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Best Dispersed Camping near Medford, OR

49 Reviews

Several dispersed camping areas surround Medford, Oregon on BLM and Forest Service lands. Hyatt Reservoir BLM Dispersed offers free sites with fire rings near water, though visitors note "the lake level is very low" and "there is goose poop everywhere." This area allows pets and campfires but provides no facilities, with limited Verizon service and none for AT&T or T-Mobile.

Burma Pond BLM provides free camping about 20 minutes from I-5 near Wolf Creek. The access road has "random deep potholes" and steep sections that challenging for larger vehicles. The small pond area features a vault toilet and trash collection, with sites positioned very close together. One camper mentioned, "The spots are VERY close together, 10 to 20 feet apart. All of the spots are right on the edge of the water." USFS Rogue River Dispersed camping requires navigating "potholed and washboarded" forest roads. Most sites are found after crossing the bridge beyond River Bridge Campground, offering primitive camping with stone fire pits near the river. Cell reception is nonexistent in this area.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Medford, Oregon (27)

    1. Suncrest Southbound Rest Area I-5

    Be the first to review!
    Talent, OR
    7 miles

    2. Elderberry Flats Campground

    4 Reviews
    Trail, OR
    26 miles
    +1 (541) 618-2200

    "FIRSTLY, do NOT take Sykes Creek Road or May Creek Road to access this campground. Google Maps will try to take you on the shortest (mileage) route."

    "Free camping with a pit toilet winner winner chicken dinner! A bit of a drive out but a very nice campsite. The actual campground has 11 sites with picnic tables and fire pits."

    3. Hyatt Reservoir BLM Dispersed

    1 Review
    Ashland, OR
    22 miles
    +1 (541) 618-2200

    "Not far from Ashland and right past the Hyatt Lake Resort are some dispersed spots on BLM land near the lake."

    4. Burma Pond BLM

    10 Reviews
    Wolf Creek, OR
    33 miles
    +1 (541) 471-6500

    "This was quite a way in on a fairly smooth but steep dirt road. Along the road were random deep pot holes so be aware they sneak up on you when the road is shadowed."

    "I navigated using Google Maps due to other reviews saying Apple made it confusing. This led us right to the pond/camp sites."

    5. Great Meadow Sno-Park

    3 Reviews
    Chiloquin, OR
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 885-3400

    "There’s nothing here except the highway but you can drive down the bike trail and stay there as well, just so your further away from the lot and the road."

    6. Thousand Springs Sno-Park

    12 Reviews
    Crater Lake, OR
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 842-3292

    "We drove to Mazama campground only to be told and they had just filled their last spot but that there was free overnight parking 18 minutes in each direction either by thousand springs snopark or Annie"

    "There are bathrooms and a warming shelter that has a wood stove. The park is close to Crater Lake National Park anout 10ish miles down hwy 62. Nice pretty spot that is easy to get to."

    7. BLM - Free Dirt Camp on Buck Divide Rd

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    Ashland, OR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 618-2200

    8. USFS Rogue River Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Prospect, OR
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 247-3600

    "We camped near the road but nobody came through the whole night we stayed. An owl swooped right through our camp site and scared the crap out of us. Easy route in and out."

    "The campsite I chose is on a portion of the road beyond what Google Maps has, so it's really off-grid. 😜You could fit two vehicles."

    9. Prospect OHV Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Prospect, OR
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 560-3400

    "During our off season stay it was fun and with all the ATV trails it was our favorite place to camp."

    "When we visited Crater Lake in April, we knew we'd have to find alternative camping because the park campgrounds would be covered in several feet of snow."

    10. Lower Lodgepole Dispersed

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    Butte Falls, OR
    27 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Medford, OR

30 Photos of 27 Medford Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Medford, OR

49 Reviews of 27 Medford Campgrounds

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2021

    Burma Pond BLM

    Remote and Quiet

    This was quite a way in on a fairly smooth but steep dirt road. Along the road were random deep pot holes so be aware they sneak up on you when the road is shadowed. The last .3 miles was steep and though we made it in 26ft rig I would not attempt it again. I could see major problem if rain was expected. 

    The pond was peaceful and so beautiful with a couple of level options to set up. The area as a whole is very small though, so if someone else is already there when you arrive it’s going to feel very cozy and/or awkward. 

    There was a handicap accessible bathroom with pit toilets that someone shot up the lock (boooo) so at the moment is open despite the "closed for covid" sign. There was a pile of garbage near the garbage cans. Bullet casings littered the ground as well.

     The fish were jumping and the water clear. Overall nice, just wish people would respect public lands more and not trash these areas so much. The road is narrow with very few turn arounds. The way down I was in 1-2 gear riding the break on some of the hills. Good place to let the dogs run and swim. If we had a smaller rig we would come here again. Very weak / unusable Verizon service, no service with TMobile or ATT.

  • Cass G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2024

    Burma Pond BLM

    Off the grid just enough

    We needed a place to set up for a quick sleep on our way down to Yosemite from Washington. I navigated using Google Maps due to other reviews saying Apple made it confusing. This led us right to the pond/camp sites. The road is a little rough with potholes but it’s not terrible if you just drive slow over the holes. There is a few split offs/2-way roads along this dirt road, the last one being a tree with a smiley face and an arrow leading you where to go. Didn’t get lost at all and it was already dark when we got there. No one was there, it was peaceful, clean and quiet. There is a pit toilet/bathroom with toilet paper. No trash cans so you’ll have to pack out your trash. I recommend this spot for anyone willing to drive 10-15 minutes off the freeway for some dispersed camping.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2021

    Rocky Riffle

    Hot, Dusty and Nice (and Free!)

    This BLM area is a quick turn off the main road.  Take a right or left to start the loop and you’ll find various spots for dispersed camping. The road is mostly ok with some areas of high rocks but we made it in our 26ft Class C with only one ding on the steps. Larger vehicles might have problems along the lower half of the loop, but the upper half was doable.  There are some spots close to the river and others up above it more with nice views as well as shade.

    There are a few “long term residents" here.  One was right on the water with a big mirror and a homemade sign warning of “thieves among us." The sheriff and ranger came by the next day and left citation on his camp. Nothing scary nor anything that made us feel unsafe at all. 

    This is a dry camp with no amenities. Tent/car campers welcome but must have port-a-potties. You must pack out your waste and trash. We found several trash piles which we cleaned up. There are NO fires allowed at this time. Also be aware that there is a lot of poison oak around. 

    Also there were unleashed dogs, one in particular that wandered into our camp site every morning. A lot of rafters and kayakers, especially on weekends, but they stay mostly on the water but can become quite loud at times. River access in this area is available in a only few spots that you have to walk to. There is no real shoreline to hang out in unless someone is not camped right in those areas. 

    Zero cell reception from ATT, verizon and TMobile in this whole area.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2021

    Hyatt Reservoir BLM Dispersed

    Loud and Poopy

    Not far from Ashland and right past the Hyatt Lake Resort are some dispersed spots on BLM land near the lake. The lake level is very low so at this time you could drive quite close to it but it gets really muddy so watch out because it looks grassy and deceivingly dry. 

    There is road noise but quiets down at night. 

    Also there is a large flock of geese that honk all day and night and there is goose poop everywhere! 

    The site we stayed at had a stone fire pit and not very level but we made it work. It is a good spot for a night or 2 and we would stay here again if passing through. There are no amenities so bring water and pack in and out all trash. The resort nearby has a restaurant and small store. No service from ATT and TMobile but Verizon had 1-2 bars of LTE roaming.

  • Amanda K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Thousand Springs Sno-Park

    Great reliable lot

    We drove to Mazama campground only to be told and they had just filled their last spot but that there was free overnight parking 18 minutes in each direction either by thousand springs snopark or Annie’s. We chose thousand springs. It is the perfect spot for free overnight parking as it is a large and reliable lot that I assume is rarely filled. It is only 30 minutes from watchman peak trailhead which is where we were headed. There were only a couple other vans when we stayed a weekday in July. There is a pit toilet as well. Note that free overnight parking without a sno-park parking permit is only permitted between May 1 and November 14. Next to the road so there is a bit of noise, but there are not too many cars that drive by at night. Be aware that there is a lot of wildlife in the area. There is no cell service.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2022

    Argo Bar

    Good and Free

    I'll add another review since we did go back there this summer and stay there for a night. But I'd check on the effects of the Rum Fire if you're planning to go to this area. Not sure what the river area looks like now. :(

    We couldn't really find a flat place to park, and so ended up parking just along the bathroom, which was rhe flattest spot here. It was a nice and peaceful stay, quiet, watching boaters and rafting companies coming and going all day. Nobody else was there at night.

    The area is beautiful but there's not much to do unless you have a boat or a car. No nearby hikes within walking distance.

    Still zero cell service. 14 day stay limit. Garbage bins and recycling and bathrooms on site. Free!

  • Brittney G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2018

    Thousand Springs Sno-Park

    Spacious quiet spot

    This snowpark has a big parking area with plenty of room for trailers/vehicles. There are bathrooms and a warming shelter that has a wood stove. The park is close to Crater Lake National Park anout 10ish miles down hwy 62. Nice pretty spot that is easy to get to. No hookups and no water available do be sure to bring it.

  • Patricia N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2024

    Prospect OHV Dispersed Camping

    Perfect place for OHV riding

    We absolutely loved camping here. During our off season stay it was fun and with all the ATV trails it was our favorite place to camp.

    Our neighbor campers decided they could ride the trails without helmets and found out the hard way that is is a no no. They were brought back to the camp without their bikes and in the back of a National Forest Service Enforcement vehicle. After being spoken to about the importance of following the rules of the trails, they were left at camp and had to find their own way back to their motorcycles.

    Fortunately we did not have the same experience. It can get very dusty so just be prepared for that. The trails are absolutely great and access to the Rogue River is just icing on the cake.

    It was so nice to have areas provided for unloading bikes and ATV's so folks could safely load and unload their toys.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2021

    USFS Rogue River Dispersed

    Beautiful But Be Aware

    Take the River Bridge turn off from Highway 62 and follow the road which turns to gravel, potholed and some washboarded road. Stay on the main road until you pass the actual campground and go over the bridge. 

    We did drive through the River Bridge campground which was $15/night but opted for the free version across the river. There are multiple spots to camp for free just past the River Bridge Campground across the one lane bridge. You can take a right or left after the bridge to find a spot. We took a right and found multiple sites to pull into right off the main forest service road. Accessibility is dependent on your rig but we found several spots easily accessed by our 26ft class c.  The road itself is gravel with pot holes but otherwise doable in most rigs. There appears to be some long term somewhat sketchy residents here so be aware. We stayed twice in 2 different spots but did not feel unsafe at all. The sites are fairly level with mix of sun and shade and stone fire pits and a short walk to the river. Its a nice place to let the dogs run free but there can be quite a lot of cars driving up and down the 62 road and and an occasional dirt bike. Very quiet at night and lots of roads to hike on or if you’re into fishing the Rogue River is very close.

     No amenities, pack in and pack out, no bathrooms; and for the love of god please bury your TP waste! 

    There is zero cell reception from ATT, T-Mobile or Verizon in this entire area.

Guide to Medford

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Medford, Oregon, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you'll enjoy the freedom of camping in the great outdoors.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Medford

  • Enjoy fishing and swimming at Elderberry Flats Campground, where small swimming holes and crayfish await you along Evans Creek.
  • Experience the tranquility of the Burma Pond BLM, perfect for birdwatching, especially at dusk when bats fill the sky.
  • For off-road enthusiasts, Elderberry Flats Campground offers access to unpaved paths suitable for OHVs, making it a great spot for adventure.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Medford, Oregon

  • Bring your own water and pack out all trash when visiting Hyatt Reservoir BLM Dispersed, as there are no amenities available.
  • Be prepared for road noise and wildlife encounters at Hyatt Reservoir BLM Dispersed, where geese can be quite vocal and their droppings are abundant.
  • If you're looking for a peaceful retreat, consider Burma Pond BLM, which is a bit off the beaten path and offers a quiet atmosphere for relaxation.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Lower Lodgepole

  • At Lower Lodgepole Dispersed, you'll find a rugged environment perfect for those seeking solitude and natural beauty.
  • This area is pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your furry companions along for the adventure at Lower Lodgepole Dispersed.
  • Keep in mind that there are no facilities, so be sure to come prepared with everything you need for a comfortable stay at Lower Lodgepole Dispersed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Medford, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Medford, OR is Suncrest Southbound Rest Area I-5 with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Medford, OR?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 dispersed camping locations near Medford, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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