27 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several free dispersed camping areas surround Sultan, Washington along the Mountain Loop Highway and US Highway 2 corridors. Mountain Loop Highway offers primitive sites along its gravel section with riverside locations featuring natural rock fire rings and log seating. The best spots typically appear once the road transitions from paved to gravel. South Fork Sauk River provides similar riverside camping with established fire rings and occasional leftover firewood, though summer dust from vehicles can be problematic.
US Highway 2 east toward Stevens Pass offers numerous backcountry camping options in the Skykomish area. These sites typically provide more privacy than Mountain Loop locations, with many spots situated along creeks and rivers. Old Cascades Highway dispersed sites are particularly accessible, featuring level areas on paved roads with waterfall and river views. A camper wrote, "We could walk to the river and sit by it for the evening before heading back to the car to sleep." Most dispersed sites in the region require a Northwest Forest Pass permit and lack facilities—no toilets, running water or trash service—making proper waste disposal essential for preserving these public land camping areas.
"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."
"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"
from $50 / night
"Some are right on the road, others are tucked away. For the ones that are more tucked away you definitely need a high clearance 4WD vehicle but it’s case by case."
"The site was right next to a rushing creek running down to the Saul River. It was beautiful and we had a restful time even on a holiday weekend!"
"This place is the best free camping in Washington. Coming from the Skykomish direction I believe it’s the turnoff to the right, right before the bridge."
"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"
"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."
"Very nice dispersed location. We stayed for one night on the way to another place. Good locations, many large pull in spots. Shade is excellent and you can walk in to water spots."
"Very secluded with lots of privacy in a beautiful forest with a private trail leading from our campsite to the river. Drive carefully coming in as the road has many potholes and bring bug spray."
"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."
"It has an awesome trail showing an old railroad that was decommissioned in 1929 with tunnels and walking pads and historical placards to explain its history in an amazing rainforest."
RangerSingle campsite off the forest service road. No porta potty, no water, no electricity. Could accommodate a group. No picnic table. Not an actual metal fire pit but someone made a rock ring. The downside is the shooting pit right below the site. When we were there a family came to shoot but they stopped by our site to let us know beforehand.
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!
GuideThis place is the best free camping in Washington. Coming from the Skykomish direction I believe it’s the turnoff to the right, right before the bridge. The old Cascades Highway road is barely travelled at all and there is rushing river right along the campsite. There is service and other pull offs along the highway if this spot is taken. There’s some large rocks that you have to maneuver around but my Subaru Forester got around it just fine.
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.
TravelerPlenty of variety! Some are right on the road, others are tucked away. For the ones that are more tucked away you definitely need a high clearance 4WD vehicle but it’s case by case. Right along the river so you had white noise all night. 0 cell service so a great way to disconnect. As we left on Saturday morning there were still plenty of other spots as we continued down the road. Will definitely be coming back.
TravelerFor dispersed camping you gotta get out of the main "campground". Tons of options just off the beaten path. This is another gateway location which holds entrances to dozens of roads each with their own selection of dry camp sites.
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.
Dispersed camping near Sultan, Washington offers rustic sites in the Cascade foothills with multiple opportunities for free wilderness camping. The area typically receives 70-80 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush, mossy forest environments for primitive camping. Most dispersed sites sit at elevations between 800-2,000 feet with significant seasonal differences in accessibility and conditions.
Riverside relaxation: At Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp, campers can enjoy peaceful riverside settings. "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," notes Jennifer H. The riverside location provides natural white noise and cooling in summer months.
Historic railway exploration: Near Iron Goat, campers can access an educational trail featuring railroad history. "It has an awesome trail showing an old railroad that was decommissioned in 1929 with tunnels and walking pads and historical placards to explain its history in an amazing rainforest," reports Michael J. The trail offers a flat, accessible option for days when hiking isn't feasible.
Alpine lake swimming: For those willing to backpack, Lake Dorothy offers cold-water swimming after a moderate hike. "The lake is ice cold, which is nice if you're just finished a hot hike in," says C.M. The lake sits at 3,000 feet elevation and requires a 1.5-mile hike with moderate elevation gain, making it suitable for intermediate hikers.
Waterfall sounds: Campers at Old Cascades Highway Dispersed appreciate the natural soundscapes. "The sound of the waterfalls drowns it all out," reports Miles M. Sites near water features provide natural white noise that helps mask any road noise from nearby highways.
Cell service availability: For those needing to stay connected, certain sites offer surprising connectivity. At South Fork Snoqualmie River, Austin R. notes, "I travel and work remotely so I'm always looking for free places that have cell reception and this place hits the jackpot... I have Verizon and have 2-3 bars of service." This allows for extended stays while maintaining work connections.
Winter accessibility: Some Sultan-area primitive camping spots remain accessible year-round. Chris C. from Keechelus Lake mentions, "Super easy to drive up to the lake and camp, have a fire, hang out and explore! Should always be able to access aside from when the snow is melting, as they don't service the road until it's mostly all melted." This provides off-season camping options when other sites are snowbound.
Road conditions: Many free camping sites require driving on unpaved roads with varying conditions. Parker C. warns about South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site, "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." Most sites require at least 6-8 inches of clearance.
Seasonal dust issues: Summer brings dust problems to some areas. Melisande M. notes about South Fork Sauk River, "The Mountain Loop Highway is gravel and dirt through here, and many people travel too fast on it and kick up a lot of dust. This gets everywhere, so be careful of allergies and expect to clean all your gear if you're camping in the summer."
Insect activity: Bug protection is essential for comfortable camping. Jon H. advises, "Seeing as there is water nearby, there are plenty of mosquitoes. Bring some bug spray!" Peak mosquito season runs May through August with evening hours seeing highest activity.
Early arrival strategy: Family camping requires securing adequate space. Parker C. recommends, "There are a ton of really great sites along this road, although most of the drive-in sites will be taken if it's a busy weekend, so get there early!" Thursday arrivals typically secure better weekend spots than Friday afternoon.
Hazard awareness: Some areas contain potentially dangerous plants. Lewis G. cautions about South Fork Snoqualmie River, "Lovely area such beautiful surroundings. But be very cautious as near one of the camp sites are very dangerous plants that are fatal and they are lined all around the campground so not recommended if you have children."
Pack-out preparation: No garbage service means bringing supplies for waste management. Kyla M. from US Highway 2 reminds campers to "Beat the crowd! Summer time, everyone's camping. Prepare yourself for biting flies that wont leave you alone." Bring mesh garbage bags and plan to transport all waste out of camping areas.
Size restrictions: Most Sultan area dispersed sites accommodate smaller recreational vehicles only. Tia A. shares her experience: "A lot of the spots are on the smaller side, so we had a bit of trouble finding one that could fit our motorhome, but it was worth it." Most sites can accommodate vehicles under 24 feet in length.
Level site scarcity: Finding level parking for larger vehicles requires patience. Katrina H. explains, "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." Consider bringing leveling blocks for slight adjustments on uneven ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any camper rentals available near Sultan's dispersed camping areas?
While dispersed camping areas like Dispersed Camping Beckler Creek and Old Cascades Highway Dispersed offer beautiful locations for camping, there are no on-site camper rental services at these primitive areas. For camper rentals, you'll need to check with outdoor rental companies in nearby towns such as Monroe, Everett, or the greater Seattle area. These businesses typically offer various RVs, campervans, and trailers that can be taken to dispersed camping locations. Remember to verify that your rental vehicle has appropriate clearance for the sometimes rough forest service roads leading to these sites.
Where can I find dispersed camping options in Sultan, WA?
Several dispersed camping options exist near Sultan, WA along forest service roads. French Cabin Creek Recreation Area offers numerous dry camping sites with the peaceful sounds of Howson Creek nearby and is accessible for vehicles including larger RVs. South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site provides established sites where you can pull off into wooded areas, though the unpaved access road requires good ground clearance. Additional options include dispersed sites along Beckler Creek, Old Cascades Highway just east of Skykomish, and various pullouts along US Highway 2. Most sites have no amenities (no water, toilets, or electricity), so come prepared with supplies and practice Leave No Trace principles.
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Sultan, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Sultan, WA is Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp with a 3.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Sultan, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 dispersed camping locations near Sultan, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
