Bureau of Land Management areas near Rockford, Washington provide numerous free camping opportunities along lakes and forest roads. Elevations range from 2,000-2,500 feet with summer temperatures typically reaching 85°F to 95°F during July and August. Dispersed camping areas within 30-45 minutes of Spokane allow stays between 7-14 days depending on specific regulations.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Escure Ranch/Rock Creek Recreation Area offers a three-mile trail through Washington's Channeled Scablands to Towell Falls. A reviewer noted, "The hike itself was incredible and a bit primitive at points. Bring bug spray and maybe a machete lol. I was getting close to where one of the waterfalls was and ran into a Coyote who would not budge."
Fishing access: Rose Lake provides bank fishing and boat access with a dock. One camper mentioned, "Nice dock to go out to fish on as well. 1 vault toilet. Nice big parking lot for boats and trailers! Right off of i90." The lake supports bass and panfish populations during warmer months.
Stargazing: Open areas with minimal light pollution create excellent night sky viewing conditions. At Escure Ranch, a visitor reported, "The best part was pure luck as I setup camp on the road back during a new moon which was perfect for star gazing and astro photography. I'm an amateur and took my time to learn my camera a bit."
What campers like
Lake views: Hog Lake Campground offers waterfront views from several sites. A camper shared, "We got in around 10:30pm with our campervan and while most places were taken up, we thought we got lucky with the one closest to the lake... Only to wake up to see a tent there in the morning. Beautiful view of the lake!"
Privacy options: Multiple dispersed sites provide varying degrees of seclusion. At Fishtrap Recreation Area, campers note, "Sites are spaced out well though," while another mentioned, "A nice location! I will advise tent campers it is tent accessible but not the easiest spot in a tent."
Accessibility: Many sites can accommodate different camping styles. A reviewer at Hog Lake wrote, "The road was easy to find and there were so many great sites. There is a porta potty too. We found a site that was both tent-able and hammock-able."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. At Bull Run Access, a camper reported, "We were able to get our fifth wheel (40ft long, 13 1/2 ft tall) in and out easy! Lots of spaces and places to turn around." However, other areas may require higher clearance vehicles.
Wildlife awareness: Beyond coyotes, campers should prepare for insects. One Hog Lake visitor warned, "Lots of mosquitoes though!" while another at Bull Run Access noted, "Close to the water so of course, there were some bugs: lots of bees and mosquitoes."
Seasonal limitations: Spring offers optimal conditions for many areas. At Escure Ranch, a reviewer advised, "The best time to visit is in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom and before the RATTLESNAKES get populous."
Tips for camping with families
Safety precautions: Bring adequate water supplies as most sites lack potable water. At Fishtrap Recreation Area, a camper warned, "Would try this again maybe when it's nicer weather. It was too hot for us to hang around. Not many spots with shade."
Space considerations: Bonnie Lake Island offers unique boat-in camping but limited space. A visitor explained, "The island is rocky and brushy with enough flat spaces for a tent or two and trees for hammocks." Plan accordingly for family-sized setups.
Noise factors: Consider proximity to highways and railroads. At Fishtrap, one camper noted it has "a very strange energy about it...though we were here on a hot weekend so perhaps the discomfort with the heat colored our experience."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for level areas suitable for larger rigs. A Fishtrap Recreation Area visitor noted, "The soil is very dry and a couple of the spots were hard rocks and not accessible for tents. We did end up finding a spot in our tent, but this is site is much easier with an RV or van."
Parking logistics: At Rose Lake, a camper explained, "There seemed to be two large lots (one grass, one gravel) that were camping permissible. We were in the second gravel lot. There appeared to be 5 total groups of campers spread over two spacious lots with plenty room for more."
Resource management: Since no hookups exist at free camping sites near Rockford, one RVer at Hog Lake recommended, "We have stayed here twice while driving through the area. It's quiet and really close to the highway. There are 10-12 spots along the gravel road to Hog Lake."
