Best Tent Camping near Union, WA
Several dispersed tent camping options exist in the Olympic National Forest near Union, Washington, with free sites available along Forest Service roads. NF-2419 Dispersed Site offers primitive tent camping with fire rings and several pull-offs along a gravel road. Lena Lake Campground provides backcountry tent sites accessible via a 3.5-mile hiking trail, while FS-2292 Dispersed camping offers secluded ridge-line tent sites with panoramic views.
Most dispersed tent sites lack basic amenities. No drinking water is available at NF-2419 or FS-2292 dispersed areas, requiring campers to pack in all water needs. Fire rings exist at many locations, but fire bans may be in effect seasonally. Vault toilets are only available at Lena Lake and a few established campgrounds. Road conditions vary significantly, with some forest roads requiring high-clearance vehicles. Cell service is limited or non-existent in most areas, particularly at the more remote dispersed sites like FS-2292.
The tent camping experience varies by location. Lena Lake Campground offers scenic lakeside tent sites but can become crowded on summer weekends. For more seclusion, the FS-2292 dispersed area provides ridge-line camping with exceptional views and minimal crowds. NF-2419 sites are conveniently accessible but experience varied traffic patterns. A recent review noted that NF-2419 "is a very busy road at all hours. 2 or 3 cars drive by all day and all through the night." For those seeking true isolation, a camper at FS-2292 shared, "Every time I camp here I don't run into anyone. You're camping on the Ridgeline so it can be a bit windy." Walk-in tent sites at Hope Island Marine State Park offer a boat-access alternative with more amenities, including vault toilets and picnic tables.
