Top Free Dispersed Camping near Meacham, OR

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Meacham

13 Reviews of 7 Meacham Campgrounds

• m

  mel B.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 11, 2024

  Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

  Well maintained roads

  Sites are far apart but some lack privacy. I saw Lots of elk and turkeys(?) and a rattlesnake. Outside of the lack of privacy there are some people who it appears that they live there(I a have no issues with that) my issue is the drive up and down the road multiple multiple time a day at high rates of speed leaving dust flying. When I was out walking I walked past one of their campsites on accident I didn’t get close and they started firing a gun in the air. I slept in my car that night and left the next morning. Also trash is an issue as well as people using the bathroom right on the ground and leaving used baby wipes everywhere. So watch out for human waste if you use a tent.

• M

  Marasha

  Guide

  

  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.

• 

  h22 E.

  Scout

  

  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.

• 

  Jodie E.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 2, 2024

  Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

  Great spot for overnight.

  We just needed a quick tent soot on a monday night on the way to moab. better than expected. bit muddy. some shells. but lots of space. drove in to about 45.35967, -118.30846

• 

  Hayley M.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 9, 2024

  Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

  Good Quick Overnight Spot in the Off Season

  Stayed one night on my way to Seattle. I drove up the road some and found it pretty passable in my van, although most of the sites were too muddy and I was worried about getting stuck. Camped in the first spots behind the Spring Creek Info sign and had good phone service (verizon) and a uneventful night. But area had a ton of broken glass, nails and shotgun shells and a decent amount of litter. Don't know how rowdy it gets in the warmer months but it might be wise to skip this place or camp further up the road at the campground then, especially if you're a solo female.

• Q

  Quincy B.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 26, 2023

  Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

  So much camping

  There are 100s of spots to camp

• 

  Michael W.

  Guide

  

  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.

• M

  Matthew S.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 10, 2022

  McDougall Dispersed Camping

  Over grown and no place to park without working about a grass fire

  Drove to the location based on GPS. It was over grown and not well cleared. I decide to go to the NP campground. Glad I did.

• J

  Jodi

  Guide

  

  Jun. 30, 2021

  McDougall Dispersed Camping

  Many nice places to camp, lots of trash

  I was disappointed when I was checking out this area for camping (June 27th) I didn't get any pictures, but there was trash everywhere. Every time we found a good spot, full of poopy toilet paper, litter, beer cans, cigarette butts ect. It was overall disappointing and we decided to go elsewhere instead 😔

• 

  Chris

  Guide

  

  Jun. 21, 2021

  McDougall Dispersed Camping

  McDougall camping

  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. At my site, you could fit 2 vehicles comfortably, but 3 is a little crowded. Flying insects during the day. There are many so take appropriate action. Mostly flies and a couple different types of bees. By sunset, the insects went to sleep.

• 

  lauren C.

  Guide

  

  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!

• 

  Arielle W.

  Guide

  

  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 :)

• 

  Brandon K.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 13, 2020

  McDougall Dispersed Camping

  McDougall Mushroom Wonderland

  McDougall is a small mountain community located in the blue mountains above Weston, Oregon. There is a small neighborhood consisting of permanent RVs, cabins and shanties. There are a number of mountain man type locals that call this area home.

  Just past the village you get into the woodland where the Morels are plentiful. This is an ideal location to go mushrooming. The camping is unrestricted, just be respectful and careful. This is not RV camping, but tent and bag only.

  Tall pines and firs shade the eastern Oregon forest floor provided a nice region to explore, continuing up the forest road you’ll reach a large meadow the rolls for miles downhill into the valley. The views here are breathtaking - this is an amazing location to bring your family.

  You’ll see many types of wildlife here are hundreds of varieties of meadow wildflowers.

  Spend a few days in the blues and shake off those blues.