Dispersed camping near Manzanita, Oregon provides multiple opportunities for primitive stays within the dense coastal forests. The region's elevation ranges from sea level to over 3,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year. Most primitive sites are situated within the Tillamook and Siuslaw National Forests, where coastal fog frequently rolls through lower elevations while higher sites often remain clear.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several dispersed camping areas near Manzanita offer fishing access, particularly at South Lake where one camper noted, "The lake is stocked with trout which have been biting like crazy. Most times when you go up there you will see them jumping clean out of the water." Another camper confirmed, "We caught trout every day we were there. Most are small but was fun nonetheless."
Wildlife watching: The forests around primitive camping areas provide ample wildlife viewing. At Siuslaw National Forest Dispersed Camping, visitors encounter "lots of wildlife, deer, elk, coyote, and amazing old growth forests." South Lake campers report frequent wildlife activity, especially during early morning hours.
Stargazing: Many primitive sites offer excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. One camper at North Fork Trask mentioned the "heavily wooded area" requires finding clearings "so my Starlink would have a clear sight to the sky." Another camper at South Lake described experiencing "the night sky is vivid" from their campsite.
What campers like
Solitude and quiet: Many dispersed campsites provide isolation from crowds. At Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping, a camper shared, "I setup camp at one of the spots here 3 nights in a row & had no visitors the entire time! Very quiet & can hear some noise in the distance from time to time, but was pleasantly surprised by the peace & quiet I got up here."
Varied terrain options: The region offers primitive camping across different elevations and landscapes. At Cole Mt Ridge, campers enjoy "an almost 180 degree view around to the west" while Trask River Campsites offer riverside camping where "river rushing near the spots makes for a really nice sound to fall asleep to."
Proximity to beaches: Despite being in forests, many primitive sites provide relatively quick access to coastal attractions. A camper at Cole Mt Ridge mentioned it's "about 25 minutes from Cannon Beach." Another noted dispersed camping spots provide bases for beach exploration: "Perfect place to camp if you wanna hop in the car and go to the beach for a day as well."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many primitive camping areas require navigating unpaved roads with variable conditions. At Scenic Overlook Dispersed Camp near Foley Creek, visitors warn of "quite the long and slow drive up a narrow backcountry road - steep in sections but overall quite manageable." Similarly, South Lake access requires careful driving: "Get ready to dodge loads of potholes and deer as you travel up the gravel roads to get here."
Campsite availability: Finding open dispersed sites often depends on timing. One Scenic Overlook camper cautioned, "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." South Lake campers advise: "If you go earlier in the week, you'll most likes find a spot with no problem. If you wait till Friday evening during the summer, it'll probably be full."
Vehicle requirements: Some primitive camping areas have specific vehicle needs. For Dispersed Camping Near Cannon Beach, one visitor warned: "Not friendly to large vehicles or RVs, roads are very thin and no place to park." For Tillamook State Forest sites, a camper noted, "Road is fine and easy. AWD is nice but isn't necessary if the road is fairly dry."
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with water features: Children often enjoy camping near lakes or streams. At South Lake, families appreciate that "The small lake has decent fishing and great for kayaking." Another family noted, "There is an old boat without a motor tied up for anyone to use."
Consider noise levels: Some primitive sites experience recreational vehicle noise. A Tillamook State Forest camper warned families should know "OHV vehicles are incredibly loud and ran throughout the weekend" while South Lake visitors have encountered groups who "felt the need to blast music until 6 o'clock in the morning so nobody in the camp area got any sleep."
Plan for amenities: Most primitive sites lack facilities, but a few offer basic amenities helpful for families. At North Fork Trask, one camper noted "I saw a total of 3 designated dispersed camping sites along this road. But there were a ton of pull offs along the river." South Lake offers "a vault toilet, no running water," which can be important for family trips.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Large RVs face significant challenges at most primitive sites near Manzanita. Dispersed Camping Near Cannon Beach received this warning: "Not friendly to large vehicles or RVs, roads are very thin and no place to park."
Limited turnaround spaces: RVers must consider their ability to maneuver. South Lake visitors caution, "Could pull in a 16' trailer but until the camp site there is no other turn around spot so beware."
Consider seasonal timing: RV access varies by season due to road conditions. Cole Mt Ridge campers note: "Road is gravel, pretty well maintained. There's a lot of pull off roads, not sure if you can go down all of them... Could possibly pull trailers or rvs on most of it."
