Looking for dispersed camping near Durkee? Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.
Mann Creek Campground is located near the Mann Creek Reservoir in the foothills of the West Central Mountains in western Idaho near the Payette National Forest. The reservoir is a popular boating and fishing destination. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
The reservoir offers 283 surface-acres of water and five miles of shoreline, although the water level fluctuates seasonally. Visitors enjoy boating, canoeing, swimming and trout fishing.
Mann Creek Reservoir lies in the rolling and arid foothills of the Hitt Mountains. At an elevation of 3,300 feet, the area is hot and dry in the summer months. Large shade trees help block some of the intense sun, but shade is limited.
For facility specific information, please call (208) 549-4200.
$15 / night
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.
The Southern Elkhorn Mountain/Powder River Basin recreation area is located south of the Anthony Lakes Highway (Forest Road 73) to the Monument Rock Wilderness area. It includes__all of the developed recreation sites and trails in the Blue and Elkhorn Mountains__generally west of Baker City and Unity, Oregon.Popular recreation areas include__Anthony Lakes, Phillips Lake, North Fork John Day Wilderness (Baldy Unit),__the Elkhorn Scenic Byway,__the North Fork John Day River, the North Powder Wild and Scenic River, Dooley Mountain, Monument Rock Wilderness, the North and South Forks of Burnt River, the campgrounds along Highway 26, and Camp Creek. It also includes parts of the old__Baker and Unity Ranger Districts that have been__incorporated into the Whitman Ranger District.Local communities that have__a variety of services (i.e. fuel, lodging, stores and/or restaurants) are Baker City, Sumpter, Granite, Unity, Greenhorn and Haines. These communities are within one hour of the__recreation area.
This dispersed campground if access via Highway 71 out of Cambridge. Dispersed campground with an outhouse, fire rings and some tables. Places to tie stock are available. Trailhead - parking lot site.
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.
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
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.
Guide
Nice oasis. Clean bathrooms and good sized sites. Even sites have the table and pit on the back side of your trailer. Lots of skeeters to take your spray. We also ran into a couple bull snakes.
TravelerGreat place to stop on our drive from CA to ID. The other campground is just a few hundred yards up the road and it is a very park like gorgeous setting with restrooms. It was completely full on a weekday so we came to the primitive site. Wonderful. Level. Lots of respectful families Boondocking. We parked with our carryall trailer and our two vehicles and slept in our truck. What a gorgeous view and skies to wake up to. There’s a day use area further south that you can stop at on your way out for the restroom. If we go this way again, we will definitely stop here. Follow the directions, not the GPS coordinates. There is two roads to get in more creek and man creek. More creek will make you wish you had a sports bra on and a new suspension for your car when your finally get to pavement...
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.
LegendThis is a great campground near the reservoir. Lots of shade trees, almost a park like setting. Plenty of room to roam from this base camp. It does get pretty hot in the summer.
LegendThis is a great area. There is camping around the reservoir and at the near by campground. Up past the reservoir there are roads to ride ATV's. There is not a lot of shade and it gets hot in the summer. Spring and fall are really nice times of year here.
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.
TravelerI’d go back here for sure nice person runs the place and the lots are big enough you don’t hear your neighbors.
TravelerHas designated campsites and primitive large campsites if you are willing to drive in a ways. Its a wonderful place to camp or just spend time fishing the day away.
No fire rings are in the primitive area so if you want fire and there is a ban your out of luck. Very limited shade
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Durkee, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Durkee, OR is Oasis Recreation Site with a 3.6-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Durkee, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 dispersed camping locations near Durkee, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
