Best Dispersed Camping near Cascadia, OR

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.  There were 2 established fire rings and we could tell the site gets used through the summer!  (or maybe fall/hunting)

However, in early May we had it to ourselves.  

Some of the surrounding area has experienced previous forest fires, which was actually a benefit in this case.  It opened up views of the North and Middle Sisters.  Small tracks/roads criss cross the surrounding area that is covered in shrubbery and small trees finding their way back.  The vistas include large trees, so it's not barren by any means.  The camp site, as you will see, is surrounded by large ponderosas.  Lovely peaceful spot.  Perfect for sitting and gazing, walking, hiking, biking, horseback riding and likely off roading.  Please don't take my word for where these things are allowed.  Do your research to make sure who's land you're on...

My maps showed overlays of National Forest land all around, although some private and BLM land to the east.

Great spot for dispersed camping! Very secluded and quiet. There are lots of spots. The dirt road getting to the different roads to turn on is a little bumpy, so we took it slow. Definitely would stay here again!

Wonderful backcountry camping accessed by a mostly uphill 2 mile hike. You are surrounded by the peaks of South Sister and Broken Top and are welcomed each morning and night with the gorgeous sunsets and sunrises. These camping sites make for a perfect spot to catch some rest before making the hike up to the summit of South Sister. The lake sits below the Lewis glacier and, like many alpine lakes, the lake stays frozen for several months out of the year and the trail can be packed with snow as late as August.

Campsites are located above the lake on two sides and are under tree cover for those rainy nights. To reach the sites you will need to take a right at 1.5 miles in on the trail. There is no potable water nearby. Pack in and out all waste and everything you will need for the night. Make sure to bring bug spray as the mosquitoes love that chilly lake.

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. We just camped here over Memorial Day Weekend and there was no one camping within at least a mile or two of where we were. There are lots of different areas to choose from so drive around the area until you find something you like. We were driving our Subaru with our Cricket camper attached and there's no issues with the roads. 

Because this is right in a mountain biking area there are tons of trails to go explore - either hiking or biking. Some really pretty views! You will have bikers biking by your campsite from time to time but I actually like that - fun to have activity around.

This area is also just a few miles from Sisters which is my favorite little town in Oregon. Lots of restaurants, bars and shops to explore!

Be sure to check on a fire ban before having a fire.

We camped in our A liner Expedition here in late May. Unlike most dispersed camping around, the sites were well spaced, had very little trash and not full. We found a spot on a dirt road off the 4606. It had nice dispersed trees, low sand, and only a few beer cans here and there. We didn’t see another person on our “street” the whole time we were there. There are some tents and RVs in the area we passed that looked rather permanent and “methy,” so just be careful which tried out you pick.

Mosquitos are a bit much at dusk so ensure to bring spray. Dispersed camping outside improved areas are the best bet on weekends as this site seems to be very popular. Once outside improved areas, seclusion is easy to obtain. Water access is limited once off the paved road due to steep rocky drops. 

Overall, this site is beautiful! The water is crystal clear and is ideal for swimming, fishing, kayaking as well as boating.

I have camped here numerous times over the years. 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. I have also camped in the pull outs.

My friends have found chanterelles in the woods, and fishing (last time I was there) has been great. It is great for fly fishing and for plunk and wait fishing.

It is dispersed so only a few areas have bathrooms, and not being a regular campground some neighbors can get rather rowdy. But, overall it is a definite favorite.

 Just outside the cute town of Sisters is a lot of dispersed camping areas on Forest Service land. Take Three Creek Road south to BS (Brooks Scanlan)-Logging Road/FS 4606. FS 4606 is wide graveled road with washboard and potholes, and pretty terrible to drive on in an RV. It is very dusty but you’ll find multiple potential places to camp. We saw about 6 other campers along the road in various established spots.

Some side roads require higher clearance but we were able to find a nice spot in our 26 ft Class C (44.2689957,-121.5436631). There are a couple stone fire rings and the area is mostly free of litter and other debris. There are zero amenities while camping on forest service dispersed sites so pack in and pack out all trash and waste. There are multiple trails in this area for hiking or biking as well. 

There was one sketchy guy walking around yelling, high on something, but he didn’t bother us and he kept on walking. We did not feel unsafe here. 

Good cell reception with ATT, Verizon and TMobile.

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.

This place was open and well maintained for a boondocking spot. Very quiet with a gorgeous sunset. We didn’t see a single person on our stay here. Convenient location, would definitely return for a longer stay in the area.

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!

Camped at the second site just after the paved road ends. Plenty of space. Great view of the reservoir and a nice big fire pit made of rocks was waiting. Plenty of dead branches and twigs on the ground nearby made fire starting easy. Had a few cars pass by through the evening but otherwise, this site was nice and quiet. About 100 yards towards the paved road theres a nice little waterfall coming down the hillside with lots of frogs and salamanders hangin out in the runoff water. Overall, really enjoyed this camping spot.

So much trash thrown off the sides at each camp spot. Why would anyone do that to such a beautiful place?? I don't get it.

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!

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). Keep driving. This area is freshly burned, but there are still very treed dispersed sites past the more developed ones. Pass the sign for Mona campground but before the bridge and signs that warn about falling rocks. On the left side there are five dispersed sites along the river. There is a small marker "180" at the entry to the turnoff. Beautiful and quiet. Minimal trash that we cleaned up, steep routes to the river. We were there early March, no snow.

Nice little spot just off the road, there appears to be a very narrow double track road that goes a little deeper in, but driving back there would have come at the cost of the landscape and the paint on my van. Aside from the fact that the USFS likely doesn't allow motor vehicles down that path. I parked in a way that blocked that double track after verifying there was no one else there, which added to my privacy from the main road. No vehicles drove by Saturday night and only 2-3 the next morning. Very quiet and peaceful.

Absolutely a beautiful spot tucked away! Off the main road with a few dispersed spots spaced out very nicely. Not the easiest access to the river but if able easy enough. Spots are large and the stars are amazing!

We wanted a dispersed site that had good hammock spots and a fire ring. This was a prime spot that we will definitely use again. Lots of privacy, lots of woods.

Secluded area, minimal traffic noise in the distance. Lots of trees. Good, easy spot to pop a tent for a night or park an RV. Be wary of the loose soil/sand if running 2wd.

Sites were secluded and quiet. I found a site nearby the creek so that I could hear the stream all night. It was so peaceful! There are a couple forks in the road but I kept right through the first two until I made it to a gravel road with pull-outs. Nice areas for tent or car camping. Only one other group out there

Bring it in Pack it out, be kind to others and take your trash. Nobody should pick up after messy campers who can camp FREE. 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! Be prepare for fire danger, have axe, shovel and 5-gal of water, you will be the first to stop it and report it. No phone cell service about mile marker 12 can get a little signal. If you like to ruff it this is perfect area. Lots of forest roads to explore, and great hunting area too. A little bit of luck head to the stream and find some gold. BLM.gov Quartzville Recreation Corridor for more literature. Location is along the Quartzille Rd, pass mile marker 17.2 , for the next 12 miles feel free to camp along the stream.

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!

A lot of the trash has been cleaned up, we only saw a little bit in a couple of spots. Some spots have 2 or 3 fire rings per pull out and would be good for a small group. Fishing is OK year round in the river at these spots.