Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Waterville? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.
Washington State Discover Pass required https://discoverpass.wa.gov/
Parking along FS Road 7601 is now allowed, but only on right side of road (going up). For vehicles parking on road or in parking area -- a NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or the Overnight Visitor Parking Pass that comes with Enchantments overnight permit must be on display on your vehicle’s dashboard. Day Passes can be purchased at trailhead, and pass must be displayed on dashboard of vehicle, even if parking on the road.
There are many undeveloped camping locations on the forest. Generally there are no amenities available, such as restrooms, water or garbage dumpsters. All trash and waste must be packed out. No toilet available? See How to Go in the Forest. Use existing sites and do not damage vegetation. Campfires are not allowed at these sites during high fire danger. Check Fire Restrictions page.
14 Day Stay Limit at National Forest Campgrounds and Dispersed Areas
PROHIBITED: Camping or occupancy in any developed campground by any person or group for more than fourteen (14) days. Camping or occupancy in that campground by the same person or group may not occur again for a period of seven (7) consecutive days thereafter.
Camping or occupancy in any dispersed areas by any person or group for more than fourteen (14) days. Camping or occupancy in that site or area within a 5 mile radius by the same person or group may not occur again for a period of fourteen (14) consecutive days thereafter.
These restrictions also apply to camping equipment. Camping equipment may not remain in place longer than the stay limit, even if used by a different person or group. Camping equipment must be removed by the end of the fourteen (14) day stay limit or the equipment may be impounded.
Designated areas are available for tubing and general snow play at the Fields Spring, Lake Wenatchee, Hyak, Rose Springs, and Oldman Pass Sno-Parks. In addition, tubing and general snow play are permitted in non-designated areas in many Sno-Parks and in state parks that are open in the winter. For safety's sake, snow players should stay off designated snowmobile and non-motorized sport trails. Ice skating is not available in any location. Due to the mild Washington climate, lakes do not freeze hard enough to permit safe skating.
$12 - $50 / night
Ranger
Stumbled on this by just exploring the backroads near the BLM campground down the road. Technically this is USDA Forest Service land, but it is RIGHT next to BLM land.
Being dispersed, they are primitive sites. You're going to find man-made stone fire pits but that's about it. There are a handful of dispersed sites in this area. We found one nestled right next to the creek. It was great, very peaceful for the most part, except for when you can hear people on their ATVs or dirt bikes tearing around the area. Since this is so close to a BLM recreation site, expect to hear those activities.
Some of these sites can be tricky to get to unless you have a good vehicle for it. I was renting a 4Runner at the time so no issues, but I don't think I would have been able to get to the further in dispersed sites if I was driving a Civic.
All in all, really great spots right next to the old town of Liberty, and worth the $0 you'll spend to camp here. Hell, maybe even worth more, not that you'll have to worry about that.
Guide
Within the almost 4 million acres of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, lie countless locations for dispersed camping. This area of the southeast corner of the NF has very little traffic compared to others, we saw only one ATV for the whole time we were there. This area lies along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route between the Cashmere and Chelan sections along NF-7400. Obviously, this is a 4X4 road and I wouldn't suggest it in anything less. Incredible sunset views of the valley in front of Chumstick Mountain, it gets pretty windy at night but there are treelines you can position against. This particular spot photographed is just up the hill off the roadside in a nice grassy clearing. More spots were just up the hill around the bend as well.
Guide
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.
Scout
Beautiful scenery, not hard to find, and lots of spaces open along the road. The road did get quite bumpy and rocky at points, but I assume this is normal for dispersed camping (this was my first dispersed camping experience). The only concern my friend and I had was an old RV near the entrance. That being said, the spot we chose was much higher and farther up the road from where the RV was, and we were not bothered. We actually didn’t see anyone else up there when we went in late July.
Guide
Great spot to disperse camp, no toilets , great for swimming fishing kayaking paddle boarding and disperse camping, sunken boat at edge of water cool feature. Lots of bugs and spiders. Also close the cow gate.
Ranger
NF dispersed camping along Derby RD. Multiple sites along the road...make sure to look for signs as there are some pullouts marked “no camping.” No amenities but super quiet. Great place when you need to escape.
Guide
Was a perfect Weeknd to Disperse camp, really quite, no toilets no water, Verizon coverage good.
Legend
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.
Legend
There are many options for dispersed camping along the North Fork of the Teanaway Road. We stayed in the area directly across the Teanaway Guard Station by the river. We hoped to be able to use the vault toilet next to the cabin but it was locked.
No services and no cell reception but otherwise a nice peaceful place on a early season (early May) week-end. Lots of other spaces all along the road past this one and before the Beverly Campground.
Ranger
Dog wasn’t feeling well so took a chance and went up this USFS mostly paved road. There are lovely views on the trip up and a few roadside areas you could car or van camp in a pinch. Towards the top a couple private roads break off, and just above the now dirt USFS road continues. Here is 1 large, not terribly level, high clearance needed, site with fire ring and lots of parking options.
Legend
We camped here because my grandparents used to fish here long ago. The camping is free and dispersed. There is a large gravel parking lot suitable for large RVs plus those towing a trailer or boat. We chose to find a more secluded site away from the strong winds. The views of the lake were beautiful especially in the fall.
Below the gravel area was a large paved area for boat trailers. A discover pass is needed ($30/year) but we always get one and use it extensively.
You access this area via long wide well graded gravel road. There are no site numbers; you just find a spot and stay.
Legend
This place is where I go when I want to disconnect and get away from the stress of school in Ellensburg. I've been here a handful of times and there's never been more than a dozen people spread out over the entire coulee valley. The previous directions are good and the one on WTA will take you right to the parking lot where it's an easy 1.5 mile hike down into the coulee. I've heard other people say they walked in from ancient lakes road and it took three times as long to make it to the camping spots.
The lakes are safe for swimming in my opinion (there's even a rock to jump off on the closest lake!) But do carry your own water in, it is irrigation runoff and has plenty of yummy pesticides that you cannot filter out. Other than that enjoy the lakes, waterfalls and killer sunsets that happen on a nightly basis out here!
ScoutThere are multiple pull off spots along this road, each with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. I camped at two different pull offs. Didn’t worry too much about not finding a vacant spot. The road does go up to a busy trailhead, so traffic in the morning starts early. It’s pretty dusty as vehicles drive by. All around really enjoyed these dispersed campsites.
RangerWe arrived here on a Sunday night in May and the place was empty...... only one other camper and it was really far away. It is very remote, no services around and a little odd to get to, in that you have to wind past a lakeside"resort" with a little store and campsites that didn't look really very nice, yet there were people everywhere, it looked totally booked. Then you cross over the line into the campground where a$30 annual pass is required, yet the per night cost is$0 as of 2017, and there was nobody around! The campground is like a big open parking area with a boat launch and toilets and then there is also a little more dispersed sites where random fire pits have been built. We had our choice of sites so we picked one that sat away from others and was right above the water making the launch of the kayaks pretty easy.
Ranger
There are ~5 dispersed campsites on this side road off the main North Fork Teanaway road. Some maps show this side road as "Loop Camp 973725".
I think this site has the best river access, but a couple of others have better distance from the main road. However, I think this site is far enough from the road. Noise and dust from the road were minimal.
It's plenty large for tenting, or a truck camper. I wouldn't bring a trailer, other than a very small one. There is a fire ring, but no fires allowed at this time of year, unless you have the propane kind.
The sounds of the river are nice. It's a mild scramble to get down to the river, but worth it. The water was clear and cold. Very pretty. No fishing allowed, but the river is shallow so I don't think there would be anything to catch anyway. On a hot day, this would be a nice spot to park a chair in the river and soak up some sun!
GuideLots of options in the area. Some sites were close together while many were nice and secluded. Our only complaint was that our site was right off the road and we experienced moderate traffic which caused a lot of dust. We had a nice short walk through a secluded walk in site that led to a rocky river bed. We also had a horse trail across the road that we walked. Lots of wild flowers to enjoy.
TravelerEasy to get to. Different pull outs felt secluded enough. Lots of bugs. Felt safe
Legend
There are lots of pull offs along this road that would be suitable for car camping, but not big rigs or tents. We were originally parked at one of the roadside pull offs until we saw an empty designated dispersed site up the road so we moved there instead. There are only 3 designated sites so the pull offs are fine for a night if those are full.
GuideSkip this dirt field and stay at Jack’s Resort. My grandparents invited me out and, be it not my dispersed style (hence the two stars), I enjoyed the beautiful lake. Jack’s Resort is extremely well maintained. It has a little cafe. Immaculate bathrooms and even a few cabins for those who would rather. Lots of fishing if that’s your thing. Take a little boat and an ice chest of cold beverages and enjoy a day on the lake.
Traveler
The views are amazing, plenty of open campsites and nobody was around us when we camped. A perfect quiet getaway.
TravelerLots of campgrounds to choose from. Some are dustier than others. Plenty of space between campsites. Fire pits available for use but check for burn bans.
TravelerFound a spot with incredible near-360 mountain views! Exposed to the wind though. Have to go pretty far in along Derby road to find campsites. The first few miles are private property or in the thicket, lower in the canyon. Road was in good condition. Didn’t hit large potholes until we pulled off 7400.
Traveler
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.
LegendWaterfall, gorge, amazing scenery! There is a pit toilet and there were some people climbing. No accessible water. Only a couple miles from the highway. It was windy, as this whole area is. But well worth it! Note: some of the rocks on the paths to the campsites were pretty pointy, but the road in is well maintained.
ScoutAs described, little to no water sources. Private property marked in some areas. Camp sites are just off the road so there is some road dust. In May there was plenty of wood for burning. Do be mindful of burn restrictions later in the season. This area is very popular with mountain bikers and some dirt bikes. Service roads did have some heavily washed out areas and rocks that higher ground clearance and AWD/4WD would be beneficial, but a 2WD car could make it to some sites. Great spot though to camp near Leavenworth Wenatchee area. Verizon phone service was ok, T-Mobile was spotty at best occasionally a message would get through.
TravelerThis 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. There are at least 5 good campsites at the lakes that will each hold multiple tents no problem. Some people do light fires but I’d like to discourage it, fire danger is pretty real in these scrublands. This is a very pretty hike full of sage brush and interesting geological features, also several waterfalls. Past the lakes you can go out to the Columbia River Gorge. Check out the WTA description for more details. Note that there is no potable water, you have to haul it it. The lakes are contaminated by irrigation run off.
Guide
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.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Waterville, Washington, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. Enjoy stunning views, fishing opportunities, and the freedom to choose your own spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Waterville, WA is Jameson Lake with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
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