Best Dispersed Camping near Thorp, WA

Several free dispersed camping areas surround Thorp, Washington, with L.T. Murray Wildlife Area offering some of the most accessible options. Access requires entering through a gated entrance that must be closed after passing through. The area features rocky, steep dirt roads that demand high-clearance vehicles. According to one visitor, "We drove up a rocky dirt road, single lane with pull outs, for about 20 mins. Passing only a few other campers along the way. Sites are very spread out and private."

North Fork Teanaway Road provides additional primitive camping spots with proximity to water. These sites typically have fire rings but no other amenities, with burn bans common during summer months. Liberty Town/Williams Creek offers creek-side dispersed camping on Forest Service land with stone fire pits and natural privacy barriers between sites. Old Bluett Pass Road contains high-elevation sites with mountain views. Most areas require a Discover Pass, and campers should prepare to be entirely self-sufficient. One camper noted that "there are a handful of dispersed sites in this area. We found one nestled right next to the creek. It was great, very peaceful for the most part."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Thorp, Washington (56)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Thorp, WA

179 Reviews of 56 Thorp Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2021

    White River Dispersed Camping

    Riverside perfection

    Plenty of sites along the river with multiple ingress/egress options from the road. Right outside the entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park and the access road to Crystal Mountain. 

    4x4 / high clearance vehicles recommended - saw some subarus trying to navigate into a cleared area and it was pretty scrape-y. 

    Great place to stay if you can't get a spot at White River / Ohanapecosh.

    Leave no trace.

  • Ashley V.
    May. 23, 2022

    Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400

    Dispersed campsites along the service road.

    As described, little to no water sources. Private property marked in some areas. Camp sites are just off the road so there is some road dust. In May there was plenty of wood for burning. Do be mindful of burn restrictions later in the season. This area is very popular with mountain bikers and some dirt bikes. Service roads did have some heavily washed out areas and rocks that higher ground clearance and AWD/4WD would be beneficial, but a 2WD car could make it to some sites. Great spot though to camp near Leavenworth Wenatchee area. Verizon phone service was ok, T-Mobile was spotty at best occasionally a message would get through.

  • Ashley M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 5, 2020

    Dispersed near Salmon la Sac

    Dispersed near Salmon la Sac

    Single 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.

  • Cheryl M.
    Oct. 1, 2022

    Old Bluett Pass Road Dispersed

    High Elevation Site off Hwy 97N

    Dog wasn’t feeling well so took a chance and went up this USFS mostly paved road. There are lovely views on the trip up and a few roadside areas you could car or van camp in a pinch. Towards the top a couple private roads break off, and just above the now dirt USFS road continues. Here is 1 large, not terribly level, high clearance needed, site with fire ring and lots of parking options.

  • Shay F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2020

    L.T. Murray Wildlife Area

    Beautiful Solitude for Boondocking

    **Ranger Review: Camp Fare Premium Meals at LT Murray Wildlife Area **

    Camping Review: The LT Murray Wildlife Area is located in Thorp, between Cle Elum and Ellensburg. It is often referred to as Elk Heights or Joe Watt Canyon. This is primarily an ORV and horseback riding area in the summer. Hunting and elk feeding/wintering grounds area in the winter. This is also a great area to find elk sheds once wintering season is over. There are plenty of dispersed camping sites along the Forest Service roads. All you need is a Discover Pass and a high clearance, capable vehicle. 

    We were looking for a close by, no reservation, free place to camp for a weekend. I remember riding horses up here as a kid but have not been up to this area for many years. Once you arrive to the Wildlife Area, you must let yourself in the gate and close it after you pass through. From the gate we drove down a rough, rocky road and passed a wide-open meadow where there we a couple other trailers camping, maybe living, along the road. We passed through some very narrow, brush lined roads. It was also steep and rutted with water wash out spots. The rocks that made the road are sharp, large, and loose. We did not go too far as we were not sure what shape the road would be in and did not want to get in a situation with our trailer that we could not get out of. Plug for our Airstream Basecamp. It's advertised as being "built for adventure and tough enough to go anywhere." I think I really believe it now. 

    The spot we chose turned out to be beautiful. We had a view of the Thorp valley and the forested gully and ridge across from us. The stars were out and the comet NEOWISE was visible. We saw large elk, deer, many birds, and were visited by some wild turkeys in the night. It can get very windy in this area. Fires are not allowed due to red flag conditions. There is nothing out here. You must bring everything you need. Food, water, TP, lights. The best part was we saw two other cars, a couple ORV's, and a couple horseback riders total for the 2 days we were there. You can't get any quieter and more unplugged than that! 

    Product Review: Camp Fare Beef Burgundy with Field Vegetables and Chicken Tikka Masala with French Green Lentils

     I ordered these meals a bit short of our last trip and was unable to make them. I was happy I had them saved for our trip up to LT Murray given we traveled quick and light. Camp Fare https://campfare.com/ advertises their food as high quality, delicious, chef-crafted, and ready to eat- no refrigeration required. All you have to do is submerge in hot water for 2-3 minutes, tear open the pouch, and enjoy. Selection is limited but covers all the bases. Beef Burgundy, Chicken Tikka Masala, Wild Alaskan Salmon, and Brown Rice and Red Quinoa with Pink Beans. They all sound great! We had our camp stove and a pot of water but you could probably stuff the pouch into a larger Jet Boil for backpacking too. I chose the Beef and had my partner eat the Chicken. 

    Preparation was as quick and easy as promised. The meals may not look amazing, especially on a plate instead of the pouch or in a bowl, but they really are delicious. The Beef Burgundy was flavorful and tender. The Chicken Tikka Masala was Indian restaurant good, seriously. I would way rather eat these meals than something dehydrated ever again. Looking forward to trying the Salmon and maybe getting the Chicken again for future trips.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2025

    Ranger Creek Airstrip Dispersed

    Not for Us, But We'd Try Again

    We had high hopes for this USFS campground, having read that it’s on an airstrip, it sounded neat. But we decided not to stay here after we checked it out. There were lots and lots of other campers there, lots of camo, lots of large pickup trucks that don’t slow down on gravel roads, lots of “don’t tread on me” flags. 

    We drove to the end where the bathroom is and decided to turn around, though it seems that the camp spots do continue after that point. This was on a Saturday, in all fairness, so the vibe might be different during the week. 

    It’s a 14 day stay limit, and other than the toilets there are no other amenities, so please pack out your trash. At the entrance it says that the following passes are honored: Annual Northwest Forest Pass, Golden Eagle Passport, and Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass. However, at the bathrooms, there’s another sign that says a $5 day use fee required. Doesn’t make sense that camping is free with certain passes but for day use it’s a $5 fee, but since we weren’t staying we didn’t look much into it. No ATV or off road riding here. 

    Cell signal was very weak for Verizon and non-existent for ATT. Giving it 4 stars instead of 3 because it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't be willing to check it out again the next time we're in the area.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2025

    Ranger Creek Airstrip Dispersed

    Not for us, but we would try again.

    We had high hopes for this USFS campground, having read that it’s on an airstrip, it sounded neat. But we decided not to stay here after we checked it out. There were lots and lots of other campers there, lots of camo, lots of large pickup trucks that don’t slow down on gravel roads, lots of “don’t tread on me” flags. We drove to the end where the bathroom is and decided to turn around, though it seems that the camp spots do continue after that point. This was on a Saturday, in all fairness, so the vibe might be different during the week. 

    It’s a 14 day stay limit, and other than the toilets there are no other amenities, so please pack out your trash. At the entrance it says that the following passes are honored: Annual Northwest Forest Pass, Golden Eagle Passport, and Washington and Oregon Recreation Pass. However, at the bathrooms, there’s another sign that says a $5 day use fee required. Doesn’t make sense that camping is free with certain passes but for day use it’s a $5 fee, but since we weren’t staying we didn’t look much into it. No ATV or off road riding here. 

    Cell signal was very weak for Verizon and non-existent for ATT. Giving it 4 stars instead of 3 because it wasn't so bad that I wouldn't be willing to check it out again the next time we're in the area.

  • Parker C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 24, 2025

    South Fork Snoqualmie River Dispersed Site

    Pretty neat spot

    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. 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!

  • Pamela R.
    Jun. 19, 2021

    L.T. Murray Wildlife Area

    Gorgeous!

    After figuring out which gate to go through (make sure and shut the gate behind you), I took a road to the right with my truck and 19 ft. epro. We drove up a rocky dirt road, single lane with pull outs, for about 20 mins. Passing only a few other campers along the way. Sites are very spread out and private. Wildflowers were amazing!


Guide to Thorp

Dispersed camping near Thorp, Washington provides accessible wilderness experiences in the eastern foothills of the Cascades at elevations ranging from 1,700 to 4,000 feet. The area features predominantly Ponderosa pine forests interspersed with high meadows and seasonal creeks. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with snow accumulation common from November through March, making most dispersed sites accessible only from late spring to early fall.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: The North Fork Teanaway River offers fishing spots within walking distance of several camping areas. According to one camper at North Fork Teanaway River - Dispersed, "We had a nice short walk through a secluded walk in site that led to a rocky river bed. We also had a horse trail across the road that we walked. Lots of wild flowers to enjoy."

ATV and dirt bike riding: Multiple areas permit motorized recreation, particularly near Kachess Lake. One visitor noted, "Great spot off the lake to camp for the night. The rangers were putting out a fire when we arrived. Seems to have been successful. There is a burn ban in effect for this reason. If you are looking for solitude, this is not the spot. It's popular for large groups with ATVs but people were respectful."

Wildlife viewing: The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area provides opportunities to observe native wildlife. A camper shared, "We saw large elk, deer, many birds, and were visited by some wild turkeys in the night. It can get very windy in this area."

What campers like

River proximity: Many campers value water access for cooling off during summer months. At White River Dispersed Camping, one visitor reported, "The campsites are absolutely beautiful—tucked among the trees with stunning views and the soothing, constant sound of the roaring White River nearby. The river noise also does a great job of masking any sounds from the nearby road."

Privacy between sites: Most dispersed camping areas offer good separation between camping spots. A visitor to Liberty Town / Williams Creek Dispersed Camping noted, "Tons of dispersed camping up and down the road! Spots are far enough away to give you good privacy."

Mountain views: High-elevation sites provide scenic vistas. A camper at Old Bluett Pass Dispersed Site reported, "Was a perfect Weekend to Disperse camp, really quite, no toilets no water, Verizon coverage good."

What you should know

Cell service varies widely: Signal strength depends on precise location and carrier. In some areas, connectivity can be surprisingly good despite the remote setting. One camper at Kachess Lake Lakebed shared, "Cell service was good for both ATT and Verizon. Even though the area looks so remote, it's right next to the road, so you have road noise that's fairly loud."

Pack out all waste: No garbage services exist in these areas, creating environmental concerns. A concerned visitor warned, "People are destroying this lake. Mountains of garbage around due to no garbage services, and human feces everywhere. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT."

Vehicle requirements differ: Some sites require specific vehicles for safe access. A reviewer at North Fork Teanaway River - Dispersed explained, "I think this site has the best river access, but a couple of others have better distance from the main road. It's plenty large for tenting, or a truck camper. I wouldn't bring a trailer, other than a very small one."

Tips for camping with families

Check seasonal conditions: Water levels and access vary dramatically by season. One family noted, "But the lake level was really low when we stayed there, so there was plenty of available space for camping. A van or two, a truck camper, tent campers, a little scamp, and lots and lots of day time ATV users shared this space with us."

Safety with river access: Rivers can be swift but offer play opportunities. A camper observed, "The water was clear and cold. Very pretty. No fishing allowed, but the river is shallow so I don't think there would be anything to catch anyway. On a hot day, this would be a nice spot to park a chair in the river and soak up some sun!"

Bug preparedness: Insects can be problematic in certain areas and seasons. A visitor to Liberty Town / Williams Creek Dispersed Camping advised, "If you do get a spot, bring a citronella candle, the mosquitos are thick."

Tips from RVers

Road condition awareness: Many forest roads deteriorate farther from main roads. An RV camper noted, "We drove about 20 minutes and started to see pull offs for camping, and finally decided on on with the most amazing view of the cascade mountains. Dirt rocky road, steep in areas, and 4x4 not necessary, but a higher clearance sure seems as if it is."

Clearance considerations: Sharp rocks can damage vehicle undercarriages and tires. An RVer at White River Dispersed Camping cautioned, "4x4 / high clearance vehicles recommended - saw some subarus trying to navigate into a cleared area and it was pretty scrape-y. Great place to stay if you can't get a spot at White River / Ohanapecosh."

Limited turnout spaces: RVers should scout ahead or research thoroughly. A camper with a trailer explained, "We did not go too far as we were not sure what shape the road would be in and did not want to get in a situation with our trailer that we could not get out of."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Thorp, Washington?

The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area offers excellent dispersed camping options near Thorp. Located between Cle Elum and Ellensburg, it's sometimes referred to as Elk Heights or Joe Watt Canyon. The area features spread-out sites accessible via rocky dirt roads with single lanes and pull-outs. Another option is the North Fork Teanaway River - Dispersed, which provides free camping opportunities within reasonable driving distance from Thorp. These sites offer privacy and natural settings without developed facilities.

What are the dispersed camping rules in Thorp, WA?

When dispersed camping near Thorp, you must follow several important regulations. At Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Dispersed Camping on Derby Rd NF7400, be mindful of burn restrictions, especially later in the season. Respect private property boundaries, which are marked in some areas. At Dispersed Camping North Fork Teanaway Road, standard dispersed camping rules apply: pack out all trash, properly dispose of human waste (bury at least 6 inches deep, 200 feet from water sources), and camp at least 100 feet from water sources. Typically, the 14-day stay limit applies in most national forest areas around Thorp.

Is there year-round dispersed camping available near Thorp?

Year-round dispersed camping near Thorp varies seasonally with weather conditions. The Silver Springs Sno Park offers winter accessibility as it's right off the highway with a large gravel parking area, though you'll encounter potholes and need to drive slowly. Winter access to many dispersed sites is limited by snow, especially at higher elevations. Reecer Creek Road Camp may offer lower-elevation options that remain accessible longer into shoulder seasons. For winter camping, be prepared for no services, potential road closures, and pack extra supplies for cold weather conditions.