Best Dispersed Camping near Toutle, WA

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Toutle

46 Reviews of 24 Toutle Campgrounds

• B

  Bella M.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 3, 2024

  NF-52 Dispersed Camping

  Beautiful views but semi busy road

  Got here around sunset. Looks like some good camping spots to walk into. Beautiful view of Rainier. There was a little bit of traffic but nothing crazy. Would stay here again.

• 

  Holbrook P.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 31, 2024

  NF-52 Dispersed Camping

  Amazing Spot Outside of Rainier

  We found an awesome walk in spot a little bit earlier on on the forest road before these actual coordinates. While we didn't have the comfota of our car parked right next to us, we had spectacular views of Mt. Rainier, easy access down to the river, and a fire pit. Unreal spot about 10-15 drive to the entrance of the park. Paved road all the way.

• 

  Jeffrey P.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 31, 2024

  Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

  Easy Get Away

  A couple spots right off the road for car camping or small campers. There was an “official” camp sight more near the Dry Creek Trail (has a bathroom). We opted to walk south along the river to try and find a space. Ended up crossing the river where there are a couple more hidden spots. We found out later that there is a trail right before you cross Trapper Creek that leads you to the spot we were at. There were a few people out and you can sometimes hear cars but overall it was an easy stay with some nice views. The river drowns out most the noise. Would definitely come back here

• S

  Simon M.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 22, 2024

  NF-52 Dispersed Camping

  Easy to find

  It was a pretty good stay, it was easy to find a spot. We just pulled over and set up a tent. A little buggy and it’s not a super special spot to camp but it was a nice stay.

• 

  Kevin W.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 20, 2024

  McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed

  Lots of shade, very private and trailer friendly.

  I have camped here twice now, once during a scouting trip in 2016 with my boys and again in September 2024 with just me and my dog :).  I could pull my 17' pop-up "A" frame trailer and back into one of the two spots with no problem.  Due to the narrow road, it may be a bit more snug with bigger rigs (25+ feet long and anything more than 8+ feet wide).  I would scout the road and area before committing; however, there is a turnaround that you could use to maneuver the trailer to drive out.  It's plenty big to accommodate a few trucks/cars and one, maybe two towable trailers.  If you're going tent camping, there are about four flat places for tents.  The area has no trails, so you would not have to worry about people wandering into the campsite. The Ape Caves is a small drive away. The town of Cougar, WA. is about 10 miles away if you need gas or food.  There is a lot of shade, and it is not solar-friendly.  The main road is about 100 feet away, relatively quiet, and very private.  There was a large rock fire pit in the middle. There is no cell phone reception; however, if you drive East for a few miles, you may be able to get 2 bars with Verizon.

  Per the state website, "On the southwest side of Mount St. Helens, Forest Road 81 provides an experience away from crowds. On this road, access Kalama Horse Camp, Red Rock Pass, and Forest Road 830, the road to Climber's Bivouac, and the start of the summer climbing route. From the west, the road begins on Forest Road 90, near Cougar, WA, and travels through private timberlands and state lands before entering Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The road connects with Forest Road 83 on its east side. While mostly paved, be prepared for several miles of gravel(between Forest Road 830 and 8123) and a road that is sometimes very rough."

• O

  Oriane D.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 15, 2024

  NF Big Dispersed Camping Spot

  Nice for a short stay

  A lot of space, it’s near the road but there is almost no traffic in the evening. Quite a lot of mosquitoes but nice for a short stay

• 

  John P.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 14, 2024

  Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

  Easy Car Camp

  Relative to other options in Northwest Oregon this was an easy to find, plenty of space place to park the car. My partner and I angled our vehicle to block our tent from the road and slept like rocks.

  Not scenic (though the waterfall that is a short hike away is). My only safety concern is someone taking the corner too fast running into your car.

• M

  Melissa B.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 29, 2024

  Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

  Trail of Turds…

  The site was great honestly, nice flat pads for tents, plenty of room for a trailer if you’re brave enough to bring it down about 5 miles of rough rough gravel road. For being such a remote location it was very busy this weekend lots of cars, foot traffic, and fishermen. It’s beautiful u can’t blame anyone for wanting to come but i was surprised by the volume. Maybe try a weekday for less crowds.

  We had a private trail (about a country block in length), we quickly realized it was a “shitty” trail, a trail of Turds😭😭💩🧻

  Other then that water and surrounding scenery was breath taking..

• 

  Bobby J.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 21, 2024

  NF-52 Dispersed Camping

  Ok stay near Mt Rainier

  It was just a pretty ok spot. Nothing fancy, my spot wasn’t right on the river and I had a creek which was just full of mosquitoes

• 

  samuel C.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 16, 2024

  NF-52 Dispersed Camping

  One of my favorites!

  One of my favorite dispersed sites of all time, now let me say , there can be a lot of bugs, but there are lots of sites , and the view of rainier is amazing. !!!! There is a lot of traffic but I love it everytime.

• 

  Ashlyn C.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 1, 2024

  FR-604 Dispersed Site

  Private and spacious campsite!

  The campsite was nice, right off the road but there wasn’t an absurd amount of traffic to where it bothered me but you will hear the cars on the road while you sleep if you’re in a tent. If you follow the trail by foot in the back of the forest for maybe 10 minutes you will find a beautiful swimming hole and small waterfalls! I recommend blocking the entrance with your vehicles to block noise and people trying to drive in to the campsite.

• 

  Jeffrey P.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 22, 2024

  Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

  Pretty good!

  Road got a little bumpy getting out here but once we found a spot right near the riverbank, you felt like you were deep in it. Saw a few people on the way out. Really relaxing next to the sound of the river. Would definitely recommend sleeping mats if you’re in a tent as the grounds rather hard. The spot we went didn’t really have anywhere for hammocks but saw a couple on the way out. “Spaces” were far enough apart that you couldn’t even tell anyone else was out there. Wood was kinda sparse in the spot we were in too but you’re close enough to your car that you can just bring some. Would definitely recommend for a quick and convenient spot.

• K

  Kyle S.

  Scout

  

  May. 26, 2024

  Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

  Beware of Samsquatch

  He’s out there 👽

• 

  Logan K.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 10, 2024

  Tillamook Forest Dispersed - Shots and Pecks

  Snowed out

  Went up at the end of the snow season and I couldn't quite make it. My 4wd rav only has road tires and I eventually got to a point I wasn't able to make it. My brothers 2022 Outback did completely fine but regardless we had to turn back. I plan to revisit the site here in about two(ish) weeks. The area surrounding the site is trafficked regularly by the looks of it, lots of people coming out shooting, HOWEVER the area is patrolled very heavily by Sheriff Department. I was told by a guy more akin to the area that the spot is a pretty normal spot for locals and that some better areas are farther up.

• J

  Jaden J.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 4, 2023

  Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

  Amazing Hike!!

  This place was beautiful!! Definitely best for car camping as the spots down by the river were pretty wet and muddy this time of year. The waterfall is amazing and only a 15 minute hike down! The only reason this place got lower than a 5 star is because of all the trash near the parking lot. Too beautiful of a place to be used as a dump!! Definitely used as a party spot but aside from this it’s worth the visit!

• D

  Diana M.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 21, 2023

  NF-52 Dispersed Camping

  Attack of the ants!

  I used the big pull in spot where you can get good access to the river via multiple paths. I backed my SUV in and set my car tent up. Then realized there were ants ALL OVER! Maybe the big trash pile but they seemed bigger (Carpenter?). Not only could I not enjoy the space outside my tent and just chill but they also were all over multiple path entrances. If I hadn’t already set my tent up I’d have found another spot!

• 

  Lindsey N.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 17, 2023

  FR-604 Dispersed Site

  Convenient spot next to the road!

  We tried 3 campgrounds that were all full and then found this free site right next to the road. Luckily, we were able to buy "US National Forrest camping passes" from the gas station in Carson. It ended up working great for us to have a trailer, 2 cars, several dogs, kids, and an SUV tent.

• 

  Lindsey N.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 17, 2023

  Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

  Golden location for solo travel or with friends!

  This location has 2-3 free sites you can drive in and, 2 more walk-in sites near the bridge. It was so nice on a super hot day and there is a nearby latrine at the trailhead! Perfect for a group. There is also a nearby paid camp so, if you're a solo traveler, you will feel safe knowing there are other campers nearby. No cell service! And, these sites require a US National Forrest camping pass.

• m

  malia

  Scout

  

  Jul. 18, 2023

  Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

  Decent place for the night

  A big pavement pull off on the ride of the road. The river is a walk down a very steep hill behind the pullout. No place to pitch a tent, best for car camping. Had some issues with people stopping and playing loud music, seems to be a hangout spot.

• 

  Sheryl H.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 10, 2023

  NF-52 Dispersed Camping

  This Dispersed Camping area is next to the Skate Creek Rd. It is beautiful!

  The area is beautiful with about 38 sites. Forest Service has installed 6 temporary toilets for the third year in a row to assist with human waste issues.  Many of the campers do not understand the rules and they depart with trash and litter everywhere. 

  Volunteers continue to cleanup after these abusers as well as the Forest Service.

• A

  Autumn B.

  Traveler

  

  May. 3, 2023

  Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

  A little tricky to find, but stumbled upon a gem

  A friend and I drove around for a campsite for hours because our original one was under 2 feet of snow (late April 2023). I was able to get a bar of service and found this area off 83. There’s a bunch of pull offs, we found one that was covered in twigs and brambles. It was easy to get back to the site once we moved the blockage. Great, quiet area. Clean and not much left behind. Bet it’s busy in the summer but we didn’t see anyone for miles in late April.

• 

  Caroline E.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 16, 2022

  Skate Creek Dispersed

  Dispersed near Rainer

  Mostly roadside pull-offs with some drive-in & larger sites available. Come earlier for better sites! Lots of good options for car campers to wake up with a view of Rainer. No cell signal with AT&T. Close to Ashland (15ish minutes) where you can get gas and groceries. Great views of Rainer from most sites, and not a far drive to the park.

• 

  Kathy C.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 24, 2022

  Pumice Butte- Dispersed Campsite

  Nice, but busy camp spot

  The camp is around a gully on the north side of Pumice Butte with outstanding views of Mt St Helens and Mt Adams. Water was flowing at this camp when we passed in late July, but it was silty in the late afternoon and early evening, clear in the morning. There is a lovely site in the trees near the water, but more spots are scattered on the hillsides. The camp gets very crowded on peak summer weekends.

• 

  Daniel S.

  Guide

  

  May. 25, 2022

  Tillamook Forest Dispersed - Shots and Pecks

  Great views, but trashy

  This spot is pretty remote, so it was very quiet. There are a few downsides to this spot though: there appeared to be a few semi-permanent campers along the route, the actual gps spot has a bunch of trash and has been used as a drug-up spot (broken syringes and caps), and the route to this spot via Google Maps takes you down the wrong road at first. I can’t recommend this spot because of all these things, but it did have some pleasant views and was quiet.

• 

  Sarah J.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 27, 2022

  Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

  Beautifully muddy

  The trails are great and the waterfall is beautiful. The pulloff is muddy and hard but it's worth it.

• 

  Jeremy B.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 8, 2022

  Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

  Great pullout in the woods

  This is my first wildcamping/boondocking location, but I loved it. It feels like you're right in the middle of the forest! It's a wide dirt pullout with room for 7-10 cars. And although it's right alongside the road, it's not a super busy road like some highway spots, so it felt pretty secluded and quiet. Very few cars at night.

  No signs of any kind indicating "no parking." 1 bar of Verizon LTE.

  The dirt was solid -- I wasn't worried at all about getting stuck in the mud (and I'm here in the middle of winter with tons of recent rain). Plenty of room to turn around with ease.

  And you're right at a hiking trail that takes you to beautiful falls!! What more could you ask for? -- Don't make the mistake I did. The trail all the way on the left side of the parking lot takes you to the falls. The trails in the middle of the lot are super steep and muddy and don't lead to the falls.

  Only downside is it's not perfectly flat. It wasn't too bad though. I just parked with my head pointing uphill when I go to bed, of course.

  There is also another option down the road to the east about 500 feet. It's a paved pullout, but it is smaller so it doesn't have as much space to turnaround.

• H

  Hannah

  Guide

  

  Oct. 2, 2021

  Gifford Pinchot National Forest Dispersed Site

  Beautiful Area

  The tall trees make things a lot darker before it actually gets dark. We only passed through the area, but this site was very remote with a fire ring someone created.