Searching for the best camping near Hood River, OR? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Discover great camping spots near Hood River, reviewed by campers like you.
"This area of Gifford Pinchot National Forest has lots of dispersed camping spots but this area was a gem."
"We stayed in the large open area at the top of the rock outcrop above the trailhead parking area and it was perfect."
"It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there."
"Spent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around."
"Lots of turnouts along the road with river accesses just steps away ! Definitely recommend!"
"Man I'm glad I did This is one of the best dispersed camp sites I've ever stayed at!!"
"We met some PCT hikers along the way; some were heading towards the Crest Camp Trailhead."
"There’s a pit toilet, and a garbage dumpster on-site. Over half the “sites” are right on the water, while the others are less than 50 feet away."
"This is Army Corps of Engineers recreation site with dispersed camping, vault toilets and a boat ramp. First come first served, $0 and you can stay up to seven days."
"I only spent a night since it was close to a hike I was doing in the morning, but it was a solid spot. A bunch of spots in the woods, lots seem to have privacy."
"I wanted to add videos of the river sites to my other review for this site, but the website wouldn't let me - anyway, the hike has 3 river sites about 1 mile in from the trailhead and they are beautiful"
"We wanted a beginner backpacking trip (10 to 12 miles round trip) close to town - this one is a pretty hike with views at the end (theoretically, we saw fog)."
GuideThe coordinates here were incorrect coming from Hood River Oregon. It sent me down a rough dead end forest service road. I ended up lost on the mountain for 3 hours and finally made it out somewhere near camas. Make sure you have lots of fuel
RangerSurprised we were able to snag a spot here on Memorial Day weekend! Drove in Sunday evening. Quite a few dispersed spots, kinda close to one another- everyone was respectful. The road behind this gets a great view of Mt. Hood!!
No amenities. Dry camping!
PACK IT OUT
LegendI was running in an ultramarathon race in September in the Mt Hood National Forest and all of the local campgrounds managed by PGE around Timothy Lake were closed due to the end of the season. I was able to use map layers in The Dyrt PRO to identify where I was within National Forest boundaries and was able to confirm with local officials that I was in a free, dispersed camping zone. So, using the map layers and the search function on The Dyrt I looked for an area near the race start at the Historic Clackamas Ranger Station to park my RV for a 2 night off-grid stay. The location was a wide gravel area on the side of the road that allowed for enough space to park, put out my awning, set up some chairs and a propane fire pit (no live campfires - propane only) while being within a few hundred yards of the Ranger Station. There was room to walk along the road on the shoulder and you are very close walk to the Historic Clackamas Ranger Cabin with a beautiful meadow view, the Joe Graham Horse Camp, and just a couple of mile drive from Timothy Lake. Clackamas Lake Campground was nearby as well with many accessible miles of hikable trails, including access to the Pacific Crest Trail, for hikers of all levels. There was some smoke from local wildfires but that went away as the fall rains arrived that weekend. If you are looking for a place to park your RV near all of these amazing views and experiences this free, dispersed camping site worked great for me and my family for a couple of nights.
GuideI have camped here twice now, once during a scouting trip in 2016 with my boys and again in September 2024 with just me and my dog :). I could pull my 17' pop-up "A" frame trailer and back into one of the two spots with no problem. Due to the narrow road, it may be a bit more snug with bigger rigs (25+ feet long and anything more than 8+ feet wide). I would scout the road and area before committing; however, there is a turnaround that you could use to maneuver the trailer to drive out. It's plenty big to accommodate a few trucks/cars and one, maybe two towable trailers. If you're going tent camping, there are about four flat places for tents. The area has no trails, so you would not have to worry about people wandering into the campsite. The Ape Caves is a small drive away. The town of Cougar, WA. is about 10 miles away if you need gas or food. There is a lot of shade, and it is not solar-friendly. The main road is about 100 feet away, relatively quiet, and very private. There was a large rock fire pit in the middle. There is no cell phone reception; however, if you drive East for a few miles, you may be able to get 2 bars with Verizon.
Per the state website, "On the southwest side of Mount St. Helens, Forest Road 81 provides an experience away from crowds. On this road, access Kalama Horse Camp, Red Rock Pass, and Forest Road 830, the road to Climber's Bivouac, and the start of the summer climbing route. From the west, the road begins on Forest Road 90, near Cougar, WA, and travels through private timberlands and state lands before entering Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The road connects with Forest Road 83 on its east side. While mostly paved, be prepared for several miles of gravel(between Forest Road 830 and 8123) and a road that is sometimes very rough."
GuideTook a while to discover this spot, but clearly seems well used for dispersed camping. I parked nearest the access road, as my van would have hit trees to go a little further in. For smaller vehicles (e.g. roof top tents), you can get in a little further and off the access road. There was actually someone else back there, and we can't hear nor see each other.
TravelerThere are several places along FR 2730 where you can pull off and camp. The road was very accessible, high clearance not required. We found a large pull off with several established fire pits. It's absolutely perfect for a group campsite. I imagine it will be a busier spot in the summer, but we couldn't find a single other person within miles of us in early May. To get up to the group camp site, you may need higher clearance (most SUVs should be fine) and 4wd/AWD, as there is a short rocky section that might cause some issues for FWD/RWD.
Got a little chilly at night with winds whipping down through the area we were in, but overall very peaceful. You can see Mt Hood from the campsite through the trees, albeit it is decently far away and is subject to the visibility at the time you visit. We were able to see Mt Hood just before sunset, but couldn't see her at all the following morning.
GuideAbsolutely loved the spot. There were about three sites. I believe from what I saw. I stayed at the first site when you first get there back there on the right hand side. It's a short hike down to the creek. It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there. Minimal bugs didn't get any bug bites and it was in the '90s while I was there. Very little traffic. Not far from the highway just in case of emergencies. Absolutely no cell service. You must have a Northwest Forest pass or America the beautiful pass. Forest service does drive through there frequently to check
ScoutSpent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around. We found a great shady spot not far from a small creek, and it was perfect for relaxing. Heads up: there’s absolutely no cell service, so make sure to download any maps or trail guides(we used an offline hiking APK) before you get there. It’s close to Mount St. Helens and Columbia River Gorge, so we got in a great day hike. Nights were cool, days were warm and bug-free. Forest service came by once, which was nice to see. You’ll need a Forest Pass.
LegendThis is a dispersed camping spot in the Mt.Hood National Forest that is free --- from both campground payment and people. It's an old forest road off the main gravel road that has been blockaded and closed down, giving you a wide open area that gets sun, mixed with good tree coverage from the wind.
The spot is flat and great for an RV, van or trailer. It's just a 100 meters off the main gravel road where the old forest road is dug out/blockaded from cars getting through.
We parked and camped right there. Or, if you want even more solitude, park at the blockade and walk 3/4 of a mile to the end of the forest road strip for some tent camping. Not sure if that is needed as I think we only heard/saw a few car drive by the entire time (on a beautiful August weekend).
Love this place. Happy to share it with others. If you are looking for some dispersed camping in the summer that's not a far drive from Portland, this spot is for you. If it's full, there are a half dozen to a dozen other dispersed camping spots along this gravel road between Frog Lake Campground and Clear Creek Crossing Campground. Enjoy.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Hood River, Oregon, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning views and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best dispersed camping areas near Hood River?
The Mount Hood National Forest offers excellent dispersed camping options near Hood River. Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF provides several pull-off spots with established fire pits that are accessible without high-clearance vehicles. For spectacular views of Mount Hood, check out Pinnacle Ridge dispersed camping near Laurence Lake, which features well-maintained roads perfect for vans and rooftop tent camping. Other notable areas include the Trillium Lake vicinity, White River area, and various forest service roads throughout the Mt. Hood National Forest. When exploring these areas, always come prepared with plenty of fuel and navigation tools as some forest roads can be confusing.
Is there free camping available near Hood River?
Yes, free camping is readily available near Hood River in the surrounding national forests. Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed offers peaceful, free sites with creek access and feels remote while still being accessible. Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed provides free camping with views of Mt. Hood, though it can get busy on holiday weekends. Additional free options include Big Huckleberry Mountain area and various pull-offs along forest service roads in Mt. Hood National Forest. These free sites typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving midweek or early in the day increases your chances of finding a spot, especially during peak summer months.
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Hood River area?
Dispersed camping in the Hood River area follows standard national forest regulations. Camping is generally limited to 14 consecutive days within a 30-day period. Camp at least 100 feet from water sources, trails, and roads. Bonney Meadows and other dispersed areas require proper waste management—pack out all trash and human waste if no facilities exist. Campfires may be restricted seasonally; check current fire bans before your trip. Historic Clackamas Ranger Station and surrounding areas require vehicles to stay on established roads and campsites must be in previously used locations. Always obtain any necessary permits, including Northwest Forest Passes for parking at certain trailheads.
What amenities can I expect at dispersed camping sites near Hood River?
Dispersed camping sites near Hood River are typically primitive with minimal to no amenities. At McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed, you'll find basic pull-in spots suitable for smaller trailers but no facilities. Similarly, Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek offers natural surroundings but no amenities. Most sites feature only established parking areas and possibly fire rings. Expect to bring everything you need: water, toilet supplies, garbage bags, and food storage. There are no picnic tables, running water, electricity, or restroom facilities. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent. Some areas like Avery Rec Area may offer vault toilets, but this is the exception rather than the rule for dispersed camping.
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