Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Cove? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Dispersed camping is a popular camping method for many visitors to the Forest. Choosing to camp along a stream or adjacent to a meadow where there are no picnic tables, toilets or firerings allows campers to enjoy a more primitive experience.
It is recommend that dispersed campers keep to traditional campsites off of established 'two-track' vehicles routes which have been used in the past. Most of these routes are less than 300 feet from a designated open road.
There are some areas on the Forest that are closed to dispersed camping. These include administrative site, special use permit area, or sensitive areas for archeology or wildlife.
Please remove all temporary structures before you leave such as meat poles, toilets, furniture, and ditches around your tents. To find out more about minimum impact camping please visit our outdoor ethics section. Some general rules of use and restrictions also apply to visitor using dispersed camping sites. These include regulations like forest-wide camping stay limits; use of camp fires, firearms, and fireworks; and controlling pets.
Dispersed camping is a popular camping method for many visitors to the Forest. Choosing to camp along a stream or adjacent to a meadow where there are no picnic tables, toilets or firerings allows campers to enjoy a more primitive experience.
It is recommend that dispersed campers keep to traditional campsites off of established 'two-track' vehicles routes which have been used in the past. Most of these routes are less than 300 feet from a designated open road.
There are some areas on the Forest that are closed to dispersed camping. These include administrative site, special use permit area, or sensitive areas for archeology or wildlife.
Please remove all temporary structures before you leave such as meat poles, toilets, furniture, and ditches around your tents. To find out more about minimum impact camping please visit our outdoor ethics section. Some general rules of use and restrictions also apply to visitor using dispersed camping sites. These include regulations like forest-wide camping stay limits; use of camp fires, firearms, and fireworks; and controlling pets.
Note: Directions listed here are to the park entrance. Please call 800-551-6949 for detailed directions. The walk-in, tent only campground is nestled at the base of the Wallowa Mountains and surrounded by cliffs, tall pine trees, and wildlife. Relax to the sound of the Wallowa River and a small brook that runs through the campground. Take a hike on nearby trails that lead into the Eagle Cap Wilderness or picnic at the Little Alps Day-use Area. Wallowa Lake State Park is north of the campground.
Seasonal Camping
10 walk-in sites are first-come, first-served. Potable water available from spigots in the campground. Park overnight at the Little Alps Day-use Area. $10 per night. Pay at the self-pay station. Cash, check, and credit cards welcome. Firewood is available for $5/bundle. Two vault toilets located in the campground and a full restroom located just north of the campground in the Little Alps Day-use Area.
Traveler
Aneroid Lake is one of my favorite locations in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The dispersed camping for backpackers is on the North side of the lake, whereas the South side is private property (Camp Halton). The lake is stocked every few years with rainbow trout, and has a good supply of brook trout.
The water is very cold but worth the dip if it's a hot summer day.
Guide
There are a few spots and spurs off NF-6510 that would make for good boondocking. Might be hard to get level, but other than that it’s pretty nice. The spot on the map has a stone fire ring. There are a few spots before and after that would be suitable to setup camp as well.
I got to the spot marked on the map in my extended Transit, but I’m sure road conditions may change with the seasons, storms; etc. Depending on your comfort, you may only want to head this way with high-clearance vehicle.
Guide
Sites are far apart but some lack privacy. I saw Lots of elk and turkeys(?) and a rattlesnake. Outside of the lack of privacy there are some people who it appears that they live there(I a have no issues with that) my issue is the drive up and down the road multiple multiple time a day at high rates of speed leaving dust flying. When I was out walking I walked past one of their campsites on accident I didn’t get close and they started firing a gun in the air. I slept in my car that night and left the next morning. Also trash is an issue as well as people using the bathroom right on the ground and leaving used baby wipes everywhere. So watch out for human waste if you use a tent.
GuideMany options for private pull-offs once you drive past established NF campgrounds—likely tough to do without high clearance and/or 4WD when wet. Only “traffic” was the occasional ATV/OHV. Tons of great hiking around.
ScoutGreat free place to camp 4x4 is advised and not really car accessible. Down side no water near by, not even a creek.
ScoutWe just needed a quick tent soot on a monday night on the way to moab. better than expected. bit muddy. some shells. but lots of space. drove in to about 45.35967, -118.30846
ScoutStayed one night on my way to Seattle. I drove up the road some and found it pretty passable in my van, although most of the sites were too muddy and I was worried about getting stuck. Camped in the first spots behind the Spring Creek Info sign and had good phone service (verizon) and a uneventful night. But area had a ton of broken glass, nails and shotgun shells and a decent amount of litter. Don't know how rowdy it gets in the warmer months but it might be wise to skip this place or camp further up the road at the campground then, especially if you're a solo female.
TravelerThere are 100s of spots to camp
GuideEasy and vacant find for a last minute change to our route. Primitive dispersed campsites with rock fire rings right off the highway. Down side is it's a little too noisy for my taste. Would have driven further down into the woods if I had more time to set up as we got here late. All in all its an easy find just off the highway.
Scout
Do not try and tow a trailer up this road!!! I made that mistake and barely made it out. Didn’t make it up to the reservoir
Guide
Drove to the location based on GPS. It was over grown and not well cleared. I decide to go to the NP campground. Glad I did.
GuideDirections: About 13 miles from Medical Springs on a gravel road (half hour or so). Take Big Creek Rd to Collins Lane. That turns into USFS 67, then 72. The gravel road is good, but access to the camping is pretty narrow and rougher. Probably not a good place for a big nice camp trailer.
Camping is dispersed, mostly on the west side of the reservoir. The east side has a few spots but the road is really rough toward the dam. Fish are stocked. Boats with oars, paddles or electric motors are allowed. There are no improvements. Check fire restrictions. Campfires are prohibited almost every year for most of July, August and September. Cattle graze here. The water level gets pretty low by August.
Legend
Boondocking is easy with a camper van or tent setup in this national forest area, but it’s hard to make a generalization that covers this vast collection of campgrounds and areas. It earns a good review at the end of the day for being conveniently located and hassle free; you can always find a decent spot up around the bend and it’s the right mix of privacy and tranquility while being reasonable close to civilization if calamity strikes.
Ranger
The water is no-joke cold. Fantastic nine-mile hike into the forest. Stayed two nights. Elevation is ~8,000 feet. Got altitude sickness on day two.
No fires allowed. No amenities. Back-country hikers only. No cell service. Perfect getaway.
GuideI was disappointed when I was checking out this area for camping (June 27th) I didn't get any pictures, but there was trash everywhere. Every time we found a good spot, full of poopy toilet paper, litter, beer cans, cigarette butts ect. It was overall disappointing and we decided to go elsewhere instead 😔
GuidePrimitive location, nothing there, but maybe a fire ring and a spot to park your vehicle. Go about 2 miles on the dirt road and watch out for the dirt pot holes. At my site, you could fit 2 vehicles comfortably, but 3 is a little crowded. Flying insects during the day. There are many so take appropriate action. Mostly flies and a couple different types of bees. By sunset, the insects went to sleep.
GuideEither these are not the correct coordinates, or the trail has been overgrown. We’re car camping here for one night and it’s a lovely spot! Could not find the trail and just pulled off to camp on the side of the road. Dispersed & free & very wooded area!
Guide
This is not an official campground. There is a lot of space for campers, though, and it is not heavily trafficked. The trek to Echo Lake is about 8 miles (one-way) from the start of the Hurricane Creek Trail. When you arrive at Echo Lake, beauty awaits you! This location is a remote and peaceful retreat. The lake is so clear and serene. The views of the mountainside are breathtaking. This is a great site for groups and there is enough space to spread out. The stars are vivid and you can see the movement of the stars and moon along the mountains. The trek to the lake is SO WORTH IT! This is probably one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been to. It gave me the wilderness escape that I needed. It is a hidden gem! Whenever you visit, leave your stressors behind you and enjoy the preserved beauty. The lake is very cold, but I definitely enjoyed the shock after the hike in!
The hike into Echo Lake is an intense incline! We tracked about 3,500 feet of elevation gain in about 5 hours during our hike in. The way back only took us about 3.5 hours and is mostly downhill. I would not recommend this hike for a beginner hiker/backpacker. I carried 60 lbs on my back up and down this trek and it was A LOT for me as a relatively new backpacker (with endurance conditioning). It is a hike that one should work towards, for sure! This trek is would be great crosstraining for an endurance athlete (like me!). At times, the incline felt like a 10-15% grade, but I do not know this for sure. It is pretty steep and challenging if you are carrying a lot of weight. I recommend going as minimalist as possible to avoid extra weight, if possible. I brought my bull mastiff dog along with me and she had a blast! I would recommend conditioning your dog for a trek like this. It can be pretty gnarly and steep at times! My dog wouldn't have made it if she had not done treks like this before. There are creeks along the route to the lake and I would bring extra water to hydrate your dog in between water sources. As always, leave no trace and keep this spot pristine and clean :)
RangerThis backpacking trip is a very accessible hike.
The road to get to the trailhead is paved and the hike to Ice lake is 9 miles in (18 miles total)
You can add some miles (and a lot of elevation) if you add a day hike to the Matterhorn. Second tallest to Sacajawea. When I say it takes 3 hours to get up and 30 minutes to get down.. I’m not joking. Unless you’re an ultra runner who can handle high intensity at elevation, this will take some time. Well worth it for the views and ice lake will be waiting for you at the bottom.
Photos are from August 2018 and July 2019... notice the snow in July. Couldn’t do the added day hike that time.
GuideMcDougall is a small mountain community located in the blue mountains above Weston, Oregon. There is a small neighborhood consisting of permanent RVs, cabins and shanties. There are a number of mountain man type locals that call this area home.
Just past the village you get into the woodland where the Morels are plentiful. This is an ideal location to go mushrooming. The camping is unrestricted, just be respectful and careful. This is not RV camping, but tent and bag only.
Tall pines and firs shade the eastern Oregon forest floor provided a nice region to explore, continuing up the forest road you’ll reach a large meadow the rolls for miles downhill into the valley. The views here are breathtaking - this is an amazing location to bring your family.
You’ll see many types of wildlife here are hundreds of varieties of meadow wildflowers.
Spend a few days in the blues and shake off those blues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cove, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cove, OR is Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Cove, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Cove, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
