Looking for dispersed camping near Fall Creek Lake? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. 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.
This site, sometimes referred to as Horton Lake, Hult Marsh, Hult Reservoir, or Mill Pond, was developed in the early 1900s for logging operations. The reservoir and surrounding wetland is about 40 acres and supports a rich diversity of wildlife, fish, and plant species. This recreation site is popular for activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, and scenic driving.
Scout
Wonderful backcountry camping accessed by a mostly uphill 2 mile hike. You are surrounded by the peaks of South Sister and Broken Top and are welcomed each morning and night with the gorgeous sunsets and sunrises. These camping sites make for a perfect spot to catch some rest before making the hike up to the summit of South Sister. The lake sits below the Lewis glacier and, like many alpine lakes, the lake stays frozen for several months out of the year and the trail can be packed with snow as late as August.
Campsites are located above the lake on two sides and are under tree cover for those rainy nights. To reach the sites you will need to take a right at 1.5 miles in on the trail. There is no potable water nearby. Pack in and out all waste and everything you will need for the night. Make sure to bring bug spray as the mosquitoes love that chilly lake.
Guide
I love heading out that way. I have seen reviews of the place talking about tweaker the place but I have not had any encounters with anyone like that. And I love that it is dispersed camping all around there. I travel a little bit up the creek past the pond. Beautiful area a good fishing.
Scout
Mosquitos are a bit much at dusk so ensure to bring spray. Dispersed camping outside improved areas are the best bet on weekends as this site seems to be very popular. Once outside improved areas, seclusion is easy to obtain. Water access is limited once off the paved road due to steep rocky drops.
Overall, this site is beautiful! The water is crystal clear and is ideal for swimming, fishing, kayaking as well as boating.
Guide
I have camped here numerous times over the years. 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. I have also camped in the pull outs.
My friends have found chanterelles in the woods, and fishing (last time I was there) has been great. It is great for fly fishing and for plunk and wait fishing.
It is dispersed so only a few areas have bathrooms, and not being a regular campground some neighbors can get rather rowdy. But, overall it is a definite favorite.
GuideThe 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.
GuideThe views around the pond are very nice. Campsites are okay; some better than others. There's one bathroom facility but it's towards the entrance and the beginning of sites at the pond so be prepared with a shovel and TP. There are so many logging roads at this camp ground/mountain with dispersed camping available anywhere with flat ground you just might not be close to the pond. I went on a Friday and there were alot of people but the sites were spread out nicely you didn't really get bothered by anyone. My site was the last one by the water before it turns marshy though you could pass my site and drive for miles on logging roads. Fishing from shore is not advised; at least from my camp site. There's a large tree that runs out into the water which looks like a great place to fish but as you walk to the end of the log you'll see fishing lines all over. I lost 3 lures at that log and I think many others had too. Even watched one guy from camp try and fish there but he too got some snagged though he went in after them. A paddle boat or kayak is best; no motorized boats allowed. There's not a whole lot to do at this place. No trails that I could find so my dog and I walked on logging roads for a couple miles. This trip was spur of the moment and just wanted to get away for a night. I don't think I would come back. But some of the pictures and views were highlights of the trip.. there is a convenient store right before the entrance of the grounds though I never went but I'm sure you could get some essentials if forgotten.
Ranger
On the opposite side of the road from the established paid campsites, on the same side as the Rock Creek sign, there is a forest road that leads down to some dispersed areas. A couple of them have rock fire rings, although I believe there were restrictions for the summer months. Each site was a bit dusty and not very private, but it would be a free alternative!
ScoutCamped at the second site just after the paved road ends. Plenty of space. Great view of the reservoir and a nice big fire pit made of rocks was waiting. Plenty of dead branches and twigs on the ground nearby made fire starting easy. Had a few cars pass by through the evening but otherwise, this site was nice and quiet. About 100 yards towards the paved road theres a nice little waterfall coming down the hillside with lots of frogs and salamanders hangin out in the runoff water. Overall, really enjoyed this camping spot.
GuideSo much trash thrown off the sides at each camp spot. Why would anyone do that to such a beautiful place?? I don't get it.
GuideFree 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!
Traveler
It was very easy to find. I went on a rainy Saturday afternoon and had the whole place to myself. The areas to Camp are kind of close together level and there is a creek right by the camp spot. It's all so close to the reservoir and not too far from town.
Traveler
Nice pull off dispersed place to camp. Some sketchy people around but availability to get away from people up the road
ScoutCampsite: was lovely
Location: about 20 feet from the road where we parked, right along the pond.
Things people may want to be aware of: there were a few logging trucks and such using the road by the campsite, the bathrooms were not super close to the site, and campfires are not permitted.
GuideSites were secluded and quiet. I found a site nearby the creek so that I could hear the stream all night. It was so peaceful! There are a couple forks in the road but I kept right through the first two until I made it to a gravel road with pull-outs. Nice areas for tent or car camping. Only one other group out there
TravelerBig enough space for multiple families, very easy to find. Small trail down to a creek, somebody had built a little bike track around the perimeter of the campsite, great for kids. Very close to boat launches and water access
GuideHiked up on Friday night and got the last spot. No amenities, and a 2 mile straight uphill hike to get here. Theres a map of the campsites, but they are hard to find. None are near te lake so fill upwater in bulk! Stunning sunsets and sunrises. Made for a nice striking point to the summit. Gets busy. Have bug spray handy!
GuideThis place is amazing!
You are surrounded by peaks in every direction and can easily access multiple different points of interest depending on the adventure you want.
There are spread out campsites that you can pop your tent at and it was not crowded when I was there. Because you are at higher elevation it does get rather cold at night so keep that in mind and check the weather since it can change rather quickly.
RangerBring it in Pack it out, be kind to others and take your trash. Nobody should pick up after messy campers who can camp FREE. Only thing you get is a Fire Ring and that shows where you can camp. But always follow the guide for the area about campfires. 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. No phone cell service about mile marker 12 can get a little signal. If you like to ruff it this is perfect area. Lots of forest roads to explore, and great hunting area too. A little bit of luck head to the stream and find some gold. BLM.gov Quartzville Recreation Corridor for more literature. Location is along the Quartzille Rd, pass mile marker 17.2 , for the next 12 miles feel free to camp along the stream.
TravelerOur 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.
LegendWe went looking for the other campgrounds on this road that we’re closed so we were disappointed. We didn’t leave our van due to rain but we had a nice little pullover. No fires allowed due to recent fires on the area
TravelerThe only downside to this spot is that it's hard to get there before someone else. It's very popular, & for a reason. It's right by the water, fire pit, has a vault toilet down the road, & its great swimming. Weekends are a bit busier, but during the week not terribly so. Bugs are typical, but that doesn't bother us so much. Make sure to bring spray and you'll be fine. Closest Market we found me was in Vida, about 18 miles away off of 126 going West. Brought kids to this spot & they had a blast catching salamanders & scorpions (small non-lethal kind) Also, if you're going to camp here, make sure to pack up and take your trash out. People before us left dirty diapers in the fire pit. There's a dumpster next to the vault toilet. Please use it. Overall, wonderful place!
ScoutI didn't want to destroy the rating, but currently closed as of August 14th
TravelerClosed due to fire damage
GuideIt'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. But was out there it is complete quiet and solitude. And make sure you stock up on anything you need cuz there's nothing there
TravelerBeautiful 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!
GuideA lot of the trash has been cleaned up, we only saw a little bit in a couple of spots. Some spots have 2 or 3 fire rings per pull out and would be good for a small group. Fishing is OK year round in the river at these spots.
ScoutNice, cleared spots, not too many other people.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Fall Creek Lake in Oregon, where nature lovers can find secluded spots to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Fall Creek Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Fall Creek Lake is Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping with a 3.8-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Fall Creek Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Fall Creek Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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