Free dispersed camping near Murphy, Oregon includes several sites on forest roads in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Located in the Klamath Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 feet, the area receives about 35 inches of annual rainfall primarily between October and May. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F while winter conditions bring occasional snow at higher elevations, particularly above 2,500 feet.
What to do
Fishing access: At Rocky Riffle, campers can find multiple spots with river access. One visitor noted, "There are walking paths (unpaved) that can also be accessed by OHVs" and "at least five of the campsites are next to the creek with easy access for wading."
Wildlife viewing: Burma Pond BLM offers opportunities to watch wildlife. A camper described, "Quiet and clean. The pond was peaceful and beautiful with tons of bats flying around at night. Super cool!" Another mentioned, "The fish were jumping and the water clear."
Blackberry picking: Seasonal foraging is available at several sites in late summer. As one camper at Burma Pond BLM noted, "Tons of blackberries growing wild along the waters edge." This provides a tasty activity during August visits.
What campers like
Accessibility: Beautiful Dispersed View off Fire Rd gets positive reviews for road quality. According to one camper, "The 6.5 mile road (FS-25) is paved so the accessibility of the site is a plus." Another noted, "Very gorgeous though! And paved road the whole way!"
Solitude: Many dispersed sites offer quiet camping experiences. At Lookout Gap, one visitor commented, "It's by itself and a perfect place to camp for a couple nights. It's quiet and beautiful views."
Swimming holes: Elderberry Flats Campground provides water recreation opportunities. A reviewer mentioned, "There are small swimming holes, lots of crayfish and salmon spawning beds," while another called it "a very nice campsite" with "a nice swimming hole."
What you should know
Road challenges: Access to many sites requires careful navigation. At Burma Pond BLM, visitors warned, "Quite a few generally easily dodge-able potholes," and "Along the road were random deep pot holes so be aware they sneak up on you when the road is shadowed."
Seasonal closures: Fire restrictions and seasonal closures affect availability. One camper at Rocky Riffle noted, "It looked like a decent place to camp with river access. I was disappointed the camp was closed due to fire."
Communication limitations: Cell service is extremely limited or nonexistent at most sites. A Burma Pond camper reported, "Starlink mini had decent reception for being hard mounted to my roof. Cell service is basically non-existent, one bar of LTE every now and then."
Unexpected noise: Some sites experience noise disruptions. At Beautiful Dispersed View off Fire Rd, a camper mentioned, "The only downside is the logging operation that you can hear during the week further up the mountain." Another site reported target shooting noise.
Tips for camping with families
Safer swimming areas: Find protected water spots for children. Elderberry Flats Campground has "small swimming holes" that are more manageable than the main river current.
Poison oak awareness: Be cautious with children exploring wooded areas. At Rocky Riffle, a camper warned, "be aware that there is a lot of poison oak around," requiring family vigilance.
Check for flooding: Ennis Riffle can flood during wet periods. As one visitor cautioned, "beware of camping here during the rainy season. The water covers the entire campground," making it unsuitable for family camping during spring months.
Site spacing concerns: Some areas have tightly packed sites. At Burma Pond BLM, a visitor observed, "Camp sites are very tightly packed and close together," which might be problematic for families needing space between neighboring campers.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Beautiful Dispersed View off Fire Rd has specific space constraints. A camper described, "This spot is a gravel pull off that is about 25ftx15ft. You can fit a small pull behind, truck, and/or van," while another warned, "All are tiny pullout spots just enough for a van to park, would not recommend for an rv or trailer."
Level parking challenges: Finding flat spots can be difficult at some locations. At Argo Bar, an RVer noted, "We couldn't really find a flat place to park, and so ended up parking just along the bathroom, which was the flattest spot here."
Access road clearance: Some roads require high-clearance vehicles. At Burma Pond BLM, one RVer advised, "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."
Turn-around limitations: Limited maneuvering space affects larger vehicles. One camper warned about a site having "The road is narrow with very few turn arounds," requiring RVers to carefully plan their approach and exit strategy.
