A buddy and I want to try to do more winter camping this year, but we're both kinda new to the area and aren't super familiar with all the regional weather/elevation/closures quirks. Last year when I researched it, it seemed like I could only find closed roads.
Any reliable areas that stay open in the winter? Not super set up for off-road snow driving so hopefully things below the snow line. Preferably within a couple hours of the Seattle area.
Thanks!
If you're trying to stay out of the snow, then I'd look at the coast, or east of the mountains. There are a string of BLM campgrounds on the Yakima River south of Ellensburg - and I think at least one of them, Big Pines, is open all year. They still get snow over there, but it's usually not that much. It will be cold if that's what you're looking for!
Hi Jesse,
"In general" areas above the snow line are dedicated as snoparks in the national forests once the snow depth is about a foot or deeper. The "within a couple of hours of Seattle" sort of becomes an issue, since the mountains climb precipitously within that time/distance:)
That being said, check out the road complex within the Darrington ranger district within the Mt Baker/Snoqualmie national forest. In particular FSRs 17, 25, 26, 27, and 28. 17 and 27 are now closed mid way due to slides or washouts, but there are lots of interesting places to camp off of all these roads.
Stretching out beyond 2 hrs from Seattle opens up possibilities in the Olympics (FSR 22, 23) and in the wildlife areas in Eastern Wa. I would recommend traveling up to the lower mainland of BC as well if you want to stretch the limit a bit further. If you're interested in BC, let me know and I'll pass on some suggested routes.
-.b