Yacolt is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Yacolt is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Yacolt, reviewed by campers like you.
"Found in typical condition. Please pick up after yourself. Many sites out here. Camped on a week day. One other camper out here. No traffic on road. Like others said road getting in sucks."
"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."
"It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there."
"Spent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around."
"I wanted to add videos of the river sites to my other review for this site, but the website wouldn't let me - anyway, the hike has 3 river sites about 1 mile in from the trailhead and they are beautiful"
"We wanted a beginner backpacking trip (10 to 12 miles round trip) close to town - this one is a pretty hike with views at the end (theoretically, we saw fog)."
"This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it."
"This dispersed camping is free, huge bonus in my book."
"Group camping with 4-5 places for tents and 2 maybe 3 spots for travel trailers but will need to back in. 2 fire pits and a few walking trails. Solar friendly and level."
"The area around mount Saint Helens is beautiful, tons of space to park any rig, tent, or vehicle. The forest has majestic trees and when it rains, it resembles a rainforest."
"Lots of turnouts along the road with river accesses just steps away ! Definitely recommend!"
"Man I'm glad I did This is one of the best dispersed camp sites I've ever stayed at!!"
"This site is amazing people have already set things up for tent camping. There is space for RV but I recommend your really good with it. Has a fire pit with rocks. Plenty of firewood in woods."
"Waterfalls, hiking trails, remote camping! ♥️"
"We tried 3 campgrounds that were all full and then found this free site right next to the road. Luckily, we were able to buy "US National Forrest camping passes" from the gas station in Carson."
"Pumice Butte is a dispersed camping area along the Loowit trail that circles Mt St Helens."
"The camp is around a gully on the north side of Pumice Butte with outstanding views of Mt St Helens and Mt Adams."
GuideI 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."
GuideThe coordinates here were incorrect coming from Hood River Oregon. It sent me down a rough dead end forest service road. I ended up lost on the mountain for 3 hours and finally made it out somewhere near camas. Make sure you have lots of fuel
GuideAbsolutely loved the spot. There were about three sites. I believe from what I saw. I stayed at the first site when you first get there back there on the right hand side. It's a short hike down to the creek. It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there. Minimal bugs didn't get any bug bites and it was in the '90s while I was there. Very little traffic. Not far from the highway just in case of emergencies. Absolutely no cell service. You must have a Northwest Forest pass or America the beautiful pass. Forest service does drive through there frequently to check
ScoutSpent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around. We found a great shady spot not far from a small creek, and it was perfect for relaxing. Heads up: there’s absolutely no cell service, so make sure to download any maps or trail guides(we used an offline hiking APK) before you get there. It’s close to Mount St. Helens and Columbia River Gorge, so we got in a great day hike. Nights were cool, days were warm and bug-free. Forest service came by once, which was nice to see. You’ll need a Forest Pass.
GuideThis place was beautiful!! Definitely best for car camping as the spots down by the river were pretty wet and muddy this time of year. The waterfall is amazing and only a 15 minute hike down! The only reason this place got lower than a 5 star is because of all the trash near the parking lot. Too beautiful of a place to be used as a dump!! Definitely used as a party spot but aside from this it’s worth the visit!
LegendThis is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it. There's a lot of space here. From our spot, we saw at least a half a dozen fire pits, but we were the only ones there. It has some nice trees and a trail. Up the road is Lava Canyon, where there are toilets if you need. There are some decently flat spots for a tent and I felt was all around a good site.
ScoutI love how Vanessa mentioned the creek access from that first campsite! As someone who's been searching for dispersed camping spots with water features, this feels like such a gem. The fact that Forest Service regularly patrols is actually reassuring rather than intrusive- I've been to some dispersed sites that felt a bit too"wild west" if you know what I mean. I've been using offline hiking apps for my trips in the Gifford Pinchot, but I hadn't considered Little Soda Springs until now. That tip about downloading maps beforehand due to no cell service is crucial- learned that lesson the hard way last summer near Mt. Adams! Anyone know if the creek is suitable for filtering drinking water, or should I pack in all I need?
GuideA 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
GuideCame during heatwave in August, scored one of 2 sites right on the creek, and had the place all to ourselves. Nice flat tent sites, good fire rings, and picnic table. 2 pit toilets and a trailhead.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Yacolt, Washington, where nature meets tranquility. With a variety of locations to choose from, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping in Yacolt, Washington?
Dispersed camping options near Yacolt include McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed, which accommodates smaller trailers like 17' pop-ups. The narrow access road may be challenging for larger RVs. Another option is Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping, though be aware that forest service roads can be rough and navigation challenging—bring plenty of fuel and verify coordinates before heading out. Both locations are free to camp at and provide secluded spots in the forest. When searching for dispersed sites, look for established fire rings which indicate permitted camping areas, and always follow Leave No Trace principles. The Yacolt area has numerous pull-offs along forest service roads where camping is permitted, but conditions may vary seasonally.
What are the rules and regulations for camping in the Yacolt Burn State Forest?
In Yacolt Burn State Forest, dispersed camping is generally permitted on DNR-managed lands with a Discover Pass. Stay limits are typically 14 days within a 30-day period. Campers at Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping report regular Forest Service patrols monitoring activities. Fire restrictions are strictly enforced, especially during dry summer months—always check current fire bans before your trip. Use only established fire rings when fires are allowed. Pack out all trash and waste; there are no garbage services. Motorized vehicles must stay on designated roads. Some areas like Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed may have seasonal closures due to snow or hazardous conditions. Always practice Leave No Trace principles and respect wildlife habitat.
What facilities and amenities are available at Yacolt dispersed camping areas?
Dispersed camping areas around Yacolt are minimally developed, offering a true wilderness experience. At Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight, you'll find spots suitable for car camping with access to a waterfall via a short 15-minute hike, but no formal facilities. Similarly, Pinnacle Ridge dispersed camping offers established fire rings at some sites but no services. Most dispersed areas feature no toilets, running water, trash collection, or hookups—you'll need to be fully self-sufficient. Creek access is available at some locations for water (which must be filtered/treated). Cell service is generally unreliable. Some sites have fire rings, but you should bring your own firewood (if fires are permitted) and pack out all waste. For restrooms, you may need to travel to nearby developed campgrounds or public facilities.
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