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Best Dispersed Camping near Dufur, OR

74 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Dufur, Oregon, with numerous free sites available throughout the Mount Hood National Forest. The area features a mix of drive-in and hike-in primitive camping locations, many offering spectacular views of Mount Hood. Forest Road 2730 provides several established pull-off sites with fire rings that accommodate both tents and RVs. According to recent visitors, "The road was very accessible, high clearance not required," though some group sites may require 4WD or AWD to navigate short rocky sections.

Most dispersed sites in this region are primitive with no amenities. Campers must pack in all water and pack out all trash. Vault toilets are available at some locations like White River West Sno-Park, but most areas have no facilities whatsoever. Fire regulations vary seasonally; always check current restrictions before your trip. Several campers noted that "everyone was respectful" at popular areas like Trillium Lake Airstrip, though sites can get crowded on holiday weekends.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region. Bonney Meadows requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles, with reviews warning "the last four miles are an exercise in off-road driving and need to be taken slow." Weather conditions change rapidly at higher elevations; nights can be surprisingly cold even in summer months. Cell service is spotty but available in many areas, with Verizon generally providing the best coverage. The standard stay limit for dispersed camping is 14 days. Remember that these areas operate on a strict pack-it-in, pack-it-out basis, with no services for garbage disposal or water. Always practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve these natural areas for future visitors.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Dufur, Oregon (37)

    1. Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge

    10 Reviews
    Wishram, WA
    15 miles
    Website

    "There’s a pit toilet, and a garbage dumpster on-site. Over half the “sites” are right on the water, while the others are less than 50 feet away."

    "This is Army Corps of Engineers recreation site with dispersed camping, vault toilets and a boat ramp. First come first served, $0 and you can stay up to seven days."

    2. Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    4 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 668-1700

    "Took a while to discover this spot, but clearly seems well used for dispersed camping. I parked nearest the access road, as my van would have hit trees to go a little further in."

    "The road was very accessible, high clearance not required. We found a large pull off with several established fire pits. It's absolutely perfect for a group campsite."

    3. White River West Sno-Park

    11 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 668-1700

    "Incredible access to back country hiking at Mt. Hood!"

    "Tucked our trailers up in the far corner with a commanding view of Mt. Hood!  Well, not much view the first smokey day, but it cleared up nicely after a wind shift the following day. "

    4. Bonney Meadows

    6 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 467-2291

    $10 / night

    "Make sure you have 4WD and a high clearance rig to get here. The last four miles are an exercise in off road driving and need to be taken slow."

    "You’ll want a 4wd or high clearance vehicle to access the last 4 miles. It’s worth it in the end. The meadow is beautiful and a nice view of Mt Hood."

    5. White River Crossing

    1 Review
    Tygh Valley, OR
    22 miles

    "Access Road in is super steep and rocky. Would not recommend coming out anytime other than summer! Nice place to sit and dip your toes when it's hot though!"

    6. Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    32 miles
    Website

    "Quite a few dispersed spots, kinda close to one another- everyone was respectful. The road behind this gets a great view of Mt. Hood!!

    No amenities. Dry camping!

    PACK IT OUT"

    "Nice forest service camping area. There are plenty of spots, but it can get pretty crowded on weekends. There is a beautiful view of Mt. Hood down the road and a nice hiking path to Trillium Lake."

    7. NF-3511 @ Mt Hood

    1 Review
    Government Camp, OR
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 352-6002

    "While you can't see the mountain from the site itself.There's a great turnaround point and views on the way up and down!"

    8. McNeil Point Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    30 miles
    Website

    "Dispersed camping at McNeil point is a backpackers dream — you get to hike far into the clouds, far away from the people, yet this location is nearly as convenient as car camping. "

    "I started at the Top Spur trailhead and hiked the clockwise route up to McNeil (a little longer but saved be the scramble through rocks)."

    9. Elk Cove Trailhead

    1 Review
    Government Camp, OR
    27 miles
    Website

    "There are 2-3 fire rings to either side of the parking area at Elk Cove Trailhead."

    10. Mirror Lake

    7 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 622-5622

    "There are several backpacking campsites that are on the water, there is nothing more beautiful than watching the sunrise over the lake with Mt.Hood in the background."

    "It's best to come up with a couple backup plans as this is a popular spot! The hike in off the road isn't difficult, and the tent sites are all situated relatively close to the trail."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Dufur, OR

46 Photos of 37 Dufur Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Dufur, OR

74 Reviews of 37 Dufur Campgrounds

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 29, 2025

    Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed

    Win for Memorial Day weekend!

    Surprised we were able to snag a spot here on Memorial Day weekend! Drove in Sunday evening. Quite a few dispersed spots, kinda close to one another- everyone was respectful. The road behind this gets a great view of Mt. Hood!!

    No amenities. Dry camping!

    PACK IT OUT

  • Mark F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2021

    Historic Clackamas Ranger Station - Dispersed Camping - Roadside

    Convenient, free roadside site near trails, lakes, & meadow in Mt Hood NF

    I was running in an ultramarathon race in September in the Mt Hood National Forest and all of the local campgrounds managed by PGE around Timothy Lake were closed due to the end of the season.  I was able to use map layers in The Dyrt PRO to identify where I was within National Forest boundaries and was able to confirm with local officials that I was in a free, dispersed camping zone. So, using the map layers and the search function on The Dyrt I looked for an area near the race start at the Historic Clackamas Ranger Station to park my RV for a 2 night off-grid stay.  The location was a wide gravel area on the side of the road that allowed for enough space to park, put out my awning, set up some chairs and a propane fire pit (no live campfires - propane only) while being within a few hundred yards of the Ranger Station.  There was room to walk along the road on the shoulder and you are very close walk to the Historic Clackamas Ranger Cabin with a beautiful meadow view, the Joe Graham Horse Camp, and just a couple of mile drive from Timothy Lake.  Clackamas Lake Campground was nearby as well with many accessible miles of hikable trails, including access to the Pacific Crest Trail, for hikers of all levels. There was some smoke from local wildfires but that went away as the fall rains arrived that weekend.  If you are looking for a place to park your RV near all of these amazing views and experiences this free, dispersed camping site worked great for me and my family for a couple of nights.

  • Jason B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2024

    Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    Great/Quiet Spot

    Took a while to discover this spot, but clearly seems well used for dispersed camping. I parked nearest the access road, as my van would have hit trees to go a little further in. For smaller vehicles (e.g. roof top tents), you can get in a little further and off the access road. There was actually someone else back there, and we can't hear nor see each other.

  • Brendan R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 11, 2025

    Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    Great Area to Camp and Relax!

    There are several places along FR 2730 where you can pull off and camp. The road was very accessible, high clearance not required. We found a large pull off with several established fire pits. It's absolutely perfect for a group campsite. I imagine it will be a busier spot in the summer, but we couldn't find a single other person within miles of us in early May. To get up to the group camp site, you may need higher clearance (most SUVs should be fine) and 4wd/AWD, as there is a short rocky section that might cause some issues for FWD/RWD.

    Got a little chilly at night with winds whipping down through the area we were in, but overall very peaceful. You can see Mt Hood from the campsite through the trees, albeit it is decently far away and is subject to the visibility at the time you visit. We were able to see Mt Hood just before sunset, but couldn't see her at all the following morning.

  • Kevin L.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Aug. 9, 2020

    Kevin's Mt Hood OG

    Dispersed Camping - Get away from it all

    This is a dispersed camping spot in the Mt.Hood National Forest that is free --- from both campground payment and people. It's an old forest road off the main gravel road that has been blockaded and closed down, giving you a wide open area that gets sun, mixed with good tree coverage from the wind. 

    The spot is flat and great for an RV, van or trailer. It's just a 100 meters off the main gravel road where the old forest road is dug out/blockaded from cars getting through. 

    We parked and camped right there. Or, if you want even more solitude, park at the blockade and walk 3/4 of a mile to the end of the forest road strip for some tent camping. Not sure if that is needed as I think we only heard/saw a few car drive by the entire time (on a beautiful August weekend). 

    Love this place. Happy to share it with others. If you are looking for some dispersed camping in the summer that's not a far drive from Portland, this spot is for you. If it's full, there are a half dozen to a dozen other dispersed camping spots along this gravel road between Frog Lake Campground and Clear Creek Crossing Campground. Enjoy.

  • Ariel & John W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 15, 2020

    Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping

    Tons of dispersed in the shadow of Mt Hood

    There are many park campgrounds in the Mt Hood NF but also tons of dispersed camping in the forest.

    We camped off FS 2656 just south of Trillium Lake in August 2020. There are many other locations. Many are separate drives off a forest road but some side of the road spots too. Lake Trillium gets super crowded.

    Download the forest map from Avenza for accurate locations of all the forest roads and trails.

    The Mt Hood NF is amazing, with tons of lakes, creeks, waterfalls and hiking trails as well as great views of Mt Hood.

    No amenities for dispersed locations but you can use nearby campgrounds for water, trash and dump stations.

    There was decent Verizon service when we camped there.

    Would definitely camp here again.

  • James C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    Kevin's Mt Hood OG

    Dispersed Camping near Mt. Hood

    Quiet dispersed camping with a few options along NF-2610. Had 4 cars pass by camp in 3 days. Lots of old logging trails to explore on foot. A little buggy but more flies than ‘squitos. Did not need bug spray.

  • Sara R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 13, 2020

    White River West Sno-Park

    Best free camping on Hood!

    One of our favorite free spots ever!! Incredible access to back country hiking at Mt. Hood! Know before you go: this is not a camp site - in the summer, parking lots near mount hood are free for car camping (in the winter they’re full with people driving in for skiing). This is a huge parking lot with 2 vault toilets. Anyone can park overnight for free (summer only). There were just a few other cars there. At night we had a great view of the Perseid Meteor Shower 💫 Highly recommend if you’re going on a trip where you just want to spend all day hiking and have a convenient spot to sleep.

Guide to Dufur

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Dufur, Oregon, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. Enjoy the freedom of choosing your own spot while taking in stunning views and exploring the great outdoors.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Dufur, Oregon

  • Make sure to bring your own water, as many dispersed sites, like Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge, do not provide drinking water or hookups.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF offers no toilets or trash disposal, so plan to pack out what you bring in.
  • Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially during peak season, as sites like Bonney Meadows can fill up quickly.

Scenic views and outdoor activities while free camping near Dufur

  • Enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Hood from various dispersed sites, including McNeil Point Dispersed Camping, which offers stunning sunsets and a chance to escape the crowds.
  • Take advantage of nearby hiking trails; for example, the trails around Kevin's Mt Hood OG provide access to beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
  • Explore the serene waters of the Columbia River, with spots like Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge offering opportunities for fishing and swimming.

Top attractions for dispersed campers

  • Visit the picturesque White River West Sno-Park, where you can enjoy a peaceful environment and access to the river for a refreshing dip.
  • Experience the tranquility of Camas Prairie Dispersed Campsite, which is perfect for those looking to unwind in a secluded setting surrounded by nature.
  • Discover the unique terrain and flora along the trails leading to Elk Cove Trailhead, where you can hike and enjoy the beauty of the Mt. Hood National Forest.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Dufur, OR is Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge with a 3.5-star rating from 10 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 37 dispersed camping locations near Dufur, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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