Best Campgrounds near Thorp, WA
Thorp, Washington provides a blend of established and dispersed camping options within proximity to the Cascade Mountains. The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area offers free dispersed camping with significant privacy between sites, while established campgrounds like Ellensburg KOA provide amenities including electric hookups, showers, and cabins. Taneum Cabin, located near Thorp, offers a rustic cabin experience during the summer months. The region includes a mix of tent and RV-accessible sites along with glamping options at places like The Cottonwood Retreat, giving campers various accommodation choices depending on their preference for amenities or solitude.
Rough roads with steep, rocky terrain characterize much of the dispersed camping area, particularly in L.T. Murray Wildlife Area. As one camper noted, "Very steep and Rocky! We car camp in a Wagoneer and it was fine." Many dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles, though several visitors successfully navigate with small trailers. The Discover Pass is required for camping in wildlife management areas, and gates must be closed after entry at certain locations. Most developed campgrounds operate seasonally, with Ellensburg KOA open from February through mid-November and Taneum Cabin available only from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with surprisingly strong signals reported at many L.T. Murray sites despite their remote feel.
Campers consistently highlight the solitude available at dispersed sites in the wildlife area. "Not another soul in site, and only the sounds of nature around us," reported one visitor to L.T. Murray. The area delivers significant privacy between camping spots, with many reviewers noting they drove 10-20 minutes on forest roads before finding their ideal location. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with visitors reporting sightings of elk, deer, wild turkeys, and various birds. Developed campgrounds offer different advantages - river access is particularly valued at Ellensburg KOA, where sites backing up to the Yakima River receive positive mentions despite some road noise from nearby highways. Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience, with summer heat impacting exposed sites and wildflowers creating spectacular scenery in spring and early summer.
