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Best Dispersed Camping near Sumas, WA

28 Reviews

Several dispersed camping areas exist in the mountains south and east of Sumas, Washington. Baker Lake Road offers multiple free pull-off sites with lake views, though visitors note the gravel road generates dust from passing vehicles. Sites vary in quality, with some areas accumulating trash despite the leave-no-trace principle. Most spots include basic fire rings when seasonal restrictions allow.

Lower Sandy Camp provides free dispersed camping with more amenities than typical primitive sites, including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Located past Horseshoe Cove Campground on a potholed gravel road, this area requires careful navigation. "Very small, quiet, stunning campground with lake and mountain views," noted one camper, though another cautioned "there are only a couple spots" which fill quickly during peak periods. Additional dispersed options include Pine Lake Campground (hike-in access), NF-33 sites (rougher roads requiring higher clearance), and NF-1062 locations near water. Several areas require Northwest Forest Passes, and fire restrictions commonly apply during summer months.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Sumas, Washington (13)

    1. Pine Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Bellingham, WA
    23 miles

    "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."

    2. NF 33 Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Maple Falls, WA
    24 miles

    3. Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

    7 Reviews
    Concrete, WA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 854-2553

    "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."

    4. Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite

    6 Reviews
    Concrete, WA
    35 miles

    "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."

    5. Old Quarry by Sulphur Creek

    3 Reviews
    Concrete, WA
    33 miles

    6. NF Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Marblemount, WA
    48 miles

    "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."

    "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."

    7. Baker Lake Tent camping

    1 Review
    Concrete, WA
    35 miles

    "The lower is right by a river that spills into the lake on the other side of the road."

    8. Point Doughty

    3 Reviews
    Eastsound, WA
    36 miles
    Website

    9. Baker Pull-Off

    1 Review
    Concrete, WA
    35 miles

    "There’s 2 little walkways down to your own little private section of the lake. Beautiful."

    10. Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit County

    3 Reviews
    La Conner, WA
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 675-3767

    "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."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Sumas, WA

20 Photos of 13 Sumas Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Sumas, WA

28 Reviews of 13 Sumas Campgrounds

  • Eric O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite

    All things considered, good spot

    Many 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.

  • H
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

    Quiet camp with great views

    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. 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!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2023

    Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

    Great free spot on Baker Lake

    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.

    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!

  • Russel M.
    Mar. 31, 2023

    NF 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.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2024

    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.

  • Jill R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2019

    Point Doughty

    DNR site badly in need of care

    For 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.

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2022

    NF 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.

  • Pat M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2019

    Point Doughty

    Point

    3 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.

Guide to Sumas

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Sumas, Washington, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Sumas, Washington

  • Many dispersed camping spots, like Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp, provide stunning views of the lake and mountains, making them ideal for a peaceful getaway.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Baker Lake Road Dispersed Campsite has no toilets or trash services, so pack out what you bring in.
  • Arrive early, especially on weekends, as popular spots can fill up quickly. Campers at Pine Lake Campground have noted the high foot traffic from hikers, so securing a site early is key.

Dispersed campers should check out Lower Sandy Dispersed Camp

  • This location is well-reviewed for its quiet atmosphere and beautiful surroundings, making it a perfect retreat for those seeking solitude.
  • Campers can enjoy amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, but remember to bring your own water, as there are no water sources available.
  • The access options include both drive-in and walk-in, allowing for flexibility depending on your camping style.

Baker Lake: A top attraction for dispersed campers

  • Baker Lake Horse Camp offers a unique experience for equestrian enthusiasts, with trails that cater to both horses and hikers.
  • The area is known for its picturesque views and opportunities for fishing, making it a great spot for those looking to combine camping with outdoor activities.
  • Campers have reported that the sites are mostly tent-friendly, so it's a great choice for those who prefer a more traditional camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Sumas, WA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Sumas, WA is Pine Lake Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Sumas, WA?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Sumas, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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