Shelton, WA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Shelton, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$12 / night
"Simple, small, peaceful campground with pit toilets and potable water.
Mid week after Labor Day, I had my choice of sites arriving in late afternoon."
"We arrived little later around 6 p.m. And being such a nice day there were only few sites left."
"We camped near Vance Creek trailhead to do the Olympic Bridges bike ride the next morning. Since this is a national forest, dispersed camping is allowed."
"This is a gravel road through the National Forest with a bunch of pull-offs where you can camp. It was nothing special but very quiet and peaceful other than one or two cars that passed by."
"Great avenue to get out into nature with various streams crossing the path of the service road. Truly magical place."
"Not many other campers' sites are well dispersed . Got to feed 3 Bluejays by hand with my oldest one of our new favorite memories."
"Gorgeous little spot off a national forest road. Stunning views, no light pollution or car sounds at night."
"No water. First come first served and this one goes quickly!"
"No signal and got a little snow on the roof in the morning but it was a good spot with a great view."
"Very far off the beaten path, every time I camp here I don’t run into anyone. You’re camping on the Ridgeline so it can be a bit windy."
"Great spot on the NF-2419, about a mile before the Mt Elinor lower trailhead. Plenty of space for a large vehicle"
"Not the most private spot if vehicles were to pass. the road looks like it’s used but no one around when we arrived. the road itself is a gorgeous drive and since it’s free it’s worth it!"
"Several campsites along the gravel road, we found the perfect secluded spot next to the Quinault River. Drove right into the hidden alcove in our stealth camper van."
"There are about 5 sites hidden on the road. Please be careful the road is a mix of private land, national forest, national park. The sites can be easily found by their stone fire rings."
GuideSeveral campsites along the gravel road, we found the perfect secluded spot next to the Quinault River. Drove right into the hidden alcove in our stealth camper van.
ScoutRight off the highway. Pit toilet and wooded areas. Can still hear highway from this exact GPS location, so I went further on up the road for a quieter spot. A few trucks did speed by in the middle of the night, but it was a Saturday and July 4th weekend. 5 bars of cell service.
GuideWe camped near Vance Creek trailhead to do the Olympic Bridges bike ride the next morning. Since this is a national forest, dispersed camping is allowed. We picked the first spot we got to since it was getting kind of late. It wasn't the most ideal spot and I think further down the road has prettier and more remote options, but it made do. There were really huge flies but they did not bite. The only complaint was that there was more car traffic than I wanted very late at night into the early morning. One car even slowed down and yelled at our tent around 2am. We never felt unsafe but it was annoying. A lot of trash was left behind from previous camper. I would suggest finding alternative spots if you're looking for a more enjoyable night but if you are just there for an overnight, it is fine.
RangerThere are about 5 sites hidden on the road. Please be careful the road is a mix of private land, national forest, national park. The sites can be easily found by their stone fire rings. The site that is directly on the river was very popular. I ended up staying 2 nights at one of the last sites before it turns to private land. It was tucked away, walk in site, had a nice fire ring, nice tent pad area. It has a large rope so you can access the river. The scenery is breath taking. Down the road there are at least 2 waterfalls on the right. In the town of quinault there is a laundry mat/shower facility!
TravelerThis is a gravel road through the National Forest with a bunch of pull-offs where you can camp. It was nothing special but very quiet and peaceful other than one or two cars that passed by. Felt safe as a single tent camper
GuideThe road was a little rough but my suv made it fine. No signal and got a little snow on the roof in the morning but it was a good spot with a great view.
TravelerGorgeous little spot off a national forest road. Stunning views, no light pollution or car sounds at night. It’s December so of course it’s a bit cold at night and I’d recommend at least AWD to get up here. Will be back.
ScoutLocated just past the restaurant on the southbound side there is a drive that goes back into Rock Candy mountain Road trailhead. I drove 5 mi up the road. There are few houses on the side of the road. Speed limit is a maximum 15 mph. There are signs posted thinking drivers for slowing down. Mainly a logging Road well if you pull out to the right on the main road. I noticed a road that had a pipe gate that was closed and locked. It gets pretty steep going up the road. The right steep. They wrote it on barely white enough for two vehicles to safely pass each other. Not suitable for anything wider than a class B. In my opinion this area is not suitable for winter camping. In my opinion if this road got congested it would become pretty dangerous thus why caution is needed driving on the main road and on other roads leading from main road. Definitely not road you want to be intoxicated to drive on. There is a long drop if you lose control and fail off road. I feel if you did and survived the fall it would be expensive to recover your vehicle. To me it's to dangerous to risk trying to camp here if it ever became busy.
ScoutFairly large and level site with an amazing view. No water. First come first served and this one goes quickly!
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Shelton, Washington, where nature lovers can find serene spots to unwind and connect with the great outdoors. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you'll find the perfect place to set up camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is free camping available in the Shelton area?
Yes, free camping is available in the Shelton area within Olympic National Forest. Hilltop Camp on Forest Road 2419 offers stunning views without light pollution or traffic noise, though AWD is recommended, especially in winter months. Rock Candy Mountain Trailhead provides free camping with the convenience of pit toilets and multiple pull-outs for overnight stays. The area has strong cell service (5 bars reported), though it's closer to the highway with some road noise. Most dispersed sites in national forests around Shelton are free with a 14-day stay limit, making them perfect for budget-conscious campers seeking serene forest surroundings.
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in Shelton?
Dispersed camping in the Shelton area follows standard Olympic National Forest regulations. Sites like NF-27 Tunnel Creek and quinalt ridge vistas operate under the 14-day stay limit typical for national forests. Camp only in established sites (look for existing fire rings) and practice Leave No Trace principles. Be aware of land ownership boundaries as some roads mix private property with national forest and park lands. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, particularly during summer months. Most forest roads require high clearance vehicles, and some may have narrow passages with limited turnaround options. Camp at least 100 feet from water sources and 200 feet from trails and roads when possible.
Where can I find dispersed camping near Shelton?
The Shelton area offers several dispersed camping options in Olympic National Forest. Olympic National Forest Dispersed Camping provides multiple pull-offs along gravel forest roads with established spots marked by fire rings. Near Quinault River, Dispersed South Shore Road offers secluded spots along a gravel road with several hidden sites, some directly on the river. Look for stone fire rings to identify legitimate camping areas. Most sites accommodate cars and vans, though some forest roads may require higher clearance vehicles. Many dispersed sites are located along forest service roads like NF-27 and FS-2292, offering peaceful surroundings with varying levels of privacy.
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