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Map showing campground location near Puyallup, Washington
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NF-52 Dispersed Camping

8 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Paved the entire way, Forest Road 52 runs through Snoqualmie National Forest and gives campers access to a loose collection of dispersed sites along the Puyallup River corridor. There are no designated spots here, just gravel pullouts and walk-in areas where campers set up tents, build fires, and find their own level of solitude. Sites vary widely in quality. Some reviewers drove the full length of the road without finding anything worth stopping for, while others located walk-in spots with open sightlines toward Mt. Rainier and direct paths down to the river.

Conditions on the ground can be inconsistent. One reviewer found a large pull-in with river access but encountered carpenter ants in significant numbers around the site and along trail entrances. Bugs, including mosquitoes near creek-side spots, come up repeatedly in reviews. Trash is a documented issue: the Forest Service has installed temporary toilets to address waste problems, and volunteers have stepped in to clean up litter left by previous campers. Skate Creek Dispersed and NF Big Dispersed Camping Spot are nearby alternatives if NF-52 feels too crowded or compromised.

Camping here is free, fires are permitted, and pets are welcome. Road traffic along FR-52 is noticeable, and some pullouts sit close enough to the pavement that passing vehicles are audible throughout the night. Holbrook P. found a walk-in site with "Rainier, easy access down to the river, and a fire pit," though that spot required some exploration to locate. This area works best for self-sufficient campers who are flexible, prepared to scout multiple pullouts, and unbothered by variable site conditions.

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Map & DirectionsNF-52 Dispersed Camping is located in Washington near Puyallup

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

46.728288 N
121.867841 W

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Connectivity

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    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 12/11/25
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    Verizon
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    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 7/28/26
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    AT&T
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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 12/11/25
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 7/28/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Reviews8 Camper Reviews - NF-52 Dispersed Camping

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3.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

A dispersed camping area with about 38 sites offering mixed experiences - some spots provide excellent Mt. Rainier views and river access, while others are basic roadside locations. Many visitors reported cleanliness issues from previous campers, though the Forest Service has added temporary toilets to help with sanitation.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2025

Not at all what we were expecting

I don’t know where on 52 people are finding sites with views, but we drove the entire length of it and didn’t see one spot worth stopping at. I suppose if you don’t mind sleeping five feet from a busy paved road, fine, but these sites are mostly glorified gravel shoulders on the side of the road with no views whatsoever. The one spot that looked ok had a haul trailer and was strewn with laundry and garbage. We tried few other FS roads and gave up and got a nps first come first served site in the park. I’ve found some decent FS sites over the years, but the homeless hobo class seems to have f’d everything up for everyone, and some of these reviews seem like BS. I wouldn’t bother with FS 52 unless your standards for campsites are Walmart parking lots.

Sitenone they all looked terrible
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Sep. 3, 2024

Beautiful views but semi busy road

Got here around sunset. Looks like some good camping spots to walk into. Beautiful view of Rainier. There was a little bit of traffic but nothing crazy. Would stay here again.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of NF-52 Dispersed Camping by Bella M., September 3, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2024

Amazing Spot Outside of Rainier

We found an awesome walk in spot a little bit earlier on on the forest road before these actual coordinates. While we didn't have the comfota of our car parked right next to us, we had spectacular views of Mt. Rainier, easy access down to the river, and a fire pit. Unreal spot about 10-15 drive to the entrance of the park. Paved road all the way.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of NF-52 Dispersed Camping by Holbrook P., August 31, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2024

Easy to find

It was a pretty good stay, it was easy to find a spot. We just pulled over and set up a tent. A little buggy and it’s not a super special spot to camp but it was a nice stay.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 21, 2024

Ok stay near Mt Rainier

It was just a pretty ok spot. Nothing fancy, my spot wasn’t right on the river and I had a creek which was just full of mosquitoes

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of NF-52 Dispersed Camping by Bobby J., July 21, 2024
  • Review photo of NF-52 Dispersed Camping by Bobby J., July 21, 2024
  • Review photo of NF-52 Dispersed Camping by Bobby J., July 21, 2024
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Reviewed Jul. 16, 2024

One of my favorites!

One of my favorite dispersed sites of all time, now let me say , there can be a lot of bugs, but there are lots of sites , and the view of rainier is amazing. !!!! There is a lot of traffic but I love it everytime.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of NF-52 Dispersed Camping by samuel C., July 16, 2024
  • Review photo of NF-52 Dispersed Camping by samuel C., July 16, 2024
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  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 21, 2023

Attack of the ants!

I used the big pull in spot where you can get good access to the river via multiple paths. I backed my SUV in and set my car tent up. Then realized there were ants ALL OVER! Maybe the big trash pile but they seemed bigger (Carpenter?). Not only could I not enjoy the space outside my tent and just chill but they also were all over multiple path entrances. If I hadn’t already set my tent up I’d have found another spot!

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of NF-52 Dispersed Camping by Diana M., August 21, 2023
Reviewed Jul. 10, 2023

This Dispersed Camping area is next to the Skate Creek Rd. It is beautiful!

The area is beautiful with about 38 sites. Forest Service has installed 6 temporary toilets for the third year in a row to assist with human waste issues.  Many of the campers do not understand the rules and they depart with trash and litter everywhere. 

Volunteers continue to cleanup after these abusers as well as the Forest Service.

Showing results 1-8 of 8 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is NF-52 dispersed camping located near Mount Rainier?

NF-52 dispersed camping is located along Forest Road 52 near Mount Rainier National Park. The area features approximately 38 dispersed sites, many with access to the river via multiple paths. Some spots offer spectacular views of Mount Rainier, particularly if you explore a bit earlier along the forest road. It's approximately a 10-15 minute drive to Mount Rainier, making it a convenient base for exploring the national park while enjoying free camping in a natural setting.

What are the current road conditions on NF-52 and Skate Creek Road for camping access?

NF-52/Skate Creek Road is a paved road with moderate traffic, providing relatively easy access to the dispersed camping areas. Most vehicles should be able to navigate the main road without difficulty. Some camping spots are simple pull-offs directly from the road, while others might require short walks on unpaved paths to reach more secluded areas with views. For the most up-to-date road conditions, especially during winter months or after weather events, check with the U.S. Forest Service before your trip.

Is dispersed camping allowed along Skate Creek Road near Mt. Rainier?

Yes, dispersed camping is allowed along Skate Creek Road (NF-52) near Mt. Rainier. The area offers numerous pullouts and designated spots along the road where you can set up camp. The Forest Service has installed temporary toilets in recent years to address waste management. While some sites are essentially glorified gravel shoulders close to the road, others require a short walk to access more secluded spots with better views and river access. Standard dispersed camping regulations apply, including proper waste disposal and fire safety.

Where can I find free camping spots near Mount Rainier National Park?

NF-52 dispersed camping area offers about 38 free sites near Mount Rainier National Park. The quality of spots varies widely - some are just roadside pullouts while others provide river access and mountain views. For better sites, explore earlier sections of the forest road where you might find walk-in spots with spectacular Rainier views and river access. The area has temporary toilets installed by the Forest Service. Other free options include dispersed camping areas in Gifford Pinchot National Forest and along other forest service roads surrounding the park's boundaries.

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