Brookings is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Brookings is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Brookings, OR. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
"We live in Brookings and go up the Chetco to this river bar or to Nook or Miller Bar all summer long. No, there’s no spaces and no hookups and no cell service for miles."
"If you are using Apple maps, slow down about 1/2 mile before you are reaching the destination. Pin point takes you past ramp down to bar and it’s a long drive to get turned around."
"There's one pit toilet near a circle of 3-4 sites on the rivers. This is pretty wild camping, no amenities, but quiet camping."
"It’s a little farther up than we anticipated going BUT so worth it...maybe a mile or so past the Redwood river access."
"Only thing is the people before us did not practice leave no trace and there were some paper towels in a bush and dog toys left behind."
"It is a bit steep coming down but since we were the only ones we had plenty of room to back the camper where we wanted. The creek is absolutely clear, a bit chilly but stunning."
"Easy access, nice spots on the creek. Almost no traffic using the road. Restroom was very clean."
"Sand camp is essentially a dispersed camping area. There is a large gravel parking lot and a pit toilet available."
"There is a trail that leads straight down to the river! Plenty of room for swimming and fishing. Would definitely stay here again."
"It’s got great views and near the river, but homeless camps sometimes set up around here."
TravelerWe live in Brookings and go up the Chetco to this river bar or to Nook or Miller Bar all summer long. No, there’s no spaces and no hookups and no cell service for miles. It’s just a gravel bar on the river where you pull your camper wherever feels good and unhitch and camp. You might have some USDA Forest Service employee drop off a pay envelope at your site but , there’s no place to leave it and they may or may not come back to get it. It sometimes gets crowded during holidays and weekends and the good places, not next to rapids and close enough to good swimming holes, become rare. So you might have to settle for something less than ideal. And, the porta potties might get full. There’s no one enforcing quiet hours or leash laws and no form of law enforcement anywhere nearby. There is a Forest Service LEO assigned to the area but in 18 years, I’ve never seen him on the bar. Despite all this, incidents involving injuries or violence or crime are exceptionally rare. It’s a great kayaking and swimming place and there’s nearby rocks for jumping off. Remember! It’s a river not a lake so kids ought to have life jackets. Please note….as the summer progresses, the water level drops, the temperature rises and the algae grows. As such, we prefer June camping.
GuideVery peaceful and secluded. Would definitely stay again! Only thing is the people before us did not practice leave no trace and there were some paper towels in a bush and dog toys left behind.
TravelerThese coordinates lead us to private property, a driveway to a couple of houses. Maybe there was something a little further, but it was all blocked off. We had to turn around and camp elsewhere.
GuideSand camp is essentially a dispersed camping area. There is a large gravel parking lot and a pit toilet available. There is a path down to the Smith River where you can set up tents and tent camp if you want.
The toilet was a basic pit toilet, but it was fairly clean as far as those go.
We parked our VW Bus in the gravel lot for the night, it was very quiet. Though its next to a road, there is very little traffic at night as this area is fairly remote. The sky was dark and clear, perfect for stargazing. The few other people camping there were quiet and friendly.
ScoutThis spot and all property off to the sides of China Mountain Road are private property, and there is no trespassing, fires, or camping allowed. This is a county road and probably no one would hassle you for spending the night along the side of the road, but everything on either side is private land. Dispersed camping is allowed off of spur roads to the east of China Mountain Road. Look for the green areas on Google maps. Check out forest road NF-5400...
GuideThe road is steep gravel with many switchbacks that were easy to do in our 24ft van coming from the Humbug State Park entrance. About 12 minute slow drive to a very scenic turnout on the hilltop where the area looks to be immediately cleared of trees and large enough to turn around. Likely park 4-5 vehicles if you didn't mind squeezing together. A slight uneven slope but manageable if you don't have leveling blocks.
You can see the ocean behind the adjacent hill tops. And all the other areas are forested that you look out to other than the drive in.
Coming here was a bit nerve racking with the end of the trail having the trees cleared out for a few miles and just a steep drop-off to your left. Wouldn't come up if it rained as I would feel unsafe for some of the road edges look to be a potential risk for washing out.
GuideFull time van lifers who work remote. Very dense in a valley spot, starlink would not work great for a work day. So many bugs when we arrived at night.
Wouldn’t dare try going down the steep rough dirt road knowing internet wouldn’t be great.
RangerI’m not sure why everyone is so pressed about the maps leading them elsewhere, the signs are there! There are actually 3 river access roads that will lead you to dispersed camping. The Nook, Miller and Redwood and they all have signs displayed. We were there for 3 nights and to be honest every night from Mon-Wed. was quite but busy. Everyone was respectful of the others space however it was just too busy of a site for how we like to camp. It is good for a sleep and the river was was nice but not really my flavor. We drove up farther to another site and enjoyed that much more.
RangerGREAT SPOT. If you are using Apple maps, slow down about 1/2 mile before you are reaching the destination. Pin point takes you past ramp down to bar and it’s a long drive to get turned around. You also will have no cell service ones you turn down the 8 mile road from brookings to get to this spot. I was worried about coming out here bc I didn’t see anyone with reviews around camping here with an RV. As I was approaching you could see this bar was covered in large rigs for the warm weekend. Just go slow and you can easily get a big rig out here. Came on a Saturday afternoon and got a spot right on the water. Huge area with plenty of room for everyone. Site is beautiful and starlink is working great. Reiterating there is no cell service or any type of facilities. Crystal clear river for swimming/floating in. Note this wouldn’t be a place to come if you are looking for a spot to be secluded. It’s a great group camping or stop for passing through for the night. I’d assume it probably stays busy all summer. Really enjoyed my stay here. Felt safe. Would def stay again.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Brookings, Oregon, where nature meets tranquility. With a variety of locations to choose from, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is free camping available near Brookings, Oregon?
Yes, free camping is readily available near Brookings, Oregon. Dispersed camping off $8 mountain Rd offers free overnight stays, though the dirt road is rough and bumpy—accessible with high-clearance vehicles like a Tacoma but not recommended for RVs. Forrest Road 280 near Humbug provides free camping with scenic hilltop views about 12 minutes up a steep gravel road with switchbacks from Humbug State Park. There are also free river camping options along the Chetco River. Be aware that some areas marked as dispersed camping on maps might be private property, so verify access before setting up camp. Most free sites are primitive with no amenities, following pack-in, pack-out principles.
Where are the best spots for dispersed camping near Brookings, Oregon?
The Chetco River area offers excellent dispersed camping options near Brookings. Redwood Bar Dispersed Camping is a popular spot where you can pull your camper onto a gravel bar along the river. Look for the turn-off about 8 miles from Brookings, but note the pinpoint on maps often takes you past the ramp down to the bar. South Fork Chetco provides additional river camping with several spots available on both the main Chetco River (North Fork) and the smaller south fork. For more elevated options with views, Forest Road areas provide secluded spots. Most of these locations require vehicles with decent clearance, and many aren't suitable for large RVs due to rough, narrow access roads.
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Brookings area?
Dispersed camping in the Brookings area follows typical Forest Service regulations: stay limits are typically 14 days within a 30-day period, and you should camp at least 100 feet from water sources. At Patrick Creek Dispersed Camping, like most dispersed sites, pack-in/pack-out principles apply—always leave no trace and take all trash with you. Be extremely cautious with fires; seasonal fire restrictions may prohibit them entirely. Some areas like Flat Hilltop Dispersed Site on China Mountain Road are actually private property where camping is prohibited, so verify land ownership before setting up. Stay on established sites and avoid creating new impact areas. Most dispersed camping is free, but some managed areas may require permits or have specific regulations.
What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites around Brookings?
Dispersed camping sites around Brookings are primarily primitive with minimal to no amenities. Sand Camp - Dispersed offers slightly more facilities than most, with a large gravel parking lot and a basic pit toilet. There's also a path to the Smith River for tent camping. At Elk River "Stony Beach" Dispersed Camping, expect truly primitive conditions with no facilities—dense forest coverage means limited connectivity for starlink or other satellite services. Most sites have no potable water, no garbage service, no hookups, and limited or no cell service. Along the Chetco River, one pit toilet is available near a cluster of 3-4 sites, but otherwise, this is wild camping. Come prepared with all necessary supplies, including water, waste disposal bags, and sanitation equipment.
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