Dispersed Camping
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables and fire pits, are provided. Some popular dispersed camping areas may have toilets.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
A dispersed campsite must be at least 1/4 mile away developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. If possible select a site that is already established. Drive on existing roads to access your camping site and prevent resource damage. Dispersed camping is allowed in a one-mile perimeter away from campgrounds and 200 feet from any stream. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway.
If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been established previously. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow these Leave No Trace guidelines.
- Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damage or killing plants and grass.
- Do NOT camp within 200 feet of any water source.
- Do not camp in the middle of a clearing or meadow; try to make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a "wild" setting
- Do not try to level or dig trenches in the ground at your campsite. Pick a tent site that is already level with good drainage.
Please use existing sites and fire rings. Only burn wood that is already dead and down. Fire wood permits are not needed for usage on the forest.
The forest responds to escaped campfires year from dispersed campers every year. Do your part and always make sure your fire is DEAD OUT and cold to the touch before you leave it. Campfires are only allowed below 3,500 feet when not otherwise prohibited by fire restrictions. It is your responsibility to know if fire restrictions are in effect before you go camping. You can learn about any fire restrictions by contacting the nearest Forest Service office.
Dispersed camping means no bathrooms and no outhouses. That means extra care has to be taken in disposing of human waste. To dispose of feces, dig a hole six (6) inches deep at least 200 feet away from any water source. When you are done, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and take your toilet paper with you to dispose of in a proper waste container. Never defecate or leave toilet paper on top of the ground. It could easily get into the local water source and contaminate it.
There are no safe water sources when dispersed camping, including streams and rivers. The only way to ensure that water from any undeveloped source is safe is to treat it. That means heating it until it comes to a rolling boil, using water purification tablets or a water purification filter. Water from faucets in developed recreation areas has been tested and treated and is safe to use without treating.
Yes, your animal friends are welcome to accompany you on your dispersed camping adventure!
- Everyone MUST pack out whatever they pack in. Any toilet paper, food scraps, etc. has a negative impact on the natural landscape and wildlife we all adore. Ensure the forest is their for your next trip and others by packing out all trash.
- Store your food & trash properly to keep bears and other wildlife out of our camp.
- Fireworks are always prohibited on federal lands including Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park.