Want to go dispersed camping near Antelope? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Antelope's most popular destinations.
Dispersed camping is allowed on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service (USFS) lands without a permit, but it is recommended that campers obtain a map that shows current property boundaries. Please contact the BLM , (541) 573-4400 or (541) 416-6700, or the USFS, (541) 575-3000 or (541) 416-6500, for more information. While camping is not allowed within the three units of the monument, there are many nearby campgrounds. Some have full service amenities, some are quiet and remote, some are in the forest, and some are right on the John Day River.
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.
In 1992 this high desert horse camp was constructed with the help of volunteers amidst the remnants of an old homestead and orchard just a short distance from Haystack Reservoir.The facility is available for horse camping, standard camping, and RV camping opportunities. View a vicinity map here.Learn about Leave No Trace principles for horse camping__AMENITIES:Stock water is dependent on cattle permittee operations/infrastructure and has been removed for the season. Please plan ahead and bring your own water.5 standard campsites8 corrals2 hitching racks1 water trough1 manure pit1 wooden picnic table and 1 combination fire ring/grill per campsite1 vault outhouse for the campground1 informational signboard.Please call the Crooked River National Grasslands Office (541) 416-6640 or Ochoco National Forest Office (541) 416-6500 for more information.Nearby recreation opportunities include:Horseback Riding TrailsHiking TrailsMountain Biking TrailsHunting
This trailhead is the northern access point for Green Mountain OHV Trail (#831) , which happens to be the only OHV trail in the Ochoco National Forest at this time. The parking area is small and cannot accommodate many or large vehicles, so please plan accordingly when you come.
A small, quiet campground with corrals, Bonney Meadows is adjacent to beautiful meadows lined with single track used by hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Campers can wake up and go for a stroll along Bonney Meadows Trail #471. Located on a high ridge near a lush meadow.
$10 / night
Traveler
Super easy to find and nobody around. Easy to jump back on the hwy in the morning.
Guide
Its a big lot area with a view of the river close to the dam. Theres a day use area and resort campground down the road which I asked the hosts there about the dispersed camping and they gave me an attitude saying that because its a state site that the sheriff may come check to ask me to leave. I told that that made no sense as its on usa owned land but they insisted not to park there. I believe they were just jealous because almost noone was at their campground. The day use area is small and watch for the tire strips. The parking area up the hill (at these coordinates) is a bit trashy but its a good spot for walk or bike.
GuideLove this dispersed campsite! So much wife open space. We were the only campers here last night. So quiet that you can hear a pin drop. Oh, the 360 views are fantastic! A little bumpy ride for regular cars as it is in a dirt road; an AWD preferred.
Guide
EDIT: We had a park ranger stop by and inform us that this location is closed to passenger vehicles. No passenger vehicles are allowed past the boulders. We are currently parked at the one and only camp slot that passenger vehicles are allowed, so this is a 99% dispersed camping location that you have to walk to your camp site location. The Park Ranger also reminded me that all BLM land is a 14-day stay for recreational camping only, and if you are living out of your RV, you are liable to be harassed more often then others.
Original Review: We parked in a space close to the main road. Minus the sounds from it, the place is very peaceful. There's lots of sage bushes, and trees are plenty but not clustered. There is a lot of wildlife in the area if the animal bones are anything to judge by. There are a lot of ant colonies and other burrowing creatures in the area as well. If you choose to walk off designated paths, watch your step, or you might end up in a shallow hole like I did. Some spots are more solar friendly than others, but none of the trees are overbearingly tall to completely block out the ability for it. Flies aren't too bad compared to other places, and honestly, I'm not sure if the ones we are dealing with are from here or left over from our 1 night stay at another location. The river is only a shortish walk away, and field mice do live in some of the boulders in the area.
Guide
Great secluded dispersed camping. It was obviously meant for folks with horses, but I was the only one there, so there were no horses in sight. The road getting there entailed about 5 miles of bumpy, windy dirt roads. Not totally worth it for a one night stay in a van, but might be for a 4wd car.
GPS: 44.448114, -121.102884
Guide
There aren't a ton of free camping options near Redmond. This is a great option. Only 2-3 spots for vans/small RVs. The other spots are clearly for tent camping. Would definitely recommend for a few days. I will say the vault toilets are disgusting- so plan accordingly. The hike is a great combination of short and pretty :-)
GPS: 44.410140, -121.293505
Traveler
There's a handful of dispersed campsites throughout NF44 and various side roads. I had several options to choose from and never saw another person. This was on a Thursday afternoon.
GuideEssentially a parking lot over a very pretty view. There was a trailer that seemed to be permanently located at one end of the lot, and a local woman stopped by to ask what I was doing there. Wouldn't have stayed for more than a night, but a gorgeous view!
GuideTook a while to discover this spot, but clearly seems well used for dispersed camping. I parked nearest the access road, as my van would have hit trees to go a little further in. For smaller vehicles (e.g. roof top tents), you can get in a little further and off the access road. There was actually someone else back there, and we can't hear nor see each other.
Guide
I arrived midday, so I spent the hottest part of the day in my shade tent reading and then in the evening watched the fire under the stars in my hammock. very peaceful, only saw one car drive by the whole time
TravelerMy wife and I came here in June of 2023. Lots of spots to choose from, flat with peppering of ponderosa pines. The sites on the West side, nearest the river are "walk in" but if you're able-bodied it's a short distance to lug gear. Nothing difficult or time consuming. These sites are a stones throw from cliffs overlooking the Deschutes River canyon. When we went, fires were allowed, and there was a residence on the road in (clearly marked) selling firewood. And they took Venmo! There is no water nearby. Closest place we found was Smith Rock day use area. Pay the day use fee and fill water jugs there. You'll want to visit Smith Rock anyway. Things to consider bringing for comfort: Shade. A canopy or whatever is reasonable for your group. It also gets hot and it's dry, so assume that fire band will be in affect the minute you leave home and plan your meals accordingly. I loved this spot. Close to Smith Rock. The falls at the campground are gorgeous and the hike is short and sweet. Close drive to other things like food carts and patio bars (reward yourself for your hiking).
TravelerStayed here one night. Very windy and very desolate. We were the only ones here. The coordinates take you to a parking lot that does not allow overnight, but you go right past it and across a cattle grade and the campsite is on your right.
Traveler
Mostly gravel road, high clearance is not necessary but there are some pretty big holes in the road, made it in a Toyota Corolla just fine but have gone in larger vehicles and tends to be a little less risky.
Not a ton of camping spots near the water but plenty of open spaces elsewhere. Pretty spaced out if you choose the right spot.
GuideGetting to camp you drive into a “canyon”, switch backs most of the way down. The road is bumpy but does not require 4WD or high clearance. Once you get to the bottom of the canyon, the road will pass by a vaulted toilet. You continue down the road and a bunch of campsites pop up that line the river. Great space for big groups, dog friendly, all around great hang!
Scoutthey’ve blocked off a lot car camping spots, there was only 2 that were big enough for my Tacoma one of which was taken up already. Zero privacy.
Scout
Amazing spot with some great views road past the gate a bit rough but nothing any 4x4 can handle. Very peaceful and secluded. Watch out for Siberian tigers, house cats and sugar gliders. I would recommend bringing at least one can of beans. Again please he aware of the crazy tigers. Also land leaches and water rats. As long as you bring ham and cheese you should be fine (tigers are scared of ham duhh) anyway bring your family here maybe a cousin or two.
Travelercampsites were super easy to find & best of all..free! it was SO quiet out there, so lovely. just a little drive even from the furthest most campsite to all of the little trails around the painted hills! super lovely place to stay the night if you’re just passing through! :)
ScoutOnce you are past the gate, the road becomes very rough. Do not pass the gate if your vehicle doesn’t have 4WD. The tundra made it, but not very comfortably and took about 30 mins to get down to site- the road is about 1/2 mile long. If you wanted, you could just park near the gate and hike down the road. Once you reach the camping area (no marked sites) the views are beautiful, but be very careful and aware of the cliff. It’s a pretty cool spot, very secluded, and free. Convenient considering all other campgrounds in the area are paid, crowded, and the views aren’t anything special.
LegendWe stayed at 44.612620,-120.211000 - it seems like that's not the location posted here but I don't know if that's a good site as well so I won't edit the record.
We stayed here one night when we were visiting the Painted Hills. This is a great spot if you’re visiting the area. It’s easy to get to and plenty of room, and an easy drive to the Painted Hills. There were 4 of us camping here the night we stayed (3 other RVs and one van), and everyone cleared out in the morning.
It’s not really a place I’d stay at for more than a night. There is a bunch of dumped garbage and an abandoned car at the end of the loop, but there were plenty of spots and room before you get to that spot. There's some rutted parts of the road when you get off the paved road, just watch for that, especially after rains.
The area is nice and quiet, you hear the creek and lots of birds. You’re near the road so you do hear cars but it wasn’t bothersome. You hear the creek but really you can’t get to it, it’s very marshy and overgrown and no real path to the water. Verizon had zero cell reception (weboost didn’t help) and ATT had one bar LTE.
No amenities here, please pack out your trash and human and dog waste.
ScoutVery easy, lots of campsites, a toilet, good reception(for s campsite). Can recommend going to the river for a swim!
GuideWe spent a weekend in June celebrating our anniversary in this stunning location. The Painted Hills are so beautiful. The hikes and trails are so well thought out and maintained. The camp spot that’s described in other reviews is the best we found. The coordinates however are not accurate. Pass the last parking area (Red Scar Knoll trail) on the main road, cross a cattle gate, and it’s on your right. If you have higher ground clearance you can go through the main camping area and take a dirt road just a bit further to a single spot that’s flat and shaded. We rented an off-road teardrop so this was super easy. Here are the correct coordinates to that single spot: 44.637881 -120.296011
ScoutGreat spot to pull up for the night to sleep in your car, and nice place to wake up and take a walk down to the falls. Came on a weekday.
ScoutNice campground on the Deschutes. I camped here before hitting smith rock the next morning. Lots of options but entirely full on Saturday night. Filthiest pit toilet I've ever seen. Still preferable to Smith Rock climber's bivy.
ScoutWe tried to follow the GPS coordinates but the road leads to a dangerous cliff edge full of rocks, not passable by cars. We had to turn around.
TravelerWe actually found this spot on this app actually & it was better than we expected. To see the waterfall, there is a 1/2 mile hike & it was beautiful! There were a few camp spots, they’re kinda close to each other but enough distance for some privacy. If you want to camp by the cliff to see the river, you won’t be able to drive to the spot, it’s blocked off. You’ll have to carry your stuff to the spot which there’s parking nearby so it’s not a far distance. But if you don’t mind the cliff camp spots then there are spot where you can drive into & camp inside your car or next to your car. The spots away from the cliff aren’t as big as the camp spots by the cliff, just fyi. This is a great place to come with a group of people! Totally recommend!
GuidePerfect area. Camped most weekends throughout summer, pretty consistently busy and open landscape but people have always been quiet and respectful. Bathrooms are convenient. Waterfall is gorgeous. Convenient and awesome location for smith trips
GuidePlenty of roads&established campgrounds to explore. Beautiful surroundings, incredible stars, super peaceful
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Antelope, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Antelope, OR is Painted Hills Dispersed with a 4.5-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Antelope, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 dispersed camping locations near Antelope, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
