Are you planning on camping in the scenic evergreen state of Washington but also want to keep costs down? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
Washington has a number of campsites that don’t require fees or passes. They may not provide many amenities, but you’ll experience an escape into the wilderness, without the stress of paid campground expenses.
Keep reading to learn about 14 of the best free camping spots in Washington!

Free Camping in Northwestern Washington
1. Campbell Tree Grove Campground
The Campbell Tree Grove Campground near the West Fork Humptulips River is our first free camping spot in Washington. If you’re a nature enthusiast, you’ll love camping near the Sitka spruces, Douglas firs, Western hemlocks, and red cedars.
From late May to October, you may camp in either a tent or an RV or trailer of 16 feet or less. There are 31 first-come, first-served campsites; 21 are singles and 10 are walk-ins. Be sure to bring your own water or a water filter if you get it from the river.
Free camping in Washington is not without outdoor activities. Campbell Tree Grove offers fishing, picnicking, and nature viewing while you camp in this temperate rainforest.
2. Forest Road 29
As far northwest as you can get in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, there’s Forest Road 29. You may camp at any of its three non-reservable sites for free provided you’re within the Olympic National Forest’s boundaries.
The maximum stay for tent and RV campers is 14 days, and there are no RV hookups. If you’re going boondocking, the higher up the mountain you go, the harder the RV or trailer is to maneuver. Note that the maximum RV length is 36 feet.
Late spring, summer, and early fall are the best seasons for camping on Forest Road 29. Neither bathrooms nor potable water are available, so prepare to make a toilet and bring your own water and filter.
3. Little Gee Lake
Little Gee Lake is known for the best free camping in Washington, and its clearing is a great spot for fishing. Set in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, its rustic and primitive campground allows campers to stay for up to 14 days.
On a first-come, first-served basis, campers may set up tents or camp in their RVs. You’d have to do without amenities like full RV hookups, flush toilets, and potable water here. But the chance to unplug and connect with nature is an opportunity at Little Gee Lake.
Free Camping in Northeastern Washington
4. Big Meadow Lake
Deep in the Colville National Forest is the quiet, pet-friendly lake campground called Big Meadow Lake. On either side of the lake are 17 non-reservable campsites, with a few of them offering private lake views. This makes for perfect free Washington camping from summer to early fall.
The campground’s amenities for tent and RV campers include fire pits, toilets, and tent pads. There are no RV hookups, and your RV’s maximum length should be no more than 30 feet. Potable water is available only if you’re able to treat it after getting it from the lake.
With the lake’s boat launch and fishing dock, you can go fishing (bring your license!) canoeing, and swimming. Big Meadow Lake also has interpretive trails, and one trail has a lookout tower for viewing the lake and forested mountains.
5. Sullivan Creek Dispersed Sites
The Sullivan Creek dispersed sites (or recreation sites) total up to 26 campsites for tent, RV, and horse camping. For horse lovers who seek free camping in Washington, the latter camping option is available at the Gypsy Meadow campground.
From mid-May to mid-November, you may stay for up to 14 days at one of the 26 campsites. Before you and your leashed pets arrive in your RV, make sure it’s 25 feet or less. Keep your campfires in your fire ring at all times, and if you go fishing, have your state license in hand.
Besides the sites’ potable water and toilets, take advantage of the provided animal-resistant food lockers to avoid wildlife encounters. And with the sites’ ADA-accessible features, anybody can have a great time camping for free!
6. Thirteen Mile Trailhead
Part of the Pacific Northwest Trail, the Thirteen Mile Trailhead is a fee- and pass-free Washington campground in Colville National Forest. You and your pet are welcome here on the condition that your pet is obedient and on a leash.
Tent campers are treated to a lot of space for up to 14 days. So are RV campers, thanks to the campground’s stock ramp, hitching post, and easy access for large vehicles. Other amenities at this trailhead include picnic tables, toilets, and potable water.
The recreation areas nearby even allow for horse camping and riding, so it’s not only your pet whose companionship you’ll enjoy!
Free Camping in Central Washington
7. Winchester Lake No. 1
Set in lush green forests is Winchester Lake No. 1, a free Washington campground with a beaver dam-created lake! This camping spot is best visited from late spring to early fall.
Each of the 31 campsites is first-come, first-served and has picnic tables and fire rings. Campers also have access to a vault toilet as well as potable water. With Dayton, Washington a short drive away, you’ll be able to restock on items or tour the small historical town.
Besides fishing, swimming, and boating in Winchester Lake, check out the area’s numerous skill-varying hiking trails. Throughout the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and Umatilla National Forest, you’ll also see the wildlife as you hike.
8. Duffy Douglas Creek Campsite
The primitive, non-reservable Duffy Douglas Creek campsite is located in Washington’s Moses Coulee watershed. Basic amenities you’ll find here are potable water, vault toilets, and picnic tables.
The Ancient Lakes Trailhead is nearby, and the beautiful rock formations of Moses Coulee are quite an attraction. Besides these features at this free Washington campsite, there’s also the wildlife. Between April and October, the best time to camp here, you’ll see deer, coyotes, and various birds.
Free camping in Washington will sometimes include weather warnings, so for this campsite, prepare for sudden weather changes and pack accordingly. Another thing to remember when camping here is to set up campfires only in the designated fire pits.
9. Liberty Recreation Site
At the base of the Cascade Mountains is the Liberty Recreation Site, a BLM-managed land near the historic town of Liberty. It’s a popular spot not only for free camping in Washington but also for visiting the US Forest Service.
This pet-friendly site accommodates RVs and trailers that are at a maximum length of 34 feet. As you sit and relax, let the ambiance of the nearby Williams Creek soothe you. Best of all, you’re at an ideal spot for viewing the Cascade Mountains!
The site’s year-round campground has 15 grassy non-reservable campsites, which stress the importance of keeping the seven leave-no-trace principles. Check out the many trail systems that are open for hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, and trail runners (and snowmobilers in winter).
Free Camping in Southwestern Washington
10. Morrison Creek Campground
Morrison Creek Campground is a lightly used free Washington campground in the Mount Adams area of Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Though closed during the winter months, the best time to camp here is between July and October.
The remote and primitive campground’s 12 single sites are first-come, first-served. A few of the amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, and two vault toilets. While tent or horse camping here, your choice of activities includes hiking, backpacking, fishing, or horse riding.
Because the access road is rough, we don’t recommend boondocking or other vehicle camping. Note that you’ll need to take out your own trash and bring your own toilet paper. Also, Morrison Creek’s potable water is seasonal.
11. Council Lake Campground
Between May and October, tent campers will enjoy the free Council Lake Campground near the edges of Council Lake. With no cell, water, or garbage service, this area is ideal for free Washington camping if you’re unplugging. It’s also best for avoiding crowds.
These 6–15 campsites are even perfect if nearby campgrounds deep within Gifford Pinchot National Forest reach maximum capacity! You’re treated to an outhouse, vault toilets, and a good fishing spot, but note that the campfires are only allowed seasonally.
Free Camping in Southeastern Washington
12. Forest Boundary Campground
Free camping in Washington should include gazing at beautiful sunsets. And the Forest Boundary Campground is the one place in the Umatilla National Forest with this opportunity. It overlooks Scoggin’s Ridge, giving you an unobstructed view of the sun when it sets.
With June marking the open camping season here, plan accordingly to take one of these six free, non-reservable tent camping sites. The campground has vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings.
ATV drivers will love camping at Forest Boundary since the North/South trail accommodates them. These off-road vehicles need to be under 50 inches before riding the trail, but don’t ride them on the campground itself.
13. Wickiup Campground
The Wickiup Campground is near Triple Ridge and surrounded by the Jones, Huckleberry, and Hogback ridges in the Umatilla National Forest. These ridges offer the best hiking opportunities for campers from April to November.
The trails are 2–5 miles away from this free Washington campground, where campers can experience forested and mountainous views. Also five miles away are hunting and fishing opportunities. Below the campground 100 yards away are cold water springs.
At the seven first-come, first-served tent or trailer sites, you get picnic tables and vault toilets. Parking is available, too, but there’s no potable water. If you’re planning on hiking, pack some water or take it from the springs and filter it so you’ll stay hydrated.
14. Godman Campground
Because it’s a lightly used free camping spot in Washington, the Godman Campground is another site to escape crowds. Situated near the top of the Blue Mountains in Umatilla National Forest, you may tent, RV, or horse camp.
June through October is the best time for you (and your pet) to camp here. Vault toilets and fire pits are available, and each picnic area has a cook stove. Recreational activities for campers include deer and elk hunting, fishing, bicycling, mountain biking, hiking, and horse riding.
Check out the nearby trailhead for your hiking trip and explore the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. To respect the peace and quiet of the forest (and other campers), don’t use motorized equipment on the trail.
Find Your Free Camping Spot in Washington!
Not all camping has to result in reaching for your wallet to pay hefty campground fees.
With many campsites throughout the state, free camping in Washington lets you discover off-the-beaten-path destinations you’d never know were there! Despite the limited amenities of free camping, it provides a more genuine camping experience than paid, crowded campgrounds would.
Visit our free camping page to learn more about other camping spots that won’t cost you a cent! And take a look at our dispersed camping post for specific camping tips to help you on your free camping trip.
- About the Author
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Sarah Keck is a long-time resident of the Midwest and loves its warm and cool atmosphere. She takes any walking or hiking opportunity with open arms and likes to learn and write about the best trails.
Sarah’s first camping experience was her church’s teens’ and twenties’ summer conference years ago. Her favorite activities were exploring the campground and sitting by the fire, listening to the wildlife.
As time went on, Sarah looked forward to camping and other vacation opportunities. Writing for Beyond the Tent has opened her eyes and mind to the country’s many beautiful destinations.