Tent campsites near Yakima, Washington range from primitive dispersed backcountry sites to campgrounds with designated tent pads, with several options located within an hour's drive of the city. Fish Creek Dispersed offers tent-only camping along the water, while South Fork Tieton Dispersed Camping provides primitive tent sites within Wenatchee National Forest. Clear Lake Campgrounds and Lost Lake Camping Area offer additional tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and accessibility.
Most tent campgrounds in the Yakima region require campers to bring their own water, as drinking water is rarely available at primitive sites. Surface conditions vary significantly, with some areas featuring designated tent pads on crushed rock while others offer only natural forest floor for pitching tents. Many dispersed camping areas have fire rings but may be subject to seasonal fire bans, particularly during summer months. Vault toilets are available at some locations like Fish Creek and Clear Lake Campgrounds, but many primitive tent sites have no facilities whatsoever. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing remote tent campsites, especially after rain or early in the season when snow may still block roads.
Areas farther from Yakima generally offer more seclusion and fewer crowds for tent campers. One camper noted that "Fish Creek Dispersed is the best spot at the lake, but it's always tough to get the spot you want unless you get there by Thursday." Tree cover varies by location, with some sites offering ample shade while others are more exposed. Many tent campgrounds provide access to fishing, hiking, and swimming opportunities. Campers should be prepared to pack out all trash, as several reviews mention issues with previous visitors leaving garbage behind. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "If people would just take care of stuff, this could be an awesome place," highlighting the importance of practicing Leave No Trace principles at these tent camping areas.
from $25 - $35 / night
"Some people left a lot of trash up there. There was also a lot of wasps. You will want to bring wasp control. Outside of that it was quiet and peaceful."
"It was amazing to go up for the weekend and wake up next to the beautiful lake. Great fishing and just a great weekend."
"Tieton pond is a small undeveloped camping area surrounding an equally small lake. The lake is stocked and the fishing can be quite good early in the season."
"There is a vaulted toilet and trash cans, but we usually just use the woods as we camp further from the one outhouse. There is one picnic table at the spot, but it moves from site to site."
from $8 / night
"Designated fire rings but currently there's a burn ban. No vault toilets or picnic tables. Pack it in, pack it out!"
"The vault toilets were very well cared for and didn't have the typical smells and lingering posits that make this type of accommodation so memorable."
"It has clean restrooms and water. Lots of freeway noise. It’s a great place to get some sleep and be on your way."
"Has toilets around area, didnt check them as my rig is self sufficient. No other service though but out here it doesnt matter. Pack in pack out. Has fire rings all over!"
"Big spaces, big trees, big lake. But if you come during the weekend, be prepared for the most inconsiderate, noisy, rude neighbors you've ever found."
"Walk in spots. Walk-in is about 100 yards. Quiet. Some wild life. Frogs and sheep. Good place to drop in and find a spot last minute depending on the day and time of year."
"Picnic tables and tent pads on crushed rock probably 1/4-. I couldn’t find where to park."
from $10 / night
"This is a well-known primitive camping area for rock climbers and other outdoor recreation folks (there are also hiking, biking and boating opportunities in the Frenchman Coulee recreation area)."
"Plenty of car camping and is a popular spot for rock climbing. There's a trail down to the waterfall and one toilet but no tp so be prepared."
TravelerCute spot! Spots are tight. Water, electricity, showers and bathroom. Cute lil' dog park that is also a wedding venue. Great stop right before Mt. Rainier. We stayed in spot #10 a little tight for a 27ft camper, but we made it work!
TravelerNice, clean, & beautiful overnight stop. There were plenty of sites to choose between, we stayed in site 11 since we were departing early. Like other reviews stated, no water or cell service but that’s to be expected.
ScoutDriving here from Graham washington, I passed so many camp spots I was shook lol. Amazing camp site for free, I believe u need discover pass. the water is beautiful not many people here so many spots by the water Amazing, where i am u definitely need high clearance to even be close to water, Unless u tent camp away from your vehicle which is not far there are a lot of spots everywhere. The water moves fast and your up high bring your hammocks.
ScoutFREE!! NO FEE!! This place has around 20 spots. Some of the spots are on one road right as you enter with a vault toilet. But if you continue and take a right down that road there are more spots and another vault toilet. The larger sites are on this second road.
Each spot has a picnic table and fire ring.
It looks like the road has a closed during the winter but the camping is still open. Snowmobiling to the sites.
RangerDecent size campground. A handful of well sized different areas to choose from. Bathrooms an trash and a fairly good cell signal.
ScoutWe attempted to go here. We followed "the dyrt" and then clicked on recreation dot gov link for driving directions which told us to take HWY 12 to SR1200 then SR1000. We even looked it up on google maps and it seemed totally do-able. We'll we made it about 7 miles on SR1000 and came to the top of a very very steep incline. Sent a scout vehicle ahead and they couldn't make it across a big gulley. Saw another small Ford truck attempting to cross towards us at the same area, and they bottomed out and had to turn around. We also had to turn back down SR1000 and go all the way back to HWY 12. We were trying to haul a 24ft travel trailer. Its completely impossible as of 9/2026. Find alternate route, because that SR1000 is dangerous trying to haul a trailer or a camper. Not to mention, the beginning of SR1200 was super narrow and sketchy.
RangerPit toilets clean and stocked. Sites spread out. Only one other camper on a Saturday. Diverse landscape with variety of birds Verizon 2 bars on ridge 1 bar in lower sites. No trash or water.
TravelerWe decided to try out our new Jeep toad as well as invite son/family with his new travel trailer to Yakima Sportsman. There was a bit of reluctance to book on rumors of homeless issues, but we went ahead and I'm glad we did. Other than a couple homeless cars in the day use area, we had no problems in the RV/Travel Trailer camping areas. In fact, we really had no issues anywhere as we walked all over the place. We took the grandkids fishing in the small pond on site. Drove to Sarge Hubbard Park and walked to river to fish, caught a nice trout and set it free. There was a homeless camp across the river from our fishing spot but again it had no impact on our stay. All in all, a very nice get away!
ScoutThe campground is very small and sites are super close together. Law enforcement is pretty present, not sure if that’s an always thing or just today. But if you dont mess with pigs I wouldn’t stay here. It’s pretty tho
Tent camping sites near Yakima, Washington tend to be busiest Thursday through Sunday, with weekday arrivals providing better chances for securing preferred spots. The region sits in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, receiving approximately 8 inches of annual rainfall, creating dry camping conditions throughout much of the season. Many primitive camping areas require high-clearance vehicles to navigate unmarked dirt access roads.
Fishing opportunities: Clear Lake Campgrounds offers access to stocked fishing spots with best results early in the season. According to one camper, "Tieton pond is a small undeveloped camping area surrounding an equally small lake. The lake is stocked and the fishing can be quite good early in the season."
Rock climbing: Frenchman Coulee Backcountry Campsites serves primarily as a base camp for climbers. "This is a well-known primitive camping area for rock climbers and other outdoor recreation folks (there are also hiking, biking and boating opportunities in the Frenchman Coulee recreation area)," notes one visitor. The area features both bouldering and lead climbing routes.
Swimming: Several camping areas provide water access for summer cooling. At Fish Creek Dispersed, "There is a bridge we normally jump off, however they have signs up saying it's not permitted. As long as you're being safe, nobody cares." The Columbia River near Frenchman Coulee offers additional swimming options during hot weather.
Natural water sources: Despite limited drinking water at most sites, alternatives exist. One Fish Creek camper shared, "As far as drinking water, it's not available at the site, but there is a natural spring down the road about a mile and a half. It's clean and drinkable."
Wildlife viewing: Rocky Coulee Recreation Area provides opportunities to view native wildlife. "We had a large herd of bighorn sheep as pre dusk visitors which was great to admire," reports one camper. At Frenchman Coulee, visitors note that "the wildlife is active" throughout the area.
Accessibility to services: Most tent camping areas maintain reasonable proximity to supplies. A Fish Creek visitor explains, "This site is relatively close to stores as once you hit Hwy 12, you're only within 20 minutes either direction of a gas station or general store."
Cleanliness challenges: Many dispersed camping areas suffer from previous visitors leaving trash. At South Fork Tieton Dispersed Camping, a camper noted, "When we first arrived we spent about 20 minutes cleaning the site we chose after the people whom were here before us. Not such a big deal just a little saddening."
Weekend crowds: Weekends bring substantial traffic to the best tent camping near Yakima. "It was amazing to go up for the weekend and wake up next to the beautiful lake. Great fishing and just a great weekend," shared a visitor to Lost Lake Camping Area, but many sites fill by Thursday.
Seasonal conditions: Early summer may present insect challenges. As one Tieton Pond visitor notes, "mosquitoes can be a problem later in the season." Spring conditions at some sites can include mud and foxtails, with summer providing more reliable camping weather.
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely across camping areas. At Clear Lake North Campground, one visitor was pleasantly surprised: "The vault toilets were very well cared for and didn't have the typical smells and lingering posits that make this type of accommodation so memorable."
Site selection for water access: Families often prefer sites near water features. "We paid $10 for the site and it was right next to the river. We were tucked in right next to the river and the bathroom," shares a Clear Lake North camper who found an ideal family setup.
Camp preparation: Pack extra cleaning supplies for site preparation. One camper at South Fork Tieton Dispersed Camping advises, "Beautiful place after I cleaned up the camp area I used. Some people left a lot of trash up there. There was also a lot of wasps. You will want to bring wasp control."
Access limitations: Many of the best tent camping locations near Yakima present challenges for larger vehicles. At Lost Lake Camping Area, "Getting in can be tough as the road is dirt and used for wheeling in the off-season so be careful if your car is low."
RV-friendly tent options: Some areas accommodate both tents and smaller RVs. Rocky Coulee Recreation Area features "Picnic tables and tent pads on crushed rock probably 1/4-." The same reviewer notes it's "excellent tent option & good RV spots" with nicely maintained areas.
Clearance requirements: Frenchman Coulee requires careful vehicle consideration. "The entrance to this camping area has some pitch to it. Better suited for high clearance vehicles, and brave souls in truck campers," warns one visitor about accessing this canyon-edge camping option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Yakima, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Yakima, WA is Infidel Acres with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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