By:
Submission
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 like trash removal, and few or no facilities such as tables and fire pits, are provided.
Dispersed camping takes a lot more effort than camping in a developed campground, but for those with an adventurous spirit, it can be a lot of fun.
Here are some important points to remember about dispersed camping:
The maximum length of stay in a forest ranger district is 21 days per year. Please practice good outdoor ethics about camping, travel and behavior while visiting. Dispersed campers are allowed to park within one vehicle length (including any tow vehicle) of a National Forest transportation route and walk into camp.
Dispersed camping is not permitted in developed campgrounds and day use areas. Other areas closed to dispersed camping include historical and archaeological sites. Also, be certain that you are within the boundaries of the National Forest before setting up camp. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway.
Dispersed camping is not allowed in these areas:
within one mile of Pinecrest Basin
along 7N83, Clark Fork Road
along Hwy 108 between Clark Fork Road and Kennedy Meadows Road
Leave No Trace Camping – Camp so no one notices you while you are there, and no one even knows you were there after you leave. Please respect nature and other visitors by keeping noise to a minimum. Always pack out whatever you pack in. No permanent structures are to be constructed to an area, such as building rock-lined fire pits, trenches around tents, or carving into trees.
Human waste should be deposited in a hole dug 6 - 10 inches deep and then covered with organic soil.
Vehicles are not permitted off of roads, but if you can safely park your vehicle adjacent and parallel to the road and are not blocking the roadway, you may park and camp. Most sites will have a parking spot nearby while other sites may not. Because the footprint of a vehicle can have a large impact to soils, please do not create new “parking spot” for a campsite. Please park in designated or already impacted spots.
If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that has been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites so using existing ones will minimize your impact in the forest.
Very peaceful and fun place if you wanna go for a hike or just go for a drive and just look at the nice scenery, the wonderful, beautiful, blessed scenery
Ranger is extremely welcoming. Has updated information on sites and roads open are listed
Loved going on drives or an adventure as my boys would call it. Didnt know where we were going to go but ended up playing in the snow and building a snow woman had alot of fun.
Friendly rangers but they always seem to try to discourage backpackers. "Have you heard about the trail conditions?" I get that rangers want to make sure people are prepared before going into the Backcountry, but warning about trees blocking the trail isn't really that helpful. Once you get talking to them, they warm up. Rangers should encourage safe trips, not shut them down.
I have gone here for years it’s a family tradition of ours to go every year and swim enjoy the lake and the amazing snack bar. Something I would definitely recommend doing is hiking around the lake it may be a workout but it’s quite a fun trail. There is also so many good cliff jumping spots for all of the kids to enjoy and they’re safe! Another thing that makes me love Pinecrest even more than I already do is all the fun stories that are made up there and how all the kids yell ELMER at night when I was younger I did get scared by that story but now it’s a good one to tell my younger siblings. There is also an amazing general store right down the road along with a souvenir shop which are both very convenient. All in all this is my favorite place to go in the summer and even in the winter.
