Looking for the best dispersed camping near Toppenish? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.
Limited camping will continue at Vernita for the 2024 and 2025 fall salmon seasons, but it will look different than in the past:
Camping and day use users will have designated areas.
Camping will be limited to 14 days per user in a 30 day period.
When fall salmon seasons are not underway, camping is prohibited and vehicle access limited to a smaller day use area.
The area will be patrolled by WDFW Enforcement officers for compliance with the new requirements.
Dispersed camping located near Rimrock Lake with RV and tent sites.
Boat launch located on Rimrock Peninsula, north shore of lake just above the dam.
There are many undeveloped camping locations on the forest. Generally there are no amenities available, such as restrooms, water or garbage dumpsters. All trash and waste must be packed out. No toilet available? See How to Go in the Forest. Use existing sites and do not damage vegetation. Campfires are not allowed at these sites during high fire danger. Check Fire Restrictions page.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=fsbdev3_053600
$8 / night
Dispersed camping located along the South Fork Tieton River, near Rimrock Lake. RV and tent sites. Jay Hawk, Lower Bake Oven, Upper Bake Oven and Minnie Meadows
Traveler
I travel for work and I stay here almost every week to save money on hotels. I’ve also taken my family here over the summer for camping and hiking. We all love it. Very quiet. Weekends can get kinda busy due to hikers and rock climbing enthusiasts. I suggest coming up early if you plan to stay the weekend. Many beautiful views. There is even a waterfall I sleep across from. On clear nights you can see all the stars. Which is my favorite! There are lots of sites to camp. In car/tent/RV it’s pretty accessible. There are some rougher spots where you probably should have four-wheel-drive or at least a higher stance vehicle.
TravelerGreat location so close to 90 but tucked away - will be staying here often
Traveler
We camped specifically at the Indian Creek Dispersed sites. There is a collection of camp grounds in this surrounding area, so I wouldn’t be concerned about finding a spot.
The views are incredible, beautiful grounds. Sadly the sites were covered in trash, people were riding quads and chainsawing until 2am, as well as yelling and loud music.
We did come on a weekend so it got very busy.
TravelerIf you come during the week, you're going to enjoy quiet, gorgeous dispersed camping. Big spaces, big trees, big lake.
But if you come during the weekend, be prepared for the most inconsiderate, noisy, rude neighbors you've ever found. They leave trash everywhere, play music and shoot guns late into the night, and don't respect boundaries whatsoever. I had multiple people drive right into my campsite and park 10 feet from my rig, walk through camp yelling and playing music, you name it.
So, four stars because the place is amazing - but choose your timing wisely.
TravelerThe views are amazing, plenty of open campsites and nobody was around us when we camped. A perfect quiet getaway.
GuidePopular rock climbing area that gets many people through the day. Dispearsed camping in 2 areas. The first spot as you come from the road is much smaller and doesn't have any pit toilets. I prefer to park here when its not busy as the "Feathers" basalt columns are really pretty to camp up next to. The second open site down the road has pit toilets and is a much larger area. Both are nice but also there are many cars, campers, tents and becomes a much more lively area in the evening depending on the crowds.
I think this is a great spot but I move on during the day when the rock climbing crowds start to swarm and park near you. There are some nice trails that take you up above the climbing area and you can get to the backside to get some nice views and away from the crowds. Can get pretty hot here in the warmer months but a beautiful spot to camp if you can avoid the busy/peak times.
Traveler
This, like the other spots in Frenchman Coulee, is seldom empty, but it's much less packed than the areas closer to the climbing. This spot offers the best views, sunrises, and sunsets, at the cost of no shade and a healthy dose of wind. If you're going for the rugged feel, this'll do it. OF NOTE: The vault toilets are about a mile away from here.
TravelerBeautiful overlook site. Perfect for Overland type vehicles. The entrance to the site is rough. Scouting is a good idea before attempting entry with a trailer.
Scout
This is used by fly fishermen to access the near by lake.
Scout
Totally off grid. No amenities but worth the stay.
LegendWaterfall, gorge, amazing scenery! There is a pit toilet and there were some people climbing. No accessible water. Only a couple miles from the highway. It was windy, as this whole area is. But well worth it! Note: some of the rocks on the paths to the campsites were pretty pointy, but the road in is well maintained.
ScoutVery beautiful spot. Has toilets around area, didnt check them as my rig is self sufficient. No other service though but out here it doesnt matter. Pack in pack out. Has fire rings all over!
GuideThis is a really cool spot right on the creek and close to Mt rainier. The coordinates given here do not take you to this campground. Keep going north of these coordinates and very soon you will see a sign that says Rimrock recreation area on the right if you’re headed north (side of the road closest to the creek) turn down there and go a ways until you come to a forest road on your right. It will be pretty obvious it’s a campground when you turn in by the signage (that I have included in my pictures) and there are lots of spots if you go through. The road is very rocky and high clearance does best but we did get our minivan in there fine with some maneuvering.
Scout
Driving in pulling up I was taken a back by how beautiful this place was. Then when we finally found a place, I was reminded of how much people suck. There was trash and toilet paper everywhere you look. It got really crowded and there were 2 parties within earshot. People were doing donuts and making huge dust clouds that would cover everything in dust. There were shoes and articles of clothing left everywhere. I suppose if you like that sort of thing, then cool. I was just looking for some peace and quiet.
Traveler
Privacy can be had if you take your time and find a good spot. However, be prepared to clean up behind the hooligans.
If people would just take care of stuff, this could be an awesome place.
Traveler
I just love this spot, no amenities, isolation, river front view, and a boat ramp. Bring your own everything!!
Traveler
I camp here every year and it’s always tough to get the spot you want unless you get there by Thursday. It’s $8 per car and there are several spots to throw up a tent or hammocks. Getting in can be tough as the road is dirt and used for wheeling in the off-season so be careful if your car is low. There is a vaulted toilet and trash cans, but we usually just use the woods as we camp further from the one outhouse. There is one picnic table at the spot, but it moves from site to site. “Whoever gets it first” kind of thing. There is great fishing here, however you can’t fish in the river, you have to fish either in the lake/reservoir or further upstream because the camping area is a breading zone for an endangered fish. There is a boat launch about 1-2 miles away on the other side of the peninsula. There is a bridge we normally jump off, however they have signs up saying it’s not permitted. As long as you’re being safe, nobody cares. As far as drinking water, it’s not available at the site, but there is a natural spring down the road about a mile and a half. It’s clean and drinkable. We normally fill our bottles there before and during. Very few people know about the spring, though it’s just off to the side of the road on the way. This site is relatively close to stores as once you hit Hwy 12, you’re only within 20 minutes either direction of a gas station or general store. I’ll update with more pictures next time we go.
GuideDiscover Pass required. Not for regular camping. Used for staying overnight and getting up early to hit the water.
ScoutThis site is now gated off.
LegendThis is a Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife fishing access site. It is free with a Washington State Discovery Pass for $30/year. This annual pass will also gain you admission to state parks. There are several boat launch sites here and a number of those Sani Cans. The area is spread out over open land with smooth rocks. It can be a bit bumpy if hauling a trailer unless you stick to the smooth rock roads. No shade except along the shore.
For a free site, it has its good points: easy access to highway 24/243 which will bring you to I-90, quiet, wide open space, near the Vernita Bridge Rest Area for free tank dump site. If you arrive on the last weekend of October, there is a huge king salmon fishing derby with about 100 entrants so you will have company. But, it is usually quiet midweek in the spring and fall. It may be busier in the summer midweek as there are lots of fishing enthusiast ps and boaters who live close by in the Tri Cities area.
If you need a quiet place for one night or are hauling a river fishing boat, this is a good place to stay.
GuideThe main draw here is that there's a boat ramp into the Columbia. If you've got a fishing/camping rig and like to tell fish stories, this is a great spot for you.
If you're looking for a private, secluded or picturesque spot, this isn't for you.
This place does require a Discover Pass, but it's otherwise free. There were portapotties available, but I wouldn't count on them always being available.
TravelerI could let go the dust, wind, noise, crowds of jerks not taking covid precautions (in Yakima County which has one of the highest infection rates in Washington, but one of the lowest pop. density in the state), such as gatherings of 30-50 people with none wearing masks, but I can't get over the poo and toilet paper littering the ground. You can see it just driving down the road. Forestry even posted a sign about the poo poo and TP. No wonder so many people are sick. Can't even go for a walk without dodging mine fields of poo and discarded TP. I drove 4.5 hours to get there. Terribly disappointing, disgusted, and left feeling dirty and possibly exposed to covid. BTW, got tested and was negative.
There was also no internet, calls or texting on Sprint.
Location 46°39'57.3"N 121°06'11.0"W (copy paste)
GuideThe sites on the peninsula are pretty great, great distance between each other, fire pits, the basics.. the trash is rampant. Some shady looking individuals, too. Been camping here several times, and will continue to do so, have had people walk through my site. They have dumpsters by the airstrip upon entering the peninsula, so please carry it out! Facilities remain closed.
GuidePeninsula Camp is one of 3 designated camp grounds on the East end of Rimrock Lake. From the UPFS air field you will pass the first designated camp - suitable for dispersed RV'ing and the roomiest area. As you travel the One-Way loop, you will pass multiple locations for tent camping just off the road and cars lining the shoulder. You can find a few med sized camp site for RVs especially near the boat launch.
The views were amazing but all the campers made so much noise, we moved. This might be a better review on a less busy weekend.
Bring your own water and the facilities were lacking attention, if they were open at all. Be prepared to rough it.
LegendWe stayed here 2 nights and will definitely be coming back. Tons of open sites to choose from right along the river. Designated fire rings but currently there's a burn ban. No vault toilets or picnic tables. Pack it in, pack it out! When we first arrived we spent about 20 minutes cleaning the site we chose after the people whom were here before us. Not such a big deal just a little saddening. #1 rule is to leave no trace. Extremely grateful we get to explore and camp on land that is free. We should all do our part and take care of it.
A little surprising that we had cell phone reception with sprint!
Near this area there are a lot or activities. Biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking.. to name a few!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Toppenish, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Toppenish, WA is Vernita Bridge with a 2.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Toppenish, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Toppenish, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
