Dispersed camping near Roy, Washington provides wilderness access in the surrounding national forests with little or no facilities. The terrain features riverside and forest settings between 1,200 and 3,000 feet elevation, creating variable weather conditions throughout the camping season. Winter snow makes many routes impassable while summer brings temperatures ranging from 60-85°F and frequent fire restrictions depending on conditions.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: Several trails connect to dispersed camping areas around Roy. National Forest 84 offers creek-side spots with small hiking paths. One visitor noted, "Multiple beautiful spots in the same area. The sound of the creek is soothing overnight."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings at Joemma Beach State Park Campground provide opportunities for wildlife sightings. A camper shared, "Beach is walking distance. And you can walk around if you want we did spot a bald eagle early in the morning."
Fishing access: Some locations offer water access for fishing enthusiasts. At Joemma State Park, visitors appreciate the "long dock in the area where you can go fishing. You can walk along the beach as well."
What campers like
Riverside camping: The primitive camping sites along water provide natural soundscapes. At White River Dispersed Camping, campers enjoy "lots of spots along the river with multiple ingress/egress options from the road. Right outside the entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park."
Solitude options: Areas around Roy offer varying levels of privacy. At Cora Lake Back Country, a camper enjoyed complete seclusion: "We didn't have a ton of daylight left by the time we got there, but we also never saw another person during our trip."
Mountain views: Some dispersed sites feature views of Mount Rainier. Along NF-52 Dispersed Camping, campers report finding "an awesome walk in spot a little bit earlier on the forest road. While we didn't have the comfort of our car parked right next to us, we had spectacular views of Mt. Rainier, easy access down to the river, and a fire pit."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many access roads to dispersed camping require careful driving. About National Forest 84, a visitor warned, "The road itself is full of potholes, maybe wouldn't recommend if you have a old/low to the ground/2 wheel drive car."
Seasonal weather impacts: Camping conditions vary dramatically by season around Roy. At Ranger Creek Airstrip Dispersed, a visitor advised, "Best in late fall when it's cooler. Less loud drunkards. Don't get me wrong, I love my cocktails but can get a little obnoxious."
Wildlife management: Proper food storage is essential at primitive camping spots near Roy. One camper at Ranger Creek Airstrip Dispersed suggested, "I strongly suggest you have a way to secure your food and trash as there are lots of squirrels and raccoons."
Tips for camping with families
Best family spots: Some dispersed areas are more suitable for families with children. At Joemma Beach State Park, a visitor shared their experience: "Great local spot for FAMILIES and a party. But as a local, this is also the spot where you go to camp and party with friends and family. So if you're looking for quiet, that's not always the case here."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for sites with natural features that appeal to children. At Cora Lake, a camper noted, "Tons and tons of frogs and tadpoles which meant no bugs! Beautiful area."
Safety considerations: Evaluate sites for potential hazards. One visitor to Rock Candy Mountain cautioned, "There is a long drop if you lose control and fall off road. I feel if you did and survived the fall it would be expensive to recover your vehicle. To me it's too dangerous to risk trying to camp here if it ever became busy."
Tips from RVers
Big rig access: Several dispersed camping areas accommodate larger vehicles. At Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead, a camper advised: "The road gets pretty steep going up. Not suitable for anything wider than a class B."
RV-friendly sites: Not all dispersed areas can accommodate RVs. For those with larger rigs, Ranger Creek Airstrip offers "plenty of room for larger rigs, very close to a river and lots of woods to explore nearby. For larger rigs - take the second left at a Y-intersection, and then keep to the left and you won't have any trouble getting in."
Water access: No hookups exist at primitive camping sites near Roy, requiring self-sufficiency. A visitor to White River noted, "We went into Mt Rainier nat park and filled a 40 gallon tank from a waterfall along the road then pumped it into the RV."
