Best Dispersed Camping near Fort Klamath, OR

Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Fort Klamath, Oregon, providing free alternatives to established campgrounds. Several notable areas include Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site, Forest Road 3237, and NF-9730. These primitive sites offer varying levels of accessibility and amenities. Mount Thielsen Wilderness and NF-70 dispersed camping areas are particularly popular due to their proximity to Crater Lake National Park. According to camper reviews, these areas provide "a sense of quiet which is unmatched by the commercial campgrounds in the area."

Most dispersed sites require self-sufficiency as amenities are minimal or nonexistent. No potable water is available at these locations, and visitors must pack in all necessary supplies. Vault toilets exist at Jackson F. Kimball and Thousand Springs Sno-Park, but most areas have no sanitation facilities. Fire regulations vary by season and location; established fire rings are present at some sites, but fire bans are common during dry months. Several campers noted the area is "very prone to forest fires," with evidence of "residual charring and many new growth trees in place of old forest."

Road conditions to these sites range from well-maintained gravel to rough forest roads. Standard passenger vehicles can access many areas, while others require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the region. Weather conditions can change rapidly; temperatures often drop significantly at night, even during summer months. Mosquitoes are prevalent, particularly at dusk, with multiple reviews emphasizing the need for insect repellent. The camping season typically runs from mid-April through October, with some areas requiring permits or closing entirely during winter months.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Fort Klamath, Oregon (31)

    1. Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site

    20 Reviews
    Fort Klamath, OR
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 783-2471

    $11 - $14 / night

    "The spring is stunning and the ground was soft and flat. Plenty of firewood around to start a cooking fire. Bugs were bad around sunset, but bug spray helped."

    "The campground is situated right next to a beautifully clear blue river and wooded hillsides—perfect for early morning serenity."

    2. Annie Creek Road

    2 Reviews
    Fort Klamath, OR
    4 miles

    "Ample room for rvers, cooking area, picnic tables, close to park entrance"

    3. NF-9730

    2 Reviews
    Chiloquin, OR
    8 miles

    "Easy access off highway. Road is gravel but very new and flat. Cell service is great. The Forrest here burned recently so it isnt as pretty as it once was."

    "The road is in gear condition and any car should be able to drive on it. As far as I can tell it's free there is no signs saying otherwise, I saw no one the whole night and it has great signal."

    4. Forest Road 3237

    1 Review
    Fort Klamath, OR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 883-6916

    "Entrance across from Annie Creek Sno Park. Stay left at first fork.

    Potential for 2 spots, left spot had some ground bees."

    5. Kla-Mo-Ya Casino and Travel Center

    4 Reviews
    Chiloquin, OR
    14 miles

    "No hookups as it is a dry camping spot. The casino is smoke-free and pleasant with machines only. No live games. Gas, propane, and diesel are available as is a c-store ."

    6. Thousand Springs Sno-Park

    12 Reviews
    Crater Lake, OR
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 842-3292

    "We drove to Mazama campground only to be told and they had just filled their last spot but that there was free overnight parking 18 minutes in each direction either by thousand springs snopark or Annie"

    "There are bathrooms and a warming shelter that has a wood stove. The park is close to Crater Lake National Park anout 10ish miles down hwy 62. Nice pretty spot that is easy to get to."

    7. Mount Thielsen Wilderness

    22 Reviews
    Diamond Lake, OR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 383-5300

    "When I visited the Crater Lake area, I was well aware that finding last minute accommodations was difficult to impossible."

    "Stayed here for 3 nights while visiting Crater Lake NP and it was the perfect basecamp.

    Easy access to the Forest Road off 138 with lots of open camp spots."

    8. Dispersed Site - just a great place off the highway

    3 Reviews
    Chiloquin, OR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 783-4001

    "The area was flat and no one else was there. Our T-Mobile phones had a small amount of Service in our campsite but not on the road to get there."

    9. NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP

    13 Reviews
    Diamond Lake, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 947-2151

    "Plenty of different types of camping spots: trailer and RV to serious offroad spots. I found a very secluded place with my 4by4 down rough road but plenty of other options."

    "It was a nice area; it was pretty easy to access, and there was lots of open space. I couldn't really hear the highway, but several trucks did drive down the dirt road."

    10. Lightning Springs Backcountry Dispersed Campsite

    1 Review
    Crater Lake, OR
    18 miles
    +1 (541) 594-3000

    "After parking right off the trail head and hiking down about 0.8 miles, you have three “established” spots to chose from."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Fort Klamath, OR

105 Reviews of 31 Fort Klamath Campgrounds


  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 9, 2020

    Mount Thielsen Wilderness

    FREE, Quiet & Close To Crater Lake National Park

    CLICK HERE For Full Video Review

    When it comes to camping you simply can’t beat FREE!!! But often times it is hard to find a good campsite which is close to some of the larger National Parks that is not overrun with people. 

    When I visited the Crater Lake area, I was well aware that finding last minute accommodations was difficult to impossible. Hotels in the area charge high premiums and depending on when you visit the campground is typically booked well in advance or even closed due to weather. It just so happened that I arrived late in the season, campground was already closed and I was wondering just what else would be out there for me as a tent/car camper. 

    I found a small forest road, FR960 and took my chances driving down a few hundred yards before realizing that there were a few established campaigns for dispersed camping. My signal with AT&T was sparse so finding this site was strictly by chance(the Dyrt hadn’t yet released their offline PRO Version just yet). 

    Driving down the road it was gravel and had a few small ruts here and there but nothing so serious I couldn’t make it down the path taking it at a slower pace. I discovered a small pull out right at the beginning of the roadway which looked to be about the size of a small RV, very level and established with a fire ring. As I continued onward a small campground road spurred off to the right with what looked to be several sites alongside it as well. I opted to keep going as there were already a couple people there and the beauty of forest camping is that you don’t have to be right on top of your neighbors unless you want to. 

    Further down the road pull offs to both the right and left with spaces perfect for large rigs and smaller ones as well. The one on the left seemed to be calling my name as I noticed it was almost a cove of trees which would serve as a great protectant and blockade to the crisp night winds which I knew were coming this time of year. I settled in and explored the remainder of the camp on foot including a small climb which went to a few spaces with amazing views of the peaks above but looked pretty exposed due to new growth trees and low laying shrubs being the only vegetation. Sure this looked beautiful but I knew it would be cold!! 

    After settling in for the night in my site I was able to cook dinner on my camp stove and cozy down. Due to the winds getting a bit high I was a little hesitant to use the established fire ring because this area in particular is very prone to forest fires, something which can be seen quickly driving through camp with residual charring and many new growth trees in place of old forest. 

    By dawn, ice lined my windows of my car and snow capped the distant peak, the one which I would have been camping by had I have stayed up at the higher elevation campsite. But there was a sense of quiet which is unmatched by the commercial campgrounds in the area where you will find slamming doors and the sound of people moving around to get their day started. Though many were nestled into the campsites in various cubbies and enjoying their time at the forest camp, the feeling of solitude was still abundant. 

    There were no frills with this campground other than the location itself. No restrooms, no running water, nothing!! You as a camper have to plan if you are visiting this location and be able to be off grid safely and responsibly. If you are choosing to stay here remember the Leave No Trace principles and make sure you fully extinguish your fires. 

    The campground itself is only a few miles away from the northern most entry of Crater Lake. No reservations are accepted and no supplies are available without driving in to the neighboring communities of Crescent or Chemult.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2021

    Hyatt Reservoir BLM Dispersed

    Loud and Poopy

    Not far from Ashland and right past the Hyatt Lake Resort are some dispersed spots on BLM land near the lake. The lake level is very low so at this time you could drive quite close to it but it gets really muddy so watch out because it looks grassy and deceivingly dry. 

    There is road noise but quiets down at night. 

    Also there is a large flock of geese that honk all day and night and there is goose poop everywhere! 

    The site we stayed at had a stone fire pit and not very level but we made it work. It is a good spot for a night or 2 and we would stay here again if passing through. There are no amenities so bring water and pack in and out all trash. The resort nearby has a restaurant and small store. No service from ATT and TMobile but Verizon had 1-2 bars of LTE roaming.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2023

    Auger Creek Dispersed

    Down a Canyon - Not good for RV Travel

    This campsite is dry camping.  Silver Creek may be dry, as it has been since 2021.  No facilities other than a picnic table.  No Cell, No WiFi, etc.  If you like totally 'being away from it all,' this is your place, if you can get there.

  • Amanda K.
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Thousand Springs Sno-Park

    Great reliable lot

    We drove to Mazama campground only to be told and they had just filled their last spot but that there was free overnight parking 18 minutes in each direction either by thousand springs snopark or Annie’s. We chose thousand springs. It is the perfect spot for free overnight parking as it is a large and reliable lot that I assume is rarely filled. It is only 30 minutes from watchman peak trailhead which is where we were headed. There were only a couple other vans when we stayed a weekday in July. There is a pit toilet as well. Note that free overnight parking without a sno-park parking permit is only permitted between May 1 and November 14. Next to the road so there is a bit of noise, but there are not too many cars that drive by at night. Be aware that there is a lot of wildlife in the area. There is no cell service.

  • 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

  • R
    Jun. 23, 2021

    Mount Thielsen Wilderness

    Beautiful Free Camping Just Minutes from Crater Lake NP

    Stayed here for 3 nights while visiting Crater Lake NP and it was the perfect basecamp.

    Easy access to the Forest Road off 138 with lots of open camp spots. More private spots further up the hill — I didn’t venture too far but if you have AWD it shouldn’t be an issue.

    I had no trouble finding a spot on Thursday afternoon, though there were definitely other campers around. Seemed pretty popular by the weekend though there were still unclaimed spots tucked away on Saturday afternoon.

    Bring bug spray and make sure you’ve got screen window covers if car camping — otherwise a beautiful stay. Ten minute drive to the North Entrance of Crater Lake and about 20 minutes away from town with truck stop with showers and wifi.

  • Brittney   G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2018

    Thousand Springs Sno-Park

    Spacious quiet spot

    This snowpark has a big parking area with plenty of room for trailers/vehicles. There are bathrooms and a warming shelter that has a wood stove. The park is close to Crater Lake National Park anout 10ish miles down hwy 62. Nice pretty spot that is easy to get to. No hookups and no water available do be sure to bring it.

  • Patricia N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2024

    Prospect OHV Dispersed Camping

    Perfect place for OHV riding

    We absolutely loved camping here. During our off season stay it was fun and with all the ATV trails it was our favorite place to camp.

    Our neighbor campers decided they could ride the trails without helmets and found out the hard way that is is a no no. They were brought back to the camp without their bikes and in the back of a National Forest Service Enforcement vehicle. After being spoken to about the importance of following the rules of the trails, they were left at camp and had to find their own way back to their motorcycles.

    Fortunately we did not have the same experience. It can get very dusty so just be prepared for that. The trails are absolutely great and access to the Rogue River is just icing on the cake.

    It was so nice to have areas provided for unloading bikes and ATV's so folks could safely load and unload their toys.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2021

    USFS Rogue River Dispersed

    Beautiful But Be Aware

    Take the River Bridge turn off from Highway 62 and follow the road which turns to gravel, potholed and some washboarded road. Stay on the main road until you pass the actual campground and go over the bridge. 

    We did drive through the River Bridge campground which was $15/night but opted for the free version across the river. There are multiple spots to camp for free just past the River Bridge Campground across the one lane bridge. You can take a right or left after the bridge to find a spot. We took a right and found multiple sites to pull into right off the main forest service road. Accessibility is dependent on your rig but we found several spots easily accessed by our 26ft class c.  The road itself is gravel with pot holes but otherwise doable in most rigs. There appears to be some long term somewhat sketchy residents here so be aware. We stayed twice in 2 different spots but did not feel unsafe at all. The sites are fairly level with mix of sun and shade and stone fire pits and a short walk to the river. Its a nice place to let the dogs run free but there can be quite a lot of cars driving up and down the 62 road and and an occasional dirt bike. Very quiet at night and lots of roads to hike on or if you’re into fishing the Rogue River is very close.

     No amenities, pack in and pack out, no bathrooms; and for the love of god please bury your TP waste! 

    There is zero cell reception from ATT, T-Mobile or Verizon in this entire area.


Guide to Fort Klamath

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Fort Klamath, Oregon, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.

Beautiful Water Views for Dispersed Campers

  • The Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site offers breathtaking views of clear, glassy water, making it a picturesque spot for nature photography and relaxation.
  • Located close to Crater Lake, this site provides easy access to one of Oregon's most iconic natural wonders, perfect for day trips and exploration.
  • Campers can enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the nearby creek, which adds to the overall beauty of the area, making it a great place to unwind.

Hiking and Outdoor Activities While Free Camping Near Fort Klamath

  • The Thousand Springs Sno-Park is an excellent base for hiking enthusiasts, with trails leading to stunning views and diverse landscapes.
  • This location is just a short drive from Crater Lake National Park, allowing for easy access to hiking trails that cater to all skill levels.
  • Campers can also enjoy the recreational area for picnics and games, making it a great spot for families and groups.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out NF-70 Dispersed Camping

  • The NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP provides a variety of camping options, from secluded spots to more accessible areas for RVs and trailers.
  • This site is known for its spaciousness and privacy, allowing campers to enjoy a more intimate experience with nature.
  • With the added benefit of being close to the national park, visitors can easily catch stunning sunrises and sunsets over the lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Fort Klamath, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Fort Klamath, OR is Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 31 dispersed camping locations near Fort Klamath, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.