Are you in need of a campground near Lakeside, OR? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Lakeside, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Lakeside, OR. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
"Needed a last minute to car camp that was close to the coast, found these dispersed sites online and figured it try it out."
"Nice and close to Bandon. No trouble accessing in our midsize suv. It was muddy at the site, and unfortunately, those before us left a lot of trash. Did my best to clean up when was left behind."
"My visit near Fawn Creek Campground in Oregon was a refreshing experience, surrounded by dense forests and rolling hills."
"Nice pull off dispersed place to camp. Some sketchy people around but availability to get away from people up the road"
"Good camp location, easy to find. Paved most of the way up."
"I drove back in a few miles and camped along the road, in some old growth forest. It was dark, and I mean truly dark in there when you shut off your lights off, and silent as a tomb."
"Excellent spot up 2 steep inclines. Some of the most beautiful views. Good fire ring. Do not attempt if wet."
"It was awesome to car camp here. I only saw two others- one camper van going further in the forest where there were several other spots."
ScoutNeeded a last minute to car camp that was close to the coast, found these dispersed sites online and figured it try it out. There was surprisingly multiple spots that I had cell service (AT&T) so I was able to navigate myself around through a satellite map. Lots of nice spots with good views, just takes a bit of driving around to find the perfect one. Didn’t see anyone up there and I was there from Tuesday to Wednesday. Hope to return at some point! Just beware some of the side roads are a bit overgrown and can scratch up your car.
ScoutWe stayed for a night on our way down the coast. Nice and close to Bandon. No trouble accessing in our midsize suv. It was muddy at the site, and unfortunately, those before us left a lot of trash. Did my best to clean up when was left behind. There was a fire pit but we did not use it due to fire restrictions. Nice misty views over the trees in the morning.
ScoutThe Elliott State Forest has more than 550 miles of roads and trails, but only a primary network has been maintained over the past 10 years since the 90,000 acre area was shut down with environmental lawsuits. Many of these roads lead to excellent camping sites, including old lookouts, fishing holes, secluded springs, and an undeveloped campground favored by local mudrunners. Met organization has worked with the local Community College the past seven years regarding recreational research on the Elliott, with our most recent (and likely final) focus being on historic trails and primitive campsites. The pandemic caused much of this work to be documented on student-level videos, indexed on YouTube: http://www.orww.org/Elliott\_Forest/Recreation/index.html and https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1JyKCHg2GmHjLtQzXXDks4Rb-LE9HoJ-
LegendDispersed camping is allowed in all state forests within Oregon. https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Recreation/pages/Camp.aspx
We found an awesome spot along Marlow Creek Road, about 4 miles into the forest (coming in from Allegeny). There are plenty of pull outs all along the way, with room for 2-3 cars, as well as full tents and chairs set up. The road follows a babbling creek which was amazing to sleep next to. There are no amenities, follow any postings about campfire restrictions. (When we went- no fires were allowed). This is a logging forest, so we had huge logging trucks roll by in the morning - because of this, it may not be the best spot for kids or off leashed dogs. The trucks went by very quickly, stirring up a lot of dust- keep your car windows shut and use a pot while cooking breakfast! We had very few mosquitos or bugs, and loved being encompassed by the mossy trees!
Ranger Review of the Matador Freerain 24 L Backpack
https://matadorup.com/products/matador-freerain24-backpack?variant=47744934037
As a Ranger, I occasionally get the chance to test out gear in the field. I was really excited about trying out this pack, as I do a lot of canyoneering, and dealing with waterproof bags inside of soggy backpacks is always a hassle. Or you have to figure out a way to secure a typical waterproof bag to you. The bag is made of a lightweight rainjacket-like material, and has a roll top to it’s main compartment. I took the bag on a 3 mile hike to some waterfalls, where I could test out it’s waterproofness. At home, I went to a nearby lake to try submerging it.
Pros
This bag was extremely light, small and pack-able! You have no reason NOT to bring it with you if you may be heading somewhere wet. It folds into a small drawstring about the size of a baseball.
This bag has separate storage compartments whereas most drybags are a long tube where everything falls to the bottom. Within this bag, you have 2 water bottle holders (where I tossed things like keys), a easy access zip pocket on the front, as well as the small drawstring that the bag itself can be stored in (I put my packs of gummies in here for safe keeping).
Cons
The bag does not have a chest strap, so there was the potential for the backpack to slip off if you were doing strenuous activity, it also didn’t sit perfectly comfortable because of this. It does however, have adjustable shoulder straps (which I didn’t see as necessary).
I was nervous about putting my 1 L Nalgene bottles into the water bottle pockets because of the material of the bag…with just 1, it made the bag extremely lopsided, or with 2, it seemed to put a lot of stress on the bag itself. I tossed my water inside the bag instead, which made it pretty lumpy since the packable bag doesn’t have structure.
The front pocket is as advertised, water resistant, but definitely did not pass the waterproof test when I submerged the bag. It’s OK for waterfall mist or a light rain, but I wouldn’t keep my phone in there if we were getting dunked!
Conclusion!
If this bag had the chest strap, I’d be in 100% for using it for canyoneering adventures, however- since it doesn’t seem made for more rugged situations, I’m not sure why you would need such a waterproof bag. Most daypacks nowadays come with a raincover, or are made of a water resistant material to keep your goodies from getting soaked - unless you are planning a very casual dayhike where you are literally walking under waterfalls, I would most likely invest in a different daypack solution..
ScoutMy visit near Fawn Creek Campground in Oregon was a refreshing experience, surrounded by dense forests and rolling hills. The campground offers a quiet retreat with well-maintained facilities, making it a great spot for nature lovers. With temperatures ranging from 30°F in winter to 80°F in summer, it’s a beautiful destination year-round. Nearby attractions like Siuslaw National Forest and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area provide plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploration. For families with kids, keeping them entertained is easy whether it’s exploring the outdoors or enjoying Toca Boca games, a fun and creative way for kids to play and imagine. Overall, this area is a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it a great choice for a weekend getaway!
TravelerYou have to drive some winding forest service roads to get to a spot then find one on or near the road but there's a couple good camp spots.
ScoutI drove back in a few miles and camped along the road, in some old growth forest. It was dark, and I mean truly dark in there when you shut off your lights off, and silent as a tomb. Huge uncut trees, bad ass country! My Cane Corso bully dog made it much less spooky at night, not many things would want a piece of him.
GuideOnly little pull offs that I found. Drove pretty deep into the forest and found a dead end spur. When back tracking the next morning I saw a few other campers camping close to where your gps will take you. This was a week day. Probably busier on the weekend.
TravelerNice pull off dispersed place to camp. Some sketchy people around but availability to get away from people up the road
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Lakeside, Oregon, where nature offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle. With a variety of locations to choose from, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lakeside dispersed camping located?
Lakeside dispersed camping refers to various sites in Oregon's forests. Elliott State Forest Dispersed offers numerous locations near the coast, with good sites along Marlow Creek Road about 4 miles in from Allegeny. The forest contains over 550 miles of roads and trails with excellent camping options, including old lookouts and fishing holes. It's relatively close to Bandon, making it convenient for coastal travelers.
What amenities are available at Lakeside dispersed camping?
Most lakeside dispersed camping areas offer minimal to no amenities, as is typical of dispersed camping. At Suislaw National Forest Dispersed Camping, you'll find primitive sites with pull-offs along forest roads and occasional existing fire rings, but no facilities. Forest Road 55 Pulloff provides stunning vistas but no amenities. Bring everything you need, including water, toilet supplies, and food. Pack out all trash, as many sites have unfortunately experienced issues with previous campers leaving garbage behind.
Is a permit required for Lakeside dispersed camping?
Generally, no specific permit is required for most lakeside dispersed camping in Oregon. Dispersed camping is allowed in all Oregon state forests, including areas like BLM Kentucky Falls Road and Near Fawn Creek Campground. However, always check for seasonal restrictions, especially during fire seasons when regulations may change. While formal permits aren't typically needed, following Leave No Trace principles is essential, and camping is usually limited to 14 days within a 28-day period on most public lands.
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