Dispersed camping near Gearhart, Oregon centers primarily in the higher elevations of the Coast Range, with most sites situated between 1,200-2,000 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at these elevations, while summer offers mild 70-80°F days. Many sites require navigating unmarked forest roads with limited signage, making paper maps essential backup to GPS.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: The Beaver Falls Trailhead offers overnight parking access to a scenic waterfall just a short distance away. "The waterfall is beautiful after a short hike. Great for an evening dip," notes Ryan D., who stayed overnight. Visitors should be aware of safety concerns, as "cops came around about 9:30pm to inform me there is a high level of criminal activity around."
Stargazing opportunities: The Trask River Campsites provide excellent nighttime sky viewing opportunities away from coastal fog. "Clear skies so got to see a beautiful array of stars. This spot was really a 10/10 for me," reports Dylan B. The campsites sit along a rushing river that creates "a really nice sound to fall asleep to."
Target shooting areas: Some forest roads in Tillamook State Forest allow target shooting in designated areas, though this creates noise for campers. According to Daniel S., who stayed at Tillamook Forest Dispersed sites, "This spot is pretty remote, so it was very quiet," but noted that "the route to this spot via Google Maps takes you down the wrong road at first."
What campers like
Cell signal at elevation: The Road to Snag Lake dispersed sites are situated near communication towers, offering reliable connectivity. "Very quiet. Spots for van or tent are between radio/cell towers," reports Anna P., adding that despite the infrastructure, "there is the potential for spectacular views if the clouds clear."
Creek access: Multiple camping areas feature small stream access for water filtering and cooling off during summer months. At Trask River Campsites, Mike F. found "3 easy to find campsites, very easy to find and access... The sites were well kept. We felt lucky to find this place." These sites include river access points within walking distance.
Solitude despite proximity to coast: Free camping near Gearhart, Oregon offers seclusion within reasonable driving distance to beach areas. Clayton P. notes about Road to Snag Lake, "Amazing views and complete silence! Tons of rabbits and wildflowers... We stayed on a Friday night in August and were the only ones here."
What you should know
Seasonal access challenges: Winter months often bring snow to higher elevation sites, limiting accessibility. "Went up at the end of the snow season and I couldn't quite make it. My 4wd rav only has road tires and I eventually got to a point I wasn't able to make it," reports Logan K. about a Tillamook Forest site.
Gate closures: Some forest roads have gates that lock at specific times. At Dispersed Camping Near Cannon Beach, James T. warns, "Right at the start of the road, sign that says 'gate ahead' and you'll be locked in. Not worth the risk."
Discovery Pass requirements: Certain areas across the state line in Washington require permits. Augusto P. notes, "This site is listed as free, but there is a sign at the entrance for needing a discovery pass to use the site. Visit their website for payment options."
Trash issues: Unfortunately, many dispersed sites suffer from litter problems. "There appeared to be a few semi-permanent campers along the route," Daniel S. reports about Tillamook Forest Dispersed, adding that "the actual gps spot has a bunch of trash and has been used as a drug-up spot."
Tips for camping with families
Concrete pads for tents: Some camping areas feature old infrastructure useful for setting up. Ryan S. found at Scenic Overlook Dispersed Camp near Foley Creek "a really fantastic campsite! Definitely quite the long and slow drive up a narrow backcountry road - steep in sections but overall quite manageable."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy spotting local animals at these dispersed sites. At Road to Snag Lake, Clayton P. observed "tons of rabbits and wildflowers" during their August visit.
Short walks to attractions: Look for sites with nearby features accessible by short hikes. At Beaver Falls Trailhead, Mike S. advises, "The hike to the falls is to the far left of the pullout. Do NOT go down the super steep trails to the right." The trail is "short an easy to a beautiful waterfall."
Tips from RVers
Narrow road challenges: Many forest roads present difficulties for larger vehicles. Charlotte S. found that Dispersed Camping Near Cannon Beach is "not friendly to large vehicles or RVs, roads are very thin and no place to park." Similarly, Christian C. adds that "roads are narrow. Not recommended for large longer vehicles."
Turnaround space limitations: Assess parking areas before committing to forest roads. At Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping, Seth M. advises, "Road is fine and easy. AWD is nice but isn't necessary if the road is fairly dry."
Level parking areas: Some sites offer concrete pads from old structures. Stephanie P. notes about Road to Snag Lake, "Concrete pads at multiple sites. Nobody drove by all night. At least I have great T-Mobile signal."
