Map showing campground location near Moro, Oregon

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Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Accessible only by bike, foot, or raft, this dispersed camping area runs along the Deschutes River corridor within BLM-managed land near the Lockit area, roughly 20 miles upriver from the Deschutes River State Recreation Area trailhead. The access road is unpaved dirt and gravel the entire way, and the terrain is rough enough that mountain bikes handle it better than cyclocross setups. Campers arriving by raft can pull up directly to the riverbank, though the open field sites sit about 150 yards from the water and require hauling gear uphill.

Composting toilets are the only amenity on-site. No drinking water, no hookups, no trash service. Campfires are prohibited through most of spring, summer, and fall due to the dry brush and wheat grass surrounding the area. The few designated riverside sites fill up quickly, especially during rafting season, so groups arriving late often set up in the adjacent open field near the train tracks. A freight train passes through several times overnight, which reviewers note as something to factor into sleep planning.

"No drinking water or hookups of any kind," one reviewer notes plainly, and that sums up the self-sufficiency required here. Cell service is listed as available, which helps with navigation and weather checks. Fees apply and vary. Nearby alternatives for more developed facilities include Macks Canyon Campground to the south, or Beavertail Campground — Lower Deschutes Wild And Scenic River further along the river corridor. Paddlers and bikepacking groups planning a multi-day Deschutes run will find this a functional overnight stop.

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Map & DirectionsHike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area is located in Oregon near Moro

Public Campground

Coordinates

45.4269465 N
120.86193075 W

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Access

Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

Phone Service
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets

Contact

General Info

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Reservations

+15417392322

Drive Time

3 hrs 14 min from Portland, OR
3 hrs 19 min from Yakima, WA
3 hrs 22 min from Kennewick, WA
3 hrs 40 min from Bend, OR

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Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area

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4 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the pristine riverside location and amazing scenery along this dispersed camping area. Guests commonly noted clean composting toilets but no water or services. Occasional train noise mentioned, though most found the solitude exceptional.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Ryan W.

Ranger

Reviewed Apr. 17, 2020

Awesome Primitive Camping + Nice Composting Toilet

This is a great hidden gem right off the bank of the Deschutes River. It’s in Lockit area, if I remember correctly. After a full day of rafting, we floated right up to this spot with a biiig group of people. The few designated riverside campsites were already taken, so we opted to walk up into the open field (maybe 150 yards from the water) and make camp. Besides the glorious surroundings, the best part of this campsite is definitely the NICE composting toilet. It’s the only amenity available but we were all thankful to have it and impressed by how clean and new it felt. A train will pass by at least a couple times over the course of a night, but it’s kind of a fun sight as long as it doesn’t come by in the middle of the night. Overall it’s a very solid option for Deschutes rafters and I would happily stay there again.

(6) View All

Amanda W.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2019

Lockit Campsite Lower Deschutes

If you’re rafting in— When you enter the Lockit area look for a composting toilet on your left. There’s one official site directly below the composting toilet. We stayed in the big open field next to it.

I don’t think this is technically an “official” campsite but it has a lovely composting toilet that smells like fresh cedar. Had been rafting all day and decided to make this spot work b/c other official sites were full. Turned out to be a great decision. It’s a bit rough lugging all of your stuff up. Flat spots for tents are up by the train tracks.

This spot turned out to be one of my favorites. The most beautiful scenery. Night sky was unreal. Feels like no one is around for miles. Can’t say enough.

Beware of the train that rolls in every 4hrs or so.

No drinking water or hookups of any kind. No fires. Must bring everything.

(7) View All

Kevin L.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2018

Bike-packing Trip on Lower Deschutes River

Bike-packing Campground Review:

The lower Deschutes River from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River, goes about 100 river miles along the water and was designated an Oregon Scenic Waterway in 1970. We parked our car and loaded up our bikes at the Deschutes River State Rec area - where designated tent and RV camp sites are located. We then biked in about 20 miles to dispersed camping along the Deschutes River.

The bike trip was on a dirt/gravel road. I used my Surly cycle-cross while two of my friends used their mountain bikes. After about 6 flat tire, I realized I maybe should have used my mountain bike for this trip... As you bike in, there are areas about every 5 miles where you camp near the water. Camping areas have brick outhouses (no drinking water or trash), but they are not groomed/flat classic campgrounds - more of just a free for all amongst the brush and river side.

The biking was amazing and the camping with true freedom. Clear skies and twenty miles of golden wheat blowing in the wind The entire dirt road hugged the winding river. We would bike by people every hour or so but side from that we had this epic place to ourselves.

No fires? No problem! Very dry area covered in dry wheat and dry brush so most of the Spring/Summer/Fall campfires are not allowed. This was the first time in years I camped without a fire. Thought I was going to miss it but ended up really enjoying the extra relaxation time. No dealing with wood, no distracting fire to keep up - just more time to hang out with nothing to do and chat with my friends - awesome.

Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I test products when I go camping. On this trip I tested the biking shorts from ElevenPine. I met the ElevenPine team a couple years ago at a trade-show and immediately liked them because of their "Keep America Spandex-Free!" tag line. I noticed they came out with a new pair of shorts - the Men's Crank It Up with Liberator Liner so I decided to buy a pair for this bike-packing trip.

As a bike commuter who has never used biking shorts - I could not have been happier. Made a huge difference to have the butt padding on the bumpy gravel path and was great to have comfortable shorts that did not feel like dorky spandex shorts while hanging out at the campground.

The left and right side of the shorts have vertical zippers so I could zip the shorts tight for biking and they unzip them when hanging out at the campground. The shorts also have high quality front pocket zippers and are made from a durable, stretch woven material and subtle waist adjustment system for a snug fit.

Two thumbs up from me for the new ElevenPine Crank It Up biker shorts. I may never bike without them again.

Site Lower Deschutes River dispersed camping

Month of VisitJune

(18) View All

Kevin L.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2018

Ranger Review: ElevenPine Bike Shorts on Lower Deschutes Bike-packing Trip

Bike-packing Campground Review:

The lower Deschutes River from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River, goes about 100 river miles along the water and was designated an Oregon Scenic Waterway in 1970. We parked our car and loaded up our bikes at the Deschutes River State Rec area - where designated tent and RV campsites are located. We then biked in about 20 miles to dispersed camping along the Deschutes River.

The bike trip was on a dirt/gravel road. I used my Surly cycle-cross while two of my friends used their mountain bikes. After about 6 flat tire, I realized I maybe should have used my mountain bike for this trip... As you bike in, there are areas about every 5 miles where you camp near the water. Camping areas have brick outhouses (no drinking water or trash), but they are not groomed/flat classic campgrounds - more of just free-for-all spots amongst the brush and river side.

The biking was amazing and the camping was true freedom. Clear skies and twenty miles of golden wheat blowing in the wind. The entire dirt road hugged the winding river. We would bike by people every hour or so but side from that we had this epic place to ourselves.

Strava route and pics here

Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I test products when I go camping. On this trip I tested the biking shorts from ElevenPine. I met the ElevenPine team a couple years ago at a trade-show and immediately liked them because of their "Keep America Spandex-Free!" tag line.

I noticed ElevenPine came out with a new pair of shorts - the Men's Crank It Up with Liberator Liner so I decided to buy a pair for this bike-packing trip.

The left and right side of the shorts have vertical zippers so I could zip the shorts tight for biking and they unzip them when hanging out at the campground. The shorts also have high quality front pocket zippers and are made from a durable, stretch woven material - with subtle waist adjustment system for a snug fit.

Two thumbs up from me for the new ElevenPine Crank It Up biker shorts. I may never bike again without my ElevenPine shorts on.

SiteDispersed camping along lower Deschutes River

Month of VisitJune