Best Dispersed Camping near Beatty, OR

Several primitive camping areas can be found near Beatty, Oregon, primarily on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and National Forest Service. Frog Camp BLM, Paradise Creek, and dispersed sites along forest roads provide free options for self-contained camping. The region features several undeveloped pull-off spots where camping is permitted without reservation or fee, particularly along National Forest Road 9730 and areas near Gearhart Mountain. These areas typically have minimal to no facilities and follow standard public land camping regulations.

Road access varies significantly between sites. Paradise Creek features a rough access road that may challenge standard passenger vehicles, while areas like NF-9730 offer gravel roads in better condition suitable for most vehicles. According to one review, "Road is gravel but very new and flat. Cell service is great." Many sites lack drinking water, restrooms, or garbage facilities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, with some areas having established fire rings at common campsites. Most BLM and Forest Service lands in the region permit camping for up to 14 days within a 28-day period.

The camping experience in this area tends toward basic and rustic conditions with varying levels of privacy. Paradise Creek offers swimming opportunities and wildlife viewing, with one camper noting it has "only 3 spots and no restrooms. Great little swimming area for the kids and plenty of crawdads." Sites along NF-9730 provide easy highway access with cellular coverage, though recent forest fires have affected the scenic quality. A visitor mentioned, "The forest here burned recently so it isn't as pretty as it once was. A lot of trees have been removed making it feel very open." Some dispersed areas have been noted to contain trash or signs of inappropriate use. Campers should prepare for mosquitoes near water sources and variable weather conditions throughout the camping season.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Beatty, Oregon (19)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Beatty, OR

30 Reviews of 19 Beatty Campgrounds


  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2023

    Auger Creek Dispersed

    Down a Canyon - Not good for RV Travel

    This campsite is dry camping.  Silver Creek may be dry, as it has been since 2021.  No facilities other than a picnic table.  No Cell, No WiFi, etc.  If you like totally 'being away from it all,' this is your place, if you can get there.

  • Trevor F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 23, 2020

    Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site

    Great Camp Ground!

    Usually don't stay at campground with numbered sites but this place was gorgeous. The spring is stunning and the ground was soft and flat. Plenty of firewood around to start a cooking fire. Bugs were bad around sunset, but bug spray helped. Would recommend this site to anyone looking for a low key lace to cam near Crater Lake

  • Sara R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2020

    Great Meadow Sno-Park

    Not bad for a free site

    We ended up here because we couldn’t get a spot at any of the campgrounds nearby. Sounds like that’s a pretty common problem in the area, so I would recommend it in a pinch. PROS: free, plenty of space, overlooks a pretty meadow, nice trail CONS: next to the road, felt a little exposed, extremely buggy at dusk

    Know before you go: this is not a campground. In the summer, back country ski / snow sport parking lots are open for free overnight parking. There are vault toilets bout they were closed due to COVID.

  • Ian Y.
    Jun. 24, 2016

    Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site

    Hidden gem just a little off the beaten path

    I know the pictures are hard to believe, but yes, it's really that pretty! The campground is situated right next to a beautifully clear blue river and wooded hillsides—perfect for early morning serenity. Most of the sites are very near to each other without dividers, which could make it feel a little crowded if the campground gets full. But if you show up on a non-peak day and get lucky, you might just have the whole thing to yourself! If you do come on a busy time, look for the site past a big log at the very far end of the loop. It's all by itself which would provide some nice separation if you need it, plus it's invisible from the road so it might not be claimed yet!

    There's no potable water, but the river is clear enough that you could easily boil or purify as much as you need. The vault toilets were nice and clean and pleasant. They didn't seem to have any firewood available at the campground, so you might want to plan ahead on that. There were a few bugs when we were there in late May, but nothing terrible.

    Easily worth a visit! This is camping the way it's supposed to be—quiet, pretty, and just a little rough.

  • G
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site

    Awesome and Spacious Campsite

    This campsite was great! All the spots were very spread out and offered a lot of space. One thing… TONS of mosquitos. Absolutely swarmed. Bring bug spray like crazy. Otherwise it was a perfect place to stay! Stayed on 6/22

  • wThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Topsy Grade Road

    Easy access relatively flat camping spot

    Approximately 40x40 circular camping spot cattle guard access to Klamath River. On a dirt road only a little traffic nice picnic spot down below at the river

  • Arlon H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Dispersed Site - just a great place off the highway

    Many places to stay.

    Dirt road leads too many places to camp. Most vehicles should have no problem getting to a site. Some places can be difficult turning around for larger campers. My Crosstrek loved it.

  • Amber D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2018

    Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site

    Wanted to love it

    Pristine water! It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. I love how primitive and small the campground is, and it would have been perfect but we set up camp and then noticed a massive, fresh bear scat about 15 feet away from our tent. Ok, not the end of the world. Then other campers came by to warn us there was an active bear who destroyed their food and gear the previous night. Ok, not great. We decided to stick it until said bear showed up at dinner time and had ZERO fear of us. He was willing to get way too close after several attempts to chase him off. He wasn't afraid of anything. Not our car horn, not banging pots and pans, not me aggressively yelling and clapping at him. We tried for close too an hour to chase him out of camp but to no avail. We had a toddler and weren't willing to stick around to see how much more friendly he could be. My problem with this campground is the lack of proper bear boxes and trash cans. Clearly, the bears realize it's easy pickings here and all they have to do is rummage through people's gear to find an easy food source. It's not good for the bears. I'm an avid camper and have had bear experiences before but this bear was entirely too comfortable with humans. I hope this park makes it safer for the bears and campers by providing proper food and garbage storage units. I plan on coming back though. The water was so amazing. And pack the bug spray. The mosquitos were more aggressive than the bear.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2020

    Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site

    BEAUTIFUL

    Gorgeous primitive campground nestled among the tall pines. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, but no electric, water or sewer onsite. There’s no potable water so make sure you bring what you need. There are two vault toilets. Campsites will fit a variety of needs, including longer campers, though only a couple of sites would fit the “big guys”. Sites are first come, first served. Note we had zero cell service on both Verizon and AT&T. Very pretty, clear river runs through the campground and is a popular spot for kayakers/paddle larders and fishing.


Guide to Beatty

Dispersed camping areas near Beatty, Oregon span across Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands at elevations between 4,500-5,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F during day with cooler 40-50°F nights, while spring and fall camping brings considerable temperature fluctuations. Road conditions vary significantly, with several spots requiring high-clearance vehicles during spring runoff or after rain.

What to do

Fishing at reservoirs: Duncan Reservoir offers bank fishing opportunities with resident fish populations including trout. Bring your own gear as no rentals are available. According to one visitor: "Several cows were grazing in the area. Some waterfowl on the reservoir... There were a few folks bank fishing."

Swimming and creek exploration: Paradise Creek provides a natural swimming hole ideal during summer months. The junction where Paradise Creek meets the Sycan River creates shallow areas suitable for wading. "Great little swimming area for the kids and plenty of crawdads," notes one camper.

Wildlife viewing: Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site offers opportunities to observe local wildlife including birds and small mammals. The park's natural spring attracts various species. A visitor mentioned hearing "horses all evening" from nearby properties, adding to the rural experience.

What campers like

Crystal clear waters: The natural springs and creeks in the area feature remarkably clear water. One camper at Jackson F. Kimball described it as "one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen" with "pristine water" that resembles the clarity found in tropical destinations.

Quiet, secluded atmosphere: Most dispersed sites offer significant privacy, particularly on weekdays. At Duncan Reservoir Campground, one camper reported it was "dead on a Tuesday in July" and described falling "asleep to distant cow lowing" in the peaceful setting.

Cellular coverage at some sites: Unlike many remote camping areas, several locations maintain reliable connectivity. NF-9730 dispersed sites feature "great cell service" making them suitable for remote workers or those needing to stay connected. A camper confirmed: "Road is gravel but very new and flat. Cell service is great."

What you should know

Mosquito preparation essential: Water sources throughout the area breed significant mosquito populations, particularly during late spring and early summer. A Jackson F. Kimball visitor warned: "One thing... TONS of mosquitos. Absolutely swarmed. Bring bug spray like crazy."

Fire rings at established sites only: While dispersed camping is permitted across much of the public land, fire rings are limited to previously established sites. Always check current fire restrictions as they change seasonally, particularly during late summer drought conditions.

Variable water temperatures: Despite summer heat, water sources remain extremely cold. At Frog Camp BLM, the reservoir water stays chilly even in August. One camper at Jackson F. Kimball noted: "The water is FREEZING cold!! The cold hurt my ankles after about 5 min. and I had to get out…and this was in August!!"

Tips for camping with families

Best swimming spots: Paradise Creek offers the most family-friendly swimming area with shallow entry points and natural features for children to explore. A parent confirmed its appeal: "Great little swimming area for the kids and plenty of crawdads. Road is a little rough getting in."

Avoid problematic sites: Some free camping near Beatty has deteriorated from overuse. One camper at No Name Ridge reported: "Road up is gravel & steep. No place to pull over. Graffiti on rocks and seems to be a party place," making it unsuitable for family camping.

Wildlife awareness: Bears have been reported at several camping areas, requiring proper food storage. A parent camping with a toddler at Jackson F. Kimball encountered a bear that "was willing to get way too close after several attempts to chase him off. He wasn't afraid of anything. Not our car horn, not banging pots and pans."

Tips from RVers

Free overnight options: For self-contained RVs seeking free camping near Beatty, Oregon, several pullouts along forest roads accommodate vehicles up to 25 feet. Larger RVs should investigate Duncan Reservoir where "access to campground from Highway 31 is on a wide & well maintained gravel road."

Low-cost alternatives: Kla-Mo-Ya Casino and Travel Center offers affordable overnight parking for RVs at $10/night with a 5-night maximum stay. "No hookups as it is a dry camping spot. The casino is smoke-free and pleasant with machines only. Gas, propane, and diesel are available as is a c-store."

Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven parking at most dispersed sites. Even at established areas like Duncan Reservoir, one RVer noted sites are "not level, but okay." Bring adequate leveling blocks as most natural terrain features volcanic rock that complicates positioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Beatty, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Beatty, OR is Frog Camp BLM with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 19 dispersed camping locations near Beatty, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.