Dispersed camping around Nehalem, Oregon offers primitive sites across varying terrain, from forested ridgelines to riverside locations. The area's coastal influence creates frequent fog and precipitation, with average summer temperatures between 60-75°F and winter lows around 35-45°F. Access roads to these free camping areas near Nehalem typically require navigating unmarked forest service roads with varying conditions depending on recent weather and maintenance schedules.
What to do
River fishing access: Multiple campsites along the Trask River provide easy fishing opportunities. At Trask River Campsites, campers report the river "rushing near the spots makes for a really nice sound to fall asleep to." Trout fishing is particularly productive at certain locations with one camper noting "the lake is stocked with trout which have been biting like crazy."
Mountain biking: Forest service roads throughout Tillamook State Forest connect to numerous trails. Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping serves as an excellent base camp with a camper noting they "setup camp at one of the spots here 3 nights in a row & had no visitors the entire time!" The network of trails accommodates various skill levels.
Kayaking on small lakes: South Lake offers a peaceful paddling experience on a small body of water. A camper described it as "fairly small, I consider it more of a pond to be honest, but a great place for disperse camping" and mentioned "the small lake has decent fishing and great for kayaking." Another noted "there is an old boat without a motor tied up for anyone to use."
What campers like
Coastal proximity: Many dispersed sites provide a convenient base for beach visits. Campers at Cole Mt Ridge appreciate being "25 minutes from Cannon Beach" with "mountain views" from their sites. The location provides a free alternative to expensive coastal accommodations while maintaining reasonable access to ocean recreation.
Solitude on weekdays: Most dispersed areas see significantly less traffic midweek. One camper at South Lake noted "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." Another mentioned visiting "mid week in July it was empty."
Night sky viewing: Limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. A visitor to Scenic Overlook Dispersed Camp near Foley Creek described it as "a really fantastic campsite" with "wide ranging views." Another camper reported "clear skies so got to see a beautiful array of stars" from their remote forest location.
What you should know
Road navigation challenges: Many dispersed sites require careful driving on unmaintained roads. A camper at Dispersed Camping Near Cannon Beach warned the area is "not friendly to large vehicles or RVs, roads are very thin and no place to park." Others recommend "watch your GPS and use some dead reckoning with the topographic map" to find specific sites.
Limited cell coverage: Most locations have spotty or no service. A visitor to Tillamook State Forest noted "Verizon cell service is nonexistent in the area." Another camper specifically mentioned having "no ATT/Verizon service" at their site, while one fortunate camper at South Lake reported "we had full data and cell service!"
Variable site availability: Competition for prime spots increases during weekends and summer. At Cole Mt Ridge, a camper reported "I saw lots of sites available on a Thursday in August" while others note holiday weekends fill quickly. Most sites operate on a first-come basis with no reservation system.
Tips for camping with families
Easy-access sites: Some locations offer more accessible options for families with young children. At Soapstone Lake Trail dispersed camping, "there are several spots with established fire pits" and the "road was very accessible" with a "creek and trailhead nearby."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forests around Nehalem host diverse wildlife. One camper reported hearing "a pack of coyotes howling in the distance" while others regularly see deer and elk. Some campers warn to "be prepared" as there have been "several recent Cougar sightings" in certain areas.
Noise considerations: Sound carries in forest areas, affecting family camping. A visitor noted one experience was disappointing because "there was a group up on the hill who felt the need to blast music until 6 o'clock in the morning so nobody in the camp area got any sleep." Many sites post quiet hours from 10 PM to 6 AM.
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. A camper observed "could possibly pull trailers or rvs on most of it" when referring to Cole Mt Ridge, but warned about limited turning space. Another noted "I made it OK with my beat up old Grand Caravan" but cautioned about "sometimes very rough gravel roads, with no turn outs."
Leveling challenges: Many forest sites feature uneven terrain. Campers often recommend bringing extra leveling blocks as most sites lack graded parking areas. One RVer who stays in a schoolbus reported loving "being able to find free campsites" but noted the challenge of finding level parking without being "harassed."
