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Activities

Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping

About

USDA Forest Service

Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/recreation/camping-cabins/?cid=stelprdb5291492

Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no picnic tables, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates. If you are dispersed camping in the winter, recognize that the Forest Service does not plow or maintain Forest Roads in the winter, so plan your trip accordingly. Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas or trailheads. There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It's your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience.

Picking a Campsite If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that's been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites, so using existing ones will minimize your impact on the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow these Leave No Trace guidelines:

Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damaging or killing plants and grass. Do NOT camp within 200 feet of any water source, plants near water are especially fragile. Don't camp in the middle of a clearing or meadow. Make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a "wild" setting. Don't try to level or dig trenches in the ground at your campsite. Select a campsite with good natural drainage. Visit the Leave No Trace website for more information.

Campfires Many wildfires are caused by human activity, typically escaped campfires from dispersed campers. Campfires are allowed when you are dispersed camping UNLESS there are fire restrictions in effect due to high fire danger conditions. It is YOUR responsibility to know if fire restrictions are in effect before you go camping.

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Location

Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

44.56269074862436 N
121.12547641038384 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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2 Reviews

gillian P.
Reviewed Mar. 9, 2023

Real cool

Plenty of roads&established campgrounds to explore. Beautiful surroundings, incredible stars, super peaceful

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping by gillian P., March 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping by gillian P., March 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping by gillian P., March 9, 2023
Kelly H.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Nov. 26, 2022

Wide open spaces!

This was our awesome spot for viewing the solar eclipse and we'll go back when we want some peace and beautiful sunsets again!  Camped here before the eclipse.  Drove our trailer to the top of the hill (along a fence).  We were able to level up and had no neighbors until the morning of the eclipse when several people and RV's came in.  Many people parked down along Holly Ln. but we took a track up the hill.  

We were rewarded with a lovely sunset over the Cascade mountains the night before.  Not heavily used so very clean.

Of course no services, so pack out what you bring in.  Dispersed camping.

SiteDispersed
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping by Kelly H., November 26, 2022
  • Review photo of Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping by Kelly H., November 26, 2022
  • Review photo of Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping by Kelly H., November 26, 2022
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