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Best Dispersed Camping near Oak Harbor, WA

11 Reviews

Dispersed camping options near Oak Harbor, Washington include several island destinations that require boat or kayak access. Hope Island Marine State Park offers primitive camping with picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet. Visitors report it provides "beautiful views with a trail that circles the island," though they advise checking tide and wind conditions before kayaking there. Point Doughty features three non-reservable sites with difficult beach-to-campsite access. According to reviews, "the path up to the sites is steep and slippery with loose dirt" and facilities are minimal.

For drive-in options, forest service roads provide several possibilities. NF-27 Tunnel Creek offers a large flat camping area with existing fire rings. A camper noted it has "a big circle that you pull in and out of" with "plenty of space if you have a decent sized group." Mountain Loop Highway dispersed camping provides riverside sites once the highway turns to gravel. Reviews indicate these areas have "good logs for benches and fire rings made from forest rocks," though location coordinates can be misleading, with the best backcountry camping spots being "45 minutes to an hour past where the coordinates took you."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Oak Harbor, Washington (11)

    1. Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit County

    3 Reviews
    La Conner, WA
    8 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."

    2. Pine Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Bellingham, WA
    27 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."

    3. Walker Valley ORV Recreation Area

    Be the first to review!
    Clearlake, WA
    22 miles

    4. Point Doughty

    3 Reviews
    Eastsound, WA
    32 miles
    Website

    5. NF-27 Tunnel Creek

    2 Reviews
    Quilcene, WA
    39 miles

    "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."

    "There’s a trail from this site that leads to a great tint site as well. Plenty of space if you have a decent sized group. Easily accommodating 3 cars. We have plenty of space with our rig."

    6. Top of the Hill camping

    1 Review
    Quilcene, WA
    37 miles

    "This is actually a really secluded, pivate location with a beautiful view! The road is fairly easy to get up to this spot but really just room for one vehicle."

    7. FR27 Landing

    1 Review
    Quilcene, WA
    38 miles

    "Great large flat spot for camping. Could easily fit about 5 cars here. About 4 fire rings set up and the road is pretty easy getting here."

    8. Lake Angeles — Olympic National Park

    1 Review
    Port Angeles, WA
    42 miles
    Website

    "Super cool, isolated campground right next to Lake Ángeles. Only way to access is by hiking to it. Lots of bugs so make sure to bring bug repellant."

    9. Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp

    4 Reviews
    Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, WA
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 436-1155

    "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."

    10. Old Quarry by Sulphur Creek

    3 Reviews
    Concrete, WA
    49 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Oak Harbor, WA

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Oak Harbor, WA

11 Reviews of 11 Oak Harbor Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • Bobby J.
    Jul. 21, 2024

    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

  • Luis N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2021

    Lake Angeles — Olympic National Park

    Lake Ángeles Campground

    Super cool, isolated campground right next to Lake Ángeles. Only way to access is by hiking to it. Lots of bugs so make sure to bring bug repellant. Primitive campground, so bring your own water, trowel, tp, everything!! Hike is about 4 miles from the trailhead with ~ 2,500ft of elevation gain. Trailhead is right by the toll booths for the park. Parking is limited so try to get there at a reasonable time.

  • 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.

  • Pat M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2019

    Point Doughty

    Gamble for a view

    Only 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.

  • A
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp

    Overall peaceful for a night

    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 the one night.

  • Rachel K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2023

    NF-2510 Dispersed Site - CLOSED

    Beautiful views- Use EXTREME CAUTION when on this road

    I love this area and come out here frequently, many rivers and creeks with camping spots right next to them. The people camping are always super kind, secluded, but not too far from each other and always willing to help. DRIVE VERY CAREFULLY, LOTS OF POT HOLES AND DOWNED DEBRIS IN ROAD - STEEP DROP OFFS AND TIGHT TURNS The road goes from ground level up and around the mountain, so be cautious of time of year traveling as I have gotten stuck in the snow up at higher elevations trying to get back down to the other side. This is an area that they do regenerative forest work so big open areas from clear cuts give an amazing view of the hills and mountains.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2023

    Mountain 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.

Guide to Oak Harbor

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Oak Harbor, Washington, where nature's tranquility meets adventure. With stunning landscapes and unique camping experiences, this area offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Oak Harbor, Washington

  • Always check the weather conditions before heading out, especially if you plan to kayak to your site, as rough waters can make access challenging. For a unique experience, consider Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit.
  • Bring all necessary supplies, including water, as many dispersed sites do not provide drinking water. The primitive setting at Lake Angeles — Olympic National Park requires you to be fully self-sufficient.
  • Be prepared for wildlife encounters, especially raccoons, which can be common in areas like Point Doughty. Secure your food and trash to avoid attracting them.

Dispersed campers should check out Hope Island Marine State Park

  • This unique island offers a romantic setting with only a couple of sites, making it perfect for those seeking solitude. Access is by kayak, so plan your trip accordingly to enjoy the stunning views. Check out Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit for more details.
  • The island features a trail that circles around, providing beautiful vistas and opportunities for exploration. It's a great spot for those who appreciate nature walks and scenic views.
  • Be aware that a permit is required for camping here, so make sure to secure one before your visit to avoid any issues.

Scenic spots for dispersed camping near Oak Harbor

  • For a peaceful experience, consider the Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp, where you can find serene sites along the river, surrounded by lush forest.
  • If you're looking for a more secluded experience, Pine Lake Campground offers a charming atmosphere, but be prepared for foot traffic from hikers passing through.
  • The Old Quarry by Sulphur Creek is another option, providing a unique setting for those who enjoy a more rugged camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in Oak Harbor?

Dispersed camping in the Oak Harbor area requires following specific regulations. At Point Doughty, you'll find three non-reservable sites with tables and fire pits on DNR land, accessible only by water. These sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Most dispersed sites in the region require a Discover Pass for vehicle access and prohibit stays longer than 14 consecutive days. Campers must pack out all trash, maintain at least 100 feet distance from water sources when setting up, and follow current fire restrictions. Toilet facilities are limited or non-existent, so come prepared with waste disposal methods and adhere to Leave No Trace principles.

Where can I find free dispersed camping on Whidbey Island?

Free dispersed camping options on Whidbey Island are limited, as most land is private or managed by state parks requiring permits. While not directly on Whidbey, nearby alternatives include Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit County, which offers primitive camping on a small island accessible only by boat. For true dispersed camping, consider the mainland areas around the Cascade region, such as Mountain Loop Hway Dispersed Camp which features free sites along the river. Always verify current regulations before camping, as rules for dispersed camping in Washington state parks and DNR lands may change seasonally.

When is the best season for dispersed camping on Whidbey Island?

The best season for dispersed camping on Whidbey Island and surrounding areas is late spring through early fall (May to September). During this period, Lake Angeles — Olympic National Park and similar wilderness areas offer accessible conditions with less precipitation. Summer provides the most reliable weather, though popular spots like NF-27 Tunnel Creek may be busier. Late spring offers wildflowers and fewer crowds, while early fall brings cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage. Winter camping is possible but challenging due to Pacific Northwest rain, requiring proper gear and experience. Always check road conditions and seasonal closures before heading out, especially for remote locations.

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