Best Dispersed Camping near Stehekin, WA
Want to go dispersed camping near Stehekin? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Stehekin, WA (25)
1. Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping
Methow, Washington2 Reviews•7 Photos•63 SavesThere are many undeveloped camping locations on the forest. Generally there are no amenities available, such as restrooms, water or garbage dumpsters. All trash and waste must be packed out. No toilet available? See How to Go in the Forest. Use existing sites and do not damage vegetation. Campfires are not allowed at these sites during high fire danger. Check Fire Restrictions page.
14 Day Stay Limit at National Forest Campgrounds and Dispersed Areas
PROHIBITED: Camping or occupancy in any developed campground by any person or group for more than fourteen (14) days. Camping or occupancy in that campground by the same person or group may not occur again for a period of seven (7) consecutive days thereafter.
Camping or occupancy in any dispersed areas by any person or group for more than fourteen (14) days. Camping or occupancy in that site or area within a 5 mile radius by the same person or group may not occur again for a period of fourteen (14) consecutive days thereafter.
These restrictions also apply to camping equipment. Camping equipment may not remain in place longer than the stay limit, even if used by a different person or group. Camping equipment must be removed by the end of the fourteen (14) day stay limit or the equipment may be impounded.
- Pets
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
2. NF Dispersed Camping
Marblemount, Washington6 Reviews•8 Photos•464 SavesHas a fire ring made of stones.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
3. Sullivan Pond Camp
Winthrop, Washington1 Review•22 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
4. Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed
Manson, Washington2 Reviews•12 Photos•85 Saves- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
5. Upper Bobcat Dispersed Camping
Winthrop, Washington2 Reviews•1 Photo•25 Saves- Pets
- Dispersed
- Trash
- Toilets
6. Lake Wenatchee Airstrip SnoPark
Leavenworth, Washington2 Reviews•5 Photos•53 SavesDesignated areas are available for tubing and general snow play at the Fields Spring, Lake Wenatchee, Hyak, Rose Springs, and Oldman Pass Sno-Parks. In addition, tubing and general snow play are permitted in non-designated areas in many Sno-Parks and in state parks that are open in the winter. For safety's sake, snow players should stay off designated snowmobile and non-motorized sport trails. Ice skating is not available in any location. Due to the mild Washington climate, lakes do not freeze hard enough to permit safe skating.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
$12 - $50 / night
8. US Highway 2 - Skykomish Area east to Stevens Pass
Baring, Washington4 Reviews•2 Photos•175 SavesTraveling along Highway 2, enter the center of the forest along the Skykomish River, a rafting adventurers' dream. Grab your skis! In just two hours you will be gliding down the slopes at Stevens Pass Ski Area. Check in at the Stevens Pass Historic District for an overview of the area's colorful railroad and mining past. Recreation Area Map National Scenic Byway
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
$50 / night
9. Forest Road Dispersed Site
Leavenworth, Washington2 Reviews•4 Photos•25 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
10. Old Cascades Highway Dispersed
Skykomish, Washington5 Reviews•12 Photos•290 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Cabins
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Stehekin
43 Reviews of 25 Stehekin Campgrounds
Ciara W.
Guide
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400
4wd required to get to the views
Lots of small pullouts on the way up but they were all taken. None of those would work for Starlink.
We went as far as we could in our Ram Promaster till there was a crazy steep and washed out climb. Had to turn around
- LLuke B.
Traveler
Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed
Awesome View from the Top of the Ridge
Great campsite with an awesome view. Sandy dirt camping site near the USGS sensor station. No fires today due to high fire danger, but there was a pit in the camp. Tent right on the ridge. Dirt road was 12 miles up the mountain. Lots of switchbacks, but passible in a sedan. Takes 45 mins to get up. Take shady pass road to the top.
- BBella M.Traveler
NF Dispersed Camping
Perfect
This area was perfect! Took a nice stroll along the road after dinner. Didn’t really run into any other campers.
- BBella M.Traveler
NF Dispersed Camping
Bacon Point
Beautiful spot near the water also has some more secluded spots if wanted. Didn’t see too many people. And had no issues picking a spot to car camp. Definitely recommend.
Bobby J.
Ranger
Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp
Coordinates off
The 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
Emma
Scout
Upper Bobcat Dispersed Camping
Great spot
Great spot with plenty of sites. Lots of room at your site and between neighbors. Super close to the river. There were a lot of people, mainly families, but everyone was super respectful and it honestly made me feel safer and a solo traveler. Would definitely go back.
Katrina H.Traveler
Old Cascades Highway Dispersed
Beautiful Area with Small Campsites
It's a lovely area right by a beautiful river. However, it was hard to find a large enough spot that was also level to park our van. There was some traffic on the road, and a great bonus is that the road is paved, so no worries about destroying a tire. We did have phone service, and it's close to a small deli and other conveniences.
- PPaiton L.Scout
Lake Wenatchee Airstrip SnoPark
Lake Wenatchee Airstrip
We turned at (47.8178974, -120.7258512) which you travel a short distance down a well maintained FS road to a very large gravel and dirt parking area. You can park in this parking lot if you choose, lots of space, great internet speeds. To the right of the information sign you will see a small sign with a snowmobile on it. That is the road that you can take back to the airstrip portion of the site. You will only travel about 100 yards on that road before it opens up to a very large grass field (and airstrip) you will need to turn left to head toward the camping locations. To the right will be the landing strip so you need to avoid that area. There is a dirt/sandy road leading back to 2-3 sites with fire rings but also a very large open field where you can camp as well. MOSQUITOES WERE AWFUL AT NIGHT FYI. A forest service rig pulled up on us in the AM and just waved :)
Sara J.Scout
Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek
Beckler creek riverside
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. The campfire was awesome
Jamie E.ScoutMountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp
Peaceful
Easy to find and peaceful next to the river. No noise from the road.
Jennifer H.
LegendMountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp
Sites just off the gravel portion of the mountain loop
Easy enough to access right off the mountain loop highway. Meandering sites along the river with good logs for benches and fire rings made from forest rocks. Heavily forested and beautiful.
- Jennifer H.Legend
South Fork Sauk River
Remote, no services, easy enough to access, beautiful
Half way along the mountain loop highway you encounter numerous spacious tent sites with fire rings and gorgeous river & Mountain View camp grounds.
- BBrett B.Traveler
Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping
Nice spot up a long forest/logging road
A couple spots washed out and need high clearance but otherwise just a long slow switchbacky road to the top.
- Nikki R.Traveler
Forest Road Dispersed Site
Did the job
Just a single paved road in and not too much room. It worked for me just finding a place between Leavenworth and Seattle
Theresa K.ScoutDispersed Camping Beckler Creek
Repulsive
Every 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
Jake S.GuideForest Road Dispersed Site
I was about to rate this 5 stats but...
I stopped by to scope this one out. it looks like there's 2 entrances, one on the north and one on the south, but the south side doesn't connect to the main road so taje the north one. there isn't really a good turn around so you'll have to use the one turn off or an empty site to turn around if needed. I thought the 5 or so sites looked alright, but if you pull back past the site on the turn off there's an abandoned camper and a bunch of trash around a bend(I wouldn't have gone that far back if I'd been pulling a trailer since there are tight turns and no real good turnaround. it seems fairly decent if you don't go to the back site and out of 5 or more campsites on a Sunday afternoon only one was taken.
Philip D.TravelerOld Cascades Highway Dispersed
Beautiful/ Dirty and noisy
Some 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.
Alyson M.Legend
Chumstick Mountain Dispersed Camping
Beautiful View
This would get 5 stars if it weren’t for the terribly bumpy and long road up to the main site. My Toyota Highlander made it up, but I was a little nervous. It seemed like there was only one large spot at the top/end of road. There was a fire ring which is how we could tell it was a spot. The views of the mountains all around are insane!!! Loved watching the sunset and sunrise up here. It is very windy!
John T.ScoutSullivan Pond Camp
Sullivan Pond, Winthrop WA
Nice, quiet dispersed camping next to Sullivan Pond near Winthrop Washington. Recommend 4wd with good clearance. Washington Discover Pass required.
- AAaron H.Scout
Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed
Great view of the lake
Lots of spots between Entiat River Rd 19 and this location. Ground is mostly a fine dirt.
- ZZac S.Scout
NF Dispersed Camping
Deep in the woods
Really deep into the woods. Driveway is a little rough but I made it in a car. All the other paid campsites were packed but found a few open spots here on the 4th of July weekend. Right next to the river! This app is great. Never would have found this!
Bryan J.TravelerOld Cascades Highway Dispersed
Quiet, easy spot!
We were planning to stay in Leavenworth, but that got sketchy, so we came up here to this dispersed spot, and it's beautiful, quiet, and easy. Enjoyed the sounds of the waterfall/river all night, never heard a single car.
Devan H.ScoutOld Cascades Highway Dispersed
Great little spot
Cute spot next to the creek not busy at all
Jackie C.TravelerOkanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400
Remote with great views!
Found a spot with incredible near-360 mountain views! Exposed to the wind though. Have to go pretty far in along Derby road to find campsites. The first few miles are private property or in the thicket, lower in the canyon. Road was in good condition. Didn’t hit large potholes until we pulled off 7400.
Russel M.ScoutNF Dispersed Camping
Beautiful
No rain while I was there but I dont imagine it would get too muddy/sloppy. The road does have minimal gravel lining it. (CLEARANCE NEEDED - around the same amount as the Subaru line of vehicles or greater - 4wd not necessary)
Beautiful area, small town nearby where you could likely pick up a few things. I didnt stop. Gas station nearby.
There is a fast flowing stream with crystal clear water. Quiet mountain/forest area. No sounds of civilization. Multiple turnouts/improvised camping spaces. Keep driving till you find one you like. Easy to access the creak bank at any point along the road by walking through a little brush.
- jjosephTraveler
Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping
Fantasic View
Near the peak of Fox Mountain, this area is at one of the highest points in the area. Great cell service(AT&T) and a amazing view for both sunrise and sunset!
Lauren M.RangerNF Dispersed Camping
Great location
The location is amazing!!!! Sadly though the campsites are not well cared for. I stayed at two different sites, one toward the end of the road and one closer to hwy 20. The end of the road spot did require 4wheel drive and higher clearance (suv height), the one closer to hwy 20 could have easily been driven to in a std. car. The river was gorgeous! The further down the road the likelihood you won’t have access to the river (creek). Both sites were straight up trashed! Trash everywhere!!! The site closer to hwy 20 had both trash and food debris (pineapple and coconut shell) everywhere. The tent pad was completely unusable because of trash. This site has a gorgeous water access but again found plastic bags floating on the creek edge. The site further down was littered with toilet paper and a huge polystyrene cooler full of “waste” so gross. I just used these spots as jumping off point for my hikes in the cascades and I slept in my car so it was a fine stay both times.
Guide to Stehekin
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Stehekin, Washington, where nature's tranquility meets stunning landscapes. This area offers a variety of spots for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in the great outdoors.
Dispersed campers should check out Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping
- Nestled in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping provides breathtaking views, especially at sunrise and sunset, making it a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts.
- The access road is a long, winding path that requires a high-clearance vehicle, but the journey is worth it for the serene environment and stunning vistas.
- With no amenities available, this site encourages a true back-to-nature experience, ideal for those who appreciate solitude and the beauty of the wilderness.
Top activities while free camping near Stehekin
- Enjoy hiking in the surrounding areas, with trails leading to scenic overlooks and hidden gems, particularly near Sullivan Pond Camp, where you can explore the peaceful waters and wildlife.
- Fishing enthusiasts will find opportunities at nearby lakes and rivers, with Couger Lake being a great spot to cast a line and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
- For those seeking adventure, the rugged terrain around Baldy Mountain Dispersed Camping offers excellent off-roading and hiking trails, rewarding visitors with stunning views of Lake Chelan.
Tips for free and dispersed camping near Stehekin, Washington
- Always check for required permits before heading out, as places like Eldorado Peak Alpine Camp require them for access.
- Be prepared for a lack of facilities; sites such as Forest Road Dispersed Site do not offer drinking water or restrooms, so plan accordingly.
- Keep an eye out for wildlife and respect their habitat, especially in areas like Upper Bobcat Dispersed Camping, where encounters with animals are common.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Stehekin, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Stehekin, WA is Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Stehekin, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 dispersed camping locations near Stehekin, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.