Best Dispersed Camping near Dexter, OR

Dispersed camping options near Dexter, Oregon are concentrated in nearby national forest and BLM lands, with several free camping areas along reservoirs and forest roads. Blue River Reservoir provides roadside camping spots along forest service roads, while Hult Pond Recreation Area offers primitive sites surrounding a man-made log pond. Additional dispersed camping can be found at Quartzville Recreation Corridor, Kentucky Falls Road, and Forest Road 5875, all within reasonable driving distance from Dexter.

Many camping areas require travel on dirt or gravel roads that may become challenging during wet weather. Most dispersed sites lack amenities, with only select locations like Hult Pond providing vault toilets and picnic tables. Fires are permitted at most sites but subject to seasonal restrictions during dry periods. Campers should bring their own water, as drinking sources are unavailable at these primitive locations. No reservations are needed for these free camping areas, but the 14-day stay limit commonly applies on public lands.

The natural setting provides the main appeal for these camping areas, with many sites offering water access. Blue River Reservoir features crystal clear water ideal for swimming and fishing, though steep rocky drops can limit water access in some areas. At Hult Pond, campsites are spread around the water with varying levels of privacy. According to one visitor, "Sites were secluded and quiet. I found a site nearby the creek so that I could hear the stream all night." Another camper noted that "If you drive past all the campsites and go over the bridge take a right, there are so many spots available on that road and all have their own access to the river."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Dexter, Oregon (18)

    2. Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping

    12 Reviews
    Blue River, OR
    32 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)."

    3. Doolittle Butte

    2 Reviews
    Cottage Grove, OR
    25 miles

    "Very remote. Climb an easy dirt road back a few miles. A few deep potholes but nothing too technical."

    4. Hult Pond

    18 Reviews
    Blachly, OR
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 683-6600

    "There are only a few flat spots for RVs but quite a few decent spots for tent camping next to the pond. The west side of the pond has at least 2 spots that are a good distance away from the others."

    "Nice pond to camp near, several campsites to choose from and trails to explore"

    5. Saddle Camp

    1 Review
    Dorena, OR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 957-3200

    "It's best if you have four wheel drive or all wheel drive. Wouldn't recommend going in the winter months or rainy season. It is a very fun drive though taxing and it is slow going."

    6. Forest Road 5875

    1 Review
    Oakridge, OR
    31 miles

    "Got into Eugene super late and started the drive down to Crater lake. Wife and I decided the safe thing was to post up for the night and continue on in the morning."

    8. BLM Kentucky Falls Road

    5 Reviews
    Walton, OR
    43 miles

    "Nice pull off dispersed place to camp. Some sketchy people around but availability to get away from people up the road"

    "Good camp location, easy to find. Paved most of the way up."

    9. Quartzville Recreation Corridor

    6 Reviews
    Cascadia, OR
    47 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."

    10. Lemolo Forebay

    3 Reviews
    Clearwater, OR
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 957-3200

    "Pavement turns to dirt road to get to the sites. Each site has a fire ring and a table. The vault toilet has a trash can and was stocked with TP when we were there but we bring our own."

    "There are only about 6 little sites here and a boat ramp for the little lake. There is one long-drop toilet (no TP) and many sites had picnic tables. I'm not sure if all did, but ours did."

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Showing results 1-10 of 18 campgrounds

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Dexter, OR

42 Photos of 18 Dexter Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Dexter, OR

44 Reviews of 18 Dexter Campgrounds


  • Jordie G.
    May. 30, 2023

    Lemolo Forebay

    Beautiful but bring bug spray

    Pavement turns to dirt road to get to the sites. Each site has a fire ring and a table. The vault toilet has a trash can and was stocked with TP when we were there but we bring our own.

    The trails down to the river are loose dirt and steep but we drove to the other side of the river to lounge in the sun.

    Lots of skeeters! Bring your bug spray

  • 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!

  • 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!

  • j
    Apr. 29, 2021

    Hult Pond

    The wrong sort of nostalgia

    Our weekend at Hult Pond was unforgettable. I know because I have tried.

    Disbursed camp sights sprawl along this man made log pond and nightmarish horror movie set along a footpath seamingly designed to dump its evening travelers into the muck that is Hult Pond. Jagged old logs poke out of the stagnant water as a reminder that someone used to get paid to spend the day here.

     If this doesn’t sound like the most picturesque of settings I would direct you to the strange log loading equipment rusting just on the forbidden side of a gated barbed wire fence. Upon closer inspection you see what must be tetanus’s way of luring barefoot boys and girls into a summer of drooling lockjaw.

    The access road is a still functioning rock quarry road that hosts a never ending parade of old rattling dump trucks and loaders. Nothing says ,”getting away from the hustle and bustle”  quite like a convoy barrelling down a narrow road spilling basketball sized boulders before returning bouncing back up  empty and clearly attempting to meet a quota.

    The whole thing gave me an uneasy sense of nostalgia. Reminding me of the days we would gather by the dozens with red solo cups full of Hams. We would drink ourselves into a vomiting delirium in a parking lot off some old logging road. We would wake up with profanities drawn on our faces as punishment for succumbing to alcohol poisoning sooner than at least one of our classmates. 

    In fact I believe that’s exactly what the 58 kids in the campsite right next to ours we’re doing each night of our trip.

    The girls  learned all sorts of colorful language and I believed, based on the way my ten year old son  was drooling that the tetanus had succeeded. I was not relieved to discover on our final morning, him wreaking of cheap beer and cigarettes and moaning how horrible he felt while proffering his undying love to a high school girl named Tiffany. 

    Not recommended.

  • 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.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Hult Pond

    Secluded Pond Great for a Quick stay

    Great spot for a quick stay. There are only a few flat spots for RVs but quite a few decent spots for tent camping next to the pond. The west side of the pond has at least 2 spots that are a good distance away from the others. At the moment, no fires or barbecues allowed but propane stoves and lanterns are fine. Look for Bandits blue squeaky disk! We lost it and never found it.

  • Michelle H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 13, 2025

    Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping

    Dispersed camp sites in NF

    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.

  • Aaron The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Hult Pond

    Nice pond

    Nice pond to camp near, several campsites to choose from and trails to explore

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Hult Pond

    Great getaway

    If you don’t mind not having service this place is great to just get away from it all. Only a few good spots and they go fast so definitely get there early to get a good spot. Beautiful area and very peaceful. They have a bathroom which is a plus but no trash cans so please whatever you pack in make sure to pack it out. Seeing trash in beautiful places always ruin it a little


Guide to Dexter

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Dexter, Oregon, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations to choose from, you can enjoy the great outdoors while soaking in the stunning landscapes.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Dexter, Oregon

  • Make sure to stock up on supplies before heading to places like Saddle Camp, as amenities are limited and you won't find any stores nearby.
  • Be prepared for rough access roads; for instance, reaching Mineral Camp Campground may require a vehicle with good clearance, especially during wet conditions.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles to keep these beautiful areas pristine, especially in popular spots like Quartzville Recreation Corridor, where litter can detract from the natural beauty.

Secluded spots for dispersed campers

  • If you're looking for solitude, Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping offers peaceful sites away from the hustle and bustle, perfect for a quiet getaway.
  • For those who enjoy fishing, Lemolo Forebay provides scenic views and access to a small lake, making it an ideal spot for anglers.
  • The Hult Pond area is known for its beautiful surroundings and is a great choice for tent camping, especially if you prefer a more secluded experience.

Dispersed campers should check out Quartzville Recreation Corridor

  • This area is popular for its stunning river views and offers ample opportunities for fishing and exploring, making it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts visiting Quartzville Recreation Corridor.
  • Keep in mind that some sites may have limited facilities, so be prepared to bring your own essentials when camping at BLM Kentucky Falls Road.
  • The scenic drive along the corridor is a highlight, providing access to various pull-off spots where you can set up camp and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Dexter, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Dexter, OR is shotgun Creek with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Dexter, OR?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Dexter, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.