Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Stanwood, WA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Stanwood is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Washington camping adventure.
"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."
"Cute sites, but you will be interrupted 500 times a day with walkers who use the trail and want to go straight through your site."
"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."
"Arrived around 4pm on a Friday and there were a few spots left. Pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available. No water. Got a spot with lake and Mountain View’s."
"Loved this free campground on Baker Lake near mt baker, WA! Take the first turn after horseshoe cove campground and follow the gravel road all the way to the lake."
"Stayed at one that was overlooking the lake. Lots of spots with easy lake access.
Pros: free, good views, easy to get to, plenty of spots (even on Labor Day), fire rings."
"No facilities! The drive in is easy."
"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."
"The drive up to this road is half paved and unpaved , not too bumpy. Big area for camp- dry camping. There was already a fire ring made, we opted out of having a fire."
GuideMany pull offs along the gravel road. Stayed at one that was overlooking the lake. Lots of spots with easy lake access.
Pros: free, good views, easy to get to, plenty of spots (even on Labor Day), fire rings.
Cons: some spots have lots of trash (please remember leave no trace), most spots are along the gravel road so there are cars passing by every once in a while and sometimes they go by quite quickly kicking up lots of dust.
All things considered, pretty good spot and would stay again.
ScoutArrived around 4pm on a Friday and there were a few spots left. Pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables available. No water. Got a spot with lake and Mountain View’s. Very small, quiet, stunning campground. Felt safe. We have a rooftop tent, not many sites with large enough spots to park trailers or vans. Mostly tent sites that are walk in. Mostly open, some sites in the forest. Had one bar of Verizon service. Would stay again!
TravelerLoved this free campground on Baker Lake near mt baker, WA! Take the first turn after horseshoe cove campground and follow the gravel road all the way to the lake.
Lots of spots with tables and fire rings, some spots have nice tent pads. Some sites are marked and some are not. There’s a single pit toilet and no running water. Seems like a pretty popular spot but we were able to get a site mid week at the end of August.
Parking for some of the spots is not the best but we were still able to car camp comfortably. Will definitely be staying here again!
GuideIt’s free! Beautiful view. Very serene. No facilities! The drive in is easy.
RangerFor such a fabulous location, this campground is woefully behind the times. Compared to other Cascade Water Trails locations under the WA State Parks jurisdiction that are clean and now sport awesome composting toilets, Point Doughty under the Department of Natural Resources has a particularly horrible pit toilet that you have to scramble up a bluff to get to. I understand a storm took out the stairs a while back and it's obvious there's been some activity to get stairs rebuilt. However, it's impossible as of this writing to get any gear from the beach to the campsites on the bluff. I wound up camping on the beach as I was in my kayak and there were no other options nearby. Actually the beach was quite pleasant as 2 orca whales cavorted just 100' off and a stellar sea lion, harbor seals and many sea bird varieties provided fantastic entertainment.
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
Traveler3 non-reservable sites are available on Washington area preserve land. The path up to the sites is steep and slippery with loose dirt but there’s a rope to help out. Looks like they started to build steps, who knows if it will get finished. Not recommended for hauling myriad items up from kayaks. The restroom is a vault toilet that lacked toilet paper and was quite unsavory. We brought a couple rolls from Sucia to help out. During low side it is very rocky and tough on fiberglass kayaks, but there’s a small path that can launch one or two kayaks at a time. There’s a couple short paths to explore the area, and an epic view at the tip of the point. Best used for small groups and simple camping.
ScoutDriving through the area on the way back from camping in a different area, my wife and I were pleasantly surprised to find a well kept small campground by the lake. And… an available site on the water. Our spot (site #3) was tucked away in low area by the water. Semi-private and peaceful. Perfect space for 2-4 people to camp. The fire pit setup was perfectly sized and shielded from wind. The only downside (which is a stretch to find a downside) were the bugs. And there somewhat steep walk downhill from parking to the site.
TravelerOnly 3 non-reservable sites with tables and fire pits on DNR land. The path up to the sites from the beach is very steep and slippery on the dirt but there is a rope to help. Looks like they’re trying to create a stairway in the future. Not recommended if you need to haul myriad items up to the campground. One vault toilet had no toilet paper and was quite unsavory. We grabbed some rolls from Sucia to restock it for people. There is an epic view with short trails to walk around though.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Stanwood, Washington, where nature's tranquility meets adventure. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping spots near Stanwood?
The Stanwood area offers several excellent dispersed camping opportunities. Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp provides free camping on Baker Lake with fire rings, picnic tables, and stunning mountain views. Sites vary in size, with some featuring tent pads. For island adventures, Hope Island Marine State Park offers primitive camping with limited sites, vault toilets, and picnic facilities accessible by kayak or boat. Both locations provide different experiences—lakeside relaxation at Lower Sandy or a more adventurous island setting at Hope Island. These spots tend to fill quickly on weekends, so arriving early is recommended, especially during summer months.
What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Stanwood?
Dispersed camping in the Stanwood area follows typical public land regulations. At Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp, camping is permitted in designated pull-offs, though sites along the gravel road section provide a quieter experience away from traffic. Many sites like Point Doughty have non-reservable sites with tables and fire pits but require adherence to Leave No Trace principles. Generally, dispersed camping rules include: maximum 14-day stays within a 30-day period, proper waste disposal, using existing fire rings when allowed, keeping sites clean, and maintaining distance from water sources (typically 100-200 feet). Check for seasonal fire restrictions before your trip, as they change frequently during summer months.
Is boondocking allowed in the Stanwood area?
Yes, boondocking (dry camping without hookups) is allowed in several areas near Stanwood. Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite offers free boondocking with beautiful lake views but no facilities, making it perfect for self-sufficient campers. NF-27 Tunnel Creek provides another boondocking option with established fire rings on a mix of paved and unpaved roads suitable for most vehicles. Be prepared for true self-sufficient camping—bring all necessary water, pack out all waste, and plan for no cell service in most areas. These locations typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis with standard Forest Service regulations limiting stays to 14 days within a 30-day period.
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