Best Dispersed Camping near Molalla, OR

Looking for the best Molalla dispersed camping? Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Molalla, OR (24)

    Camper-submitted photo from Alder Flat
    Camper-submitted photo from Alder Flat
    Camper-submitted photo from Alder Flat
    Camper-submitted photo from Alder Flat
    Camper-submitted photo from Alder Flat
    Camper-submitted photo from Alder Flat

    1. Alder Flat

    4 Reviews
    15 Photos
    118 Saves
    Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon

    Parking area for 4-5 vehicles overflow on the Highway 224. Alder Flat Trail #574. Link to Trail Description and Map

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Dispersed
    • Alcohol
    Camper-submitted photo from Mirror Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Mirror Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Mirror Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Mirror Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Mirror Lake
    Camper-submitted photo from Mirror Lake

    2. Mirror Lake

    7 Reviews
    46 Photos
    247 Saves
    Government Camp, Oregon

    Mirror Lake offers a few sites for overnight camping. The hike to the lake is one of the most popular hikes on Mt Hood. While the vast majority of hikers only visit during the day, a few primitive sites are located just above the lake.

    When I refer to primitive sites, that is what they are. There are no facilities here. No picnic tables, and no toilets. A few fire pits have been fashioned out of rock and you may also find a makeshift bench. But for some this is an ideal camping experience. By day Mirror lake can get crowded. It is surrounded on three sides by mountains and it can get loud here. But at night it is as peaceful as you could ever want. Views of Mt Hood and Tom Dick and Harry Mountain are all outstanding.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Picnic Table
    • Toilets
    Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
    Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
    Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
    Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
    Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
    Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park

    3. White River West Sno-Park

    8 Reviews
    30 Photos
    220 Saves
    Government Camp, Oregon

    Sno Park permit required November 1 - April 30

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • Dispersed
    • Trash
    Camper-submitted photo from Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping

    4. Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    14 Photos
    420 Saves
    Government Camp, Oregon

    Dispersed camping, or camping outside of designated campgrounds, can be a great way to experience the forest- as long as everyone follows some rules and guidelines to protect forest wildlife, plants, water quality, and the health of others.

    Dispersed camping is not for everyone- and that's fine as the Mt. Hood National Forest has over 70 designated campgrounds. Camping outside of campgrounds means no toilets, no drinking water, no metal fire rings, and no trash service. You are responsible for leaving the site cleaner than you found it and learning the skills of Leave No Trace camping before you head out.

    Basic Rules & Guidance Some areas are closed to dispersed camping, such as within developed recreation sites, along certain roads, and particularly sensitive areas. Contact your local Ranger District for more information. You may camp on the forest for only 14 consecutive days. Please choose an existing site rather than create a new campsite. Camp at least 100 ft. away from streams, rivers, and lakes. If you didn't bring firewood and intend to build a campfire only collect already down wood. If your campfire is too hot to touch with bare hands- it's too hot for you to leave! Bring plenty of water and a shovel to help you put out your fire. Check in advance if there are any fire restrictions in effect. Treat or filter any stream water you collect for drinking, or bring water from home. Your group must be under 75 people. If it larger you must obtain a (usually free) permit in advance from the local Ranger District. When Nature Calls Be prepared for your own sanitation! To dispose of feces, dig a hole 6” deep at least 100 feet away from any water source. When you're done, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and take your toilet paper with you to dispose of in a proper waste container. Never defecate or leave toilet paper on top of the ground. Animals might eat it, it could easily get into the local water source and contaminate it, and plus it's just gross. Leave No Trace Pack out everything you brought with you! Dispose of your garbage properly off the forest. Leave No Trace is a framework minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors. They apply to virtually every recreational activity and help increase your safety and enjoyment of the forest. Learn more about the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. The Mt. Hood National Forest belongs to all Americans- including those who will come long after us. Do your part to keep the forest clean every time you visit.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from McNeil Point Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from McNeil Point Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from McNeil Point Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from McNeil Point Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from McNeil Point Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from McNeil Point Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping

    7. NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    12 Photos
    166 Saves
    Government Camp, Oregon

    Dispersed camping, or camping outside of designated campgrounds, can be a great way to experience the forest- as long as everyone follows some rules and guidelines to protect forest wildlife, plants, water quality, and the health of others.

    Dispersed camping is not for everyone- and that's fine as the Mt. Hood National Forest has over 70 designated campgrounds. Camping outside of campgrounds means no toilets, no drinking water, no metal fire rings, and no trash service. You are responsible for leaving the site cleaner than you found it and learning the skills of Leave No Trace camping before you head out.

    Basic Rules & Guidance Some areas are closed to dispersed camping, such as within developed recreation sites, along certain roads, and particularly sensitive areas. Contact your local Ranger District for more information. You may camp on the forest for only 14 consecutive days. Please choose an existing site rather than create a new campsite. Camp at least 100 ft. away from streams, rivers, and lakes. If you didn't bring firewood and intend to build a campfire only collect already down wood. If your campfire is too hot to touch with bare hands- it's too hot for you to leave! Bring plenty of water and a shovel to help you put out your fire. Check in advance if there are any fire restrictions in effect. Treat or filter any stream water you collect for drinking, or bring water from home. Your group must be under 75 people. If it larger you must obtain a (usually free) permit in advance from the local Ranger District. When Nature Calls Be prepared for your own sanitation! To dispose of feces, dig a hole 6” deep at least 100 feet away from any water source. When you're done, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and take your toilet paper with you to dispose of in a proper waste container. Never defecate or leave toilet paper on top of the ground. Animals might eat it, it could easily get into the local water source and contaminate it, and plus it's just gross. Leave No Trace Pack out everything you brought with you! Dispose of your garbage properly off the forest. Leave No Trace is a framework minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors. They apply to virtually every recreational activity and help increase your safety and enjoyment of the forest. Learn more about the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. The Mt. Hood National Forest belongs to all Americans- including those who will come long after us. Do your part to keep the forest clean every time you visit.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Dispersed
    • No image available
      Camper-submitted photo from Bonney Meadows
      Camper-submitted photo from Bonney Meadows
      Camper-submitted photo from Bonney Meadows
      Camper-submitted photo from Bonney Meadows
      Camper-submitted photo from Bonney Meadows
      Camper-submitted photo from Bonney Meadows

      9. Bonney Meadows

      6 Reviews
      9 Photos
      309 Saves
      Government Camp, Oregon

      A small, quiet campground with corrals, Bonney Meadows is adjacent to beautiful meadows lined with single track used by hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Campers can wake up and go for a stroll along Bonney Meadows Trail #471. Located on a high ridge near a lush meadow.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • Picnic Table
      • Toilets
      • Alcohol

      $10 / night

      Camper-submitted photo from Britenbush River Dispersed
    Showing results 1-10 of 24 campgrounds

    Recent Dispersed Reviews in Molalla

    45 Reviews of 24 Molalla Campgrounds


    • Kenny L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping
      Oct. 23, 2024

      NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping

      Great Spot!

      Such an awesome find! The first campsite is small and perfect for a couple tents. The second site could easily fit 3 or 4 tents and has plenty of additional space for parking, kitchen set-up, etc… both sites also have really nice fire pits. Also don’t let the Trillium Lake camp hosts scare you. They told us the gravel road to access the sites was “rough as hell” and were completely wrong. Nothing more than a few potholes. Any vehicle could make the trek.

    • G
      Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
      Oct. 9, 2024

      White River West Sno-Park

      Good camp site, but hard to level

      This is a large, paved parking lot with a stream nearby.  Has a good view of Mt. Hood and vault toilets, so that's a positive.  The downside is that it's not level.  Trailers shouldn't have a problem, but even with several blocks under our tires, our 39ft Class A was still  un-level.

    • Steve G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Teacup Lake Sno Park
      Sep. 29, 2024

      Teacup Lake Sno Park

      Paved Pull off

      Maybe if you’re in a pinch this place would work for the night but definitely not somewhere I’d stay longer than that.

    • Todd J.
      Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Site - End of NF 4800-532
      Aug. 6, 2024

      Dispersed Site - End of NF 4800-532

      Sweet spot not far from White River East

      This spot is pretty nice, feels very secluded despite White River being close enough to use the restroom if you want. Access to a stream down the hill if you need to filter water, and it sounds very pleasant at night. Lovely trees, plenty of room for a couple of small tents among the trees, plus a ton more out on the gravel. Established fire pit, for the 2-3 days a year that's legal to use. 

      We got in at 5pm on a Friday in summer; I think four more cars came down to see if the spot was free before 9pm.

    • tom P.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake dispersed camping
      Jul. 24, 2024

      Clear Lake dispersed camping

      Pretty good

      There's lots of other pull outs on the drive into this spot which are nicer. The road is in bad shape so v slow and not really suitable for cars. Quiet and private. Some trash around

    • Kennedy F.
      Camper-submitted photo from McNeil Point Dispersed Camping
      Jul. 15, 2024

      McNeil Point Dispersed Camping

      Can’t beat the views at McNeil point

      Ended up backpacking up here on a whim right before I headed back to Utah. I started at the Top Spur trailhead and hiked the clockwise route up to McNeil (a little longer but saved be the scramble through rocks). On my way I ended up going to Muddy Fork which added about 4 miles to my overall trek up. I ended up camping at the point rather than further down, which was a challenge to carry my pack up, but so worth it in my opinion. It’s dispersed camping so solitude is easily reachable considering not too many people stay the night. This was easily one of the top 5 most amazing sunsets I’ve ever seen. The mountain range is unbeatable and waking up to Mt. Hood as your veiw is incredible. It’s a challenge with the best reward.

    • JThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake dispersed camping
      Jul. 1, 2024

      Clear Lake dispersed camping

      Beautiful area ruined by humans.

      I stopped for the night while traveling and found a huge dispersed camping area right off the road. Unfortunately, some disgusting, disrespectful, immature family left a ton of garbage and feces all over the site. There were three sites with piles of feces and toilet paper right on the camp site. Not 100 feet away, not buried. It was disgusting. This makes me lose faith in humans.

    • Susannah H.
      Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
      Jun. 8, 2024

      White River West Sno-Park

      Great view and pit toilets

      Big paved lot with really well managed pit toilets. Short walk takes you to the White River, which was more of a creek when we were there, and a breathtaking view of Mt. Hood.

    • M
      Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
      May. 25, 2024

      White River West Sno-Park

      Great spot to stay.

      We did not know what to expect when we reached this site. It is just a large parking area, we found a pretty level place for our travel trailer. Only 2 other trailers and 1 tent camper during the day. A lot of van and car campers the latter the day got. Good spot to stay when checking out the area. The view out our door was amazing, when the sun was out. We stayed 5 nights, had all types of weather on our stay, from lots of rain to sun and also snow. Would stay here again if in the area. Free to stay from May 1 to October 31.

    • MThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
      Mar. 30, 2024

      Quartzville Recreation Corridor

      Pull out dispersed

      A lot of the trash has been cleaned up, we only saw a little bit in a couple of spots. Some spots have 2 or 3 fire rings per pull out and would be good for a small group. Fishing is OK year round in the river at these spots.

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Zigzag River Camp
      Feb. 14, 2024

      Zigzag River Camp

      Side of the road camping?

      These coordinates get you the Kiwanis camp, other than that I wouldn't say a great dispersant camping spot, area is nice though.

    • Kelly H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
      Jan. 7, 2024

      White River West Sno-Park

      So easy! Great view!

      We thought we'd try this out with some friends.  Tucked our trailers up in the far corner with a commanding view of Mt. Hood!  Well, not much view the first smokey day, but it cleared up nicely after a wind shift the following day.  So much room it never felt crowded with other folks coming and going.

      Paved, Pit toilets, garbage can.

      Walking and hiking from here.  Road noice not bad!  We actually spent 3 nights and explored the area around Mt. Hood.  

      Just a couple hours from home, an easy get away.

    • Amber H.
      Camper-submitted photo from NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping
      Sep. 19, 2023

      NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping

      Dispersed campsite above Trillium Lake.

      I would just like to thank whomever originally uploaded this site! We used it this weekend and it was perfect for us!! We will definitely be using it again next summer! Best camping trip of the season!

    • Callie C.
      Camper-submitted photo from White River West Sno-Park
      Aug. 26, 2023

      White River West Sno-Park

      Plenty of spots w/ great view of Mt Hood

      Huge parking lot w/ two bathrooms. Less than 10 vans when I showed up on a Friday night. Stream nearby but very muddy. T-mobile ok - About 2-3 5G bars.

    • EThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping
      Jul. 29, 2023

      Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping

      Quiet Secluded Camping

      I arrived about 7pm on a Thursday night. I loved it here, nothing but nature sounds and sights. it was very clean with small remnants of previous campers. I will say once you are off the main road it got pretty dicey (I drive a lower riding sedan, any suv or 4 wheel drive would be just fine) It was definitely worth it though! not a ton of bugs but definitely be prepared for that. overall a great place to stay for a night on a road trip, would stay again if in the area!

    • G W.
      Camper-submitted photo from Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed
      Jul. 26, 2023

      Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed

      Good Spot

      Accidentally stumbled upon this site after visiting Trillium Lake. There were lots of spots, but this is a very exposed campground. There was decent Verizon service here. There were a decent amount of sites. We were able to get a spot arriving around 9pm.

    • B C.
      Camper-submitted photo from Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed
      Jul. 7, 2023

      Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed

      Trillium Lake Free Camping

      Nice forest service camping area. There are plenty of spots, but it can get pretty crowded on weekends. There is a beautiful view of Mt. Hood down the road and a nice hiking path to Trillium Lake. Short drive to shopping and restaurants.

    • Kevin L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping
      Jun. 17, 2023

      NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping

      Tent camping sites

      FS Rd 2656 across from Trillium Lake Campground. Follow 2656 up a couple miles. Turn left on porcupine Trail. There is one small campsite on your left approximately 100 yards. Then a larger one at the end of porcupine Trail. This one is much larger and will accommodate four people. 

    • A
      Camper-submitted photo from Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping
      Oct. 20, 2022

      Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping

      Very Quiet!

      This area is at the Trillium Lake turn off of highway 26. Very easy to get to and the road is paved until you near the area that you can begin camping. I would say smaller/lower vehicles will have to drive slowly and carefully, but most compact SUVs and larger can make it just fine. You can’t hear any traffic out here—just nature. Keep in mind that this area will be closed to vehicle traffic when the Trillium Lake gates close for the snowy season.

      There’s a large gravel area that’s higher up and it’s nice to watch the sunset there. If you don’t plan to camp, the drive back to 26 isn’t creepy at all in the night. It’s dark, but not scary, and the road isn’t lighted but there are scattered reflectors on the trees.

      I have T-Mobile and I had full 5G service out there. (I don’t know how to submit that info anywhere else, haha)

    • Salem R.
      Camper-submitted photo from Alder Flat
      Jul. 22, 2022

      Alder Flat

      Sadly Burned Down

      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!



    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Molalla, OR?

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Molalla, OR is Alder Flat with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

      TheDyrt.com has all 24 dispersed camping locations near Molalla, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.