Tillamook State Forest offers numerous free camping near Gales Creek, Oregon throughout its 364,000 acres of forest. Located in Oregon's Coast Range, the area sits at elevations between 1,500-3,500 feet with moderate summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F and cool nights. Rain can occur even in summer months, with late July through early September typically providing the driest camping conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several creeks and rivers throughout Tillamook State Forest offer fishing, including the Trask River near North Fork Trask. "I saw a total of 3 designated dispersed camping sites along this road. But there were a ton of pull offs along the river," notes a reviewer who found the road "in great condition and is passable with a 2WD without any issue."
Hiking trails: Explore trails ranging from short walks to day-long adventures. Near Dispersed Camping Near Pioneer-Indian Trail, "Going up the hike about 30 minutes will bring you to the top of Mt. Hebo with beautiful open views all the way to the coast. The hike goes all the way to South Lake."
Stargazing: The forest's distance from urban areas provides good night sky viewing. One camper at Trask River Campsites enjoyed "Clear skies so got to see a beautiful array of stars. This spot was really a 10/10 for me."
What campers like
Secluded spots: Many campers appreciate finding private spaces away from crowds. "I setup camp at one of the spots here 3 nights in a row & had no visitors the entire time! Very quiet & can hear some noise in the distance from time to time," reports a visitor to Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping.
Easy river access: Campsites near water are popular. "River access and a fire pit. Dirt bike parking adjacent but pretty private," notes a camper at Trask River Campsites. Another mentions the "River rushing near the spots makes for a really nice sound to fall asleep to."
Forest surroundings: The dense forest provides shade and natural ambiance. One camper described their site as sitting "kind of high up in the forest with super tall trees all around," adding that "this was such a great spot to get away from crowds and get some R&R."
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Gravel forest roads range from well-maintained to challenging. "Road is gravel, pretty well maintained. There's a lot of pull off roads, not sure if you can go down all of them," reports a camper at Cole Mt Ridge, which is "about 25 minutes from Cannon Beach."
Limited cell coverage: Don't count on phone service. "No service all the way so be prepared for that," warns a camper at Trask River Campsites. Another mentions "ATT/Verizon service" is unavailable in many areas.
Weather considerations: Rain can occur year-round. "Got a little cold at night and rained in the morning but it was nice," notes a camper. Winter visits may require snow-ready vehicles as "the road to the site via Google Maps takes you down the wrong road at first."
Pack out trash: Many reviews mention finding garbage left behind. "Picked up a small bag of someone else's trash. Don't leave trash in the woods — pick up after yourself," urges a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Choose established sites: For camping with children, spots with defined boundaries work best. "There are 3 easy to find campsites, very easy to find and access," reports a family at Trask River Campsites, noting the sites were "well kept."
Check for water access: Kids enjoy stream and lake exploration. At South Lake, "The lake is small but very beautiful. We did bring our kayaks but didn't launch them. There is a launching area but it's pretty mucky and there are a lot of downed trees in the water."
Bring entertainment: No amenities means planning activities. "We did bring our kayaks" mentions one family, while another notes "trails all over leading from the campsites to the lake and around it" provide exploration opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Large RVs face challenges on forest roads. "Not friendly to large vehicles or RVs, roads are very thin and no place to park," warns a camper near Cannon Beach. Another notes, "Its got roads that lead in multiple directions... Roads are narrow. Not recommended for large longer vehicles."
Pre-scout sites: Check campsite access before committing. "If you're towing something, I'd recommend walking the road to check to see if anybody is down there before you go down because it's the only place you'd be able to turn around with your trailer."
