Best Dispersed Camping near Seattle, WA
About 45 minutes east of Seattle, several dispersed camping areas spread throughout the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for those wanting to camp without facilities. The forest roads near Tinkham provide access to primitive sites where you'll need to bring everything and take it all back out with you. Many of these roads require decent clearance on your vehicle, especially after winter when potholes and washouts haven't been repaired. The nearest supplies are in North Bend, so stock up before heading into the forest. All dispersed sites in this area follow standard rules - camp at least 200 feet from water sources and roads, and you can stay up to 14 days. Summer weekends get surprisingly busy on these forest roads, with the best spots often claimed by Thursday night. Most areas have spotty cell service at best, so download maps before you go. Fire bans are common during dry months, so bring a camp stove for cooking. Winter camping is possible but snow often blocks access roads from November through May.
