Hog Lake Dispersed Camping

This BLM was probably nice in the past but it’s not a nice place now. There were 3-4 what looked to be abandoned RVs around the campground that look like they had taken clues from Breaking Bad. What a mess on our treasured public lands.
We have primarily camped on public lands for the past 10 years and I would steer clear of this place until the BLM removes these abandoned RVs.
Try the Fishtrap Loop South Trailhead parking lot just 4 miles down the road.

It is a short drive off of I-90. I was heading in from Seattle towards Coeur d'Alene and needed a place to spend one night. It's really a pretty area and very quiet. Birds chirping, frogs croaking, coyotes howling at night, moon and stars, and a train in the distance going by every so often. Very nice stop and very nice little area for a few nights.

I arrived late Thursday before Labor Day weekend 2020. There was one space left and it was nice. A few cars drove by looking for sites over the next two days. This is a federal BLM site and no Washington State discover pass is needed. Camping is free. Campsites are well dispersed and I can hardly see my neighbors. The gravel access road is well maintained and only moderately bumpy. There's a short hike out to hog Lake with a nice view of the lake from above. It's more difficult to access the lake below and I did not try it. Basalt cliffs are on several sides of the lake. Trains blow their horns as they approach the crossing a mile away but it's not obnoxious. Maybe six trains a day and I don't remember any at night. Verizon coverage varies from 3 to 5 bars and there is a cell tower not too far away. There it's a parking lot at the entrance that may be usable for overflow parking/camping. My site was clean with no glass, beer caps, or other trash. Because of the extreme fire hazard rangers were out here two or three times a day. No target practicing or shooting is allowed ever and no campfires during this fire season. I would definitely stay here again.

About 30 minutes west of Spokane. Mostly suitable for car, van and tent campers. WA state Discover Pass required.

Good 4G Verizon with our booster.

We arrived 3pm on Sunday Aug 9, 2020 and there were a few open spots out of at least 15. I noticed only one spot with a lot of broken glass. Most of the sites are rustic but nicely maintained with no trash.

We were okay in a 19ft van with leveling blocks but larger rigs shouldn't continue any farther than the parking area that's midway in, because there's no place for a bigger rig to turn around beyond that lot.

There are two sunny pull-through spots near the entrance, but nothing else is really suitable for bigger rigs.

Most of the sites are spaced far enough apart for solitude. Some have partial shade. No amenities at all, so come prepared. The graded gravel road had some washboard.

It was dry, hot and windy, so campfires weren't allowed and blowing wind left a layer of dirt on everything. The winds abated at dusk, just in time for mosquitos and gnats. No issues with ticks on our dog. A few wasps daily looking for water, not aggressive.