Index Camping?

Hoping to spend a bunch of time at Index this summer. Anyone have any beta on the camping there?

Many just camp along the river right near the Lower Town Wall. It's 2 minutes (if that) from the parking lot. Security can be an issue (think Meth smash and grab kinda stuff) but I've been away from WA for a while now. Check out Cascadeclimbers.com forum for better local info.

Bringing this question back to life to see if anyone has any suggestions. Any recommendations for that area? 

There is camping in a small gravel lot right by the river, a couple minute walk to the lower town wall. You cant miss it. If you have a tent you can walk down and set it up in the sandy wooded area, or just on the gravel next to your car. Its free. If you have a van, ive seen people camp in the parking lot closer to the wall. Its pretty much wild and free around there, lets keep it that way; clean up after yourself, dont shit in the woods, pack your trash out of index, and dont piss off the locals. I havent had any issues with break ins, or seen any evidence (broken glass...) But I wouldnt reccommend leaving any valuables in the car, I did see some possible tweakers last time I was there.

If the camping gets crowded (can happen on nice weather weekends), my family owns a small undeveloped lot ten minutes out of town. PM me for details if want.

You can camp in your car or down on the banks of the river near Lower Town Wall. Both spots are a mix 90% climbers and 10% homeless drug folk. Also numerous camping options 10 minute drive in most directions.

Like others have said you can camp for free at the wagon wheel.  The limit is 14 days and I did see the rangers there on Saturday. Keep a low profile and consider exploring other offerings in the area to no over extend your stay. The smash and grab crimes are mostly a thing of the past now especially if you’re at the wagon wheel. There is almost always someone there so make friends and return the favor on rest days. Good luck.

If you need to break up days feel free to reach out. We have space in the yard to pitch a tent or parking for cars. ~15 from Index. 

Oh and to add to not shitting in the woods be  considerate of where you pee. It can get pretty gross when the rains stop and everyone pisses in the bushes behind the parking. I haven’t ever had issues with druggies there, talked to plenty but they seem to do their own thing in my experience. Index camping can get pretty crowded these days.

BrokenChairs BrettC wrote: The smash and grab crimes are mostly a thing of the past now

Someone smashed a car window at Gold Bar parking on 5/26, and another car was broken into at the Index river boulders the weekend before that. Keep your valuables out of sight.

Thank you so much everyone!!!

Tyler Moody wrote:

Someone smashed a car window at Gold Bar parking on 5/26, and another car was broken into at the Index river boulders the weekend before that. Keep your valuables out of sight.

Saw the glass at river boulders on Sunday. I would never go under the assumption that smash and grabs are a thing of the past in the skykomish, they may trend down for a few months here and there, but they always come back. 

How safe is the parking in the town of Index itself?! Any word???

parking in the town of index itself is nice, I've never heard of any smash and grabbing there. However, make sure to follow to signage and don't piss off the locals.

Alan Zhan wrote: parking in the town of index itself is nice, I've never heard of any smash and grabbing there. However, make sure to follow to signage and don't piss off the locals.

Thnx!! I've heard the Bush House is a friendly possibility? Is this info still current???

mountainmaiden wrote:

Thnx!! I've heard the Bush House is a friendly possibility? Is this info still current???

It seems like one of these years they will finally reopen it, and at that point parking will be discouraged, but it still seems to be used by climbers. On weekends, right across the way at the school has always been OK too. 

But now they have a new, big parking lot just over the bridge. It is for Heybrook Ridge hiking, but always seems to have plenty of space and is just another minute of walking.