Dispersed camping near St. John, Washington offers campers access to the eastern Washington channeled scablands, characterized by ancient flood-carved landscapes with exposed basalt formations and prairie vegetation. These BLM sites typically experience hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while spring brings moderate 60-70°F days and frequent wildflower blooms. Most camping areas remain snow-free and accessible during winter months, though temperatures can drop below freezing overnight.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: At Escure Ranch / Rock Creek Recreation Area, follow the 3-mile trail to Towell Falls through unique scabland terrain. "The hike itself was incredible and a bit primitive at points. Bring bug spray and maybe a machete lol," advises one camper who encountered coyotes on the trail.
Wildlife photography: Early mornings offer opportunities to photograph deer, coyotes, wild turkeys, and various bird species. At Fishtrap Recreation Area, visitors note encounters with diverse wildlife: "We experience wild turkeys, a variety of birds, the sound of coyotes not far, field squirrels and snakes."
Paddling exploration: Bonnie Lake Island requires navigating Rock Creek by canoe or kayak. "Access is by paddling up Rock Creek about a mile and another 1/2 mile paddle up the lake. The creek can be seasonally shallow and you'll have to portage across at least one beaver dam," notes one camper describing this boat-in campsite.
Astrophotography: The dark skies away from city lights create ideal conditions for night sky photography. One camper at Fishtrap Recreation Area found unexpected opportunities: "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."
What campers like
Accessible wilderness: Despite the remote feel, many free camping areas near St. John remain relatively accessible. "The area is a very popular local fishing and recreation spot and gets crowded on the weekends," notes a camper at Cow Lake, adding that "most vehicles shouldn't have any problems" on the dirt access roads.
Unique geology: The channeled scablands landscape creates distinctive camping environments. "THE VIEWS are a must see, the scablands of Washington are up there with the badlands in unique," writes a camper about Escure Ranch.
Quiet weekdays: For those seeking solitude, timing matters. "Rock creek runs through this lovely BLM land with 2 sets of falls. It's a great spot in late winter or early spring if you're looking for solitude. We visited in February and saw 4 or 5 people, but no one stayed the night except us."
Riverside camping: Riparia offers sites along the Snake River with water access. "You can easily set up a tent and float along the river's edge. There are a few little coves that are nice for kids to play in and great to stay out of the river current."
What you should know
Seasonal wildlife concerns: Rattlesnakes become active during summer months. "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," advises a camper at Hog Lake Campground.
Limited facilities: Free camping sites lack drinking water and have minimal or no facilities. At Riparia, "there is NO running water available, unless you want to get some from the river(NOT suggested)" and "ZERO cell service at the campsite. You can get service if you absolutely need it at the top of Hammer Grade road, it's steep."
Variable site conditions: Many dispersed sites lack designated camping pads. "A nice location! 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," notes a Fishtrap visitor.
Environmental impacts: Trash accumulation affects some sites. Campers report "broken glass in some sites so be careful" at Hog Lake, while another visitor to Cow Lake noted "bagged trash left from previous campers."
Tips for camping with families
Weather planning: Summer heat can be intense for younger campers. "It was too hot for us to hang around. Not many spots with shade," reports a Fishtrap visitor, suggesting early morning or evening for outdoor activities.
Swimming options: River access points provide cooling opportunities. "We used to frequent this park quite often. It is a tiny forest tucked away along the river.... when I say tiny, I mean fairy like," shares a Riparia camper about the family-friendly water access.
Wildlife education: Turn animal encounters into learning experiences. At Fishtrap, families can observe diverse wildlife: "We enjoyed our stay here. We experience wild turkeys, a variety of birds, the sound of coyotes not far, field squirrels and snakes."
Noise considerations: Some areas experience periodic train noise. At Hog Lake Campground, "the further you go down the gravel road, the further you'll be from the train noise."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Finding level, accessible spots requires advance scouting. "This campsite was the perfect break in our drive from North Cascades to Glacier. The road was easy to find and there were so many great sites," reports a Hog Lake camper.
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality throughout the year. "Drive in was a little rough," notes a Cow Lake visitor, while another camper adds that "your trailer, tow vehicle and anything in the bed is going to get dusty getting here and leaving. It's a decent trek down a gravel road."
Limited hookups: Plan for self-contained camping. "Many of the spots are RV accessible a decent gravel road goes through the entire area. Very little traffic people seem to care about the area cuz it's really clean. No hookups excellent phone service cell phone towers just around the corner," shares a Hog Lake visitor.
Water conservation: With no water access, tank management becomes crucial. A Riparia camper notes: "We stayed here in the most shaded part of the campground with our Travel Trailer with a 50 gallon fresh water tank. It lasted the 4 of us the 5 day weekend."
