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Best Dispersed Camping near Quincy, WA

76 Reviews

Dispersed camping options near Quincy, Washington include several primitive sites on public lands. Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead offers hike-in camping with established sites approximately 2 miles from the trailhead on flat terrain. Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping provides drive-in access popular with rock climbers, featuring basalt columns and natural amphitheater settings. Martha Lake Dispersed Camping accommodates RVs with limited facilities. Most sites require a Washington State Discover Pass ($10/day or $30/year), which rangers actively check.

These primitive campsites generally lack amenities. No drinking water is available at most locations, requiring campers to pack in all necessary water. According to reviews, the lakes at Ancient Lakes "are polluted with agricultural runoff so that water should not be used for drinking not even if filtered." Basic pit toilets exist at some locations like Frenchman Coulee, but campers should bring their own toilet paper. Cell service varies by carrier; Verizon typically provides better coverage than T-Mobile in these areas.

Road conditions range from maintained gravel to rough terrain requiring high-clearance vehicles. Several campers noted that "some of the rocks on the paths to the campsites were pretty pointy" at Frenchman Coulee. Weather conditions can be extreme, with high winds common throughout the region and intense summer heat. Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures. Fire restrictions frequently apply during summer months due to high fire danger. The area hosts diverse wildlife including elk, deer, and various bird species. Rattlesnakes and ticks become active during warmer months, making fall and spring preferable seasons for many campers.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Quincy, Washington (31)

    1. Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead

    5 Reviews
    Quincy, WA
    8 miles
    Website

    "Avoid summer when it gets too hot and ticks and rattlesnakes are around. It gets cold at night so come prepared."

    "This place is where I go when I want to disconnect and get away from the stress of school in Ellensburg."

    2. Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    15 miles

    "Best to have high clearance as there are some good size rock outcroppings. Few people rock climbing, tall waterfall across the valley. Very quiet. Can hear birds fly by."

    "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!"

    3. Martha Lake Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Quincy, WA
    10 miles
    Website

    "Martha Lake was a pleasant surprise. We stayed overnight on the 4th of July in our Sprinter van to give our dogs a break from the fireworks."

    4. Frenchman Coulee Overland Overlook Dispersed Campsite

    4 Reviews
    Vantage, WA
    15 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Dispersed camping area with a lot of places to pull off the road and camp. We were able to find a spot with our 32ft camper."

    5. Dry Gulch on Columbia River

    Be the first to review!
    Vantage, WA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 665-2100

    6. Jameson Lake

    7 Reviews
    Coulee City, WA
    32 miles
    Website

    "RV and tent camping. Can be windy during season change. Boat accessible. Gravel and dirt. Very beautiful night, great for star gazing."

    "It is very remote, no services around and a little odd to get to, in that you have to wind past a lakeside"resort" with a little store and campsites that didn't look really very nice, yet there were people"

    7. Trail Lake Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Coulee City, WA
    34 miles
    +1 (509) 633-9265

    "Great spot to disperse camp, no toilets , great for swimming fishing kayaking paddle boarding and disperse camping, sunken boat at edge of water cool feature. Lots of bugs and spiders."

    "Felt safe"

    8. Crab Creek Camp

    1 Review
    Moses Lake, WA
    26 miles

    9. Long Lake

    6 Reviews
    Warden, WA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 754-4624

    "I love heading here to tent camp out of my car, I own a sedan and it's easy to get to on gravel roads, they have outhouses nearby that are regularly stocked and you can camp feet from long lake and enjoy"

    "Great place for camping right next to the lake. A little broken glass here and there but mostly pretty natural."

    10. Lenice Lake - Washington DNR

    2 Reviews
    Beverly, WA
    28 miles
    Website
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Quincy, WA

76 Photos of 31 Quincy Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Quincy, WA

76 Reviews of 31 Quincy Campgrounds

  • Ashley V.
    May. 23, 2022

    Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400

    Dispersed campsites along the service road.

    As described, little to no water sources. Private property marked in some areas. Camp sites are just off the road so there is some road dust. In May there was plenty of wood for burning. Do be mindful of burn restrictions later in the season. This area is very popular with mountain bikers and some dirt bikes. Service roads did have some heavily washed out areas and rocks that higher ground clearance and AWD/4WD would be beneficial, but a 2WD car could make it to some sites. Great spot though to camp near Leavenworth Wenatchee area. Verizon phone service was ok, T-Mobile was spotty at best occasionally a message would get through.

  • Cheryl M.
    Oct. 1, 2022

    Old Bluett Pass Road Dispersed

    High Elevation Site off Hwy 97N

    Dog wasn’t feeling well so took a chance and went up this USFS mostly paved road. There are lovely views on the trip up and a few roadside areas you could car or van camp in a pinch. Towards the top a couple private roads break off, and just above the now dirt USFS road continues. Here is 1 large, not terribly level, high clearance needed, site with fire ring and lots of parking options.

  • Shay F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2020

    L.T. Murray Wildlife Area

    Beautiful Solitude for Boondocking

    **Ranger Review: Camp Fare Premium Meals at LT Murray Wildlife Area **

    Camping Review: The LT Murray Wildlife Area is located in Thorp, between Cle Elum and Ellensburg. It is often referred to as Elk Heights or Joe Watt Canyon. This is primarily an ORV and horseback riding area in the summer. Hunting and elk feeding/wintering grounds area in the winter. This is also a great area to find elk sheds once wintering season is over. There are plenty of dispersed camping sites along the Forest Service roads. All you need is a Discover Pass and a high clearance, capable vehicle. 

    We were looking for a close by, no reservation, free place to camp for a weekend. I remember riding horses up here as a kid but have not been up to this area for many years. Once you arrive to the Wildlife Area, you must let yourself in the gate and close it after you pass through. From the gate we drove down a rough, rocky road and passed a wide-open meadow where there we a couple other trailers camping, maybe living, along the road. We passed through some very narrow, brush lined roads. It was also steep and rutted with water wash out spots. The rocks that made the road are sharp, large, and loose. We did not go too far as we were not sure what shape the road would be in and did not want to get in a situation with our trailer that we could not get out of. Plug for our Airstream Basecamp. It's advertised as being "built for adventure and tough enough to go anywhere." I think I really believe it now. 

    The spot we chose turned out to be beautiful. We had a view of the Thorp valley and the forested gully and ridge across from us. The stars were out and the comet NEOWISE was visible. We saw large elk, deer, many birds, and were visited by some wild turkeys in the night. It can get very windy in this area. Fires are not allowed due to red flag conditions. There is nothing out here. You must bring everything you need. Food, water, TP, lights. The best part was we saw two other cars, a couple ORV's, and a couple horseback riders total for the 2 days we were there. You can't get any quieter and more unplugged than that! 

    Product Review: Camp Fare Beef Burgundy with Field Vegetables and Chicken Tikka Masala with French Green Lentils

     I ordered these meals a bit short of our last trip and was unable to make them. I was happy I had them saved for our trip up to LT Murray given we traveled quick and light. Camp Fare https://campfare.com/ advertises their food as high quality, delicious, chef-crafted, and ready to eat- no refrigeration required. All you have to do is submerge in hot water for 2-3 minutes, tear open the pouch, and enjoy. Selection is limited but covers all the bases. Beef Burgundy, Chicken Tikka Masala, Wild Alaskan Salmon, and Brown Rice and Red Quinoa with Pink Beans. They all sound great! We had our camp stove and a pot of water but you could probably stuff the pouch into a larger Jet Boil for backpacking too. I chose the Beef and had my partner eat the Chicken. 

    Preparation was as quick and easy as promised. The meals may not look amazing, especially on a plate instead of the pouch or in a bowl, but they really are delicious. The Beef Burgundy was flavorful and tender. The Chicken Tikka Masala was Indian restaurant good, seriously. I would way rather eat these meals than something dehydrated ever again. Looking forward to trying the Salmon and maybe getting the Chicken again for future trips.

  • Pamela R.
    Jun. 19, 2021

    L.T. Murray Wildlife Area

    Gorgeous!

    After 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!

  • Meghan The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 28, 2021

    Baldy Mountain Dispersed Camping

    Stellar views of Lake Chelan yet worlds away

    This campsite is along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route between the Cashmere and Chelan sections along NF-8410. Obviously, this is a 4X4 road but if you approach from the Chelan side you could maybe get away with a high clearance AWD vehicle. Incredible sunset views of the valley overlooking Lake Chelan to one side and a vast forested mountain range to the other. This particular spot photographed is on the south side of the road to the north of the Baldy Mountain crest. This area seemed to have a good number of sites in the immediate vicinity, not that we saw anything in them. This particular site was clearly well used as it was flat, had log stump seats, and a stone fire pit (even if you aren't supposed to have fires most of the year in this forest). Someone even built a rustic camp toilet in the woods just away from the campsite.

  • Meghan The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 28, 2021

    Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping

    Great area to camp along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route

    Within the almost 4 million acres of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, lie countless locations for dispersed camping. This area of the southeast corner of the NF has very little traffic compared to others, we saw only one ATV for the whole time we were there. This area lies along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route between the Cashmere and Chelan sections along NF-7400. Obviously, this is a 4X4 road and I wouldn't suggest it in anything less. Incredible sunset views of the valley in front of Chumstick Mountain, it gets pretty windy at night but there are treelines you can position against. This particular spot photographed is just up the hill off the roadside in a nice grassy clearing. More spots were just up the hill around the bend as well.

  • Quinn Z.
    Sep. 29, 2020

    Liberty Town / Williams Creek Dispersed Camping

    Hidden little nooks of great creekside dispersed camping.

    Stumbled on this by just exploring the backroads near the BLM campground down the road. Technically this is USDA Forest Service land, but it is RIGHT next to BLM land. 

    Being dispersed, they are primitive sites. You're going to find man-made stone fire pits but that's about it. There are a handful of dispersed sites in this area. We found one nestled right next to the creek. It was great, very peaceful for the most part, except for when you can hear people on their ATVs or dirt bikes tearing around the area. Since this is so close to a BLM recreation site, expect to hear those activities.

    Some of these sites can be tricky to get to unless you have a good vehicle for it. I was renting a 4Runner at the time so no issues, but I don't think I would have been able to get to the further in dispersed sites if I was driving a Civic.

    All in all, really great spots right next to the old town of Liberty, and worth the $0 you'll spend to camp here. Hell, maybe even worth more, not that you'll have to worry about that.

  • Alex R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Long Lake

    Beautiful, but not convenient

    I stayed here for a night on my way through the area. This is a very beautiful reserve to explore and spend time in. The birds are abundant and the whole area is very serene. However, BOY was the road rough. No 4wd or high clearance needed, but you will be absolutely shaken and rattled on the way out to the lake. Also, this area is not free!! A Discover Pass is required (either annual for $35 or day for $11.50). I spotted a few toilets on my way in, but they were too far from most of the sites to conveniently use. The site I ended up in was scattered with cigarette butts, beer trash, and bits of glass. I am not a very picky camper, but unfortunately the positives didn’t outweigh the negatives here for me personally. All of that being said, this place probably really floats some people’s boats!! Crazy beautiful!!

Guide to Quincy

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Quincy, Washington, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Quincy

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Quincy, Washington

  • Always pack enough water, as many areas like Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead lack potable water sources, and the lakes are contaminated with agricultural runoff.
  • Be mindful of fire restrictions, especially in dry seasons; while fires are allowed at places like Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping, it's crucial to check for burn bans before lighting up.
  • Bring a Discover Pass for parking at locations such as Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead to avoid any issues when accessing these beautiful sites.

Scenic Attractions for Dispersed Campers

  • Visit the picturesque waterfalls near Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping, where you can get up close to nature's beauty while enjoying a peaceful camping experience.
  • Explore the unique geological features and sagebrush landscapes at Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead, perfect for photography and nature walks.
  • Experience the tranquility of Martha Lake Dispersed Camping, where you can relax by the water and enjoy the serene surroundings, despite some noise from nearby I-90.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Quincy, WA is Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 31 dispersed camping locations near Quincy, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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