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Best Dispersed Camping near Blue River, OR

114 Reviews

Blue River Reservoir offers several free dispersed camping opportunities along forest roads. Sites are available past the developed campgrounds, with multiple pull-outs along the river. A recent review noted, "If you follow the road to the right of the reservoir there are some developed campsites/boat launches with a fee. Keep driving. Past the sign for Mona campground but before the bridge, on the left side there are five dispersed sites along the river." Access requires caution as some areas have steep drops to the water, and portions of the region have experienced fire damage.

Quartzville Recreation Corridor provides additional dispersed camping options about 30 miles north of Blue River. Sites are primarily roadside pull-outs with fire rings but minimal facilities. Pack out all trash, as littering has been problematic. Fire restrictions frequently apply during summer months, with some areas completely restricting campfires during high-risk periods. One camper shared, "Only thing you get is a Fire Ring and that shows where you can camp. But always follow the guide for the area about campfires. Such as August most times there are NO Camp Fires!"

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Blue River, Oregon (43)

    1. Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping

    12 Reviews
    Blue River, OR
    3 miles

    "The coordinates take you to right by the reservoir with one or two spots but if you keep going down the road into the National Forest/Recreation area, (not in towards the reservoir— that road is rough,"

    "The marker on the map is where the information kiosk is. If you follow the road to the right of the reservoir there are some developed campsites/boat launches with a fee (and composting toilets)."

    2. Quartzville Recreation Corridor

    6 Reviews
    Cascadia, OR
    27 miles
    Website

    "Such as August most times there are NO Camp Fires! Be prepare for fire danger, have axe, shovel and 5-gal of water, you will be the first to stop it and report it."

    "I love the dispersed camping. The sites are open, so good for solar, but do get windy. I have camped at the quarry a few times with my friends that have a camp trailer."

    3. Moraine Lake Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Deschutes National Forest, OR
    29 miles
    Website

    "No amenities, and a 2 mile straight uphill hike to get here. Theres a map of the campsites, but they are hard to find. None are near te lake so fill upwater in bulk! Stunning sunsets and sunrises."

    "Wonderful backcountry camping accessed by a mostly uphill 2 mile hike."

    4. Sparks Lake Recreation Area

    4 Reviews
    Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland, OR
    32 miles

    "Access to water. Gorgeous sunsets. Not far from toilet if you're up for a walk, or have wheels. Firepits. This site has it all. Room to back in 15' trailer to camp or of."

    "There are several spots off of the road to the Spark Lake Day Use area. The road is very rough, but taken slow does not require a 4wd."

    5. Sisters, Oregon - Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Sisters, OR
    40 miles
    Website

    "Love this dispersed camping area just south of Sisters, OR. We've camped here a few times over the years and there are never many campers around."

    "Maybe 15min outside bend, a little hard to see the turn off in the dark, but once we did it was easy to find a spot and set up camp! We only stayed one night and were car camping so it was perfect!"

    6. Craig Lake

    2 Reviews
    Sisters, OR
    26 miles

    7. BEND FS 4610 Dispersed

    12 Reviews
    Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland, OR
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 383-5300

    "The main red dirt road is gorgeous with various pull offs spaced decently far apart. I saw one or two neighbors to the left and right of our spot but it was far enough that our spot felt private."

    "Dirt road through the forest. Pretty flat but sites were spaced out far enough that you couldn’t really see neighbors. Decent cell service, no complaints!"

    8. Ray Benson Sno-Park

    1 Review
    Camp Sherman, OR
    29 miles

    9. Black Pine Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Sisters, OR
    36 miles

    "We drove around looking for a place to boondock near Sisters for what felt like forever, but all the remote sites we planned on were taken."

    "One of the best dispersed camps we’ve been to all year!"

    10. FS Rd 1514 Dispersed camping

    3 Reviews
    Sisters, OR
    36 miles

    "We spent some time driving around the Sisters area looking for a spot with a view.  Found a beauty!  The area is large enough for several rigs, including large ones. "

    "Great view of the mountains with access to other view points. Only issue is the provided GPS coordinate isn't correct. It send me close by but down a long awful gravel road."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Blue River, OR

43 Photos of 43 Blue River Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Blue River, OR

114 Reviews of 43 Blue River Campgrounds

  • Aaron M.
    Jul. 7, 2021

    Deschutes Forest NFD 4600-120 Dispersed Camping

    Fine dispersed camping close to town

    Just a forest service road. The area close to the road is closed to camping entirely. I showed up at 1am and missed that part since I'm so used to seeing no campFIRES and was hassled by a local for making their scenic walk less pretty. But if you look at the map posted you just need to be further in from the road - you'll see new signs for 14-day limits. Lots of mountain bikers riding past since there are a ton of trails out here. They also seem to be grumpy about seeing a vehicle parked out here, but oh well. 

    I don't know who is marking this area for services and water and toilets and RV hookups.... it's just a dirt road. However I do get 2-3 bars LTE on AT&T and Verizon even further in where you can camp.

  • Hannah M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2019

    Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping

    Free camping beside the reservoir

    Free dispersed roadside camping beside the reservoir. There’s some nice sites off blue river reservoir road and across the dam. Nice lake and a vault toilet with a dumpster in the day use section. Nice basic free spot!

  • Mark F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2022

    Whiskey Jack Dispersed Campsite

    Beautiful site at base of Cascade mountains

    We were looking for a dispersed camping site on Forest Service land outside of cell range so we used The Dyrt PRO maps to help us find this spot. It is just off of paved roads on a smooth gravel road that our RV easily handled - it is a pull off from Whiskey Jack road and has room for 1 RV or several tents on flat land with some soft ground cover from grass and pine needles. There are no services so this is dry camping and you’ll need to be self sufficient. There is a fire pit circle but with recent fires we wouldn’t use it and it may be prohibited. I am sure this road could be snowed in in winter months but was dry and clear in June. We picked the spot with fewer trees as we were testing out a Starlink satellite dish on our RV to see if we could get internet access deep in the woods. Lots of ponderosa pines, manzanita bushes, and chirping birds in warm weather days and cool nights. There is some traffic passing the site during the day but there is a road that a 4 wheel drive could travel if you wanted to get away from the road for some extra privacy and quiet. Overall a classic Oregon Cascades mountain meadow location that is only 10-15 minutes off highway 20 and makes you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere to rest and rejuvenate!

  • lauren C.
    Jun. 20, 2021

    Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping

    Magic River, Magic Forest

    The coordinates take you to right by the reservoir with one or two spots but if you keep going down the road into the National Forest/Recreation area, (not in towards the reservoir— that road is rough,) there are plenty of spots off the road to camp at. We found a spot to put our tent (right off the road) but still a safe distance away from it and was able to watch and hear this clear blue river while we fell asleep.

  • Erin P.
    Aug. 7, 2017

    Moraine Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great South Sister base camp

    Hiked up on Friday night and got the last spot. No amenities, and a 2 mile straight uphill hike to get here. Theres a map of the campsites, but they are hard to find. None are near te lake so fill upwater in bulk! Stunning sunsets and sunrises. Made for a nice striking point to the summit. Gets busy. Have bug spray handy!

  • Sarah R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 8, 2021

    Black Pine Dispersed Camping

    Spacious and remote

    We drove around looking for a place to boondock near Sisters for what felt like forever, but all the remote sites we planned on were taken. When we arrived at the Black Pine dispersed area, it was surprisingly empty for how busy the rest of the area was. 

    The sites were huge with enormous fire rings and would be ideal for groups. We just had one small van, but there was one other large party with multiple vehicles and a large camper van, and they fit comfortably in one site. 

    The actual sites are not very forested or private, but it still felt secluded since only two of probably 10 sites were taken. Definitely recommend this area, especially for groups!

  • L
    Dec. 31, 2018

    Quartzville Recreation Corridor

    Rugged boondocking

    Beautiful recitation area... Mostly roadside limited facilities and or services but beautiful area.. large mountain lake tucked into beautiful mountain valleys ...windy narrow road a couple state campgrounds and day use areas... limited places to turn around... But well worth the adventure!

Guide to Blue River

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Blue River, Oregon, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.

Enjoy Scenic Views While Free Camping Near Blue River

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Quartzville Recreation Corridor

  • The Quartzville Recreation Corridor features multiple spots with fire rings, making it suitable for small groups looking to enjoy a campfire under the stars.
  • This area is known for its fishing opportunities, with year-round access to the river, making it a favorite among anglers.
  • While camping here, be prepared for some trash left by previous visitors, but recent clean-ups have improved the area significantly.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Blue River, Oregon

  • When visiting Black Pine Dispersed Camping, be aware that some roads may be rough, so a vehicle with higher clearance is recommended for accessing more secluded spots.
  • Always pack in and pack out your trash, especially at sites like Rock Creek Dispersed Camping, where amenities are limited and maintaining the natural beauty is essential.
  • Bring plenty of water and supplies, as many dispersed camping areas, including Moraine Lake Dispersed Camping, do not have potable water sources or facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you camp along the roadside at Blue River Reservoir?

Yes, roadside camping is permitted at Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping. Free dispersed camping is available along Blue River Reservoir Road and across the dam. The coordinates for this area lead directly to spots by the reservoir, but continuing down the road into the National Forest/Recreation area offers additional roadside camping opportunities. Be aware that some areas close to the road may be closed to camping, so check posted maps and signs upon arrival. The reservoir road provides multiple pull-offs suitable for camping, though some sections of the road can be rough, especially heading directly toward the reservoir.

Where are the best spots for dispersed camping along Blue River?

The best dispersed camping spots along Blue River include pull-offs from the main road where there are several established sites. Whiskey Jack Dispersed Campsite offers excellent options just off paved roads on smooth gravel that's suitable for RVs. It's a convenient pull-off from Whiskey Jack road with space for vehicles and tents. Another good option is Quartzville Recreation Corridor, which features beautiful mountain views and roadside camping opportunities along the scenic corridor. For the best spots, arrive early during peak season (summer months) as preferred locations fill quickly, especially on weekends.

What amenities are available at Blue River dispersed camping sites?

Dispersed camping sites around Blue River offer minimal amenities, as is typical with dispersed camping. At Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping, you'll find vault toilets and a dumpster in the day use section, but individual sites have no facilities. Similarly, at Deschutes Forest NFD 4600-120 Dispersed Camping, no amenities are provided at the campsites themselves. Most dispersed areas require campers to be self-sufficient with water, waste disposal, and sanitation. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply, and campers should bring their own water or filtration systems. During fire restrictions, campfires may be prohibited, so check current regulations before your trip.

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