The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Rockport, WA

39 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Several dispersed camping options exist in the forested areas surrounding Rockport, Washington, primarily on National Forest land. NF Dispersed Camping, Lower Sandy Camp, Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite, and Mountain Loop Highway Dispersed Camp provide primitive camping opportunities with varying levels of accessibility. These sites are situated along forest roads, near streams and lakes, with many located in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Most require a Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent permit for overnight stays.

Access roads to dispersed sites range from gravel to dirt with occasional potholes and rough sections. Many areas require high-clearance vehicles, particularly for sites along Baker Lake Road and those deeper into forest service routes. Limited amenities exist at these locations—Lower Sandy Camp has picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets, while most other sites lack facilities entirely. Fire restrictions apply seasonally, typically during summer months when fire danger is high. Water access varies by location, with only Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite noting drinking water availability among the dispersed options.

The primitive camping experience in this region features stunning mountain views and river access. "Beautiful area, small town nearby where you could likely pick up a few things," one camper noted about NF Dispersed Camping. Sites near water are particularly valued, with another visitor sharing that Lower Sandy Camp offers "lots of spots with tables and fire rings, some spots have nice tent pads." However, site conditions vary significantly. Several reviews mention trash problems at some locations, while others praise the seclusion and natural beauty. Baker Lake Road sites provide what one visitor called an "incredible view" in a "very serene" setting. Campers should be prepared for limited or no cell service, particularly at sites farther from main roads, and expect varying levels of crowding depending on season and proximity to popular recreation areas.

Map showing campgrounds near Rockport, WashingtonExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Rockport, Washington (21)

    1. NF Dispersed Camping

    12 Reviews
    Marblemount, WA
    13 miles

    "CLEARANCE NEEDED - around the same amount as the Subaru line of vehicles or greater - 4wd not necessary)

    Beautiful area, small town nearby where you could likely pick up a few things. I didnt stop."

    "Beautiful spot near the water also has some more secluded spots if wanted. Didn’t see too many people. And had no issues picking a spot to car camp. Definitely recommend."

    2. Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

    7 Reviews
    Concrete, WA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 854-2553

    "Arrived around 4pm on a Friday and there were a few spots left. Pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available. No water. Got a spot with lake and Mountain View’s."

    "Loved this free campground on Baker Lake near mt baker, WA! Take the first turn after horseshoe cove campground and follow the gravel road all the way to the lake."

    3. Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite

    6 Reviews
    Concrete, WA
    17 miles

    "Stayed at one that was overlooking the lake. Lots of spots with easy lake access. Pros: free, good views, easy to get to, plenty of spots (even on Labor Day), fire rings."

    "No facilities! The drive in is easy."

    4. Old Quarry by Sulphur Creek

    3 Reviews
    Concrete, WA
    14 miles

    5. Baker Lake Tent camping

    1 Review
    Concrete, WA
    17 miles

    "The lower is right by a river that spills into the lake on the other side of the road."

    6. Suiattle Riverside Camp

    1 Review
    Darrington, WA
    18 miles

    7. Baker Pull-Off

    1 Review
    Concrete, WA
    17 miles

    "There’s 2 little walkways down to your own little private section of the lake. Beautiful."

    8. Hard Creek Bridge

    1 Review
    Marblemount, WA
    17 miles

    9. Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp

    4 Reviews
    Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 436-1155

    "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"

    "Easy to find and peaceful next to the river. No noise from the road."

    10. Baker Lake Horse Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Marblemount, WA
    18 miles
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 21 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Rockport Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Rockport, WA

21 Photos of 21 Rockport Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Rockport, WA

39 Reviews of 21 Rockport Campgrounds

  • Theresa K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2023

    Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek

    Repulsive

    Every dispersed campground we checked along this road (maybe five or so) was littered with human feces and toilet paper everywhere. We found a literal bucket of human waste beside the river with a soiled pool noodle nearby I can only assume was being used as a toilet seat. Please, if you care about keeping nature wild, carry out your toilet paper and dig a cathole or use the outhouse in the campground. If you don’t know what a cathole is, you should probably should not being using dispersed camping and try the campground down the road. We ended up staying at the campground because we couldn’t find dispersed camping where there wasn’t poop and had a positive experience there. Leave no trace!! 

    https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm

  • Sara J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek

    Beckler creek riverside

    Nice large campsite near the water. There were many campsites along the road. I had to clean up a lot of trash when it got here. Please pack out your own trash and follow other leave no trace rules. The campfire was awesome

  • Eric O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite

    All things considered, good spot

    Many pull offs along the gravel road. Stayed at one that was overlooking the lake. Lots of spots with easy lake access.

    Pros: free, good views, easy to get to, plenty of spots (even on Labor Day), fire rings.

    Cons: some spots have lots of trash (please remember leave no trace), most spots are along the gravel road so there are cars passing by every once in a while and sometimes they go by quite quickly kicking up lots of dust.

    All things considered, pretty good spot and would stay again.

  • H
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

    Quiet camp with great views

    Arrived around 4pm on a Friday and there were a few spots left. Pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available. No water. Got a spot with lake and Mountain View’s. Very small, quiet, stunning campground. Felt safe. We have a rooftop tent, not many sites with large enough spots to park trailers or vans. Mostly tent sites that are walk in. Mostly open, some sites in the forest. Had one bar of Verizon service. Would stay again!

  • T
    Oct. 27, 2021

    Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek

    Dispersed camping along Beckler Creek

    Found this sweet spot a little bit ago. 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2023

    Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

    Great free spot on Baker Lake

    Loved this free campground on Baker Lake near mt baker, WA! Take the first turn after horseshoe cove campground and follow the gravel road all the way to the lake.

    Lots of spots with tables and fire rings, some spots have nice tent pads. Some sites are marked and some are not. There’s a single pit toilet and no running water. Seems like a pretty popular spot but we were able to get a site mid week at the end of August.

    Parking for some of the spots is not the best but we were still able to car camp comfortably. Will definitely be staying here again!

  • Russel M.
    Mar. 31, 2023

    NF Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful

    No rain while I was there but I dont imagine it would get too muddy/sloppy. The road does have minimal gravel lining it. (CLEARANCE NEEDED - around the same amount as the Subaru line of vehicles or greater - 4wd not necessary)

    Beautiful area, small town nearby where you could likely pick up a few things. I didnt stop. Gas station nearby.

    There is a fast flowing stream with crystal clear water. Quiet mountain/forest area. No sounds of civilization. Multiple turnouts/improvised camping spaces. Keep driving till you find one you like. Easy to access the creak bank at any point along the road by walking through a little brush.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2024

    NF Dispersed Camping

    Bacon Point

    Beautiful spot near the water also has some more secluded spots if wanted. Didn’t see too many people. And had no issues picking a spot to car camp. Definitely recommend.

Guide to Rockport

Dispersed camping opportunities around Rockport, Washington provide backcountry access to Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest at elevations ranging from 900 to 2,100 feet. The terrain features dense coniferous forest with frequent creek and river access points. Many primitive sites experience significant seasonal mud and dust conditions depending on rainfall patterns, with forest service roads requiring careful navigation.

What to do

Water activities: Baker Lake offers swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities from several dispersed camping locations. Sites along Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite provide direct water access. "There are 2 little walkways down to your own little private section of the lake. Beautiful," notes a visitor to Baker Pull-Off.

Wildlife viewing: Forest campsites provide chances to spot native wildlife. "The morning we were able to watch a fish swim upstream and large buck taking a stroll along the creek," reports one camper at NF Dispersed Camping.

Star gazing: Limited light pollution makes this area ideal for astronomy enthusiasts. "Starlink works OK here," mentions a camper at Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite when describing the evening sky views.

What campers like

River sounds: Many campsites feature natural water sounds that enhance the camping experience. At Suiattle Riverside Camp, one visitor describes it as "magical" with "a stream rushing over rocks. Ferns and big pines in the background."

Secluded spots: Despite overall popularity, private sites can be found with some persistence. "We found this site tucked amongst the trees; a very large clearing creek side," writes a camper about NF Dispersed Camping. Another notes, "Spots are not near each other so you get privacy that way."

Budget-friendly: Free camping options provide affordable access to spectacular settings. At Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp, campers find "meandering sites along the river with good logs for benches and fire rings made from forest rocks."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. "Tons of semi-deep pot holes in the road," warns one NF Dispersed Camping visitor. Another notes at Hard Creek Bridge that "it's a back in spot best for car/van camping - not an RV."

Site maintenance concerns: Visitor reports indicate inconsistent site cleanliness. "The sites were not very clean. Saw 2 busted up cars... both had graffiti in them," reports one camper. Another mentions that "some spots have lots of trash."

Variable site conditions: Topography affects comfort at many locations. A visitor to Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp mentions "the somewhat steep walk downhill from parking to the site" as the only downside to an otherwise perfect location.

Tips for camping with families

Water safety planning: Sites with water access require careful supervision. A camper at Baker Lake Road notes the area is "set up for a good time during the summer break with rope swings hanging from the branches," but parents should assess safety.

Site selection timing: Early arrival improves family site options. "Arrived around 4pm on a Friday and there were a few spots left," reports a visitor to Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp, which has "pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available."

Bug preparation: Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite visitors warn of significant insect activity: "A TON of mosquitos so bring your spray!"

Tips from RVers

Vehicle restrictions: Many dispersed sites have limited access for larger vehicles. "The road was rough. We have a 27 foot rv I would not bring any trailers down here," advises a visitor to NF Dispersed Camping.

Leveling challenges: Uneven terrain affects setup at many primitive sites near Rockport. "Not super level, but worked with limited options available," notes one camper about NF Dispersed Camping.

Alternative parking strategies: Some campers found creative solutions when designated areas were unavailable. One visitor reports, "Had to camp on the side of the previous road because the site was blocked by a parked rock truck."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Rockport, WA is NF Dispersed Camping with a 4-star rating from 12 reviews.

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

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

Keep Exploring

  3. View all Washington cities for camping