Lyons, OR is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Lyons, OR. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
"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."
"This gorgeous trail and dispersed camp is so unrecognizable from the 2021 fires that there is no turn off. May we remember it’s memories!"
"Dispersal camping all year."
"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)."
"Lots of open camping spots that you can drive into without even leaving asphalt. Short distance from Timothy lake. There are established fire rings and some debris from other campers."
"Great spot on the lake with space for 2 smallish tents. Quiet, low mosquitos (early June) and a fire pit. What more could you ask for?"
"We were looking for a dispersed camping site on Forest Service land outside of cell range so we used The Dyrt PRO maps to help us find this spot."
"Nice little spot just off the road, there appears to be a very narrow double track road that goes a little deeper in, but driving back there would have come at the cost of the landscape and the paint on"
"Once you turn off NF-1270 the road is real tight. Hopefully, you don't mind pin stripes."
"No shade, so not a great high heat spot. Very quiet. Cons: bees and dusty dirt."
LegendWe were looking for a dispersed camping site on Forest Service land outside of cell range so we used The Dyrt PRO maps to help us find this spot. It is just off of paved roads on a smooth gravel road that our RV easily handled - it is a pull off from Whiskey Jack road and has room for 1 RV or several tents on flat land with some soft ground cover from grass and pine needles. There are no services so this is dry camping and you’ll need to be self sufficient. There is a fire pit circle but with recent fires we wouldn’t use it and it may be prohibited. I am sure this road could be snowed in in winter months but was dry and clear in June. We picked the spot with fewer trees as we were testing out a Starlink satellite dish on our RV to see if we could get internet access deep in the woods. Lots of ponderosa pines, manzanita bushes, and chirping birds in warm weather days and cool nights. There is some traffic passing the site during the day but there is a road that a 4 wheel drive could travel if you wanted to get away from the road for some extra privacy and quiet. Overall a classic Oregon Cascades mountain meadow location that is only 10-15 minutes off highway 20 and makes you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere to rest and rejuvenate!
LegendI was running in an ultramarathon race in September in the Mt Hood National Forest and all of the local campgrounds managed by PGE around Timothy Lake were closed due to the end of the season. I was able to use map layers in The Dyrt PRO to identify where I was within National Forest boundaries and was able to confirm with local officials that I was in a free, dispersed camping zone. So, using the map layers and the search function on The Dyrt I looked for an area near the race start at the Historic Clackamas Ranger Station to park my RV for a 2 night off-grid stay. The location was a wide gravel area on the side of the road that allowed for enough space to park, put out my awning, set up some chairs and a propane fire pit (no live campfires - propane only) while being within a few hundred yards of the Ranger Station. There was room to walk along the road on the shoulder and you are very close walk to the Historic Clackamas Ranger Cabin with a beautiful meadow view, the Joe Graham Horse Camp, and just a couple of mile drive from Timothy Lake. Clackamas Lake Campground was nearby as well with many accessible miles of hikable trails, including access to the Pacific Crest Trail, for hikers of all levels. There was some smoke from local wildfires but that went away as the fall rains arrived that weekend. If you are looking for a place to park your RV near all of these amazing views and experiences this free, dispersed camping site worked great for me and my family for a couple of nights.
GuideFree 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!
TravelerBeautiful 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!
GuideThe 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.
TravelerThe 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.
RangerBring it in Pack it out, be kind to others and take your trash. Nobody should pick up after messy campers who can camp FREE. Only thing you get is a Fire Ring and that shows where you can camp. But always follow the guide for the area about campfires. 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. No phone cell service about mile marker 12 can get a little signal. If you like to ruff it this is perfect area. Lots of forest roads to explore, and great hunting area too. A little bit of luck head to the stream and find some gold. BLM.gov Quartzville Recreation Corridor for more literature. Location is along the Quartzille Rd, pass mile marker 17.2 , for the next 12 miles feel free to camp along the stream.
GuideSites were secluded and quiet. I found a site nearby the creek so that I could hear the stream all night. It was so peaceful! There are a couple forks in the road but I kept right through the first two until I made it to a gravel road with pull-outs. Nice areas for tent or car camping. Only one other group out there
ScoutThis gorgeous trail and dispersed camp is so unrecognizable from the 2021 fires that there is no turn off. May we remember it’s memories!
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Lyons, 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
What amenities are available at Lyons Reservoir dispersed camping areas?
Dispersed camping areas around Lyons Reservoir are typically primitive with minimal amenities. At Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping, you'll find basic facilities like fire rings marking designated camping spots. The nearby developed areas have composting toilets and a dumpster in the day-use section. Similarly, at Quartzville Recreation Corridor, amenities are limited to fire rings. Remember that dispersed camping follows a 'pack it in, pack it out' principle, so bring your own water, toilet supplies, and trash bags.
Where are the Whiskey Jack dispersed campsites near Lyons?
Whiskey Jack Dispersed Campsite is located just off paved roads on a smooth gravel road. It's a pull-off from Whiskey Jack Road with enough space for one RV or several tents. The site is situated on Forest Service land outside of cell range, making it ideal for those seeking a more remote experience while still being accessible. The gravel road is well-maintained and easily navigable for RVs.
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Lyons, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Lyons, OR is Quartzville Recreation Corridor with a 3.2-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Lyons, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Lyons, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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