“Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest (Forest Service and, Bureau of Land Management, (BLM) National Grasslands and many state parks) 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.”

Also know as boondocking, dry camping, urban camping, (when done in a city) independent camping, coyote camping and a slew of other synonyms.

In most areas managed by the above organizations, (and a few others) unless it is explicitly posted against overnight camping, you are good to go for camping in any dispersed area. (any area outside of developed campgrounds) There are rules and regulations that must be followed…  For instance, National Forests allow a maximum stay at any one site of 16 days, after which you have to move at least 5 miles, and you can’t stay at the same site more than once in any calendar year, not within a mile of a developed recreation area, (campground, picnic area etc…) and not within 100 feet of streams or water sources.

So, in the Snoqualmie-Mt Baker National Forest we found this little gem of a camping spot.  Two things about this place were interesting other than the gorgeous views and fantastic setting.  Not a single other camper showed up the entire 4 days we were here, and that included a holiday weekend.  When we pulled up, a family was there gathering firewood – which they said was allowed – but no one came in with an RV, trailer or tent.  And, most everywhere you looked the ground was littered with brass and shells from shooting.  (We collected a bunch, and a crapload of other trash to pack out under the “leave it better than you found it,” theory.)   It must be a popular spot for plinking because the stuff was everywhere.  Lone cars and trucks would pull in maybe 1 or 2 times a day, hang out for a few minutes, and take off.  One very nice lady did come up and ask how long we were expecting to stay.  Apparently, it is against the law to shoot within 500 feet of a dwelling and an RV or campsite counts, (according to her) so there was no shooting allowed while campers were in residence.  I am entirely okay with this.