access to back country hiking at Mt. Hood!"

    "Tucked our trailers up in the far corner with a commanding view of Mt. Hood!  Well, not much view the first smokey day, but it cleared up nicely after a wind shift the following day. "

    5. Top ‘O the Mountain

    2 Reviews
    Cascade Locks, OR
    25 miles

    6. Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    14 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    36 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."

    7. Panther Creek Creekside Camp

    5 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    30 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!!"

    8. Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls

    4 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    29 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. NF-3511 @ Mt Hood

    1 Review
    Government Camp, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 352-6002

    "While you can't see the mountain from the site itself.There's a great turnaround point and views on the way up and down!"

    10. Elk Cove Trailhead

    1 Review
    Government Camp, OR
    26 miles
    Website

    "There are 2-3 fire rings to either side of the parking area at Elk Cove Trailhead."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Lyle, WA

95 Reviews of 45 Lyle Campgrounds


  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 29, 2025

    Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed

    Win for Memorial Day weekend!

    Surprised we were able to snag a spot here on Memorial Day weekend! Drove in Sunday evening. Quite a few dispersed spots, kinda close to one another- everyone was respectful. The road behind this gets a great view of Mt. Hood!!

    No amenities. Dry camping!

    PACK IT OUT

  • Mark F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2021

    Historic Clackamas Ranger Station - Dispersed Camping - Roadside

    Convenient, free roadside site near trails, lakes, & meadow in Mt Hood NF

    I was running in an ultramarathon race in September in the Mt Hood National Forest and all of the local campgrounds managed by PGE around Timothy Lake were closed due to the end of the season.  I was able to use map layers in The Dyrt PRO to identify where I was within National Forest boundaries and was able to confirm with local officials that I was in a free, dispersed camping zone. So, using the map layers and the search function on The Dyrt I looked for an area near the race start at the Historic Clackamas Ranger Station to park my RV for a 2 night off-grid stay.  The location was a wide gravel area on the side of the road that allowed for enough space to park, put out my awning, set up some chairs and a propane fire pit (no live campfires - propane only) while being within a few hundred yards of the Ranger Station.  There was room to walk along the road on the shoulder and you are very close walk to the Historic Clackamas Ranger Cabin with a beautiful meadow view, the Joe Graham Horse Camp, and just a couple of mile drive from Timothy Lake.  Clackamas Lake Campground was nearby as well with many accessible miles of hikable trails, including access to the Pacific Crest Trail, for hikers of all levels. There was some smoke from local wildfires but that went away as the fall rains arrived that weekend.  If you are looking for a place to park your RV near all of these amazing views and experiences this free, dispersed camping site worked great for me and my family for a couple of nights.

  • Jason B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2024

    Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    Great/Quiet Spot

    Took a while to discover this spot, but clearly seems well used for dispersed camping. I parked nearest the access road, as my van would have hit trees to go a little further in. For smaller vehicles (e.g. roof top tents), you can get in a little further and off the access road. There was actually someone else back there, and we can't hear nor see each other.

  • 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

  • Brendan R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 11, 2025

    Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    Great Area to Camp and Relax!

    There are several places along FR 2730 where you can pull off and camp. The road was very accessible, high clearance not required. We found a large pull off with several established fire pits. It's absolutely perfect for a group campsite. I imagine it will be a busier spot in the summer, but we couldn't find a single other person within miles of us in early May. To get up to the group camp site, you may need higher clearance (most SUVs should be fine) and 4wd/AWD, as there is a short rocky section that might cause some issues for FWD/RWD.

    Got a little chilly at night with winds whipping down through the area we were in, but overall very peaceful. You can see Mt Hood from the campsite through the trees, albeit it is decently far away and is subject to the visibility at the time you visit. We were able to see Mt Hood just before sunset, but couldn't see her at all the following morning.

  • 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

  • Kevin L.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Aug. 9, 2020

    Kevin's Mt Hood OG

    Dispersed Camping - Get away from it all

    This is a dispersed camping spot in the Mt.Hood National Forest that is free --- from both campground payment and people. It's an old forest road off the main gravel road that has been blockaded and closed down, giving you a wide open area that gets sun, mixed with good tree coverage from the wind. 

    The spot is flat and great for an RV, van or trailer. It's just a 100 meters off the main gravel road where the old forest road is dug out/blockaded from cars getting through. 

    We parked and camped right there. Or, if you want even more solitude, park at the blockade and walk 3/4 of a mile to the end of the forest road strip for some tent camping. Not sure if that is needed as I think we only heard/saw a few car drive by the entire time (on a beautiful August weekend). 

    Love this place. Happy to share it with others. If you are looking for some dispersed camping in the summer that's not a far drive from Portland, this spot is for you. If it's full, there are a half dozen to a dozen other dispersed camping spots along this gravel road between Frog Lake Campground and Clear Creek Crossing Campground. Enjoy.

  • 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.

  • Ariel & John  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 15, 2020

    Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping

    Tons of dispersed in the shadow of Mt Hood

    There are many park campgrounds in the Mt Hood NF but also tons of dispersed camping in the forest.

    We camped off FS 2656 just south of Trillium Lake in August 2020. There are many other locations. Many are separate drives off a forest road but some side of the road spots too. Lake Trillium gets super crowded.

    Download the forest map from Avenza for accurate locations of all the forest roads and trails.

    The Mt Hood NF is amazing, with tons of lakes, creeks, waterfalls and hiking trails as well as great views of Mt Hood.

    No amenities for dispersed locations but you can use nearby campgrounds for water, trash and dump stations.

    There was decent Verizon service when we camped there.

    Would definitely camp here again.


Guide to Lyle

Dispersed camping near Lyle, Washington offers primitive sites scattered throughout federally managed lands at elevations ranging from 200 to 3,000 feet. The area sits at the transition zone between moist western forests and drier eastern landscapes, creating diverse camping conditions throughout the year. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, while summer days often exceed 90°F.

What to do

Creek exploration: Little Soda Springs Road provides easy access to water features with several dispersed sites positioned near flowing creeks. "It's a short hike down to the creek," notes one visitor to Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed. Another camper reported, "We stayed at the first site when you first get there back there on the right hand side."

Stargazing: Panther Creek area offers remarkable night sky viewing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. "The stars were amazing," shared a camper at Dispersed Camping above Panther Creek Falls. "Super dark at night with plenty of stars," confirmed another visitor who appreciated the clear night skies.

Mountain viewing: Mt. Hood observation points provide dramatic views of the iconic peak. "You can see Mt Hood from the campsite through the trees, albeit it is decently far away and is subject to the visibility," explains a camper at Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF. Other visitors note the mountain views change dramatically with weather conditions.

What campers like

River access: Columbia River proximity attracts anglers and water enthusiasts to waterfront sites. At Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge, a visitor shared, "Great little swimming spot steps from our spot." Another camper described it as "literally right on the Columbia River but a bit too windy for kayaking unless you're a pro."

Privacy: Secluded forest spots provide separation from other campers in some areas. "There were about three sites. I believe from what I saw," reported a camper at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed. Another camper at Panther Creek noted, "Lots of turnouts along the road with river accesses just steps away."

Convenient locations: Easy access from highways makes some sites perfect for overnight stays. "Super easy and convenient spot to Camp," explains a visitor to White River West Sno-Park. Another camper added, "Huge parking lot w/ two bathrooms. Less than 10 vans when I showed up on a Friday night."

What you should know

Road conditions: Variable access challenges exist throughout the area. Forest Service roads range from well-maintained gravel to rough technical tracks. One camper at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed advised, "Not far from the highway just in case of emergencies. Absolutely no cell service."

Facilities: Limited amenities characterize most rustic camping near Lyle. Vault toilets exist at some locations while others have no facilities. "The area has 2 vault toilets and a garbage can," noted a visitor at White River West Sno-Park.

Train noise: Railroad disruption affects some camping areas along the Columbia River. One camper at Avery Rec Area warned, "This place is free for a reason... the trains are no joke. They are seriously loud do not underestimate this." Another camper confirmed, "You don't just have trains passing, you have them blowing their horn multiple times a night."

Tips for camping with families

Safety considerations: Emergency planning becomes essential with limited connectivity. "Absolutely no cell service. You must have a Northwest Forest pass or America the beautiful pass," cautions a camper at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed. Download offline maps before arrival.

Water play: Creek access provides natural entertainment for children. A visitor to Panther Creek Creekside Camp shared, "Always love spots by the river. There are several sights that get secluded from others with a very short drive off the main road." Parents should note potential water hazards.

Bugs: Insect preparation varies by season and location. "Can be buggy had a lot of mosquitos near the river," warned a camper at Panther Creek Creekside Camp. Pack appropriate repellent during summer months when mosquitoes concentrate near water sources.

Tips from RVers

Parking surface: Level considerations affect comfort in larger vehicles. "This is a large, paved parking lot with a stream nearby. Has a good view of Mt. Hood and vault toilets, so that's a positive. The downside is that it's not level," reported an RVer with a 39-foot Class A at White River West Sno-Park.

Site selection: Space limitations restrict options for larger rigs. "I parked nearest the access road, as my van would have hit trees to go a little further in," noted a visitor to Forest Rd 2730. Truck campers and smaller trailers have more site options than large motorhomes.

Seasonal access: Winter closures affect many Forest Service roads from November through April. "Free to stay from May 1 to October 31," confirmed a camper at White River West Sno-Park. Snow often blocks access to higher elevation sites until late spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Lyle, WA?

Lyle's proximity to national forests offers several dispersed camping options. Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping provides accessible sites, though be cautious with navigation as some GPS coordinates can be inaccurate. For a more secluded experience, Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed offers approximately three sites with creek access nearby. Both locations are free and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Look for established fire rings that indicate appropriate camping spots.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Lyle, Washington?

When dispersed camping near Lyle, you must pack out all trash and leave no trace. Most areas require camping at least 100-200 feet from water sources and developed recreation sites. Fire restrictions vary seasonally - always use established fire rings when available. At Dog Creek Falls Camp, standard dispersed camping rules apply. Generally, stays are limited to 14 days within a 30-day period. Always check with the local ranger district for current regulations, as they may change during fire season or due to environmental concerns.

Is dispersed camping available year-round in Lyle, WA?

Dispersed camping is technically available year-round near Lyle, but accessibility varies seasonally. Winter snow often makes forest roads impassable without 4WD and high clearance vehicles. Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF is typically accessible in spring through fall, with several pull-offs and established camping areas. Panther Creek Creekside Camp might offer better lower-elevation options during shoulder seasons. Always check road conditions before heading out, especially during late fall through early spring when weather conditions can change rapidly.