Best Dispersed Camping near Trout Lake, WA

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Trout Lake, WA (47)

Showing results 1-10 of 47 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Trout Lake

80 Reviews of 47 Trout Lake Campgrounds


  • Tavi C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge

    Do you like sleep?

    I mostly want to balance out these other reviews. No one said something that wasn’t true, but the weight that they seem to put on how disruptive the trains are surprising to me. You don’t just have trains passing, you have them blowing their horn multiple times a night, and they are close enough you can feel their vibration. If you are a very VERY deep sleeper, I’d say this is a 5 star stop. I wore noise canceling headphones and played a white noise machine in the background- and still had to take a sleeping pill at 3am after being woken up multiple times.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
    Oct. 9, 2024

    White River West Sno-Park

    Good camp site, but hard to level

    This is a large, paved parking lot with a stream nearby.  Has a good view of Mt. Hood and vault toilets, so that's a positive.  The downside is that it's not level.  Trailers shouldn't have a problem, but even with several blocks under our tires, our 39ft Class A was still  un-level.

  • Steve G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Teacup Lake Sno Park
    Sep. 29, 2024

    Teacup Lake Sno Park

    Paved Pull off

    Maybe if you’re in a pinch this place would work for the night but definitely not somewhere I’d stay longer than that.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from FS Road 44 Dispersed
    Sep. 3, 2024

    FS Road 44 Dispersed

    Secluded

    Could not find the spot in the previous review. They must have parked off the highway. Multiple spots to camp. We went a little further in for a more secluded area and barely had any traffic. Would stay here again.

  • Jeffrey P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed
    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

  • Kevin W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed
    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."

  • Evan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge

    If there wasn’t a train and if the sites were more private, this would be a 5!

    Great spot right on the shores of the Columbia River. There’s a pit toilet, and a garbage dumpster on-site. Over half the “sites” are right on the water, while the others are less than 50 feet away.

    It is just a big gravel parking lot, so don’t expect any privacy, but it’s still a great spot with Mount Hood visible down the river.

    There are train tracks and a controlled crossing right beside the campground, which means it’s loud - and even through the night, trains do blow their horns at this crossing. I’m not a light sleeper, but it even woke me up a handful of times through the night.

    Aside from that, this spot is pretty fantastic though!

  • Todd J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - End of NF 4800-532
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Dispersed Site - End of NF 4800-532

    Sweet spot not far from White River East

    This spot is pretty nice, feels very secluded despite White River being close enough to use the restroom if you want. Access to a stream down the hill if you need to filter water, and it sounds very pleasant at night. Lovely trees, plenty of room for a couple of small tents among the trees, plus a ton more out on the gravel. Established fire pit, for the 2-3 days a year that's legal to use. 

    We got in at 5pm on a Friday in summer; I think four more cars came down to see if the spot was free before 9pm.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping
    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..

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake Campgrounds
    Jul. 22, 2024

    Clear Lake Campgrounds

    Very loud neighbors!!

    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.

  • Adam K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake Campgrounds
    Jul. 21, 2024

    Clear Lake Campgrounds

    Depends on the day of the week

    If 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.

  • samuel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from FS Road 44 Dispersed
    Jul. 17, 2024

    FS Road 44 Dispersed

    Awesome spots along the river!

    The road goes awhile in both directions, there were a lot of pull offs and we just picked one. The one we picked had obvious fire rings and had been recently camped, there was also human feces not too far in the foods , GROSS. Other than that I loved this stay because of the beauty.

  • Jeremy P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF
    Jul. 15, 2024

    Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    Fanastic sunset views of Mount Hood

    There's a handful of dispersed campsites throughout NF44 and various side roads. I had several options to choose from and never saw another person. This was on a Thursday afternoon.

  • Kennedy F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from McNeil Point Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 15, 2024

    McNeil Point Dispersed Camping

    Can’t beat the views at McNeil point

    Ended up backpacking up here on a whim right before I headed back to Utah. I started at the Top Spur trailhead and hiked the clockwise route up to McNeil (a little longer but saved be the scramble through rocks). On my way I ended up going to Muddy Fork which added about 4 miles to my overall trek up. I ended up camping at the point rather than further down, which was a challenge to carry my pack up, but so worth it in my opinion. It’s dispersed camping so solitude is easily reachable considering not too many people stay the night. This was easily one of the top 5 most amazing sunsets I’ve ever seen. The mountain range is unbeatable and waking up to Mt. Hood as your veiw is incredible. It’s a challenge with the best reward.

  • Ashlyn C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from FR-604 Dispersed Site
    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.

  • Brooks H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from NF-65 National Forest Dispersed Site
    Jun. 23, 2024

    NF-65 National Forest Dispersed Site

    Many Sites Available of Variety

    Plenty of spots available. At the bottom of road coming from Carson often crowded, but if you go further you are bound to find something. Beautiful trees and foliage with obvious sites on side of road.

  • Jeffrey P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping
    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.

  • Jason B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF
    Jun. 21, 2024

    Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    Great/Quiet Spot

    Took a while to discover this spot, but clearly seems well used for dispersed camping. I parked nearest the access road, as my van would have hit trees to go a little further in. For smaller vehicles (e.g. roof top tents), you can get in a little further and off the access road. There was actually someone else back there, and we can't hear nor see each other.

  • Shelby S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from NF-3511 @ Mt Hood
    Jun. 15, 2024

    NF-3511 @ Mt Hood

    Great views on the drive up

    While you can't see the mountain from the site itself.There's a great turnaround point and views on the way up and down! Past a few vans pulled over on the way up, But no one drove past me the entire night

  • Boosa L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sluice Creek Dispersed Spot
    Jun. 11, 2024

    Sluice Creek Dispersed Spot

    Nice hidden gem

    We are a 29ft, easy to get there but take it slow (take a right turn from the 48th first road). Good Verizon reception, Pretty level, there is a fire pit made by someone before us.

  • Susannah H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
    Jun. 8, 2024

    White River West Sno-Park

    Great view and pit toilets

    Big paved lot with really well managed pit toilets. Short walk takes you to the White River, which was more of a creek when we were there, and a breathtaking view of Mt. Hood.

  • Vanessa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Panther Creek Creekside Camp
    Jun. 8, 2024

    Panther Creek Creekside Camp

    Best spot ever!

    I was headed down 14 looking for somewhere to camp between the Dalles and camas. I got stuck in road construction and decided to open up the dyrt app. I clicked on one that looked closish lol I decided to take the chance and go check it out. Man I'm glad I did This is one of the best dispersed camp sites I've ever stayed at!!



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Trout Lake, WA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Trout Lake, WA is Gifford Pinchot National Forest Dispersed Site with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Trout Lake, WA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 47 dispersed camping locations near Trout Lake, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.