Free and unmarked, Trail Lake Dispersed sits off a rough access road near a barbed wire gate with no signage to indicate you've arrived. The Bureau of Reclamation manages this no-cost, drive-in or walk-in site on the shores of Trail Lake, south of campgrounds around Coulee City. There are no toilets, no pay stations, and no formal site designations. Campers close the cow gate behind them.
The lake is the main draw. The camping area spreads across a peninsula-like stretch of shoreline, with room for a large group or several spread-out parties. Anglers fish from small boats, and swimmers use the water to cool off in summer heat. The ground is rocky, which makes tent staking a challenge, and there is no tree cover, so shade is nonexistent. Cell reception has been consistently reported as strong, at least on T-Mobile. Roads nearby generate some audible traffic through the night, though the highway noise doesn't carry as far as some reviewers expected.
Trash is a recurring problem. Multiple visitors have found litter scattered across sites, consistent with the area drawing local day users and fishing crowds. Bugs are equally persistent. Mosquitoes, small flies, and no-see-ums can be severe near the water, especially when the wind drops. Bug repellent and a fire going are the most-cited countermeasures. Kevin C. sums up the tradeoff plainly: "keep the doors closed and the bug spray handy." Campers wanting developed facilities nearby can consider Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park Campground to the northwest.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsTrail Lake Dispersed is located in Washington near Coulee City
Coordinates
47.539596 N
119.284624 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/24/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/24/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 7/24/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/24/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/24/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 7/24/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
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.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Trail Lake Dispersed needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 16 min from Wenatchee, WA
- 1 hr 45 min from Spokane, WA
- 1 hr 49 min from Kennewick, WA
- 1 hr 54 min from Yakima, WA
















