102 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dispersed camping areas near St. John in eastern Washington include several BLM-managed sites with minimal amenities. The Palouse region features free camping options like Hog Lake Campground and Fishtrap Recreation Area, offering primitive sites for tents and RVs with limited facilities. Escure Ranch/Rock Creek Recreation Area provides a more developed dispersed camping experience with picnic tables, vault toilets, and trash service. Bonnie Lake Island offers a unique boat-in camping experience for those seeking solitude in the scablands landscape.
The camping season varies across the region, with most sites accessible year-round but best visited in spring and fall. "The area is a very popular local fishing and recreation spot and gets crowded on the weekends," noted one visitor about nearby Cow Lake. Many dispersed sites feature rough dirt roads requiring higher clearance vehicles, particularly at locations like Escure Ranch where the last two miles are described as challenging. Cell service is generally available but spotty at more remote locations. Fire restrictions may apply during summer months when temperatures can exceed 90°F, while winter camping is possible but requires preparation for potential snow and freezing conditions.
Campers report that the region's landscape offers unique scenery characteristic of eastern Washington's channeled scablands. Several visitors highlighted the striking views and solitude as key attractions, with one describing Escure Ranch as having "magnificent" scenery despite primitive facilities. The area provides opportunities to experience dramatic butte formations, spring wildflowers, and dark night skies away from urban light pollution. Sites nearest to water bodies like Hog Lake and Rock Creek tend to be more popular, especially during fishing season. Visitors should be prepared for occasional train noise near some campgrounds, particularly those closer to highway corridors. Wildlife viewing opportunities include various bird species, with spring visits offering the best combination of moderate temperatures and natural beauty.
"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."
"Stopped here for a quick one-night stay while driving from Seattle to Montana. It's a free campsite located very close to the main highway, making it super convenient for a rest stop."
"Stayed for a night to breakup a long drive. Arrived Monday evening and was the only one here. It’s just a large gravel parking lot with a single vault toilet, no other services."
"But it has a really nice hiking trail behind it. Worth a stop, but not for long term camping"
"The last two miles driving in is a rough dirt road, and a vehicle with ground clearance is highly desirable."
"The drive was mostly dirt roads. I managed just fine in a Subaru for context. The hike itself was incredible and a bit primitive at points. Bring bug spray and maybe a machete lol."
"This is a primitive site on an island in Bonnie Lake in Eastern Washington. Bonnie lake is a canyon lake, about 4 miles long and narrow."
"After visiting nearby Palouse Falls, we found this great free place to camp on BLM land near Escure Ranch in eastern Washington."
"I love coming here whenever I visit Washington. I’ve grown up around this place and will always love it"
"There’s a little trail at Kamiak Butte and you can access it via a trailhead near the entrance of the campground. I did the hike on a Saturday and there were quite few other hikers on the trail."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Others had to unhook and park their trucks away from the campsite. There is a train across the lake that runs all hours of the day and night. Very expensive for a full hook. $85 for one night."
"The camp host came out and greeted us warmly, despite being nearly midnight. She picked out the perfect spot for us and walked us there."
from $65 - $85 / night
Check Availability"I found this looking for the BLM land by Fishtrap lake. It might even be called that not Hog lake campground, but it was a little hard to find. You can't camp at the fishtrap lake trail head."
"Multiple water spigots close by. Lots of walking trails nearby and a cool suspension bridge over the river. Other than the lack of solitude, absolutely no complaints."
"If you want to camp but still be close to all the city amenities then this is the spot for you. Beautiful location by the river with miles of biking & walking trails."
from $12 - $111 / night
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TravelerVery flat spot several miles off ethe interstate. Small 2 lane road next to it. Lots of sites, nothing marked just back in and hang out. No water and electricity, but great for FREE! Convience store down the road with gas and a few things.
Travelercar camped at this location. parking lot is bright at night and highway noise was loud but it was a free place to sleep! they just ask that you check in at customer service before staying the night.
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are traveling through the Inland Northwest along the Interstate 90 or US-2 corridors on your way to or from Glacier National Park, Northern Quest RV Resort in Airway Heights (just west of Spokane) is a premier place to pull in. We stopped here along our route, and it immediately stood out as one of the cleanest, most manicured RV resorts we’ve stayed at.
Site Quality and Resort Atmosphere
The standard of maintenance across this entire property is top-tier:
Resort Perks and Casino Shuttle
You get all the conveniences of a luxury resort without having to unhook your tow vehicle to go explore:
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Northern Quest RV Resort strikes the perfect balance between high-end RV resort luxury and effortless road-trip practicality. Between the pristine green grass pads, spotless grounds, ultra-convenient fueling, and complimentary casino shuttle, it takes all the friction out of a travel day. It is an outstanding stopover for big rigs and road-trippers alike, and our crew would gladly stay here again.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
GuideI've been staying here for about a week. It's very clean and well kept. The neighbors all seem to keep to themselves. Not a lot of shade but there are trees around the outside of the park. Getting in and out of the camping spots is very easy. We have full hook ups and WiFi is included along with water but you do get charged for electricity. Long term camping requires a background check but it's the best rate for such amenities. (My winter rate is 636 for 28 days). The only complaint I have is the noise. There is a lot of road noise throughout the day and a lot of the night. This isn't really the park's fault though, Spokane is noisy.
GuideWe called while we were on our way. First that is not the telephone number.We finally talked to the lady who was scattered , not there and didn’t meet us there. A lady from the city met us and when we said we didn’t want to spend $50 for an empty lot in the warehouse district. She let us camp for free at the city park. It is not set up for RVs but she said they do let tent campers stay there. Call the city. Oh it is now called the Dusty Boot I believe.
RangerNot far off the main, road was decent. Not a ton of shade but good places to park or pop a tent. Only a few flies, really pretty scenery. Good cell signal, nice place.
GuideWe are normally boondockers but stayed here one night to restock, shower and do laundry. It was $92 with tax ($75 without) but was worth it. The laundry was $3.25 per wash or dry, so a little pricey but the dryers were HOT. We could've done 2 wash loads and gotten them both dry with one dryer payment. The showers were clean and hot. Campground was meticulously clean and quiet (some highway noise). We even got a workout in (with our own equipment) in their community room. And the front desk attendant was friendly and very helpful.
TravelerWasted a lot of time to discover the campground is closed, and is still not for military personnel. A military ID is required to enter, when it’s open
TravelerNice free spot for campervan, sign said camping limit 14 days.
Dispersed camping near St. John, Washington offers numerous options in the channeled scablands region at elevations ranging from 1,500-2,000 feet. The area features dramatic basalt formations created by ancient Ice Age floods that carved the distinctive landscape. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F during July and August, creating challenging camping conditions at exposed sites.
Hiking at Rock Creek BLM: Follow nature trails through BLM land near Escure Ranch / Rock Creek Recreation Area where you can observe diverse wildlife. "There's a great little hiking trail and roads to explore off of. I heard there are giant fish in the nearby creek, but watch out for rattle snakes!" notes camper Evan S.
Night photography opportunities: The region's dark skies provide excellent stargazing conditions. At Escure Ranch, one visitor described their experience as "an amateur and took my time to learn my camera a bit. This little adventure was my favorite thus far this year." The isolation from light pollution makes astrophotography particularly rewarding.
Spring wildflower viewing: Early season visits (April-May) showcase wildflower displays across the scabland terrain. At Hog Lake Campground, the landscape transforms with seasonal blooms. The spring months offer "moderate temperatures and natural beauty" according to visitor reports.
Quiet isolation: Many campers appreciate the solitude of these remote sites. At Fishtrap Recreation Area, one visitor noted it was "nice and relaxing" while another described hearing "wild turkeys, a variety of birds, the sound of coyotes not far, field squirrels and snakes."
Wide-open spaces: The expansive terrain offers unobstructed views and camping flexibility. "It's a fine large gravel pull out. I did see 3 little spots on the way in as well," reported one Fishtrap camper, while another mentioned, "Lots of spots you can pull into. Road is decent the 02 Outback handled them loaded."
Night sky viewing: The dark skies create memorable stargazing experiences. At Escure Ranch, a visitor described the appeal: "This is a lovely secluded spot for amazing star-gazing on a clear night. At night it is in complete darkness, away from traffic noise, and you can hear the coyotes as they move nearer."
Accessibility considerations: Some sites offer better accessibility than others. At Escure Ranch / Rock Creek Recreation Area, a camper noted, "It is very flat and would be reasonably accessible for someone using a wheelchair or with other mobility restrictions. The picnic tables are even accessible!"
Wildlife safety: Be prepared for wildlife encounters including rattlesnakes. One camper at Hog Lake reported, "Saw a rattlesnake on the trail but we kept our distance and he went on his way. Be kind to the animals, it's their home."
Remote conditions: These sites lack many amenities. "No portable water for humans, so bring your own," advised an Escure Ranch visitor. Another Hog Lake camper warned, "Kind of littered with trash just about everywhere. Broken glass in some sites so be careful."
Site selection: Choose campgrounds with better facilities for family comfort. At Kamiak Butte County Park, "The sites are inexpensive. Running water and pit toilets on site. Very nice playground in the day use area," notes one reviewer.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids enjoy observing the abundant small wildlife. "So many chipmunks, dog friendly, well organized. Fairly cheap and good for families," reports a Kamiak Butte visitor.
Space considerations: Some sites offer more room for family setups. At Kamiak Butte, "We stayed in site #4 which was right at the end with glimpses of the Palouse through the trees and lots of space. You could easily set up 2 tents there."
Road condition awareness: Many access roads present challenges for larger vehicles. For Hog Lake Campground, a camper noted, "We have a 21ft trailer towed behind a pickup truck and it's able to fit in most spots. None of these are really official spots (not flattened or bordered) but it's a nice place to pass through."
Sound considerations: Noise from trains affects some campgrounds. "There are train tracks that parallel the highway, so the further you go down the gravel road, the further you'll be from the train noise," advised a Hog Lake visitor.
Parking logistics: For RVs, finding level sites can be challenging. At Fishtrap Recreation Area, a tent camper warned, "I will advise tent campers it is tent accessible but not the easiest spot in a tent. The soil is very dry and a couple of the spots were hard rocks and not accessible for tents... this site is much easier with an RV or van."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near St. John, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, St. John, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 102 campgrounds and RV parks near St. John, WA and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near St. John, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. John, WA is Hog Lake Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 44 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near St. John, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near St. John, WA.
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