Best Tent Camping near Depoe Bay, OR
Forest Road 51 near Beaver Creek offers secluded tent camping opportunities approximately 15 minutes from Highway 101 near Depoe Bay, Oregon. This dispersed camping area in the coastal forest provides primitive tent sites with no amenities but considerable privacy. Suislaw National Forest Dispersed Camping areas are also available for tent campers seeking a more remote experience, though reviews indicate these sites require careful navigation on forest roads.
Access to Forest Road 51 requires traveling on unpaved gravel roads that are generally well-maintained but narrow. Most tent sites are located at road intersections or small pull-offs along the forest road. No drinking water, toilets, or trash service is available at these dispersed sites. A recent review noted, "There's two campsites. One at the fork in the road and one slightly further down." Campers should pack out all waste and bring sufficient water for their stay. While the roads are passable for most vehicles, wet conditions can make access challenging.
The tent camping experience near Depoe Bay offers considerable solitude compared to established campgrounds. Forest Road 51 sites feature dense forest surroundings with minimal development beyond small clearings and sometimes existing fire rings. A camper described the area as "Peaceful, very little traffic" with "only maybe 4 cars pass from 6pm to 10pm." For those seeking more amenities, Big Elk Campground provides an established alternative with vault toilets and potable water, though it's located further inland. This small campground offers about a dozen tent sites on a first-come, first-served basis. Tent campers should be prepared for variable coastal weather conditions, including fog, rain, and cooler temperatures even during summer months.
