Lincoln City, OR is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Lincoln City is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Lincoln City, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"South Lake is fairly small, I consider it more of a pond to be honest, but a great place for disperse camping. The quickest drive in is a bit sketchy."
"Do not drive here if you can't drive on the edge of a cliff on gravel roads. it's bumpy and definitely not for the faint of heart. other than that, it's a great site with nice pullouts and camping for"
"There’s a pretty decent sized gravel turnout… It’s the only big gravel turn out like this on this part of the road … you’ll see what looks like a logging road with a steep decline."
"We found this dispersed site by driving on Mt. Hebo Road about 20 minutes past Hebo Lake Campground."
"Great views, easy drive, AWD car would have been able to make it. The road to South lake was gated off so we used this turn out, there are many along the road."
"There is almost nowhere to stay in the Newport/Oregon Coast areas, so this spot was a life saver! After you hit the dirt road, there are a few good but smaller pull off spots and a few bigger ones."
"The marked coordinates are a little overgrown, but there's a good tent spot a couple hundred feet beforehand. Pretty chilly evening, but it was definitely secluded and peaceful"
"This is for dispersed camping in the Siuslaw NF off Forest Road 55, off 101. Turn into 55 from 101 between Thor’s Well and Devil’s Churn."
"If it's dry then there is even more room. There was plenty of firewood but we had to get the fire going before burning the wet stuff."
"Lots of trash, long drive, and sort of busy. Multiple sites available as you go up. Pretty spot though."
"Other than that it’s a really great quite, cheap spot that has a huge sand dune right next to it."
TravelerAccessible through the Jones Creek campground turn off, continue up the forest roads past the OHV staging area and you’re in paradise! Gorgeous spots all over that are accessible in most 4WD/off-road capable vehicles. There is a massive network of forest service roads many with spots to set up your own quiet camp away from all the dirt bikes and RVs. No facilities obviously but that’s what makes this place special. It’s incredibly quiet and peaceful and a gorgeous piece of the PNW coastal area.
RangerMy mistake, these coordinates took us to the top of the mountain. It is currently an active logging area, so the truckers are out at 3am. The road up was a very narrow road. So careful if there’s other cars coming through, especially the logging semis.
Nonetheless a cool spot. Dry camping. Please clean up after yourselves.
LegendWe took a ride from Hebo up road 14 or 1400 to South Lake. The trip took over 1 hour down a partly paved road with lots of pot holes then the rest of the way down a very narrow pot hole dirt road to South Lake. Along the way we passed Hebo Lake Campground that had many tent camp sites. Once we arrived at South Lake we found the lake to be somewhat small and there were a few tent sites somewhat close together. We had been told this lake was always stocked with Trout. We suggest only using a 4x4 or a high clearance vehicle to make this trip.
TravelerSouth Lake is fairly small, I consider it more of a pond to be honest, but a great place for disperse camping. The quickest drive in is a bit sketchy. I recommend taking a slight slower route to avoid scratches on your vehicle from branches. We checked out a few dispersed sites before we picked our spot. We managed to get a spot that was a 1 minute walk to the water, and about the same to the vaulted toilets. The vaulted toilet is on the NW side of the lake. It must’ve been checked often for toilet paper because we were there for 4 nights and it always had some in there.
We caught trout every day we were there. Most are small but was fun nonetheless. There is an old boat without a motor tied up for anyone to use. Only had one ore that was half broke but it still managed to get us across the water 🤷🏻♂️. We found a decent amount of firewood, just have to make sure it’s try if course. It’s all hidden below the ferns/greenery. No picnic tables or metal fire rings but who needs them? Plenty of rocks for a fire pit were already set up. Plenty of shade. Only downside was precious campers leaving toilet paper near the trees when you are literally a minute or less walk to the vaulted toilet.
RangerThis is for dispersed camping in the Siuslaw NF off Forest Road 55, off 101. Turn into 55 from 101 between Thor’s Well and Devil’s Churn. There is a FS paid campground (Cape Perpetua Campground) right off FS 55.
If you follow 55 about 10 miles in, there are lots of established boondocking spots at around 4000 elevation. Additionally there are unmapped logging roads which can also be explored for camping.
Scenery is spectacular, lots of wildlife, deer, elk, coyote, and amazing old growth forests. No amenities of any kind, no cell service.
ScoutThe directions/coordinates are for 10min outside pacific city. It is now a private entrance/driveway with no access to go through to the dispersed coordinates! And the locals said a lot of the forest is closed off due to logging in that area. Defiantly follow the rangers review about the devils churn/thors well spot. The directions from Dyrt was about an hour or so away from his instructions ! We weren’t able to find a spot and ended up leaving the area
entirely.
GuideNice area up a narrow forest road. When you get to the top of the road it Ts with another forest road, where there was a pull off that would fit one or two cars/vans. Turn left (where the GPS coordinates indicate) and there are three more sites, two are a few minutes down this other road. Turn right and there is one more spot. A few other very small pull offs. Very quiet, lovely views of the sky at sunset. The Beaver Creek park at the bottom of the forest road has a pit toilet and picnic tables for day use.
TravelerDo not drive here if you can't drive on the edge of a cliff on gravel roads. it's bumpy and definitely not for the faint of heart. other than that, it's a great site with nice pullouts and camping for car campers, vans, etc... I was fortunate and I have a black series off road trailer behind a 4runner, and we were fine. I would not recommend a trailer for this location. great for tents and the lake is ok, not too appealing to us, though.
GuideThis was a really fantastic campsite! Definitely quite the long and slow drive up a narrow backcountry road - steep in sections but overall quite manageable. There are a few options up here but one really phenomenal site with wide ranging views. Be weary that it is a long drive to get here and no way to tell if there's sites available until you do the entire drive up. No water up here.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Lincoln City, Oregon, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is free camping available in Lincoln City, Oregon?
Yes, free camping is available near Lincoln City in surrounding forest areas. Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping offers numerous free sites accessible through forest roads past Jones Creek campground. These spots require 4WD/off-road capable vehicles in many cases. Another option is Mt Hebo Lake Dispersed Campsite, which provides free camping opportunities. While not directly in Lincoln City, these areas are within reasonable driving distance. Be prepared for primitive conditions with no facilities, bring everything you need including water, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Always check current forest conditions and restrictions before heading out.
What are the regulations for boondocking or wilderness camping near Lincoln City?
Boondocking regulations near Lincoln City typically include: stay limits of 14 days within a 30-day period; camping only in established dispersed sites; maintaining at least 200 feet distance from water sources; proper waste disposal (pack it in, pack it out); and no camping in day-use areas or designated no-camping zones. At Forest Road 51 near Beaver Creek, camping is permitted at several pull-offs along narrow forest roads. The Scenic Overlook Dispersed Camp near Foley Creek offers spectacular views but requires a long, slow drive up backcountry roads. Fire restrictions vary seasonally - always check current forest conditions and obtain any necessary permits before your trip.
Where can I find dispersed camping near Lincoln City, Oregon?
Several dispersed camping areas exist within driving distance of Lincoln City. South Lake offers multiple dispersed sites along the lake shore, though access requires navigating narrow, potholed roads (partly paved, partly dirt) from Hebo. The lake is small but provides a peaceful setting for tent camping and small vehicles. Siuslaw National Forest Dispersed Camping offers established boondocking spots about 10 miles in on Forest Road 55, accessed between Thor's Well and Devil's Churn off Highway 101. Note that some forest areas may have seasonal closures or restrictions due to logging operations, so checking with rangers before your trip is recommended.
Can I go stealth camping around Lincoln City, Oregon?
Stealth camping (camping undetected in unauthorized areas) is not recommended around Lincoln City as it's generally illegal on public beaches, in city parks, and on private property. Instead, use designated dispersed camping areas in nearby national forests. Forest Road 55 Pulloff offers secluded spots with minimal traffic along a maintained gravel road, perfect for low-profile camping. Hebo Road also provides less-visited areas for quiet camping. Remember that even when dispersed camping legally, you must follow local regulations including stay limits, proper waste disposal, and seasonal fire restrictions. For truly legal alternatives to stealth camping, contact the Siuslaw National Forest office for current information on dispersed camping zones.
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