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Best Dispersed Camping near Matlock, WA

32 Reviews

Olympic National Forest offers several free dispersed camping areas near Matlock, Washington. FS-2292 and NF-2419 Forest Roads provide multiple pullout sites for tent camping with drive-in and walk-in access. These primitive areas lack facilities—no toilets, water, or trash service—but permit fires at most locations. Forest Road 2419 continues about a mile before reaching the Mt. Elinor lower trailhead, with spacious pullouts suitable for various vehicle sizes.

Traffic varies considerably between sites. FS-2292 tends to be more secluded with visitors reporting they "heard maybe 1 car the whole day/night" and noting "epic views" from ridgeline camping spots. NF-2419 experiences heavier use with campers reporting "a very busy road at all hours" with "2 or 3 cars drive by all day and all through the night." The Quinault Ridge Road area offers additional off-grid campsites with multiple pull-offs along the narrow mountain road. Road conditions throughout the region can be challenging, with some routes described as "a little rough" though passable for standard SUVs in dry conditions.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Matlock, Washington (21)

    1. FS-2292 Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Matlock, WA
    13 miles

    "No signal and got a little snow on the roof in the morning but it was a good spot with a great view."

    "Very far off the beaten path, every time I camp here I don’t run into anyone. You’re camping on the Ridgeline so it can be a bit windy."

    2. Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Matlock, WA
    9 miles

    "We camped near Vance Creek trailhead to do the Olympic Bridges bike ride the next morning. Since this is a national forest, dispersed camping is allowed."

    "This is a gravel road through the National Forest with a bunch of pull-offs where you can camp. It was nothing special but very quiet and peaceful other than one or two cars that passed by."

    3. NF-2419 Dispersed Site

    5 Reviews
    Lilliwaup, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 956-2402

    "Great avenue to get out into nature with various streams crossing the path of the service road. Truly magical place."

    "Not many other campers' sites are well dispersed . Got to feed 3 Bluejays by hand with my oldest one of our new favorite memories."

    4. Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419

    3 Reviews
    Lilliwaup, WA
    21 miles

    "Gorgeous little spot off a national forest road. Stunning views, no light pollution or car sounds at night."

    "No water. First come first served and this one goes quickly!"

    5. Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead

    5 Reviews
    Tumwater, WA
    20 miles

    6. NF-2419 Dispersed Pullout

    2 Reviews
    Lilliwaup, WA
    21 miles

    "Great spot on the NF-2419, about a mile before the Mt Elinor lower trailhead. Plenty of space for a large vehicle"

    7. Joemma Beach State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Lakebay, WA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (253) 884-1944

    $12 / night

    "Simple, small, peaceful campground with pit toilets and potable water. Mid week after Labor Day, I had my choice of sites arriving in late afternoon."

    "We arrived little later around 6 p.m. And being such a nice day there were only few sites left."

    8. Dispersed South Shore Road

    3 Reviews
    Quinault, WA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 288-0203

    "Several campsites along the gravel road, we found the perfect secluded spot next to the Quinault River. Drove right into the hidden alcove in our stealth camper van."

    "There are about 5 sites hidden on the road. Please be careful the road is a mix of private land, national forest, national park. The sites can be easily found by their stone fire rings."

    9. Quinault Ridge Road

    2 Reviews
    Amanda Park, WA
    25 miles

    "It was quiet and easy accessible. Once you enter the road there are a few turn outs sprinkled on the side of the road that you can pull in. Please clean up after yourself!"

    10. Quinault Ridge Road Pullout

    1 Review
    Amanda Park, WA
    24 miles

    "Just stayed for one night in our camper van."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Matlock, WA

26 Photos of 21 Matlock Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Matlock, WA

32 Reviews of 21 Matlock Campgrounds

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Dispersed South Shore Road

    Quilaut River-South Shore Road

    Several campsites along the gravel road, we found the perfect secluded spot next to the Quinault River. Drove right into the hidden alcove in our stealth camper van.

  • Mar Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead

    Perfect woodsy rest stop off highway

    Right off the highway. Pit toilet and wooded areas. Can still hear highway from this exact GPS location, so I went further on up the road for a quieter spot. A few trucks did speed by in the middle of the night, but it was a Saturday and July 4th weekend. 5 bars of cell service.

  • Sam S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping

    Olympic National Forest - Dispersed Camping

    We camped near Vance Creek trailhead to do the Olympic Bridges bike ride the next morning. Since this is a national forest, dispersed camping is allowed. We picked the first spot we got to since it was getting kind of late. It wasn't the most ideal spot and I think further down the road has prettier and more remote options, but it made do. There were really huge flies but they did not bite. The only complaint was that there was more car traffic than I wanted very late at night into the early morning. One car even slowed down and yelled at our tent around 2am. We never felt unsafe but it was annoying. A lot of trash was left behind from previous camper. I would suggest finding alternative spots if you're looking for a more enjoyable night but if you are just there for an overnight, it is fine.

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2022

    Dispersed South Shore Road

    Rainforest heaven!

    There are about 5 sites hidden on the road. Please be careful the road is a mix of private land, national forest, national park. The sites can be easily found by their stone fire rings. The site that is directly on the river was very popular. I ended up staying 2 nights at one of the last sites before it turns to private land. It was tucked away, walk in site, had a nice fire ring, nice tent pad area. It has a large rope so you can access the river. The scenery is breath taking. Down the road there are at least 2 waterfalls on the right. In the town of quinault there is a laundry mat/shower facility!

  • Chris
    Jun. 12, 2021

    Cardlin Run — Olympic National Park

    A night in the rainforest

    Going East on Upper Hoh Rd, a site is on the Left side, before the pay booth for Olympic NP. The have 2 signs posted, Discover Pass required and no campfires. This location has 1 designed campsite, which is completely out of view from the road. Quiet location, rains often...ie rainforest.

  • Suzie K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping

    Safe and quiet

    This is a gravel road through the National Forest with a bunch of pull-offs where you can camp. It was nothing special but very quiet and peaceful other than one or two cars that passed by. Felt safe as a single tent camper

  • Nicholas G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 12, 2024

    FS-2292 Dispersed

    There was a ton of dispersed sites on this FR

    The road was a little rough but my suv made it fine. No signal and got a little snow on the roof in the morning but it was a good spot with a great view.

  • Amber G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 2, 2024

    Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419

    Amazing

    Gorgeous little spot off a national forest road. Stunning views, no light pollution or car sounds at night. It’s December so of course it’s a bit cold at night and I’d recommend at least AWD to get up here. Will be back.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2025

    Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead

    Not suitable for Winter camping.

    Located just past the restaurant on the southbound side there is a drive that goes back into Rock Candy mountain Road trailhead. I drove 5 mi up the road. There are few houses on the side of the road. Speed limit is a maximum 15 mph. There are signs posted thinking drivers for slowing down. Mainly a logging Road well if you pull out to the right on the main road. I noticed a road that had a pipe gate that was closed and locked. It gets pretty steep going up the road. The right steep. They wrote it on barely white enough for two vehicles to safely pass each other. Not suitable for anything wider than a class B. In my opinion this area is not suitable for winter camping. In my opinion 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. Definitely not road you want to be intoxicated to drive on. There is a long drop if you lose control and fail off road. I feel if you did and survived the fall it would be expensive to recover your vehicle. To me it's to dangerous to risk trying to camp here if it ever became busy.

Guide to Matlock

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Matlock, Washington, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. This area offers a variety of locations perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Dispersed campers should check out NF-2419 Dispersed Site

  • NF-2419 Dispersed Site allows for a unique camping experience right by the river, making it a great choice for those who enjoy the sound of flowing water.
  • With no permits required, it’s an accessible option for spontaneous trips, allowing you to set up camp without the hassle of reservations.
  • Keep in mind that this area can be busy, so if you prefer solitude, consider arriving early to secure a more secluded spot.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Matlock, Washington

  • Bring your own water and firewood, as many sites, including Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419, do not provide these amenities.
  • Be prepared for varying weather conditions, especially at higher elevations like Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead, where temperatures can drop significantly at night.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles to keep these beautiful areas pristine for future visitors, especially in popular spots like FS-2292 Dispersed.

Scenic views for dispersed campers at Quinault Ridge Road

  • Enjoy breathtaking views while camping along Quinault Ridge Road, where you can find several turnouts for a quick overnight stay.
  • This location is perfect for those traveling to the coast, providing a peaceful stop with easy access to the surrounding natural beauty.
  • Be mindful of the trash left by previous campers and do your part to clean up, ensuring this spot remains enjoyable for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Matlock, WA is FS-2292 Dispersed with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 21 dispersed camping locations near Matlock, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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