Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Parker? We've got you covered. The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Washington excursion.
Limited camping will continue at Vernita for the 2024 and 2025 fall salmon seasons, but it will look different than in the past:
Camping and day use users will have designated areas.
Camping will be limited to 14 days per user in a 30 day period.
When fall salmon seasons are not underway, camping is prohibited and vehicle access limited to a smaller day use area.
The area will be patrolled by WDFW Enforcement officers for compliance with the new requirements.
Dispersed camping located near Rimrock Lake with RV and tent sites.
Boat launch located on Rimrock Peninsula, north shore of lake just above the dam.
Visitors are asked to close gates behind them and avoid driving on roads when soft and wet.
Vehicle camping is prohibited beyond 100 feet of open roads. Campfires prohibited from Apr. 15 through Oct. 15. Woodcutting is not permitted without a landowner permit. Down wood less than 12 inches in diameter may be collected for onsite campwood. Permanent camps or structures are not permitted. All man-made materials must be removed.
There are many undeveloped camping locations on the forest. Generally there are no amenities available, such as restrooms, water or garbage dumpsters. All trash and waste must be packed out. No toilet available? See How to Go in the Forest. Use existing sites and do not damage vegetation. Campfires are not allowed at these sites during high fire danger. Check Fire Restrictions page.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=fsbdev3_053600
$8 / night
Dispersed camping located along the South Fork Tieton River, near Rimrock Lake. RV and tent sites. Jay Hawk, Lower Bake Oven, Upper Bake Oven and Minnie Meadows
Primitve area below Miner's Ridge outside of the Wilderness.Access by the extremely rough road is limited to hikers, stock and mountain bikes. __Pack It In -- Pack It Out Site.
Traveler
I travel for work and I stay here almost every week to save money on hotels. I’ve also taken my family here over the summer for camping and hiking. We all love it. Very quiet. Weekends can get kinda busy due to hikers and rock climbing enthusiasts. I suggest coming up early if you plan to stay the weekend. Many beautiful views. There is even a waterfall I sleep across from. On clear nights you can see all the stars. Which is my favorite! There are lots of sites to camp. In car/tent/RV it’s pretty accessible. There are some rougher spots where you probably should have four-wheel-drive or at least a higher stance vehicle.
TravelerGreat location so close to 90 but tucked away - will be staying here often
Traveler
This was a great hidden spot and we did not see anyone else the whole time. After going through the gate (and closing it) we head down the gravel road directly in front of us (more to the right). We initially tried the road to the left but it ran into an overgrown area. We towed our 24 ft trailer up this road which turned out fine but definitely pushed the limits. We saw multiple places to pull into and drove about 10-15 minutes before pulling off into a nice private area with good enough cell signal. Roads were very rocky at times but tolerable.
Traveler
We camped specifically at the Indian Creek Dispersed sites. There is a collection of camp grounds in this surrounding area, so I wouldn’t be concerned about finding a spot.
The views are incredible, beautiful grounds. Sadly the sites were covered in trash, people were riding quads and chainsawing until 2am, as well as yelling and loud music.
We did come on a weekend so it got very busy.
TravelerIf you come during the week, you're going to enjoy quiet, gorgeous dispersed camping. Big spaces, big trees, big lake.
But if you come during the weekend, be prepared for the most inconsiderate, noisy, rude neighbors you've ever found. They leave trash everywhere, play music and shoot guns late into the night, and don't respect boundaries whatsoever. I had multiple people drive right into my campsite and park 10 feet from my rig, walk through camp yelling and playing music, you name it.
So, four stars because the place is amazing - but choose your timing wisely.
TravelerThe views are amazing, plenty of open campsites and nobody was around us when we camped. A perfect quiet getaway.
GuidePopular rock climbing area that gets many people through the day. Dispearsed camping in 2 areas. The first spot as you come from the road is much smaller and doesn't have any pit toilets. I prefer to park here when its not busy as the "Feathers" basalt columns are really pretty to camp up next to. The second open site down the road has pit toilets and is a much larger area. Both are nice but also there are many cars, campers, tents and becomes a much more lively area in the evening depending on the crowds.
I think this is a great spot but I move on during the day when the rock climbing crowds start to swarm and park near you. There are some nice trails that take you up above the climbing area and you can get to the backside to get some nice views and away from the crowds. Can get pretty hot here in the warmer months but a beautiful spot to camp if you can avoid the busy/peak times.
Traveler
This, like the other spots in Frenchman Coulee, is seldom empty, but it's much less packed than the areas closer to the climbing. This spot offers the best views, sunrises, and sunsets, at the cost of no shade and a healthy dose of wind. If you're going for the rugged feel, this'll do it. OF NOTE: The vault toilets are about a mile away from here.
TravelerBeautiful overlook site. Perfect for Overland type vehicles. The entrance to the site is rough. Scouting is a good idea before attempting entry with a trailer.
Scout
This is used by fly fishermen to access the near by lake.
Scout
Bring plenty of layers and it fills fast
Scout
Totally off grid. No amenities but worth the stay.
ScoutI made it up to the lake in July. There were too many ppl for the small campground on this weekend. Surprised because the road was very rough and there is no water/electricity and there are only two picnic tables. Beautiful!!! It's just very out of the way and it's first come first serve and you never know when there will be too many ppl. There are only 5 sites on the lake. Good luck getting a camping site because it's a long road back out if the campground is full.
LegendWaterfall, gorge, amazing scenery! There is a pit toilet and there were some people climbing. No accessible water. Only a couple miles from the highway. It was windy, as this whole area is. But well worth it! Note: some of the rocks on the paths to the campsites were pretty pointy, but the road in is well maintained.
ScoutVery beautiful spot. Has toilets around area, didnt check them as my rig is self sufficient. No other service though but out here it doesnt matter. Pack in pack out. Has fire rings all over!
GuideThis is a really cool spot right on the creek and close to Mt rainier. The coordinates given here do not take you to this campground. Keep going north of these coordinates and very soon you will see a sign that says Rimrock recreation area on the right if you’re headed north (side of the road closest to the creek) turn down there and go a ways until you come to a forest road on your right. It will be pretty obvious it’s a campground when you turn in by the signage (that I have included in my pictures) and there are lots of spots if you go through. The road is very rocky and high clearance does best but we did get our minivan in there fine with some maneuvering.
Scout
Driving in pulling up I was taken a back by how beautiful this place was. Then when we finally found a place, I was reminded of how much people suck. There was trash and toilet paper everywhere you look. It got really crowded and there were 2 parties within earshot. People were doing donuts and making huge dust clouds that would cover everything in dust. There were shoes and articles of clothing left everywhere. I suppose if you like that sort of thing, then cool. I was just looking for some peace and quiet.
Traveler
Privacy can be had if you take your time and find a good spot. However, be prepared to clean up behind the hooligans.
If people would just take care of stuff, this could be an awesome place.
Traveler
I just love this spot, no amenities, isolation, river front view, and a boat ramp. Bring your own everything!!
Traveler
I camp here every year and it’s always tough to get the spot you want unless you get there by Thursday. It’s $8 per car and there are several spots to throw up a tent or hammocks. Getting in can be tough as the road is dirt and used for wheeling in the off-season so be careful if your car is low. There is a vaulted toilet and trash cans, but we usually just use the woods as we camp further from the one outhouse. There is one picnic table at the spot, but it moves from site to site. “Whoever gets it first” kind of thing. There is great fishing here, however you can’t fish in the river, you have to fish either in the lake/reservoir or further upstream because the camping area is a breading zone for an endangered fish. There is a boat launch about 1-2 miles away on the other side of the peninsula. There is a bridge we normally jump off, however they have signs up saying it’s not permitted. As long as you’re being safe, nobody cares. As far as drinking water, it’s not available at the site, but there is a natural spring down the road about a mile and a half. It’s clean and drinkable. We normally fill our bottles there before and during. Very few people know about the spring, though it’s just off to the side of the road on the way. This site is relatively close to stores as once you hit Hwy 12, you’re only within 20 minutes either direction of a gas station or general store. I’ll update with more pictures next time we go.
GuideWe weren’t sure as to our ability to get in, as when we pulled up there was a ranger driving a UTE on the other side of the fence, and we thought for sure he’d tell us that we couldn’t get it. But he was so nice, and even told my wife that he’d close the gate behind us after we entered. I’ve read that a parka pass is needed for this place, but we did not have one. The ranger did not look for or question about one, and off we went. Dirt rocky road, steep in areas, and 4x4 not necessary, but a higher clearance sure seems as if it is. We drove about 20 minutes and started to see pull offs for camping, and finally decided on on with the most amazing view of the cascade mountains. Thinking we’d see wildlife, as there was signs of it all over…. Scat, all different kinds, my dog found a lower leg and hoof of maybe a large deer, and a recently killed snake. But as of our first night nothing living and breathing. Att and Verizon were both 3 strong bars, but tv reception was nothing with our little average sized antenna. The trails were thick and lush with greenery and flowers, it being mid June and there has been plenty of rain. Not another soul in site, and only the sounds of nature around us.
ScoutAbsolutely beautiful area. Plenty of campsites around the small lake that are right up next to the water, but to get the good spots, It's first come first serve. The water is pretty cold and crystal clear when we were up there at the beginning of June.
Things to expect:
You're about two hours away from any cell service.
The road to get up is all rocks and off-road going up a mountain. 4x4 with traction tires is a must. Kit up. Have a satellite phone, and expect to drive through snow up there at the beginning of June.
GuideDiscover Pass required. Not for regular camping. Used for staying overnight and getting up early to hit the water.
TravelerAfter figuring out which gate to go through (make sure and shut the gate behind you), I took a road to the right with my truck and 19 ft. epro. We drove up a rocky dirt road, single lane with pull outs, for about 20 mins. Passing only a few other campers along the way. Sites are very spread out and private. Wildflowers were amazing!
ScoutThis site is now gated off.
LegendThis is a Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing access site. It is free with a Washington State Discovery Pass for $30/year. This annual pass will also gain you admission to state parks. There are several boat launch sites here and a number of those Sani Cans. The area is spread out over open land with smooth rocks. It can be a bit bumpy if hauling a trailer unless you stick to the smooth rock roads. No shade except along the shore.
For a free site, it has its good points: easy access to highway 24/243 which will bring you to I-90, quiet, wide open space, near the Vernita Bridge Rest Area for free tank dump site. If you arrive on the last weekend of October, there is a huge king salmon fishing derby with about 100 entrants so you will have company. But, it is usually quiet midweek in the spring and fall. It may be busier in the summer midweek as there are lots of fishing enthusiast ps and boaters who live close by in the Tri Cities area.
If you need a quiet place for one night or are hauling a river fishing boat, this is a good place to stay.
RangerLakeside camping here was wonderful. I got a great nights sleep in the hammock as you can see haha. Lots of room for a big group of campers, just make sure to pick up trash before you go because it was pretty littered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Parker, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Parker, WA is Vernita Bridge with a 2.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Parker, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Parker, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
