Searching for the best camping near Snohomish, WA? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Snohomish campgrounds just for you. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Snohomish. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
"the better spots were once the road turned to gravel, found a spot by the stream, parked the car to protect us. if staying longer i’d say it’s best to keep going to south fork sauk. but it was nice for"
"Easy to find and peaceful next to the river. No noise from the road."
"Access road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn’t recommend driving down it without good ground clearance."
"PLEASE LEAVE NO TRACE! Other wise we really enjoyed a quick night away in our van."
$50 / night
"Skylomish is a fairly short drive away from the city but towards the mountains. You have a great view of the water in some places and it’s still pretty peaceful and quiet."
"Our favorite camp spots are right on the water, and most spots you'll find here deliver - creeks run through the (what seems to be) endless forest, trees provide shade and lovely hammock set ups, and most"
"All had fire rings, and quite a few had spare firewood from previous occupants. Thanks, all!"
"Half way along the mountain loop highway you encounter numerous spacious tent sites with fire rings and gorgeous river & Mountain View camp grounds."
"Just a couple miles East of Skykomish, up a paved road, the campsite is just before you go over the bridge on your right and had enough room for high clearance vehicles to pull into it and smaller cars"
"You could put 2 rigs down here if you’re friends, but plenty of turn offs for smaller vehicles"
"Very different, primitive camping. Small island with only 2 sites that I could find. According to the website there were supposed to be more. 1 vault toilet available, picnic table and fire ring."
"It's a short trip to the island, which is only accessible by boat. I was worried, with only four camping spots, that we wouldn't get one, but we ended up being the only people on the island."
"Nice large campsite near the water. There were many campsites along the road. I had to clean up a lot of trash when it got here. Please pack out your own trash and follow other leave no trace rules."
"Various dispersed camping spots along the road and up the forest service roads. There are some really sweet spots along the road with water access."
"The lake is ice cold, which is nice if you’re just finished a hot hike in. There are some areas sort of cleared for camping, that have clearly been used before."
"Easy stair stopped trail; a bit harder with a 40# pack. Lots of camp sites to choose from, but the one on the far shore of the lake is my fav. Great for groups. Primitive toilets along the way."
ScoutEvery dispersed campground we checked along this road (maybe five or so) was littered with human feces and toilet paper everywhere. We found a literal bucket of human waste beside the river with a soiled pool noodle nearby I can only assume was being used as a toilet seat. Please, if you care about keeping nature wild, carry out your toilet paper and dig a cathole or use the outhouse in the campground. If you don’t know what a cathole is, you should probably should not being using dispersed camping and try the campground down the road. We ended up staying at the campground because we couldn’t find dispersed camping where there wasn’t poop and had a positive experience there. Leave no trace!!
https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm
GuideAccess road is right off the highway and unpaved, has a TON of holes so I wouldn’t recommend driving down it without good ground clearance. There are a number of established sites where you can pull off the road and drive back into the woods a bit. And I had cell service everywhere!
ScoutNice large campsite near the water. There were many campsites along the road. I had to clean up a lot of trash when it got here. Please pack out your own trash and follow other leave no trace rules. The campfire was awesome
GuideWent up at the end of 4th of July weekend. Found a great spot but it was apparent that the group before us used everywhere to go to the bathroom and covered it with paper towels. PRO TIP: make the hole first for when you need it and you want have any excuse not to use it! PLEASE LEAVE NO TRACE! Other wise we really enjoyed a quick night away in our van.
ScoutJust a couple miles East of Skykomish, up a paved road, the campsite is just before you go over the bridge on your right and had enough room for high clearance vehicles to pull into it and smaller cars have roadside space the road wasn’t too active when we camped overnight even so the sound of the waterfalls drowns it all out. It has Solid fire pit and very lush green forest surroundings.
TravelerFound this sweet spot a little bit ago. Various dispersed camping spots along the road and up the forest service roads. There are some really sweet spots along the road with water access.
TravelerSome of you never learned proper etiquette and it shows! Beautiful spot. Toilet paper everywhere. Peaceful… except for the trucks air braking on Highway 2; and the train… which made me question if I was being visited by some alien beings for half a second. Beautiful spot, great access to the river, whose noise washes out the majority of the ambiance killers. Secluded, sadly too dry for a fire.
GuideThis spot was truly beautiful. Green as far as the eye can see, with a creek by that provides the perfect white noise to fall asleep to. The road is fairly accessible, though there are some fairly large potholes that could damage smaller vehicles, and the road could become muddy after raining. On weekends you might have to drive pretty far down the road to find an unclaimed spot, but I didn't have a hard time on a Tuesday night. There was some trash, including broken glass in firepits and a few beer cans spotted in the woods, but for the most part it was clean! The sites further down the road are definitely cleaner. No bathrooms, so plan on dropping the kids off at the pool before visiting. Seeing as there is water nearby, there are plenty of mosquitoes. Bring some bug spray! There are towns within 15 minutes of the road.
RangerThe directions had me believing that the dispersed camping was just various pull offs on the highway loop and that’s where I stayed. It was loud and it felt like the traffic was coming through my tent at times. After driving to North Cascades I discovered that there was real dispersed camping on that road but probably 45 minutes to an hour past where the coordinates took you. Once the highway turned into a gravel road is when I started seeing nice dispersed campsites
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Snohomish, Washington, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you'll be able to enjoy the great outdoors in peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in Snohomish, WA?
Dispersed camping in Snohomish follows strict Leave No Trace principles. At sites like South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site and Old Cascades Highway Dispersed, you must pack out ALL trash and properly dispose of human waste (dig a 6-8 inch hole at least 200 feet from water sources). Many areas limit stays to 14 consecutive days. Use existing fire rings where available and fully extinguish fires before leaving. Some roads require high-clearance vehicles due to potholes and rough terrain. Keep campsites within 150 feet of forest service roads and never block roadways. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as they change seasonally and with weather conditions.
Where can I find free dispersed camping in Snohomish County?
Snohomish County offers several free dispersed camping areas. Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek provides various spots along forest service roads, with some prime locations offering water access. The Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp features multiple pull-offs along the highway loop, though traffic noise can be an issue at some sites. When choosing a spot, look for established fire rings and clear pull-offs. High-clearance vehicles will have more options, especially for accessing more remote areas. Remember that these free sites don't offer amenities like trash service or toilets, so come prepared with waste disposal solutions and practice Leave No Trace principles.
Is boondocking allowed year-round in Snohomish County?
Boondocking is generally allowed year-round in Snohomish County, but accessibility varies significantly by season. NF-27 Tunnel Creek offers dry camping opportunities with a mix of paved and unpaved access roads that remain open most of the year. Hope Island Marine State Park provides primitive camping options accessible by watercraft year-round. Winter conditions often make forest service roads impassable due to snow, especially at higher elevations from November through April. Spring can bring muddy conditions that challenge even high-clearance vehicles. Always check road conditions before heading out, especially during winter and early spring. Some areas may have seasonal closures for wildlife protection or resource management.
Keep Exploring
