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"It had plenty of fairly flat ground for our 26” skoolie. There was a fire ring, but we didn’t use. It got very cold at night."
"Good little tucked away site with spring water, fire pits and lots of empty space for my truck. Make sure to stop at the sign, we went about 2-3 extra miles looking before we came back lol"
"We walked along the path to check it out before attempting it in our 26ft class c and I’m glad we did. The path was too narrow for us, and the road rose up a bit too high along the middle."
"Bring your own firewood, the forest floor is extremely clean. There’s 4 sites on this road and a restroom at the end. We were car camping but most sites have smaller trailer access."
"Great little dispersed spot with a clean outhouse.
There looks to be 4 sites in the trees, but if you keep driving down it’ll take you towards the lake, which is where I camped."
"There are a few spots and spurs off NF-6510 that would make for good boondocking. Might be hard to get level, but other than that it’s pretty nice. The spot on the map has a stone fire ring."
"Boondocking is easy with a camper van or tent setup in this national forest area, but it’s hard to make a generalization that covers this vast collection of campgrounds and areas."
LegendBoondocking is easy with a camper van or tent setup in this national forest area, but it’s hard to make a generalization that covers this vast collection of campgrounds and areas. It earns a good review at the end of the day for being conveniently located and hassle free; you can always find a decent spot up around the bend and it’s the right mix of privacy and tranquility while being reasonable close to civilization if calamity strikes.
GuideThere are a few spots and spurs off NF-6510 that would make for good boondocking. Might be hard to get level, but other than that it’s pretty nice. The spot on the map has a stone fire ring. There are a few spots before and after that would be suitable to setup camp as well.
I got to the spot marked on the map in my extended Transit, but I’m sure road conditions may change with the seasons, storms; etc. Depending on your comfort, you may only want to head this way with high-clearance vehicle.
ScoutThis place is on private property and has gates all around the area. Maybe it was once a campground but surely not anymore.
TravelerVery well maintained area. Bring your own firewood, the forest floor is extremely clean. There’s 4 sites on this road and a restroom at the end. We were car camping but most sites have smaller trailer access.
LegendSweet little spot for smaller vehicles. We walked along the path to check it out before attempting it in our 26ft class c and I’m glad we did. The path was too narrow for us, and the road rose up a bit too high along the middle. A smaller vehicle shouldn’t have a problem. There’s a nice little clearing at the end of the path right along the little creek. Very peaceful and green when we came here in July.
At the main road there IS a spot large enough for our RV (that’s where we parked when we got out to walk to the creek spot) but we decided not to stay the night there. It wasn’t flat at all and a little too noisy and close to the main road. But it would definitely do in a pinch- very easy to get to- just off the main road to the right. There’s a fire pit marking the spot.
Zero cell reception in this entire area for verizon and ATT. No amenities here, this is a FS dispersed camping spot so please keep the area clean and pack out your waste.
GuideGreat little dispersed spot with a clean outhouse.
There looks to be 4 sites in the trees, but if you keep driving down it’ll take you towards the lake, which is where I camped. Wide open, great sunset views! The lake is dammed, so I assume the water levels vary, but when I was there, there was room for a few more vehicles down by the water. Careful going too far, as some tire tracks looked to have maybe gotten stuck in mud by venturing too far out. 😂
Great spot, would definitely return!
LegendWe ended up at this spot after finding roads closed by snow farther up the hill. It had plenty of fairly flat ground for our 26” skoolie. There was a fire ring, but we didn’t use. It got very cold at night. We were fine in our bus, but our traveling partner had his water bottle freeze in his tent. It’s a bit of an uphill drive off 15, but it’s a pretty good gravel road. There was a fair amount of litter from what looked like a hunting group when we arrived, but we took it with us.
TravelerI really like this location. I wanted to pa down by the water, but we are pulling a small camper and the road looked way too rough to go all the way down. There was a car down there, so definitely passable, but not with our camper. The sites earlier on the road are nice though. Pretty big, with fire rings. Only complaint is the noise from the road. Not terrible, but definitely audible from where we were at with our windows open.
TravelerLots of cows… funniest thing ever! One woke me up when it was sniffing at the tents rain cover! Good little tucked away site with spring water, fire pits and lots of empty space for my truck. Make sure to stop at the sign, we went about 2-3 extra miles looking before we came back lol
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near John Day, Oregon, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots that cater to different camping styles and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find dispersed camping along the John Day River?
Several excellent dispersed camping options exist along the John Day River area. Social Security Point Trailhead offers four distinct sites among the trees with access to a clean outhouse, plus additional lakeside camping opportunities with beautiful sunset views if you continue down the road. For those seeking more secluded options, Lunch Creek provides a sweet spot ideal for smaller vehicles, with a narrow path that may not accommodate larger RVs. Both locations offer fire rings and relatively flat areas for setting up camp, though road conditions can vary seasonally.
What permits are required for dispersed camping at John Day?
Most dispersed camping in the John Day area follows standard National Forest regulations, which typically don't require specific permits for stays under 14 days. However, areas can have different management requirements. The Southern Elkhorn Mtn/Powder River Basin Area operates as typical boondocking - hassle-free with no advance permits needed. For camping in more remote locations like Dispersed near Baboon Creek Quarry, no special permits are mentioned, but always check for fire restrictions during dry seasons. It's advisable to verify current regulations with the local Forest Service office before your trip, especially during high-use seasons.
What are the best seasons for dispersed camping along the John Day River?
Late spring through early fall offers the most reliable conditions for dispersed camping along the John Day River. Summer provides the most accessible roads and comfortable temperatures, though sites can be more crowded. Fawn Spring Dispersed Camping experiences significant cold at night even in spring, with campers reporting frozen water bottles in tents during April visits. This area also receives snow that can close access roads at higher elevations during winter and early spring. Fall offers beautiful colors and fewer crowds, but prepare for potentially freezing overnight temperatures. Always check road conditions before traveling, as weather can change rapidly in this region.
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