Skate Creek Road Dispersed Camping

I didn’t know about the free camping along this road, found it by accident. The first pull out I stopped at, was SO filthy, toilet paper everywhere and trash, I couldn’t let my dog out. We drove further down the road and found an even better pull out, much cleaner, though there was still trash about. Stayed one night. Someone had carved little steps into the hillside which was super handy to access the beautiful creek. Because of the road noise we only stayed one night. Didn’t feel completely safe with shell casings at both sites we visited ~ and I figured the weekend would be even busier and noisier.

It’s such a shame that this beautiful FREE area is so filled with locals trashing it. There is zero reason to sh*t in your own backyard and expect others to clean up after you. Disgusting. These places will probably have a No Camping sign the next time I’m in this area because of trashy, thoughtless people. A real shame. We are losing more and more free camping spots due to filth. Please be an adult and clean up after yourself.

These thugs stayed for the weekend.
Dragged their items down to the river.
Then, dragged all of the trash/garbage back to the road and left it.
It is wet, soggy, disgusting.
Know one should have to clean up other's trash!

This is Free Camping!
There are no services.
What you pack in. You pack out.
Leave no trace.

Have dignity!
This is your free campsite on your land!!
Is this how you want others to treat your stuff?????

Previous campers do not pick up their garbage and waste. A lot of these people make a half-hearted attempt to bury their fecal waste. Land Management rules require you do this more than 200 feet away from any water source, yet there are piles of fecal waste and used feminine hygiene products just sitting right next to the creek. Disgusting! That is a serious health hazard!

What I assumed to be local people who use the area are dangerous and unfriendly.
It also appears to be a location where people like to go shoot off their guns. More bullet shell casings and shotgun casings than you can shake a stick at. Trees all around show signs of target practice with both real bullets and shells as well as paint gun balls.

Confrontations with people carrying firearms is not uncommon. There are other, safer, better and cleaner places to camp.

I found a prime campsite with the two things I required of a campsite: 1.) Shade & 2.) Creek Access. The first time up, in mid-July, I stayed 3 nights/4 days. The second time, a week later, I stayed 10 nights/11 days and just got back last night (8/8). Packwood is less than 15 miles away, Ashford is about 15 miles away. Tons of free spots of varying size just off the road. Some are big enough for RVs, but there are very few for large RVs. Get here early for the best spots. Fridays & Saturdays are busiest.

Bring firewood or an axe/hand saw/chainsaw for firewood collecting and don't forget the bug spray! You'll need it. Biting flies are bad, worse than the mosquitoes.
Bring plenty of potable water or a way to purify the very clear & cold creek water, either by boiling, filter, or purification tablets.

PACK OUT YOUR GARBAGE! There is no garbage service and you must pack out what you bring in. It's quiet, peaceful, & gorgeous! A huge party of 20+ people and 6-8 cars, was out here last Thursday thru Sunday and they bagged up all their garbage but then left it. No one else would camp there bc of the garbage, especially after the birds (& raccoons) got into it. Burn what you can (paper products), bury your food & biological waste, and pack out the unburnables (metal/cans/foil, glass, foam, plastics, etc).

Didn't see or hear any animals other than birds, rodents, bugs, and baby fish, but there are probably raccoons, rabbits, & squirrels/chipmunks. Ravens, Robins, Stellar's Jays, and American Dippers are most common.

Bring extra batteries for your flashlights bc it is DARK out here, like, can't see your hand in front of your face dark.

There is NO cell service until you leave the Gifford-Pinchot National Park on the way to Packwood. I didn't get reception until Elbe/Alder Lake. I have a gov't track phone, so I'm unsure of the carrier, but no one I talked to got cell reception out there.

Also, it must be said, please do not steal from your camp neighbors. Two different parties took firewood that I gathered from right next to my firepit, which took forever and was painful for me (I have back, knee, hip, & ankle problems and need pain medications & use a cane out here) and one party lied about it and then threatened me, yelled at me, and actually shoved me and tried to call the cops on me saying I was harassing them. If you need something, ASK. Most will be willing to help if they are able. Respect your neighbors, be kind, & treat others the way you wish to be treated please, and everyone will have a peaceful trip.

There are a bunch of spots following the road from the turn off around Ashford to Packwood. The better spots are on the Packwood side. There are spots for rvs, big rigs, and tent camping. Just a few bigger sites. The tent sites look great. Park and walk in close to the creek. We didn’t stay the night but wanted to check it out. Would love to stay here though!