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Best Dispersed Camping near Lostine, OR

31 Reviews

Multiple dispersed camping options exist near Lostine, Oregon along the edges of the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Echo Lake offers remote primitive camping about 8 miles up the Hurricane Creek Trail with significant elevation gain. A visitor noted, "This is a hike that one should work towards, with about 3,500 feet of elevation gain in about 5 hours." Ice Lake provides another backcountry option at approximately 8,000 feet elevation with a 9-mile hike in. Aneroid Lake features dispersed camping for backpackers on the north side of the lake, with the south side being private property.

For vehicle access, Starvation Springs NF 46 Site provides drive-in camping with access via a paved road followed by a short stretch of bumpy gravel forest service road. Sites include established rock fire rings and accommodate tents and RVs. North Thomason Meadows offers dispersed camping along NF-46 between Thomason Meadow Guard Station and Buckhorn Lookout. As one camper reported, "This section of NF-46 road is extremely quiet. Only the occasional ranch vehicle travels through." Be aware of seasonal fire restrictions throughout the area, particularly during summer months when complete fire bans are common.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Lostine, Oregon (19)

    1. Echo Lake Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Joseph, OR
    12 miles

    "The trek to Echo Lake is about 8 miles (one-way) from the start of the Hurricane Creek Trail. When you arrive at Echo Lake, beauty awaits you! This location is a remote and peaceful retreat."

    2. Starvation Springs NF 46 Site

    1 Review
    Lostine, OR
    13 miles

    "Be aware of burn bans and/or prescribed burns in the area. This is a great spot for me and my 20 foot RV, with fantastic starlink speeds. Mid 80’s during the day in late July. Love this spot!"

    3. Ice Lake

    2 Reviews
    Wallowa Whitman National Forest, OR
    19 miles
    Website

    "No amenities. Back-country hikers only. No cell service. Perfect getaway."

    "This backpacking trip is a very accessible hike."

    4. Wallowa Falls Campground

    1 Review
    Joseph, OR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 551-6949

    5. Aneroid Lake Backcountry Dispersed Campsite

    1 Review
    Joseph, OR
    22 miles

    "Aneroid Lake is one of my favorite locations in the Eagle Cap Wilderness."

    6. Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    La Grande, OR
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 962-8500

    "Many options for private pull-offs once you drive past established NF campgrounds—likely tough to do without high clearance and/or 4WD when wet. Only “traffic” was the occasional ATV/OHV."

    "Primitive dispersed campsites with rock fire rings right off the highway. Down side is it's a little too noisy for my taste."

    7. North Thomason Meadows

    1 Review
    Imnaha, OR
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 426-5546

    "One of the trailheads to the historic Nez Perce Nee -Me-Poo Trail is near this "Camp-1" dispersed spot.* *One of our maps calls the marked spot "FSR 46 Camp-1," but the dispersed camp sites are all along"

    8. Hells Canyon Overlook Near Saddle Creek - Dispersed Site

    2 Reviews
    Imnaha, OR
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 426-5546

    "Tons of changes in terrain but the drive is not for the faint of heart. Be ready to share space with free roaming mountain cattle."

    "This is a great overlook on Hell Canyon and awesome dispersed overland camp spot."

    9. North Elgin Dispersed Camp

    1 Review
    Elgin, OR
    31 miles

    10. McDougall Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Weston, OR
    40 miles

    "Either these are not the correct coordinates, or the trail has been overgrown. We’re car camping here for one night and it’s a lovely spot!"

    "Primitive location, nothing there, but maybe a fire ring and a spot to park your vehicle. Go about 2 miles on the dirt road and watch out for the dirt pot holes."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Lostine, OR

10 Photos of 19 Lostine Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Lostine, OR

31 Reviews of 19 Lostine Campgrounds

  • Paige P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Wolf Creek Reservoir

    Sweet Spot

    A handful of great places to camp for the night- very clean and well taken care of so please leave no trace. Just a spot and a table, no water, restrooms ect.

  • Arielle W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2020

    Echo Lake Dispersed Camping

    Gorgeous and remote. Be prepared to CLIMB!

    This is not an official campground. There is a lot of space for campers, though, and it is not heavily trafficked. The trek to Echo Lake is about 8 miles (one-way) from the start of the Hurricane Creek Trail. When you arrive at Echo Lake, beauty awaits you! This location is a remote and peaceful retreat. The lake is so clear and serene. The views of the mountainside are breathtaking. This is a great site for groups and there is enough space to spread out. The stars are vivid and you can see the movement of the stars and moon along the mountains.  The trek to the lake is SO WORTH IT! This is probably one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been to. It gave me the wilderness escape that I needed. It is a hidden gem! Whenever you visit, leave your stressors behind you and enjoy the preserved beauty. The lake is very cold, but I definitely enjoyed the shock after the hike in! 

    The hike into Echo Lake is an intense incline! We tracked about 3,500 feet of elevation gain in about 5 hours during our hike in. The way back only took us about 3.5 hours and is mostly downhill. I would not recommend this hike for a beginner hiker/backpacker. I carried 60 lbs on my back up and down this trek and it was A LOT for me as a relatively new backpacker (with endurance conditioning). It is a hike that one should work towards, for sure! This trek is would be great crosstraining for an endurance athlete (like me!). At times, the incline felt like a 10-15% grade, but I do not know this for sure. It is pretty steep and challenging if you are carrying a lot of weight. I recommend going as minimalist as possible to avoid extra weight, if possible. I brought my bull mastiff dog along with me and she had a blast! I would recommend conditioning your dog for a trek like this. It can be pretty gnarly and steep at times! My dog wouldn't have made it if she had not done treks like this before. There are creeks along the route to the lake and I would bring extra water to hydrate your dog in between water sources. As always, leave no trace and keep this spot pristine and clean :)

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2022

    Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping

    Boondocking

    Directions:  About 13 miles from Medical Springs on a gravel road (half hour or so). Take Big Creek Rd to Collins Lane.  That turns into USFS 67, then 72.  The gravel road is good, but access to the camping is pretty narrow and rougher.  Probably not a good place for a big nice camp trailer.  

    Camping is dispersed, mostly on the west side of the reservoir. The east side has a few spots but the road is really rough toward the dam. Fish are stocked. Boats with oars, paddles or electric motors are allowed. There are no improvements.  Check fire restrictions.  Campfires are prohibited almost every year for most of July, August and September.  Cattle graze here.  The water level gets pretty low by August.

  • h22 E.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 11, 2024

    North Elgin Dispersed Camp

    Nice quite place

    Great free place to camp 4x4 is advised and not really car accessible. Down side no water near by, not even a creek.

  • Marasha L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2024

    Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

    Easy Nature

    Many options for private pull-offs once you drive past established NF campgrounds—likely tough to do without high clearance and/or 4WD when wet. Only “traffic” was the occasional ATV/OHV. Tons of great hiking around.

  • Nick J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2024

    Aneroid Lake Backcountry Dispersed Campsite

    Great Backcountry High Alpine Lake

    Aneroid Lake is one of my favorite locations in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The dispersed camping for backpackers is on the North side of the lake, whereas the South side is private property (Camp Halton). The lake is stocked every few years with rainbow trout, and has a good supply of brook trout.

    The water is very cold but worth the dip if it's a hot summer day.

  • Michael W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

    Hasty overnight

    Easy and vacant find for a last minute change to our route. Primitive dispersed campsites with rock fire rings right off the highway. Down side is it's a little too noisy for my taste. Would have driven further down into the woods if I had more time to set up as we got here late. All in all its an easy find just off the highway.

  • lauren C.
    Jun. 20, 2021

    McDougall Dispersed Camping

    Cute place in the woods

    Either these are not the correct coordinates, or the trail has been overgrown. We’re car camping here for one night and it’s a lovely spot! Could not find the trail and just pulled off to camp on the side of the road. Dispersed & free & very wooded area!

  • Alyse L.
    Nov. 8, 2023

    North Thomason Meadows

    Wildflowers, raptors, beautiful views at the top of Imnaha Canyon

    I recommend this section of Wallowa-Whitman NF Rd 46 (4600) between Thomason Meadow Guard Station and Buckhorn Lookout because it is grazed less than surrounding areas, and thus has more plant diversity--i.e. great WILDFLOWER BLOOM in the spring. At 5000 feet, June to early July is a peak bloom time.

    This is the top of the Imnaha River breaks, and you can see fully down into the BEAUTIFUL canyonlands of the Imnaha and Snake. Birdwatching was good for us out here too, especially raptors. One of the trailheads to the historic Nez Perce Nee -Me-Poo Trail is near this "Camp-1" dispersed spot.*

    *One of our maps calls the marked spot "FSR 46 Camp-1," but the dispersed camp sites are all along NF Rd 46 from here north to Buckhorn.

    The drive up to this area is well-maintained gravel, and an SUV with decent tires can do it. (We did it with a truck hauling a toy-hauler trailer). Bring all the water and supplies and tools you need--this area is REMOTE.

    Take Crow Creek Rd off of Hwy 82 (btwn Enterprise and Joseph). All is paved until your intersection with Zumwalt Road, where you veer R to stay on Zumwalt (aka Zumwalt-Buckhorn Rd). It's gravel after that intersection.

    Follow signs to Zumwalt Prairie or Buckhorn Lookout.

    Crossing over Zumwalt Prairie is a GORGEOUS drive. The Nature Conservancy has their Zumwalt Prairie Preserve here, and it's a great side trip from the camp spot.

    This section of NF-46 road is extremely quiet. Only the occasional ranch vehicle travels through. In fall this is a popular camp area for hunters.

    I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because of zero water, zero data, the ecosystem/soil that has been abused in the past (not wilderness), the 50-minute drive to WiFi/ restaurant/ water refill/ black water dump. But if I was comparing primitive camping to primitive camping, this would be a 5 of 5.

    I would go back here (in late spring or early fall) in a heartbeat.

Guide to Lostine

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Lostine, Oregon, where nature enthusiasts can immerse themselves in stunning landscapes and serene environments. This area offers a variety of options for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Breathtaking Views Await for Dispersed Campers

  • The hike to Ice Lake is a fantastic nine-mile trek that rewards you with stunning views and a pristine alpine lake at the end.
  • For a more remote experience, Echo Lake Dispersed Camping features breathtaking mountain views and a serene atmosphere, perfect for those seeking solitude.
  • The scenic Aneroid Lake Backcountry Dispersed Campsite is nestled in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, offering a picturesque setting for fishing and swimming in its cold waters.

Challenging Hikes for Adventurous Spirits

  • The trek to Echo Lake involves a steep incline with significant elevation gain, making it ideal for experienced hikers looking for a challenge.
  • Hikers can also tackle the nine-mile journey to Ice Lake, which can be combined with a day hike to the Matterhorn for those wanting to push their limits.
  • The North Thomason Meadows area offers access to various trails, including the historic Nez Perce Nee-Me-Poo Trail, perfect for those who enjoy exploring rich history while hiking.

Unique Wildlife Encounters While Free Camping Near Lostine

  • The North Elgin Dispersed Camp is a great spot for wildlife enthusiasts, as the area is known for its diverse animal sightings, including deer and various bird species.
  • Birdwatchers will appreciate the raptor sightings at North Thomason Meadows, where the unique ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife.
  • At Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping, visitors can enjoy fishing and spotting local wildlife, making it a great spot for nature lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping along the Lostine River in Oregon?

The Lostine River area offers several dispersed camping options within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed provides numerous private pull-offs past established campgrounds, though high clearance vehicles are recommended, especially in wet conditions. For backpackers seeking more remote experiences, trails from the Lostine River lead to backcountry sites like Aneroid Lake Backcountry Dispersed Campsite, located on the north side of the lake within Eagle Cap Wilderness. Most dispersed sites along Forest Road 21 feature basic rock fire rings and are spaced far enough apart to provide privacy.

What amenities are available at dispersed campsites in the Lostine area?

Dispersed campsites in the Lostine area are primitive with minimal to no amenities. North of Spring Creek on Forest Road 21 offers typical dispersed sites with no facilities but provides secluded forest spots. Similarly, Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping features basic sites with no services. Most dispersed locations have simple fire rings, but no potable water, restrooms, trash service, or picnic tables. Cell service is typically limited or nonexistent. Campers should come fully prepared with water, waste disposal bags, and all necessary supplies for self-sufficient camping.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest near Lostine?

In the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest near Lostine, dispersed camping is generally allowed with a 14-day stay limit. Practice Leave No Trace principles, as emphasized at areas like Wolf Creek Reservoir where campers note the importance of keeping sites clean. In wilderness areas such as Ice Lake, fires are prohibited due to fragile alpine environments. Some areas have seasonal restrictions, particularly at higher elevations which are typically accessible from June through September. Always camp at least 100 feet from water sources, pack out all trash, and check with the Eagle Cap Ranger District for current fire restrictions before your trip.

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