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Best Dispersed Camping near Lowell, OR

48 Reviews

Dispersed camping around Lowell, Oregon clusters primarily along the Blue River Reservoir where roadside pull-outs offer free camping with river access. The area features crystal-clear water ideal for swimming and fishing, though several recent reviews indicate some sites may be closed due to fire damage. Access roads are generally passable for standard vehicles, with gravel roads leading to the most desirable spots. Most sites lack facilities, though a vault toilet and dumpster are available at the entrance road.

Hult Pond Recreation Area, located near Blachly, provides free dispersed camping with basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Several BLM areas provide additional options, with Kentucky Falls Road earning high ratings for seclusion. Forest Road 5875 and Doolittle Butte offer more remote experiences requiring moderate off-road driving. A review noted, "Beautiful views of stars on a clear night. Very remote. Climb an easy dirt road back a few miles. A few deep potholes but nothing too technical." Visitors should prepare for self-contained camping with no water sources, pack out all trash, and expect seasonal fire restrictions throughout the region.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Lowell, Oregon (19)

    1. Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping

    12 Reviews
    Blue River, OR
    30 miles

    "The coordinates take you to right by the reservoir with one or two spots but if you keep going down the road into the National Forest/Recreation area, (not in towards the reservoir— that road is rough,"

    "The marker on the map is where the information kiosk is. If you follow the road to the right of the reservoir there are some developed campsites/boat launches with a fee (and composting toilets)."

    2. shotgun Creek

    Be the first to review!
    Cottage Grove, OR
    10 miles

    3. Hult Pond

    20 Reviews
    Blachly, OR
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 683-6600

    "There are only a few flat spots for RVs but quite a few decent spots for tent camping next to the pond. The west side of the pond has at least 2 spots that are a good distance away from the others."

    "Nice pond to camp near, several campsites to choose from and trails to explore"

    4. Doolittle Butte

    2 Reviews
    Cottage Grove, OR
    26 miles

    "Very remote. Climb an easy dirt road back a few miles. A few deep potholes but nothing too technical."

    5. Saddle Camp

    1 Review
    Dorena, OR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 957-3200

    "It's best if you have four wheel drive or all wheel drive. Wouldn't recommend going in the winter months or rainy season. It is a very fun drive though taxing and it is slow going."

    6. Forest Road 5875

    1 Review
    Oakridge, OR
    30 miles

    "Got into Eugene super late and started the drive down to Crater lake. Wife and I decided the safe thing was to post up for the night and continue on in the morning."

    7. Mineral Camp Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Dorena, OR
    24 miles

    8. BLM Kentucky Falls Road

    5 Reviews
    Walton, OR
    45 miles

    "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."

    9. Quartzville Recreation Corridor

    6 Reviews
    Cascadia, OR
    46 miles
    Website

    "Such as August most times there are NO Camp Fires! Be prepare for fire danger, have axe, shovel and 5-gal of water, you will be the first to stop it and report it."

    "I love the dispersed camping. The sites are open, so good for solar, but do get windy. I have camped at the quarry a few times with my friends that have a camp trailer."

    10. Salt Creek Sno-Park

    1 Review
    Oakridge, OR
    40 miles

    "Snow was pushed back and the lot is a circle around the toilets. 1 other car there but no one was in it so they may have been camping in the forest."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Lowell, OR

46 Photos of 19 Lowell Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Lowell, OR

48 Reviews of 19 Lowell Campgrounds

  • Jordie G.
    May. 30, 2023

    Lemolo Forebay

    Beautiful but bring bug spray

    Pavement turns to dirt road to get to the sites. Each site has a fire ring and a table. The vault toilet has a trash can and was stocked with TP when we were there but we bring our own.

    The trails down to the river are loose dirt and steep but we drove to the other side of the river to lounge in the sun.

    Lots of skeeters! Bring your bug spray

  • Hannah M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2019

    Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping

    Free camping beside the reservoir

    Free dispersed roadside camping beside the reservoir. There’s some nice sites off blue river reservoir road and across the dam. Nice lake and a vault toilet with a dumpster in the day use section. Nice basic free spot!

  • L
    Dec. 31, 2018

    Quartzville Recreation Corridor

    Rugged boondocking

    Beautiful recitation area... Mostly roadside limited facilities and or services but beautiful area.. large mountain lake tucked into beautiful mountain valleys ...windy narrow road a couple state campgrounds and day use areas... limited places to turn around... But well worth the adventure!

  • j
    Apr. 29, 2021

    Hult Pond

    The wrong sort of nostalgia

    Our weekend at Hult Pond was unforgettable. I know because I have tried.

    Disbursed camp sights sprawl along this man made log pond and nightmarish horror movie set along a footpath seamingly designed to dump its evening travelers into the muck that is Hult Pond. Jagged old logs poke out of the stagnant water as a reminder that someone used to get paid to spend the day here.

     If this doesn’t sound like the most picturesque of settings I would direct you to the strange log loading equipment rusting just on the forbidden side of a gated barbed wire fence. Upon closer inspection you see what must be tetanus’s way of luring barefoot boys and girls into a summer of drooling lockjaw.

    The access road is a still functioning rock quarry road that hosts a never ending parade of old rattling dump trucks and loaders. Nothing says ,”getting away from the hustle and bustle”  quite like a convoy barrelling down a narrow road spilling basketball sized boulders before returning bouncing back up  empty and clearly attempting to meet a quota.

    The whole thing gave me an uneasy sense of nostalgia. Reminding me of the days we would gather by the dozens with red solo cups full of Hams. We would drink ourselves into a vomiting delirium in a parking lot off some old logging road. We would wake up with profanities drawn on our faces as punishment for succumbing to alcohol poisoning sooner than at least one of our classmates. 

    In fact I believe that’s exactly what the 58 kids in the campsite right next to ours we’re doing each night of our trip.

    The girls  learned all sorts of colorful language and I believed, based on the way my ten year old son  was drooling that the tetanus had succeeded. I was not relieved to discover on our final morning, him wreaking of cheap beer and cigarettes and moaning how horrible he felt while proffering his undying love to a high school girl named Tiffany. 

    Not recommended.

  • lauren C.
    Jun. 20, 2021

    Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping

    Magic River, Magic Forest

    The coordinates take you to right by the reservoir with one or two spots but if you keep going down the road into the National Forest/Recreation area, (not in towards the reservoir— that road is rough,) there are plenty of spots off the road to camp at. We found a spot to put our tent (right off the road) but still a safe distance away from it and was able to watch and hear this clear blue river while we fell asleep.

  • Connie H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Hult Pond

    Decent for an Overnight Stay

    We found a great spot here for an overnight stay. Such a nice view to wake up to! There is no water available here. There are bathrooms available, but we didn’t need to utilize them. No fires allowed. There are no trash cans or dumpsters… this is a pack in, pack out area, so be prepared to take your trash with you! There was quite a bit of trash around and even some needles (be careful) down in a spot we chose not to use… and I did walk around our area and pick up a bunch of trash left by others. We did hear some vehicles driving by throughout the night, and around 4:30 AM someone was walking out around our truck and camper shining a light, causing our dog to bark, which I’m assuming scared them off, because when we got up and went out, we didn’t see anyone.. not sure what that was all about, but I’m glad I wasn’t alone!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Hult Pond

    Secluded Pond Great for a Quick stay

    Great spot for a quick stay. There are only a few flat spots for RVs but quite a few decent spots for tent camping next to the pond. The west side of the pond has at least 2 spots that are a good distance away from the others. At the moment, no fires or barbecues allowed but propane stoves and lanterns are fine. Look for Bandits blue squeaky disk! We lost it and never found it.

  • Michelle H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 13, 2025

    Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping

    Dispersed camp sites in NF

    The marker on the map is where the information kiosk is. If you follow the road to the right of the reservoir there are some developed campsites/boat launches with a fee (and composting toilets). Keep driving. This area is freshly burned, but there are still very treed dispersed sites past the more developed ones. Pass the sign for Mona campground but before the bridge and signs that warn about falling rocks. On the left side there are five dispersed sites along the river. There is a small marker "180" at the entry to the turnoff. Beautiful and quiet. Minimal trash that we cleaned up, steep routes to the river. We were there early March, no snow.

  • Aaron The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Hult Pond

    Nice pond

    Nice pond to camp near, several campsites to choose from and trails to explore

Guide to Lowell

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Lowell, Oregon, where nature's tranquility awaits. With a variety of scenic spots, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Scenic Water Access for Dispersed Campers

  • The Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping area offers stunning views and crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
  • At Hult Pond, you can find secluded spots next to the pond, ideal for a peaceful retreat while enjoying the sounds of nature.
  • For those seeking a more rugged experience, Quartzville Recreation Corridor provides access to a beautiful river, making it a great spot for fishing and exploring the surrounding wilderness.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Lowell

  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails near Saddle Camp, where you can enjoy solitude and breathtaking views, especially if you have a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • The Rock Creek Dispersed Camping area is perfect for those looking to set up camp and enjoy activities like hiking and exploring the nearby creek.
  • If you're into fishing, Lemolo Forebay offers a serene environment with opportunities to catch fish while surrounded by stunning landscapes.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Medicine Creek Rock Shelter

  • The Medicine Creek Rock Shelter is a unique spot for those looking to experience a more secluded camping environment away from the crowds.
  • This area is ideal for campers who appreciate the raw beauty of nature, as it offers a chance to disconnect and immerse yourself in the wilderness.
  • With no permits required, Medicine Creek Rock Shelter allows for a spontaneous camping experience, making it a great choice for adventurous spirits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Lowell dispersed camping areas?

Hult Pond offers basic amenities including a bathroom, several flat spots suitable for tents, and a few areas that can accommodate RVs. There are trails to explore around the pond and peaceful surroundings, though no hookups are available. At Lemolo Forebay, each site comes equipped with a fire ring and table. There's also a vault toilet stocked with toilet paper and a trash can. Most dispersed areas in the region typically provide fire rings but lack water, electricity, and shower facilities, so come prepared to be self-sufficient.

Where can I find dispersed camping in Lowell, Oregon?

Several dispersed camping options exist near Lowell. Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping offers free sites along the reservoir, with additional spots if you continue down the road into the National Forest. For a different experience, check out Quartzville Recreation Corridor, which features beautiful mountain scenery and lake views, though the road can be narrow and winding. Both areas provide basic dispersed camping with various pull-offs from the main roads, allowing you to find secluded spots in nature.

Is a permit required for dispersed camping near Lowell?

Permits are generally not required for dispersed camping in the Lowell area, but regulations may vary by specific location and season. Many areas like Salt Creek Hideout and Forest Road 5875 follow standard National Forest dispersed camping rules: free camping with a typical 14-day stay limit. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as seasonal bans are common, especially in summer months. While most sites are free, some developed areas near dispersed zones might charge fees. Contact the local ranger district office before your trip to verify current regulations.

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