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Best Dispersed Camping near Antelope, OR

76 Reviews

Several free BLM dispersed camping areas surround Antelope, Oregon, with Priest Hole Recreation Area being the most developed option. Located along the John Day River, Priest Hole features vault toilets and recently upgraded fire rings, though no drinking water or hookups are available. The access road requires careful driving but doesn't demand high clearance vehicles. A camper noted, "Mostly gravel road with some pretty big holes, made it in a Toyota Corolla just fine." Other primitive options include Painted Hills Dispersed camping, which offers secluded sites near creek access, and Deschutes River Overlook with scenic views but limited tent space.

The dispersed sites in this region typically allow fires (except during seasonal restrictions), permit pets, and accommodate both tents and RVs. Summer temperatures can be extreme, with reviews mentioning 100-degree days at Priest Hole, though the John Day River provides swimming opportunities. Most sites lack shade and basic amenities. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "Pack it in and pack it out. Appreciate and protect what these public lands have to offer."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Antelope, Oregon (23)

    1. Painted Hills Dispersed

    17 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 573-4400

    "We stayed at Priest Hole, which is a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center on dirt roads. We saw a few vans and a pop-up trailer, but no RVs."

    "We 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."

    2. Priest Hole Recreation Area

    8 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    25 miles

    "These upgrades were done over the past several years according to BLM Prineville staff."

    "Getting 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."

    3. Deschutes River Overlook Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Alder Springs, OR
    29 miles
    Website

    "No facilities here it’s just a spot to park and experience the beauty of being out on the road. Mild note caution, more a heads up. I came from Bend/Redmund via Madras."

    "Essentially 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."

    4. Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Culver, OR
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6640

    "Open grounds away from everything. There was a dirt square right off the dirt road we parked in. The only noise was the power-lines close by, which weren’t bad. Decent stargazing and had no issues."

    "Love 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!"

    5. Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Terrebonne, OR
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "Also very hot and dry, as to be expected in the high desert. The scent of Mock orange hung heavy in the evenings air and the waterfalls area had a pool nearby you could hang out in."

    "Breathtaking drives and not hard to find with given coordinates. Dirt roads are not too hard to drive but during the dry months it is extremely dusty."

    6. Painted Hills South Camp

    2 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    28 miles

    "This site is on the far end of the painted hills park, just outside of the gate. "

    7. Green Mountain North Trailhead Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, OR
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6500

    "Has a nice area to turn around a big truck. Looks like people have been cutting firewood here. There some litter and obvious signs of people."

    8. Cyrus Horse Camp

    3 Reviews
    Culver, OR
    37 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Trees for shade and relaxing. Nearby trails to find mud holes 😁 great time all around when we go!"

    9. White River Crossing

    1 Review
    Tygh Valley, OR
    33 miles

    "Access Road in is super steep and rocky. Would not recommend coming out anytime other than summer! Nice place to sit and dip your toes when it's hot though!"

    10. Cove Palisades Lookout Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Culver, OR
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 546-3412

    "Again please he aware of the crazy tigers. Also land leaches and water rats."

    "Tbey each had their own private bathrooms also so no walking in the dark to the bathrooms at midnight"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Antelope, OR

58 Photos of 23 Antelope Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Antelope, OR

76 Reviews of 23 Antelope Campgrounds

  • Corinna B.
    Oct. 1, 2017

    Painted Hills Dispersed

    Absolutely the Best. And free!

    This was by far my favorite place we stayed on our entire 4000+ mile road trip…. and it was free! We stayed at Priest Hole, which is a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center on dirt roads. We saw a few vans and a pop-up trailer, but no RVs. The road was okay but not great, so not sure if regular RVs would make it or not. Fine for cars, trucks or vans.

    It's Bureau of Land Management land, which means all camping is free. We camped right on the banks of the John Day River and it was amazingly beautiful. The water was the perfect temperature for swimming and crystal clear. There were people a couple hundred yards from us on either side, so not too crowded. We were there on a Thursday and pulled right up to an empty spot.

    Only vault toilets. Bring your own water. No showers, picnic tables, etc. The only drawback, besides lack of a nice bathroom and not much natural shade, was quite a few earwigs and other bugs attacking the outside tent at night when we had our light on. Not the worst thing, but slightly annoying for the kiddos.

    When the river is higher (sometimes in the winter) there's a large grassy area in the center of the area for tents, but a bit far away from the water. But in the summer when the river is lower you can camp in any of the rocky dry stream beds and be safely right on the water.

  • Thomas B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2021

    Deschutes River Overlook Dispersed Camping

    Handy Stopping Point

    We kind of stumbled into this free spot while heading to a more formal campground near Pelton Dam. As the daylight faded I spotted a pullout/turnaround area which then led to a rather private loop with a great view of the Deschutes River and Lake Simtustus. I had to confirm with the Dyrt BLM map overlay, but I was glad to find myself on public land. It’s not really a place I’d choose to spend more than one night, since it doesn’t really connect to any trails or walking areas, but it was a handy en-route overnight spot, complete with a nice view and bright sunset. It’s only a few miles off Rt. 26, following signs to Pelton Dam. There was plenty of room to turn around my 26’ skoolie. However, I didn’t really see a good place for a tent, but I didn’t look very hard. There were signs of previous users, including a fire ring (which I didn’t use). Since it was the eve of Earth Day, I did collect a bagful of empty cans and trash. Leave no trace, people!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2022

    Skull Hollow Dispersed

    Free and close to Smith Rock!

    If you keep driving on the forest service road past the Skull Hollow campground there are many designated spots to car camp along the road. The road is dirt but 2WD/low clearance is fine. The campground has public, dry toilets near the entrance of the road. Some sites are shaded by juniper trees.

  • Adrianne D.
    Jul. 3, 2021

    Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground

    HOT and scenic

    So so beautiful and scenic! Also very hot and dry, as to be expected in the high desert. The scent of Mock orange hung heavy in the evenings air and the waterfalls area had a pool nearby you could hang out in. TONS of desert wildflowers too, along with several hundred year old juniper trees and sagebrush lizards all over bathing on rocks in the morning sun. It was during bitterly breeding season too, it’s a breeding ground for monarchs! No fires due to fire restrictions and the GPS coordinates on here took us an hour past the destination.. we found it eventually after good going though.

  • Braden M.
    Jun. 13, 2022

    Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground

    Favorite type of terrain to camp in

    Beautiful trip. Breathtaking drives and not hard to find with given coordinates. Dirt roads are not too hard to drive but during the dry months it is extremely dusty. The campground on the trailhead is nice but a little too close for dispersed camping. Trail is not too long to a waterfall. You can fish and jump off the rocks into the water. We stayed one night at the designated camp site but ended driving about 10 minutes down a dirt road next the the campground entrance that is actual dispersed camping. Really enjoyed that spot with a trail down to the river and 2 drive in spots and multiple walk in campsites along the cliffs. 

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Painted Hills Dispersed

    Amazing campsite, coordinates NOT correct

    We 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

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2025

    Priest Hole Recreation Area

    Recent Upgrades to an already beautiful area

    First time we have stayed here. Spent two nights along the river. Quiet, serene and peaceful. Each campsite had recently been upgraded with heavy duty Pilot Rock fire pits, fresh gravel,restrooms were clean. These upgrades were done over the past several years according to BLM Prineville staff. Maintenance of this nice area will be difficult since temporary staff and seasonal help have been reduced from 20 employees down to 2. Pack it in and pack it out. Appreciate and protect what these public lands have to offer.

  • Jason B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2024

    Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    Great/Quiet Spot

    Took 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.

  • Michael F.
    May. 16, 2024

    Priest Hole Recreation Area

    Great camping right on the John Day River

    Getting 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!

Guide to Antelope

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Antelope, Oregon, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots that cater to different camping styles, from quiet retreats to scenic views.

Dispersed campers should check out Painted Hills Dispersed

  • This location provides a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for those looking to unwind while enjoying the stunning landscape. Visitors have noted the tranquility, often only encountering a few other campers during their stay.
  • The site allows for campfires, making it ideal for cozy evenings under the stars. Many campers have enjoyed evenings spent by the fire, sharing stories and soaking in the serene environment.
  • With no permits required and free access, Painted Hills Dispersed is a fantastic choice for spontaneous trips or budget-friendly adventures.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Antelope, Oregon

  • Always pack out what you bring in, as many dispersed sites, like Deschutes River Overlook Dispersed Camping, lack trash disposal facilities. Keeping the area clean ensures it remains beautiful for future visitors.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Priest Hole Recreation Area offers toilets but no water hookups. Bring enough supplies to stay comfortable during your stay.
  • Check road conditions before heading out, especially if you're driving a larger vehicle. Some areas, like Cyrus Horse Camp, have rough access roads that may require a high-clearance vehicle.

Scenic views while free camping near Antelope

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 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Antelope, OR?

TheDyrt.com has all 23 dispersed camping locations near Antelope, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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