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Dispersed camping in the Snoqualmie Valley area near Redmond offers multiple primitive sites along forest roads and river corridors, predominantly on U.S. Forest Service land. South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site and Old Cascades Highway Dispersed camping area serve as the primary free options within an hour's drive of Redmond. These areas provide off-grid camping opportunities without developed facilities, typical of backcountry sites on public lands. Several additional dispersed sites exist along Mountain Loop Highway and near Keechelus Lake, providing alternatives for those seeking more remote experiences.
Many access roads to these sites contain significant potholes and rough sections that may challenge low-clearance vehicles. The South Fork Snoqualmie River road receives consistent mentions of poor conditions, with visitors noting "the road has a TON of holes so I wouldn't recommend driving down it without good ground clearance." Most sites lack drinking water, toilets, and trash service, requiring visitors to pack out all waste. Cell service varies by location, with South Fork Snoqualmie offering surprisingly good connectivity. Fire restrictions apply seasonally, and camping is generally limited to 14 days on national forest lands.
The dispersed sites near Redmond provide proximity to alpine lakes, rivers, and extensive trail networks. South Fork Snoqualmie sites offer varying degrees of seclusion, with a camper noting that "if you keep going down the road you'll find plenty of quiet and private places." Highway noise impacts some locations, as "you can hear the road from most camping spots." Many campers report encountering trash at established sites, particularly at more accessible spots. The primitive camping areas on Mountain Loop Highway feature "meandering sites along the river with good logs for benches and fire rings made from forest rocks," according to a visitor. Most dispersed sites fill quickly on summer weekends, with better availability on weekdays.
"Access road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn’t recommend driving down it without good ground clearance."
"PLEASE LEAVE NO TRACE! Other wise we really enjoyed a quick night away in our van."
"This place is the best free camping in Washington. Coming from the Skykomish direction I believe it’s the turnoff to the right, right before the bridge."
"Just a couple miles East of Skykomish, up a paved road, the campsite is just before you go over the bridge on your right and had enough room for high clearance vehicles to pull into it and smaller cars"
"The dispersed sites are on the narrow, gravel section. There are a few on the paved area but most have been blocked off. Even on the gravel section most are pull-offs or quite close to the road."
"the better spots were once the road turned to gravel, found a spot by the stream, parked the car to protect us. if staying longer i’d say it’s best to keep going to south fork sauk. but it was nice for"
"Great spot to land after long day of driving."
"Super easy to drive up to the lake and camp, have a fire, hang out and explore!"
"The lake is ice cold, which is nice if you’re just finished a hot hike in. There are some areas sort of cleared for camping, that have clearly been used before."
"Easy stair stopped trail; a bit harder with a 40# pack. Lots of camp sites to choose from, but the one on the far shore of the lake is my fav. Great for groups. Primitive toilets along the way."
"Hike was definitely challenging for middle aged man but I made it and my 10 year old did too (albeit after handing his backpack to dad to carry)."
"We hiked in to Annette Lake to test out some new backpacking gear as we’re just getting into backpacking - it was great!"
from $5 / night
Check Availability"Skylomish is a fairly short drive away from the city but towards the mountains. You have a great view of the water in some places and it’s still pretty peaceful and quiet."
"Our favorite camp spots are right on the water, and most spots you'll find here deliver - creeks run through the (what seems to be) endless forest, trees provide shade and lovely hammock set ups, and most"
from $50 / night
"Very nice dispersed location. We stayed for one night on the way to another place. Good locations, many large pull in spots. Shade is excellent and you can walk in to water spots."
"Very secluded with lots of privacy in a beautiful forest with a private trail leading from our campsite to the river. Drive carefully coming in as the road has many potholes and bring bug spray."
"Some are right on the road, others are tucked away. For the ones that are more tucked away you definitely need a high clearance 4WD vehicle but it’s case by case."
"The site was right next to a rushing creek running down to the Saul River. It was beautiful and we had a restful time even on a holiday weekend!"
RangerIt was MAGICAL- mushrooms, fall leaves, and moss everywhere. Keep in mind that there’s no signal, Starlink nor cell.. we also were freezing at night (35 degrees) in early October and the spots were tricky for our bigger rig. But if you have a smaller rig there’s tons of places off of road 73 for dispersed camping. Bumpy road to get there but keep on driving and you’ll find places with even firepits.
LegendThe dispersed sites are on the narrow, gravel section. There are a few on the paved area but most have been blocked off. Even on the gravel section most are pull-offs or quite close to the road. They are dispersed sites so no amenities. Most are close or have access to the Sauk River. The road and TH’s were very busy but cleared out as evening settled in.
LegendRoad closures due to a bridge out closed off probably the better sites up top but we did find a great spot off the road with a view. Enjoyed a nice evening under the stars and a campfire.
LegendThe reviews here seem to be from two different places
Parking lot up by the logging operation is fine
Down the road by the creek is a bunch of permanent trailers
Be nice if people reviewed the proper spots
LegendAmazing but a bit dirty and lots of other campers. We stopped for a river visit but didn’t stay the night
ScoutWe left someone left trash everywhere
ScoutFound a cool site closer to the water when a random tweaker came through our site from his site down the hill with a whole ass machete cutting through some greenery then came back with a buddy while we were down by the river filling our water and rinsing off in our swimsuits STILL WITH THE MACHETE IN HAND and starts hollering to scare us off so they could fish??? If you wanted the spot near the river to fish just use that spot and not come through someone else's and scare them off. Be careful if you come here bc he seemed like he's been here before and likes to frequent this site
Scoutbe sure to check the keechelus reservoir level before going because fs-9070 is closed when reservoir is less than 49% capacity
GuideThe area is incredibly quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. If you're heading out here, I highly encourage continuing past the main entrance spots and pushing a little farther down the road/trail. Camping closer to the water makes for an even better experience—waking up next to the river sound and scenery is well worth the extra bit of effort. Great dispersed location for anyone looking to unplug and enjoy nature!
Dispersed camping near Redmond, Washington offers primitive options throughout the Snoqualmie National Forest, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet. Free camping spots can be found along forest roads, many requiring high-clearance vehicles due to unmaintained access points. During summer months, temperatures typically range between 60-80°F during the day and 40-50°F at night.
Explore river access spots: Several sites along Old Cascades Highway Dispersed provide water access. "We could walk to the river and sit by it for the evening before heading back to the car to sleep," notes one visitor who enjoyed the peaceful setting.
Hike to alpine lakes: Many dispersed camping areas serve as gateways to mountain lakes. At Annette Lake, "The 4 mile hike in was just enough of a challenge for our first time with weight in our packs. We went left where the trail splits at the lake. There are campsites both sides, but lake access is really easy on the left side."
Berry picking: Summer months offer foraging opportunities in the Skykomish area. A camper mentions the "Fantastic berry picking & great views (when there is no smoke)" found along Highway 2 east to Stevens Pass, making for a productive afternoon activity.
Riverside campsites: Many free camping areas near Redmond feature water proximity. At Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp, visitors appreciate the "Meandering sites along the river with good logs for benches and fire rings made from forest rocks."
Cell service in remote areas: Unlike many backcountry locations, some dispersed sites maintain connectivity. A camper at Keechelus Lake described it as a "Sweet spot with uber PNW vibes (water, tree lines, mountains, etc.). I love any spot where I can camp free and safely at night and wake up early to paddleboard a few hundred feet away."
Natural water features: Multiple dispersed camping areas feature creeks and small waterfalls. One camper at Old Cascades Highway noted "the sound of the waterfalls drowns it all out" when describing how the natural noise blocked traffic sounds.
Seasonal closures: Some free camping areas close during specific periods. Keechelus Lake implements closures "when water gets below 2840 ft to protect the fish they close the road and no camping is permitted."
Road condition challenges: Many access roads to free camping near Redmond require appropriate vehicles. A camper at Beckler Creek Dispersed Camping mentioned "Various dispersed camping spots along the road and up the forest service roads. There are some really sweet spots along the road with water access."
Weekend crowding: Summer weekends see high demand at most accessible sites. One visitor noted that at Old Cascades Highway, "there are no fewer than 9 campsites within less than a mile either side of the bridge," but they fill quickly during peak periods.
Environmental concerns: Many dispersed sites show impacts from heavy use. A camper reported having to "clean up a lot of trash" at Beckler Creek and reminds others to "please pack out your own trash and follow other leave no trace rules."
Safety awareness: Some dispersed sites present natural hazards requiring supervision. At South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site, one visitor cautions "be very cautious as near one of the camp sites are very dangerous plants that are fatal and they are lined all around the campground so not recommended if you have children."
Timing visits: For family trips, weekday camping offers better site selection. At South Fork Snoqualmie River, "if you keep going down the road you'll find plenty of quiet and private places" according to experienced visitors.
Bug preparation: Summer months bring increased insect activity. One camper mentioned "there are plenty of mosquitoes" at several sites, recommending families pack appropriate repellent, especially for evening hours.
Clearance requirements: Many dispersed sites have challenging access roads. At Old Cascades Highway, a van camper warns about "a big rock right in the turn down to the site. We were in a Sprinter rental (extended) and we made it around it, so it's do-able. I would suggest to get out of the van and look before attempting."
Limited large vehicle sites: Most free camping areas near Redmond accommodate smaller rigs only. "It was hard to find a large enough spot that was also level to park our van," noted one RVer at Old Cascades Highway Dispersed, adding that the "road is paved, so no worries about destroying a tire."
Alternate parking strategies: Some RVers create their own solutions when standard sites won't work. One camper with an 18-foot travel trailer found South Fork Snoqualmie workable, noting "I've come in twice on a Saturday afternoon and have been able to find an open spot."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Redmond, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Redmond, WA is South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site with a 3.9-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Redmond, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 dispersed camping locations near Redmond, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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