Winter camping in Washington?
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JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,564
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From: United States
Winter camping in Washington?
I posted this in the camping forum as well, but don't expect I'll see a lot of hits from Northwest folks there.
What do people do for winter camping around here? Any favorite lowland spots? I'm equipped to car-camp or take it off-grid. But I'm starting to get cabin fever and the gray weather is eating my soul. Not that the weather is going to be nice for camping
Ideas?
What do people do for winter camping around here? Any favorite lowland spots? I'm equipped to car-camp or take it off-grid. But I'm starting to get cabin fever and the gray weather is eating my soul. Not that the weather is going to be nice for camping
Ideas?
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Carnation, WA
I posted this in the camping forum as well, but don't expect I'll see a lot of hits from Northwest folks there.
What do people do for winter camping around here? Any favorite lowland spots? I'm equipped to car-camp or take it off-grid. But I'm starting to get cabin fever and the gray weather is eating my soul. Not that the weather is going to be nice for camping
Ideas?
What do people do for winter camping around here? Any favorite lowland spots? I'm equipped to car-camp or take it off-grid. But I'm starting to get cabin fever and the gray weather is eating my soul. Not that the weather is going to be nice for camping
Ideas?
Otherwise middle fork snowqalmie river up behind North Bend is fun along the river. That road is horrible this year though.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
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From: Snohomish, wa
I think its exit 42 I believe has some nice spots on the river up I-90 or even better Stampede pass has awesome camping on Lost lake and on some of the other trails out there but I think right now your gonna be pretty cold and snowy up that far
Check out Mirror lake to up stampede during the summer. Its a hike in but a really cool lake and scenery up there
Check out Mirror lake to up stampede during the summer. Its a hike in but a really cool lake and scenery up there
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 7
From: United States
Thanks for the replies, guys.
Most of the campgrounds in the National Forests and State Parks are closed except the lowlands. There's a few that are open around the water, etc. Middle Fork is closed for the winter, Denny Creek and all that is totally shut down.
There's a spot I've wanted to camp up way up Tinkham Rd. I think it's at the top, there's some open area up there but I didn't know the land use policies or who even owned the road up there. I don't like to just play ignorant and camp anyhow...I'd rather know the policies in advance and plan accordingly. Does anyone have any info on that in general (i.e. can you camp anywhere on National Forest land)? I'd think the Tinkham area is part of The Snoqualmie National Forest? --or is that DNR up there?
Most of the campgrounds in the National Forests and State Parks are closed except the lowlands. There's a few that are open around the water, etc. Middle Fork is closed for the winter, Denny Creek and all that is totally shut down.
There's a spot I've wanted to camp up way up Tinkham Rd. I think it's at the top, there's some open area up there but I didn't know the land use policies or who even owned the road up there. I don't like to just play ignorant and camp anyhow...I'd rather know the policies in advance and plan accordingly. Does anyone have any info on that in general (i.e. can you camp anywhere on National Forest land)? I'd think the Tinkham area is part of The Snoqualmie National Forest? --or is that DNR up there?
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 106
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From: Woodinville, WA
You can camp at Lake Keechelus at the north end of the lake near the Summit at Snoqualmie. Not sure how high the water is this time of year which can seriously limit or entirely preclude camping.
Another option is near Fairfax; there is a spot that borders the Nat'l Forest right after the bridge that is privately (logging company) owned open for camping. This spot can be tricky to get in the winter though... f'ing gypsy's squat there from time to time.
If you don't mind a bit of a drive, Seaquest park down near Castle Rock is open year round and relatively quiet this time of year.
Another option is near Fairfax; there is a spot that borders the Nat'l Forest right after the bridge that is privately (logging company) owned open for camping. This spot can be tricky to get in the winter though... f'ing gypsy's squat there from time to time.
If you don't mind a bit of a drive, Seaquest park down near Castle Rock is open year round and relatively quiet this time of year.
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 571
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From: Seattle
Theres and old airfield just past Greewater on highway 410 that has some really nice secluded snow camping sites. Think it's called Beaver Creek.
I was just up there for 3 days. Plenty of snow on the ground but not much back in the trees. Need 4WD but not chains to get in. FS pass required.
Bring dry firewood. There is an open restroom but no running water or TP. Temps drop to the teens at night so go prepared.
It's on the way up to Crystal about 12 miles past Greenwater. Few Jeeps roll through in the day to play in the snow, not a soul in sight during the night.
Please pack your trash out and don't cut down or shoot at trees. I'd like it to remain open. FSR and state patrol do patrol there.
FS 70 past Greenwater is gated for snowpark before the shooting rock pit.
Not much camping there this time of year, few small roadside spots with lots of snowmobile traffic and trash.
Lost lake on I-90 is closed this time of year.
There is no camping allowed on the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River road until you hit NF land where the road promply ends in gates and tank traps. it's 14 miles of private Hancock land before you hit NF land, theres not much there but dead ends anyway. No wheeling, just 20 miles of bad potholed gravel road.
Middle fork of the Snoqualmie River is open but plan on a constant caravan of Subarus packed with childern and dogs. Camp sites are few and small.
You have to carry your stuff in. Can't park in your camp. No shooting, no wheeling, very crowded.
I was just up there for 3 days. Plenty of snow on the ground but not much back in the trees. Need 4WD but not chains to get in. FS pass required.
Bring dry firewood. There is an open restroom but no running water or TP. Temps drop to the teens at night so go prepared.
It's on the way up to Crystal about 12 miles past Greenwater. Few Jeeps roll through in the day to play in the snow, not a soul in sight during the night.
Please pack your trash out and don't cut down or shoot at trees. I'd like it to remain open. FSR and state patrol do patrol there.
FS 70 past Greenwater is gated for snowpark before the shooting rock pit.
Not much camping there this time of year, few small roadside spots with lots of snowmobile traffic and trash.
Lost lake on I-90 is closed this time of year.
There is no camping allowed on the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River road until you hit NF land where the road promply ends in gates and tank traps. it's 14 miles of private Hancock land before you hit NF land, theres not much there but dead ends anyway. No wheeling, just 20 miles of bad potholed gravel road.
Middle fork of the Snoqualmie River is open but plan on a constant caravan of Subarus packed with childern and dogs. Camp sites are few and small.
You have to carry your stuff in. Can't park in your camp. No shooting, no wheeling, very crowded.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 7
From: United States
Theres and old airfield just past Greewater on highway 410 that has some really nice secluded snow camping sites. Think it's called Beaver Creek.
I was just up there for 3 days. Plenty of snow on the ground but not much back in the trees. Need 4WD but not chains to get in. FS pass required.
Bring dry firewood. There is an open restroom but no running water or TP. Temps drop to the teens at night so go prepared.
It's on the way up to Crystal about 12 miles past Greenwater. Few Jeeps roll through in the day to play in the snow, not a soul in sight during the night.
Please pack your trash out and don't cut down or shoot at trees. I'd like it to remain open. FSR and state patrol do patrol there.
FS 70 past Greenwater is gated for snowpark before the shooting rock pit.
Not much camping there this time of year, few small roadside spots with lots of snowmobile traffic and trash.
Lost lake on I-90 is closed this time of year.
There is no camping allowed on the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River road until you hit NF land where the road promply ends in gates and tank traps. it's 14 miles of private Hancock land before you hit NF land, theres not much there but dead ends anyway. No wheeling, just 20 miles of bad potholed gravel road.
Middle fork of the Snoqualmie River is open but plan on a constant caravan of Subarus packed with childern and dogs. Camp sites are few and small.
You have to carry your stuff in. Can't park in your camp. No shooting, no wheeling, very crowded.
I was just up there for 3 days. Plenty of snow on the ground but not much back in the trees. Need 4WD but not chains to get in. FS pass required.
Bring dry firewood. There is an open restroom but no running water or TP. Temps drop to the teens at night so go prepared.
It's on the way up to Crystal about 12 miles past Greenwater. Few Jeeps roll through in the day to play in the snow, not a soul in sight during the night.
Please pack your trash out and don't cut down or shoot at trees. I'd like it to remain open. FSR and state patrol do patrol there.
FS 70 past Greenwater is gated for snowpark before the shooting rock pit.
Not much camping there this time of year, few small roadside spots with lots of snowmobile traffic and trash.
Lost lake on I-90 is closed this time of year.
There is no camping allowed on the North Fork of the Snoqualmie River road until you hit NF land where the road promply ends in gates and tank traps. it's 14 miles of private Hancock land before you hit NF land, theres not much there but dead ends anyway. No wheeling, just 20 miles of bad potholed gravel road.
Middle fork of the Snoqualmie River is open but plan on a constant caravan of Subarus packed with childern and dogs. Camp sites are few and small.
You have to carry your stuff in. Can't park in your camp. No shooting, no wheeling, very crowded.
North Fork and Middle Fork don't surprise me. Middle Fork is practically camping in people's backyards...I know some folks who own homes up in that area just before the road turns to a potholed mess. I am surprised to hear the campground is open this time of year though.
Seclusion is what I'm after. Perfectly OK with WSP, FSR and other badged officials patrolling. We camp clean, tread lightly.