Dispersed camping near Gilchrist, Oregon occurs primarily at elevations between 4,300-5,200 feet, which contributes to the area's significant temperature fluctuations. The volcanic soil throughout the region creates well-drained camping surfaces but limits natural water sources at most sites. Forest Road pullouts offer the primary camping opportunities, with sites typically situated among ponderosa and lodgepole pine forests.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 40-minute drive to Salt Creek Falls from Salt Creek Hideout provides access to several cascades. "Campsite with 3 wooden benches plus a campfire, also a creek with a short walking distance from the camp," notes one visitor who found the gravel access road manageable even in a 2009 Volkswagen van.
Lake activities: 25 miles northwest of Gilchrist at NF 2612 Dispersed Camping offers access to multiple lakes. A camper reports, "Beautiful location near several Lakes and large fields with plenty of level camping and fire pits although fires are not currently allowed." The area is ideal for kayaking and fishing during summer months.
Winter recreation: Snowmobiling trails from Six Mile Sno-Park provide winter adventure options. "A quiet spot to dry camp/boondock with hiking/snow mobile trail right from the parking lot," notes one visitor who found reliable Verizon service at this location that requires a recreation pass November through April.
What campers like
Morning wildlife viewing: Early risers at forest sites near Gilchrist report deer sightings within 50 feet of campsites. At Dispersed Wikiup Camping, one visitor noted, "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."
Night sky observation: The high elevation and minimal light pollution create exceptional stargazing opportunities. A camper at Mount Thielsen Wilderness shared, "The stars and trees were stunning and the site was super accessible. When the temperature rose, there were some mosquitoes, but not many."
Solitude and space: Many dispersed sites offer substantial separation between campers. At NF-70, a visitor found "a nice spot but then hiked up the road more to the top and found a super cool spot. It was a little rougher road, but totally worth it."
What you should know
Weather extremes: Temperature swings of 40°F between day and night occur regularly, even in summer. At Mount Thielsen Wilderness, a camper warned, "It was pretty cold, even though I went in late June! It was snowing at the campsite but didn't stick."
Insects: Bug pressure varies dramatically by season and site. At NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP, a camper reported, "It was a nice area; it was pretty easy to access, and there was lots of open space... but did spend most of the time in my tent due to the flies and mosquitoes."
Road conditions: Many access roads deteriorate significantly after rainfall. One visitor to NF-70 noted, "NF-70 is gravel and in pretty good shape, i.e., no potholes, but is heavily washboarded. This wasn't an issue for the Cherokee, but with a stiffer suspension, I had to limit the RV speed to less than 7 mph."
Limited facilities: Most sites have no amenities whatsoever. A visitor to Salt Creek Backwoods noted, "Close enough to a river that requires hiking if you're up for that kind of adventure. There was little to no traffic noise from the hwy and no other campers around for days."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly terrain: Some sites offer natural play features for children. At Dispersed Wikiup Camping, a visitor found "Big 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."
Safety considerations: Many sites have evidence of target shooting. One camper at NF-70 observed, "There were a few 9mm bullet casings on the ground, so locals probably use the spot to camp and target shoot. One of the tree stumps was riddled with bullet holes."
Water access points: Limited natural water sources make planning essential. "In the area we visited Lemolo Falls and Warm Spring Falls. We weren't disappointed. The area does have mosquitoes to contend with," reported a camper at NF 2612 Dispersed Camping.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most forest roads can accommodate mid-size RVs but have tight turns. A Salt Creek Backwoods visitor warned, "I really don't recommend this spot for bigger rigs but we were able to get ours back here (40 ft total) Kind of no turn around options and driving forward was all our only choice at that point."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling blocks. At NF-70, a full-timer with a 36-foot Class A noted, "We found a nice large and level site just off of NF-70 and there were a few other dispersed sites near there as well. We stayed for 3 days in late September and had the place to ourselves."
Communication: Cell service varies dramatically between providers and specific locations. At NF-70, a camper found "AT&T service was fair with 1-2 bars of LTE and speeds up to about 7 MB/s" while another reported "even got 3 bar TMobile 5g at the site a mile or so up the road on the left."
