Dog-Friendly Camping near St. John, WA

Dispersed camping near St. John, Washington provides access to the channeled scablands region formed by ancient glacial floods. Located in eastern Washington at approximately 1,950 feet elevation, this area experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters with limited rainfall year-round. The terrain consists primarily of rolling hills with exposed basalt formations and sparse vegetation.

What to do

Hiking at Fishtrap Recreation Area: This BLM land features several hiking trails connecting to the camping area. "There is a nice hiking trail behind it. Worth a stop, but not for long term camping," notes one visitor to Fishtrap Recreation Area.

Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife including wild turkeys, coyotes, and various bird species. "We experience wild turkeys, a variety of birds, the sound of coyotes not far, field squirrels and snakes," reports a camper at Fishtrap Recreation Area.

Stargazing opportunities: Limited light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "The night skies are particularly dark because you're a long way from any civilization," mentions a visitor to Escure Ranch/Rock Creek Recreation Area. Another camper adds, "The stars at night were amazing."

What campers like

Solitude and quiet: Many sites remain uncrowded, especially on weekdays. At Hog Lake Campground, one camper notes, "This spot has made many memories for me... honestly it doesn't feel like this place is well known. I don't find many folks there every time I go."

Accessibility: Most dispersed sites feature reasonably passable roads for standard vehicles. "Road is decent the 02 Outback handled them loaded," reports one Fishtrap visitor.

Free camping options: All BLM sites in the area provide no-cost camping. "Great free camping near Spokane and supplies," mentions a camper at Fishtrap Recreation Area.

Lake access: Several sites offer access to water for fishing or paddling. "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," explains a visitor at Hog Lake Campground.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites have minimal amenities. "There is trash dumpster and 1 porta potty that when we were here was kinda gross. Use your own if you have one," advises a Fishtrap camper.

Weather considerations: Summer temperatures can reach 90°F+ with minimal shade. "It was too hot for us to hang around. Not many spots with shade," notes one visitor to Fishtrap.

Road conditions: Access roads may deteriorate seasonally. "The last two miles driving in is a rough dirt road, and a vehicle with ground clearance is highly desirable," warns a visitor to Rock Creek BLM Campground.

Busy periods: Weekend traffic increases significantly compared to weekdays. "Incredibly busy for a Tuesday night, people were pulling in all hours of the night. I'm guessing, like me maybe, they are pulling in for overnighters on a longer road trip," explains a Hog Lake camper.

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife safety: Teach children about local wildlife awareness. "We didn't see any at the campground but they are known for being in the area in spades," mentions a visitor to Escure Ranch regarding rattlesnakes.

Activities for children: Bring games and activities as sites have limited built-in recreation. At Kamiak Butte County Park, a family reports, "Very nice playground in the day use area" and "Super cute small campground. So many chipmunks, dog friendly, well organized. Fairly cheap and good for families."

Site selection: Choose sites with natural shade where possible. "We did end up finding a spot in our tent, but this is site is much easier with an RV or van," notes a Fishtrap camper.

Tips from RVers

Level sites: Many dispersed areas feature uneven terrain. At Hog Lake, one RVer explains, "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."

Water planning: No hookups available at dispersed sites. "No hookups excellent phone service cell phone towers just around the corner," mentions a Hog Lake camper.

Space considerations: Larger rigs should research site dimensions in advance. "The spaces are all different some more level and others," notes a visitor to Sprague Lake Resort, one of the few dog friendly campgrounds near St. John with full hookup options.

Dump station access: Plan for waste management as most dispersed sites lack facilities. "The sites are designed for people with horses and RVs. Tent camping was a little rough but worked," explains a Rock Creek BLM visitor.