If the cost of housing is out of your reach, then, boondocking may be the answer... temporarily at least. Boondocking is free camping on public lands.
Boondocking is also known as Dispersed Camping or Dry Camping. This is rough camping where there are extremely few to no amenities. Pit toilets or none at all, no running water, no electricity. You pack it in, you pack it out. Some of the sites on this list may have the occasional amenities like pit toilets or fire pits, maybe even a faucet, but don't count on it.
Boondocking is easier to accomplish with a motorhome or camper. However, it can also be done with a motorcycle and a tent if you want to go that way.
Boondocking sites are generally restricted to 14 consecutive days maximum stay at which time you are required to move your vehicle at least 5 miles from the vacated campsite. Some places will allow you to return to your previous campsite in as little as 48 hours but others may require up to 30 days, and such is the case with Washington. The rules vary by state and county jurisdiction, check your local rules and policies. The rest of this only applies to the state of Washington.
In Washington you are limited to a 14 day stay and 30 days departure before returning to the same campground.
Boondocking in Washington during the winter months is not advised and many of these sites will be inaccessible due to muddy roads and snow. However, this list may assist you with planning ahead for the spring and summer months when the weather is fantastic and the forest is alive.
Before you bug out to the wilds of the boondocks, you are going to need to secure some required paperwork. The required paperwork is known as the Discover Pass and it's a $35 annual fee. The Discover Pass is required for access to all state parks and public lands in Washington.
Now that you have paid a fee to obtain official permission to be on public lands, you just need to make sure that you bring enough food and water. Remember to write down the directions because you may not have cellular reception in some areas or your battery could run low at an awkward time. Think ahead and stay safe!
Map locations in the links are approximate. Some campgrounds may require a fee but there will often be a free dispersed camping area nearby.
Here are your options for legal boondocking in the state of Washington:
Alder Thicket Campground
Antilion Lake
Avery Recreation Area
Ayer Boat Basin
Baker Snoqualmie National Park
Beaver Creek
Big Hill Campsite
Big Meadow Lake
Big Springs
Blind Island
Blue Creek Launch
Blyton Landing
Campbell Tree Grove
Chatter Creek
Copper Mine Bottom Campground
Crawfish Lake
Davis Lake Campground
Devil's Bench Recreation Area
Elkhorn Dispersed Camping Area
Fish Lake
Fishtrap Recreation Area
Folsom Farm Site
Glacier View Campground
Granite Lake Dispersed Camping Area
Green Mountain Horse Camp
Grouse Mountain Campground
Halfway Flat Campground
Halfway Spring Campground
Handy Springs Campground
Hemple Creek Picnic Area
Illia Landing Campground and Boat Launch
John Day Dam
Johnny Creek Campground
Junior Point Campground
Keechelus Lake Boat Launch
Lambi Creek Recreation Area
Liberty Campground
Little Goose Landing
Little Twin Lakes
Lost Lake East
Lost Lake West
Lower Granite Lake Dam North Shore
Lyman Lake Campground
Middle Waddell Campground
Mill Pond Historic Site
Nisqually John Landing
Offield Landing Recreation Area
Palmer Mountain Campground
Panther Creek Falls
Patos Island (only accessable by boat)
Rainbow Lake
Rainy Creek Campground
Riparia Campground
Soda Springs Campground
South Fork Tieton Dispersed Camping
South Lake
South Navarre Campground
Stagger Inn Day Use Area
Stampede Pass
Ten Mile Trailhead
Thirteen Mile Trail #23 Trailhead
Texas Rapids Park and Boat Launch
Tiffany Springs Campground
Trout Lake
Twin Falls
Campground: Wicky Shelter
Windy Camp
Wickiup Campground
Willow Grove Boat Launch
Yacolt Burn State Forest
