Best Dispersed Camping near Twisp, WA

Several dispersed camping areas surround Twisp, Washington in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Sullivan Pond Camp requires a Washington Discover Pass and high-clearance 4WD vehicles for access. Upper Bobcat Dispersed Camping offers multiple sites near a river with vault toilets and trash facilities, though summer brings significant mosquito activity. Cooper Mountain Road Dispersed Camping provides sites with panoramic views near Fox Mountain peak, but requires navigating washouts and switchbacks on forest roads.

Most dispersed sites in the region permit camping in tents and some accommodate RVs, though hookups are not available. Fire restrictions are common during summer months. Goat Creek Sno-Park functions as an alternative dispersed camping area with vault toilets and space for larger vehicles in a parking lot setting. A camper noted, "Big open lot where you can easily park cars/campers/RVs. Not very scenic but does the trick and is close to the national park." Further south, Chelan Lookout offers free primitive camping with exceptional lake views at 4,750 feet elevation, accessible via unpaved forest roads approximately 12 miles and 45 minutes from main highways.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Twisp, Washington (22)

    1. Sullivan Pond Camp

    3 Reviews
    Winthrop, WA
    11 miles

    "Nice, quiet dispersed camping next to Sullivan Pond near Winthrop Washington. Recommend 4wd with good clearance. Washington Discover Pass required."

    "Washington Discovery Pass is required for camping here."

    2. Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Methow, WA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 996-4000

    "A couple spots washed out and need high clearance but otherwise just a long slow switchbacky road to the top."

    "Near the peak of Fox Mountain, this area is at one of the highest points in the area. Great cell service(AT&T) and a amazing view for both sunrise and sunset!"

    3. Upper Bobcat Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Winthrop, WA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 754-4624

    "Super close to the river. There were a lot of people, mainly families, but everyone was super respectful and it honestly made me feel safer and a solo traveler. Would definitely go back."

    4. Chewuch River Camping

    1 Review
    Winthrop, WA
    18 miles

    "This is a great location that is pretty much set up for hunting if you’re into that. It’s right on the water and there are plenty of spots and each spot has access areas to the river."

    5. Goat Creek Sno-Park

    2 Reviews
    Mazama, WA
    20 miles

    "Just a parking lot a little off the highway. People are rolling in untill about 10:30 and start leaving at 6. Clean pit toilet. Nothing wrong with it, great place just to sleep and keep moving."

    7. FR51

    1 Review
    Mazama, WA
    20 miles

    "It’s on a high flat above a river, which would be easy to walk down to if you wanted to fish plenty of space for cars that are blocked off by larger rock so you could set up a tent if you wanted to or"

    8. Secret Camping Spot #1

    2 Reviews
    Pateros, WA
    23 miles

    "Next to Hwy and behind tall bushes.  Vault bathrooms 1/4 mile down the road.  Pretty quiet spot even though 300 yards from highway."

    9. Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Manson, WA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 682-4900

    "Sandy dirt camping site near the USGS sensor station. No fires today due to high fire danger, but there was a pit in the camp. Tent right on the ridge. Dirt road was 12 miles up the mountain."

    "Passed a park ranger on the way and he never said anything. There is also paid for camping on the way up here."

    10. Lake Chelan Overlook

    2 Reviews
    Manson, WA
    28 miles

    "Pretty good view of the lake below and almost no light pollution. Very windy road to get up but I pulled my trailer fine. Washboard road at the beginning but it gets better."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Twisp, WA

24 Reviews of 22 Twisp Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2023

    Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping

    Nice spot up a long forest/logging road

    A couple spots washed out and need high clearance but otherwise just a long slow switchbacky road to the top.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Sullivan Pond Camp

    Winthrop

    The campsite is right by the forest road. Fire restrictions are in place for the summer months, so no campfires. Quite a few mosquitos do bring spray or other repellant types.

  • Meghan The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 28, 2021

    Baldy Mountain Dispersed Camping

    Stellar views of Lake Chelan yet worlds away

    This campsite is along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route between the Cashmere and Chelan sections along NF-8410. Obviously, this is a 4X4 road but if you approach from the Chelan side you could maybe get away with a high clearance AWD vehicle. Incredible sunset views of the valley overlooking Lake Chelan to one side and a vast forested mountain range to the other. This particular spot photographed is on the south side of the road to the north of the Baldy Mountain crest. This area seemed to have a good number of sites in the immediate vicinity, not that we saw anything in them. This particular site was clearly well used as it was flat, had log stump seats, and a stone fire pit (even if you aren't supposed to have fires most of the year in this forest). Someone even built a rustic camp toilet in the woods just away from the campsite.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 12, 2020

    Forde Lake

    Camping at Forde Lake

    This is a dry Camp only. , no water/power ect. Has a small lake or a large pond? With a beautiful view of the valley floor.

  • John T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2023

    Sullivan Pond Camp

    Sullivan Pond, Winthrop WA

    Nice, quiet dispersed camping next to Sullivan Pond near Winthrop Washington. Recommend 4wd with good clearance. Washington Discover Pass required.

  • Emma A.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 1, 2021

    Lake Wenatchee Airstrip SnoPark

    Great dispersed camping near Lake Wenatchee

    A good option for Dispersed camping if Lake Wenatchee State Park campground.  This is a at the Lake Wenatchee Airstrip Snoparks at the junction of 207 and 22 near Lake Wenatchee and Fish lake. There is a large parking lot and some pull outs off an old forest road the loops around from one side of the road to the other. Quiet in the spring. No facilities and good AT&T cell reception.

  • Jake S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2023

    Forest Road Dispersed Site

    I was about to rate this 5 stats but...

    I stopped by to scope this one out. it looks like there's 2 entrances, one on the north and one on the south, but the south side doesn't connect to the main road so taje the north one. there isn't really a good turn around so you'll have to use the one turn off or an empty site to turn around if needed. I thought the 5 or so sites looked alright, but if you pull back past the site on the turn off there's an abandoned camper and a bunch of trash around a bend(I wouldn't have gone that far back if I'd been pulling a trailer since there are tight turns and no real good turnaround. it seems fairly decent if you don't go to the back site and out of 5 or more campsites on a Sunday afternoon only one was taken.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2024

    Lake Wenatchee Airstrip SnoPark

    Lake Wenatchee Airstrip

    We turned at (47.8178974, -120.7258512) which you travel a short distance down a well maintained FS road to a very large gravel and dirt parking area. You can park in this parking lot if you choose, lots of space, great internet speeds. To the right of the information sign you will see a small sign with a snowmobile on it. That is the road that you can take back to the airstrip portion of the site. You will only travel about 100 yards on that road before it opens up to a very large grass field (and airstrip) you will need to turn left to head toward the camping locations. To the right will be the landing strip so you need to avoid that area. There is a dirt/sandy road leading back to 2-3 sites with fire rings but also a very large open field where you can camp as well. MOSQUITOES WERE AWFUL AT NIGHT FYI. A forest service rig pulled up on us in the AM and just waved :)

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2024

    Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed

    Awesome View from the Top of the Ridge

    Great campsite with an awesome view. Sandy dirt camping site near the USGS sensor station. No fires today due to high fire danger, but there was a pit in the camp. Tent right on the ridge. Dirt road was 12 miles up the mountain. Lots of switchbacks, but passible in a sedan. Takes 45 mins to get up. Take shady pass road to the top.


Guide to Twisp

Dispersed camping near Twisp, Washington offers rustic outdoor experiences within Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The area features pine and fir forests at elevations ranging from 1,600 to 4,750 feet with seasonal temperature variations. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach 85-95°F while nights cool to 45-55°F. Most sites lack established facilities and require self-sufficiency for water and waste management.

What to do

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Chewuch River camping areas provide excellent access to wildlife habitats. "This is a great location that is pretty much set up for hunting if you're into that. It's right on the water and there are plenty of spots and each spot has access areas to the river," notes Sarah S. about Chewuch River Camping.

Fishing access: Several dispersed sites offer river frontage for anglers. The Upper Bobcat area provides convenient river proximity. One camper noted, "Great spot with plenty of sites. Lots of room at your site and between neighbors. Super close to the river."

Hiking nearby: Most dispersed camping areas connect to forest service trails. At Goat Creek Sno-Park, "There appears to be a hitching post and a trail that leaves from the campground," according to Anna P., making it a convenient basecamp for day hikes.

What campers like

Solitude and privacy: Many rustic camping spots around Twisp offer separation from neighbors. At Secret Camping Spot #1, Mark S. describes it as "Next to Hwy and behind tall bushes. Vault bathrooms 1/4 mile down the road. Pretty quiet spot even though 300 yards from highway."

Cellular connectivity: Unlike many remote areas, some Twisp dispersed sites maintain decent cell service. Near Cooper Mountain, Joseph notes, "Great cell service (AT&T) and a amazing view for both sunrise and sunset!"

Beach access: Waterfront sites provide natural amenities. At Chewuch River, "The one in the very back left has its own personal beach area, which is the one that we stayed at," according to Sarah S., highlighting the appeal of riverside camping spots.

What you should know

Road conditions: Forest roads accessing dispersed sites often require appropriate vehicles. Brett B. mentions about Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping, "A couple spots washed out and need high clearance but otherwise just a long slow switchbacky road to the top."

Insect activity: Mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months. Jeremy M. warns about Sullivan Pond Camp: "Quite a few mosquitos do bring spray or other repellant types," while another camper at Upper Bobcat reported, "the bugs were BAD, like hiding in the car and tent bad."

Limited spaces at prime spots: Some viewpoints accommodate only one vehicle. Jennifer J. cautions about Lake Chelan Overlook: "Not a camp area per se. It is a pull off which is easy to miss that several people have used for camping and built a fire ring. There is only room for one tent or one camper van. Not trailer or full RV."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection for safety: Some areas provide a greater sense of security. At Upper Bobcat, Emma experienced, "There were a lot of people, mainly families, but everyone was super respectful and it honestly made me feel safer and a solo traveler."

Weather preparedness: Mountain temperatures fluctuate significantly. At Chelan Lookout, situated at 4,750 feet, temperatures can drop quickly after sunset, requiring appropriate clothing and sleeping gear.

Swimming options: Blue Lake offers family-friendly water access. Mike D. describes it as a "Beautiful lake, long, big and I hear they have fish. Has several points of access to the lake."

Tips from RVers

Parking lot camping: For larger vehicles, designated areas provide easier access. Ashley A. notes about Goat Creek Sno-Park: "Nothing special. Just a parking lot a little off the highway. People are rolling in until about 10:30 and start leaving at 6. Clean pit toilet."

Road accessibility challenges: Narrow forest roads limit RV access to some sites. Ryan S. explains about Lake Chelan Overlook, "Pretty good view of the lake below and almost no light pollution. Very windy road to get up but I pulled my trailer fine. Washboard road at the beginning but it gets better."

Permit requirements: Several rustic camping locations around Twisp require permits. Emma T. notes about Sullivan Pond Camp, "Washington Discovery Pass is required for camping here," a detail important for RVers to research before arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the seasonal restrictions for dispersed camping around Twisp, Washington?

Dispersed camping around Twisp has important seasonal restrictions to consider. Fire restrictions are typically in place during summer months, prohibiting campfires at locations like Lake Chelan Overlook and other dispersed sites. Winter access can be limited by snow, particularly at higher elevations like Cooper Mnt Rd Dispersed Camping where roads may become impassable. Mosquitoes are prevalent in summer months, especially near water sources, so repellent is recommended. Some forest roads may be closed seasonally or have restricted access due to wildlife management. Always check current conditions with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest office before heading out, as restrictions can change based on fire danger levels and weather conditions.

Is there free camping available near Twisp and Winthrop, WA?

Yes, free camping is available near Twisp and Winthrop. Baldy Mountain Dispersed Camping along NF-8410 offers free sites with incredible valley views, though 4x4 or high-clearance AWD vehicles are recommended for access. Chelan Lookout - NF 8410 Dispersed provides free camping with panoramic views, accessible via a dirt road with switchbacks that takes about 45 minutes to navigate. While these sites are free, many require a Washington Discover Pass for parking. Free sites typically offer minimal or no amenities (no water, electricity, or garbage service), so campers must pack out all trash and bring necessary supplies, including water.

Where can I find dispersed camping near Twisp and Winthrop, WA?

The Methow Valley area offers several dispersed camping options near Twisp and Winthrop. Sullivan Pond Camp provides quiet dispersed camping with 4WD access and requires a Washington Discover Pass. For travelers along the North Cascades Highway, Goat Creek Sno-Park offers a convenient location just off the highway with clean pit toilets. Other options include forest service roads throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, where pull-outs and established sites can be found along various forest roads. Many sites require high-clearance vehicles to access, and campers should be prepared for primitive conditions without services or facilities.