The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Elkton, OR

39 Reviews

The forested lands surrounding Elkton, Oregon feature predominantly dispersed camping options managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Oregon Department of Forestry. Elliott State Forest Dispersed camping areas lie approximately 30 miles southwest of Elkton, offering primitive sites along forest service roads with pull-outs accommodating 2-3 vehicles. Closer to town, the BLM manages Near Fawn Creek Campground with basic amenities including drinking water and toilets. Hult Pond, located north of Elkton near Blachly, provides lakefront dispersed camping with designated sites marked along the western shore. These public lands typically allow both tent and RV camping, though most lack hookups or developed facilities.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout these camping areas, with many requiring navigation on unpaved forest roads. As one camper noted about Elliott State Forest, "From the start of Marlow Creek Road to where I chose to camp was 8.5 miles. There are several forks in the road that you can follow to more campsites." Seasonal considerations affect accessibility, with some roads becoming impassable during winter months or heavy rainfall periods. Cell service is limited or nonexistent in most areas, particularly in Elliott State Forest and Hult Pond. Fire restrictions are common during summer and early fall, with complete bans often implemented during high fire danger periods. Visitors should download offline maps before arrival, as navigation can be challenging on unmarked forest roads.

Waterfront sites at Hult Pond receive consistently positive reviews for their privacy and fishing opportunities, though they fill quickly on weekends. One visitor advised, "Only a few good spots and they go fast so definitely get there early." The area's logging history remains evident, with active operations occasionally disrupting the quiet. Wildlife encounters are common, with several campers reporting visits from deer and various forest creatures. Insect activity can be intense during summer months, particularly at lower elevations and near water. Campers frequently mention the trade-off between convenience and solitude: sites closer to main roads offer easier access but less privacy, while those requiring longer drives or higher clearance vehicles typically provide more secluded experiences with better views.

Map showing campgrounds near Elkton, OregonExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Elkton, Oregon (10)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 10 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Elkton Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Elkton, OR

29 Photos of 10 Elkton Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Elkton, OR

39 Reviews of 10 Elkton Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2023

    Elliott State Forest Dispersed

    Beautiful spots, make sure to download a map

    Needed a last minute to car camp that was close to the coast, found these dispersed sites online and figured it try it out. There was surprisingly multiple spots that I had cell service (AT&T) so I was able to navigate myself around through a satellite map. Lots of nice spots with good views, just takes a bit of driving around to find the perfect one. Didn’t see anyone up there and I was there from Tuesday to Wednesday. Hope to return at some point! Just beware some of the side roads are a bit overgrown and can scratch up your car.

  • J
    Oct. 15, 2020

    Elliott State Forest Dispersed

    Great and close to bandon

    We stayed for a night on our way down the coast. Nice and close to Bandon. No trouble accessing in our midsize suv. It was muddy at the site, and unfortunately, those before us left a lot of trash. Did my best to clean up when was left behind. There was a fire pit but we did not use it due to fire restrictions. Nice misty views over the trees in the morning.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 15, 2023

    Elliott State Forest Dispersed

    Elliott Primitive Campsites

    The Elliott State Forest has more than 550 miles of roads and trails, but only a primary network has been maintained over the past 10 years since the 90,000 acre area was shut down with environmental lawsuits. Many of these roads lead to excellent camping sites, including old lookouts, fishing holes, secluded springs, and an undeveloped campground favored by local mudrunners. Met organization has worked with the local Community College the past seven years regarding recreational research on the Elliott, with our most recent (and likely final) focus being on historic trails and primitive campsites. The pandemic caused much of this work to be documented on student-level videos, indexed on YouTube: http://www.orww.org/Elliott\_Forest/Recreation/index.html and https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1JyKCHg2GmHjLtQzXXDks4Rb-LE9HoJ-

  • Leah W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2018

    Elliott State Forest Dispersed

    Review of Matador Freerain 24 at Elliott State Forest

    Dispersed camping is allowed in all state forests within Oregon. https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Recreation/pages/Camp.aspx

    We found an awesome spot along Marlow Creek Road, about 4 miles into the forest (coming in from Allegeny). There are plenty of pull outs all along the way, with room for 2-3 cars, as well as full tents and chairs set up. The road follows a babbling creek which was amazing to sleep next to. There are no amenities, follow any postings about campfire restrictions. (When we went- no fires were allowed). This is a logging forest, so we had huge logging trucks roll by in the morning - because of this, it may not be the best spot for kids or off leashed dogs. The trucks went by very quickly, stirring up a lot of dust- keep your car windows shut and use a pot while cooking breakfast! We had very few mosquitos or bugs, and loved being encompassed by the mossy trees!

    Ranger Review of the Matador Freerain 24 L Backpack

    https://matadorup.com/products/matador-freerain24-backpack?variant=47744934037

    As a Ranger, I occasionally get the chance to test out gear in the field. I was really excited about trying out this pack, as I do a lot of canyoneering, and dealing with waterproof bags inside of soggy backpacks is always a hassle. Or you have to figure out a way to secure a typical waterproof bag to you. The bag is made of a lightweight rainjacket-like material, and has a roll top to it’s main compartment. I took the bag on a 3 mile hike to some waterfalls, where I could test out it’s waterproofness. At home, I went to a nearby lake to try submerging it.

    Pros

    This bag was extremely light, small and pack-able! You have no reason NOT to bring it with you if you may be heading somewhere wet. It folds into a small drawstring about the size of a baseball.

    This bag has separate storage compartments whereas most drybags are a long tube where everything falls to the bottom. Within this bag, you have 2 water bottle holders (where I tossed things like keys), a easy access zip pocket on the front, as well as the small drawstring that the bag itself can be stored in (I put my packs of gummies in here for safe keeping).

    Cons

    The bag does not have a chest strap, so there was the potential for the backpack to slip off if you were doing strenuous activity, it also didn’t sit perfectly comfortable because of this. It does however, have adjustable shoulder straps (which I didn’t see as necessary).

    I was nervous about putting my 1 L Nalgene bottles into the water bottle pockets because of the material of the bag…with just 1, it made the bag extremely lopsided, or with 2, it seemed to put a lot of stress on the bag itself. I tossed my water inside the bag instead, which made it pretty lumpy since the packable bag doesn’t have structure.

    The front pocket is as advertised, water resistant, but definitely did not pass the waterproof test when I submerged the bag. It’s OK for waterfall mist or a light rain, but I wouldn’t keep my phone in there if we were getting dunked!

    Conclusion!

    If this bag had the chest strap, I’d be in 100% for using it for canyoneering adventures, however- since it doesn’t seem made for more rugged situations, I’m not sure why you would need such a waterproof bag. Most daypacks nowadays come with a raincover, or are made of a water resistant material to keep your goodies from getting soaked - unless you are planning a very casual dayhike where you are literally walking under waterfalls, I would most likely invest in a different daypack solution..

  • 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.

  • James S.
    Feb. 21, 2025

    Near Fawn Creek Campground (BLM)

    A Peaceful Escape Near Fawn Creek Campground

    My visit near Fawn Creek Campground in Oregon was a refreshing experience, surrounded by dense forests and rolling hills. The campground offers a quiet retreat with well-maintained facilities, making it a great spot for nature lovers. With temperatures ranging from 30°F in winter to 80°F in summer, it’s a beautiful destination year-round. Nearby attractions like Siuslaw National Forest and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area provide plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploration. For families with kids, keeping them entertained is easy whether it’s exploring the outdoors or enjoying Toca Boca games, a fun and creative way for kids to play and imagine. Overall, this area is a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it a great choice for a weekend getaway!

  • G
    May. 4, 2021

    Elliott State Forest Dispersed

    Nice secluded separate areas to camp with gorgeous views

    You have to drive some winding forest service roads to get to a spot then find one on or near the road but there's a couple good camp spots.

  • 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

Guide to Elkton

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Elkton, Oregon, where nature lovers can find secluded spots away from the crowds. With a variety of options, these areas offer a chance to connect with the great outdoors.

Dispersed campers should check out Near Fawn Creek Campground

  • This spot allows for both tent and RV camping, making it versatile for different camping styles.
  • Visitors appreciate the availability of drinking water and toilets, which adds a level of convenience to the experience.
  • The area is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure at Near Fawn Creek Campground (BLM).

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Elkton, Oregon

  • Be prepared for a lack of amenities at places like BLM Kentucky Falls Road, where there are no toilets or trash services, so plan to pack out what you bring in.
  • If you're looking for a peaceful retreat, consider Elliott State Forest Dispersed, known for its beautiful scenery and minimal traffic.
  • Make sure to download offline maps before heading out, as cell service can be spotty in areas like Hult Pond, ensuring you can navigate without issues.

Secluded spots for nature lovers

  • For those seeking solitude, Saddle Camp offers a quiet environment, perfect for disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
  • Campers have noted the spaciousness of sites at Elliott State Forest Dispersed, allowing for a more private experience.
  • If you're up for an adventure, Mineral Camp Campground provides a unique opportunity to explore the surrounding wilderness while enjoying the tranquility of nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Elkton, Oregon?

The Elkton area offers several dispersed camping options. Elliott State Forest Dispersed is a popular choice with over 550 miles of roads and trails leading to excellent camping sites. Many campers find good spots along Marlow Creek Road, about 4 miles into the forest from Allegeny. For a waterside experience, Hult Pond provides multiple camping spots along a man-made log pond with surrounding trails. Both locations are relatively close to coastal areas, making them convenient bases for exploring the region.

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites near Elkton?

Dispersed camping sites near Elkton are typically primitive with minimal amenities. Near Fawn Creek Campground (BLM) offers a quiet retreat in dense forests with some maintained facilities. At Hult Pond, you'll find basic toilet facilities but no trash cans, so pack-out policies apply. Most dispersed sites have established fire rings (though fire restrictions may apply seasonally), but lack water, electricity, or hookups. Cell service varies by location—some spots in Elliott State Forest surprisingly have good coverage with AT&T, while Hult Pond has limited to no service due to heavy tree coverage.

Are there any regulations or permits required for dispersed camping in Elkton?

Dispersed camping is generally allowed in all Oregon state forests, including areas near Elkton. When camping at Corn Spur Road BLM or other BLM lands, you typically don't need permits for stays under 14 days. However, seasonal fire restrictions are strictly enforced—many reviewers note fire bans during dry periods where only propane stoves and lanterns are permitted. Always practice Leave No Trace principles, as trash left behind is unfortunately common at some sites. Check with Oregon Department of Forestry for current regulations before your trip, as rules may change seasonally based on fire danger levels.

Keep Exploring