North Cascades/HWY 20 camp sites

[PNWVAN]

Hey guys,

We are heading out this way the last weekend of July, quick last minute trip.
Anyone have some cool out of the way spots (preferrably near water) where we can let the dogs run and just hang out. Will have two van's with us, 1 4x4, 1 2WD.

Most campgrounds are booked as expected.

Thanks

[OlyEsteban]

Which side of the mountains are you looking to camp (Marblemount or Methow)? I might be able to suggest a couple spots (outside of the N.P. if you are with dogs).

[PNWVAN]

Marblemount side most likely. Closer for us

[86Scotty]

Not really that close and you may know it already but we were pretty impressed with the boondock opportunities along the river on the north end of the Mtn Loop Hwy, just south of Darrington. We started from Granite Falls and it seems like the spots got better and better all the way up to Darrington.

[PNWVAN]

86Scotty didn't think about that area, might be an option.
We are also looking at Cooper Lake Area near Salmon-La-Sac

[OlyEsteban]

I drove the mountain loop last weekend. One suggestion is to head up to Boardman lake (which is closer to the Seattle side). There are a couple of decent boondocking sites up that road. Right now their is some road damage so it is keeping an otherwise pretty popular spot less trafficked. We had no problem getting a quigley e350 through the washout and saw a few lower clearance vehicles that (I think) went right through the mud. Lake Evan is a 2 minute hike from the TH, Boardman is < 1 mile. The swimming was superb a week ago. There is a boondock site a few hundred yards beyond the trailhead by following a track to the right. It is typical of dispersed camping around there some broken glass and lots of shotgun shells. Great night sky views, decent fire ring, and room to roam for the pups. The track was a little rocky, I had no issue getting down in in 2wd, the road is a little overgrown past the trailhead.

If you go to the Mt. Loop area I recommend taking a spur road to get off the Mt. Loop proper. It is dusty this time of year if you take one of the spots right on the road. There are some amazing spots to hang out at the river crossings, although they were totally full by friday mid-day last week. My favorite spot on the Darrington side is up White Chuck road. There is a track on the left maybe 1.5 miles from the highway that immediately T's to parallel White Chuck. I think the spot on the right is better, but both are good and relatively private. You can hike down to the river there.

Off Hwy 20 - head up Bacon creek road. There are a ton of great spots that are in the N.F. for boondocking. Google maps has it labeled as N.F. 1060. It is a few miles once you are out of the east side of Marblemount. IIRC there is a fantastic spot that can handle 4 vehicles about 4 miles up the road on the left. I've let the dog off leash there and she couldn't find trouble. There is a nice hike down to the creek.

There are a couple of limited spots near Diablo, but if they are full you don't really have anywhere else to camp for a long distance headed east.

[86Scotty]

Good stuff OlyEsteban. Welcome to the forum and please stick around! We really like helpful folks like yourself.

Now go ahead and ask about gas vs. diesel so we can get the hazing over with.

[PNWVAN]

Hey Oly thanks for the great information. I will be using some of that soon
A friend of mine offered his Lake front property on the peninsula with outdoor kitchen and great views. Can't pass that up.
Thanks again guys.