Overnight car camping near Paradise

With all of the official campgrounds within the park still closed, what is the closest to Paradise one can camp in their vehicle legally or at least without being hassled? I'd like to spend a few consecutive days touring the area and would like to keep the driving (and my carbon footprint) to a minimum.

Thanks,

Marc

There are some FS camp sites off of Skate Creek Road, a couple of miles before the entrance gates. No facilities, just sites next to the river.

There is a Horse Camp which is 26 miles from Paradise on the north side of the road west of Ashford. It's free and used by folks with horses and RV's.

The closest legal spots are small unimproved turnouts on either side of Copper Ck, about a half mile up USFS Rd #59.  This turns north off the highway about two miles outside the Park entrance, just west of Copper Creek restaurant.  Korup's recommendation might be quieter while the gate thru to Packwood remains locked at Mile 6 on Skate Ck. Road.  RV hookups, flush toilets (and showers, I think) are available at Alder Lake Campground about 15 miles outside the Nat'l Park on Highway 7.  Inside the Park, Cougar Rock CG is scheduled to open May 22.

Thanks for the info. It'll be a great help.

Big Creek Campground off Skate Creek Roadshas facilities
camping here
and is supposed to open May 1st.  It is about 5 miles from Nisqually Entrance.