Rustic camping near Vantage, Washington places campers in a shrub-steppe ecosystem dominated by sagebrush and basalt formations at elevations ranging from 600-1,200 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F with nighttime lows dropping 30-40 degrees, creating significant temperature fluctuations. Most sites are situated on rocky terrain with minimal natural shade, requiring campers to provide their own shelter from sun and wind.
What to do
Fishing from shore: Several access points around Martha Lake offer good bank fishing opportunities for trout and bass. "We spent the evening listening to a variety of birds before the frogs sang us to sleep," reports a visitor to Martha Lake Dispersed Camping.
Rock climbing: The columnar basalt formations at Frenchman Coulee attract climbers of all skill levels. "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," writes a camper at Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping.
Wildlife viewing: The L.T. Murray Wildlife Area offers opportunities to spot elk, deer, and wild turkeys. "We saw large elk, deer, many birds, and were visited by some wild turkeys in the night," notes a camper at L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.
Hiking to waterfalls: Several short hikes lead to seasonal waterfalls, particularly in spring. "There are at least 5 good campsites at the lakes that will each hold multiple tents no problem... This is a very pretty hike full of sage brush and interesting geological features, also several waterfalls," explains a visitor to Ancient & Dusty Lake.
What campers like
Isolation and privacy: Many sites offer significant distance from neighbors. "I stayed three nights and did not see anybody else camping or passing by on the road," reports a camper at L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.
Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "On clear nights you can see all the stars. Which is my favorite!" notes a visitor to Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping.
Unique geology: The basalt columns and coulees create distinctive landscapes. "Beautiful overlook site. Perfect for Overland type vehicles," states a review of Frenchman Coulee Overland Overlook Dispersed Campsite.
Lake access: Several primitive sites offer direct water access. "Camping areas are big gravel lots next to the lake. Had no problem with level. Great overnight stop with a lake view out our back door," writes a camper at Martha Lake Dispersed Camping.
What you should know
High clearance vehicles recommended: Many access roads are rough and rocky. "Best to have high clearance as there are some good size rock outcroppings. Few people rock climbing, tall waterfall across the valley. Very quiet. Can hear birds fly by. Best to show up during daylight hours unless you have lots of Baja lights," advises a visitor to Frenchman Coulee.
Limited facilities: Most sites have only vault toilets or no facilities at all. "This is a dispersed campground with a bunch of informal sites. Just find a level enough spot for you. There are two pit toilets. Bring your own TP," notes a camper at Frenchman Coulee Dispersed Camping.
Water safety concerns: Several lakes in the area contain agricultural runoff. "Ancient Lakes sites are only 2 miles from the trailhead on flat terrain which makes it for an ideal first backpacking experience. Only catch is that the lakes are polluted with agricultural runoff so that water should not be used for drinking not even if filtered. Pack all the water you will need," warns a visitor to Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead.
Permit requirements: Most areas require a Washington Discover Pass. "Martha Lake requires a Discovery Pass, and you're allowed to stay for up to three days," explains a camper at Martha Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with shade: The limited tree cover makes finding shade important. "This spot offers the best views, sunrises, and sunsets, at the cost of no shade and a healthy dose of wind," notes a camper at Frenchman Coulee Overland Overlook.
Visit during moderate seasons: Spring and fall offer better temperatures for families. "This is a good early season hike while its still rainy in Seattle it can easily be sunny and warm on the other side of the mountains," suggests a visitor to Ancient & Dusty Lake Trailhead.
Consider water needs: Pack more water than you think necessary. "Not much to do here, it's a nice place to come to take a break and do nothing for a few days. Flies and bees were annoying, but manageable. Same with the wind, not too bad," reports a camper at Perch Point Wild Camping Area.
Plan for temperature swings: Daytime heat gives way to cool nights. "It can get very windy in this area. Fires are not allowed due to red flag conditions. There is nothing out here. You must bring everything you need. Food, water, TP, lights," advises a visitor to L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.
Tips from RVers
Scout sites before committing: Rough roads can be challenging for larger rigs. "We towed our 24 ft trailer up this road which turned out fine but definitely pushed the limits. We saw multiple places to pull into and drove about 10-15 minutes before pulling off into a nice private area with good enough cell signal. Roads were very rocky at times but tolerable," shares an RV camper at L.T. Murray Wildlife Area.
Consider weekday camping: Popular areas fill quickly on weekends. "Dispersed camping area with a lot of places to pull off the road and camp. We were able to find a spot with our 32ft camper," reports a visitor to Frenchman Coulee Overland Overlook.
Be prepared for wind: Strong gusts can be challenging for RVs. "Multiple fishing access points that in theory you can camp at with a discover pass, but a ranger went around in the evening to clear everyone out. Winds were strong enough that we couldn't even set up the tent," notes a camper at Lenice Lake - Washington DNR.
Check for level sites: Some areas offer more level parking than others. "Let's get the negative out of the way. The road is washboarded out. Your teeth will rattle out of your head. It is passable by car, though. I found an awesome site that was pretty secluded. The views are insane," explains a visitor to Long Lake.
