Fishtrap Recreation Area near St. John offers free dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management land where pets are welcome. The large gravel parking area includes tent and RV access with fire rings and toilet facilities. Most campers report the area provides quiet, open sites with excellent opportunities for stargazing. Several reviewers note the convenience of this location as an overnight stop during longer journeys, with some mentioning they were the only campers present on weeknights.
Escure Ranch/Rock Creek Recreation Area provides another pet-friendly option approximately 36 miles south of St. John. This primitive BLM site features picnic tables, trash collection, and toilet facilities while remaining free to use. The area includes hiking trails where dogs can join their owners exploring Washington's Channeled Scablands and viewing Towell Falls. Visitors should be aware of rattlesnake presence during warmer months when camping with pets. The flat terrain makes this location reasonably accessible for people with mobility restrictions, though the last two miles of access road can be rough and require a vehicle with adequate clearance.
"Arrived early in the afternoon and got the last spot, looked to be a lot of people staying longer term; but still was quiet and there are lots of places to walk with pets/explore around camp."
"Pet friendly and honestly it doesn’t feel like this place is well known. I don’t find many folks there every time I go."
"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."
$25 / night
"I love coming here whenever I visit Washington. I’ve grown up around this place and will always love it"
"So many chipmunks, dog friendly, well organized. Fairly cheap and good for families."
$65 - $85 / night
"Nice quiet spot on the lake and pet friendly"
"Cool breeze off the water and a very happy dog."
"This is a small campground just on the edge of town in Cheney Washington."
"Small campground just outside of Cheney. Clean restrooms and showers. Has a game room and laundry facility. Friendly staff."
LegendVery clean with all the trim :) space between units, a dog park and playground, and nearby to restaurants while being just far enough on the edge of town to feel as such
TravelerWe camped on one of the first weekends they were open. Really love the walks and store, clean bathroom. Cool dog park with shade. Loved it!
ScoutQuiet, spacious, beautiful smell of pine trees. Wouldn’t want to drive in after dark though. Two large dog parks. Park is gravel and you may need to do a little leveling, but it isn’t bad at all. Had enough room to park my 44’ rig and my truck right next to it. Would definitely come here again.
ScoutI’ve never been so harassed before by a campground for having a pet. Definitely not pet friendly. There is literally one tree they make you stay at and you can’t walk the campground with your dog.
ScoutGreat new campground right outside of Plummer. There's been some sort of entertainment each night we've been here, fire dancers Friday and Saturday, a 4th of july bbq, 2 bands and fireworks at midnight tonight. There's several different sections to stay in, a dog park, lodge and laundry area. I would definitely come again.
LegendThis is a newer RV park in Liberty Lake. They have only been open 2 years. Liberty Lake is between Spokane, WA and Coeur d’Alene ID. There are about 130 spaces or so, with concrete pads and paved streets. There is grass between sites, but they are much too close to be comfortable, and there is no shade! And, the rules!!! Lots more rules than most other camping areas.’ It also appears many of the residents are semi-permanent. They have free cable snd wifi, a dog park, playground, swimming pool, laundry, and dump station. The sites are 30/50 amp, most are pull through but the outer ring is back in. They also have propane. They are on the pricy side: an outside loop 50 ft. Site is $74/night. Good Sam gets you a 10% discount. It is easy access to I-90 both East and west.
TravelerAll in all our trip was great. The campground is very clean and well maintained. All of the spots had big pads that were very easy to maneuver around. Very dog friendly park with a fenced off off lease dog park that was easy to access. The swimming pool was fantastic as well. If you are looking for a true outdoors in the woods camping spot this is not the place for you. You are maybe half mile from I-90 and road noise can be heard all hours. You are also in the middle of the town Liberty Lake. Minutes from Safeway, McDonalds and Starbucks. If that is your cup of tea this is the place for you.
GuideTucked back behind a neighborhood of fairly luxurious homes and sitting near the lake, these sites offer a nice spot to catch a breath while traveling. We stayed at tent site 10 and it has been perfect. $27/night for tent and $38/night for RVs. Pet friendly, great host, facilities, and plenty of space.
RangerMy family and I recently stayed at Liberty Lake RV Campground, and it wasn't quite what we expected. Located in the middle of a city, it felt like it was made for older people with no kids. The sites were nice and large, with paved pads and all pull-through, but it was boring, especially given the extreme heat during our stay.
While the campground was clean and well-maintained, and the pool was nice, if you want to be closer to nature, this isn't the place for you. However, if you want to be closer to civilization, this is a good option. The staff was great, the showers were good, and the laundry room was nice. The dog park was absolutely amazing, one of the best.
Overall, there was nothing wrong with this campground; it just wasn't what we expected. We stayed for three nights, but if you're looking for a more nature-oriented camping experience, you may want to consider other options.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near St. John, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near St. John, WA is Hog Lake Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 35 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near St. John, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 71 dog-friendly camping locations near St. John, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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