Primitive camping near Netarts, Oregon sits within the coastal-adjacent mountain ranges where elevations range from 1,000-3,000 feet throughout Tillamook State Forest. Seasonal temperatures vary significantly with summer highs in the 70s and winter lows frequently below freezing. Most dispersed sites remain accessible from late spring through early fall, though many forest roads become impassable after heavy rainfall due to washouts and mud.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: South Lake offers stocked trout fishing that's consistently productive. According to one camper, "The lake is stocked with trout which have been biting like crazy. Most times when you go up there you will see them jumping clean out of the water."
Kayaking on smaller lakes: Bring a portable watercraft for exploring protected waters. A visitor at South Lake Dispersed Area noted, "The small lake has decent fishing and great for kayaking. Dirt/gravel roads are a bit tricky to navigate."
Hiking Pioneer-Indian Trail: This extensive trail network connects multiple dispersed camping areas. A camper at Dispersed Camping Near Pioneer-Indian Trail shared, "Going up the hike about 30 minutes will bring you to the top of Mt. Hebo with beautiful open views all the way to the coast. The hike goes all the way to South Lake."
Stargazing at higher elevations: Clearer skies at higher elevations provide excellent night viewing. One visitor camping near the Trask River Campsites reported, "Clear skies so got to see a beautiful array of stars. This spot was really a 10/10 for me."
What campers like
Secluded campsites: Many dispersed areas offer considerable privacy. A camper at Dispersed Camping Near Pioneer-Indian Trail mentioned, "We didnt pass a single car the rest of the way... Besides that we didnt see anyone the entire trip! Beautiful quiet paradise!"
River sounds: Waterside camping provides natural white noise. One visitor to Trask River Campsites shared, "River rushing near the spots makes for a really nice sound to fall asleep to. Not crowded and really peaceful."
Mountain views: Higher elevation sites offer spectacular vistas. A camper at Scenic Overlook Dispersed Camp near Foley Creek reported, "This was a really fantastic campsite! Definitely quite the long and slow drive up a narrow backcountry road... There are a few options up here but one really phenomenal site with wide ranging views."
Availability on weekdays: Midweek camping provides better options and quieter experiences. A camper at South Lake Dispersed Area noted, "When i visited mid week in July it was empty... Enjoyed."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require careful driving. A camper at Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping observed, "The Cedar Creek Rd area offers a nice variety of dispersed camping sites with some good views if you drive far enough, and fairly gravel roads for access. However, the signage could use improvement."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies widely by location and carrier. One visitor noted, "No service all the way so be prepared for that," while another reported, "Had 3 bars of LTE with AT&T once there."
Crowding on weekends: Weekends bring significantly more traffic, especially in OHV areas. A camper observed, "These sites are beautiful and really meant for tent camping—but you can park an rv in most of the spots... OHV vehicles are incredibly loud and ran throughout the weekend— but I have a feeling it's very quiet on the week days."
Noise considerations: Some areas experience significant OHV and shooting activity. One camper shared, "Heard some OHV noise at night, and target shooting in the distance at sunrise."
Tips for camping with families
Lake-based camps for kids: Lakes provide safer recreation options for children. A family that stayed at South Lake noted, "This was a last minute find for us on the 4th of July. There were a few sites left for us to choose from. The sites are not numbered but are designated by a rock ringed fire pit."
Tree configuration for hammocks: Some sites offer perfect setups for hammock camping. The same family continued, "We hammock camp and there are plenty of sites with trees positioned perfectly for hanging the hammocks."
Exploring nearby trails: Many sites connect to short hiking opportunities. One visitor mentioned, "There are trails all over leading from the campsites to the lake and around it. We also met other campers that had hiked a trail from Hebo lake to South Lake which was about a 7 mile hike for them."
Noise considerations: Be aware that weekend OHV activity can be disruptive. A camper noted, "This last trip was very disappointing it was packed with people camping which is wonderful that they're getting outside, but 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."
Tips from RVers
Road scouting recommendations: Check road conditions before attempting with larger vehicles. An RVer at Siuslaw National Forest Dispersed Camping advised, "If you're telling something, I'd recommend walking the road to check to see if anybody is down there before you go down because it's the only place you'd be able to turn around with your trailer."
Trailer turn-around locations: Limited turning options exist on many forest roads. A camper observed, "Could pull in a 16' trailer but until the camp site there is no other turn around spot so beware."
Ground conditions: Sand and mud can cause problems for heavier vehicles. A visitor to Derrick Road Dispersed Camping Area warned, "First of all, there is nothing but several feet of sand in a big lot. There is only a small section that is not sand. Don't go past that. You will get stuck."
Narrow road navigation: Forest roads often present challenges for wider vehicles. One camper described, "The road is paved but quite narrow in places. We came up in the dark and had to take it pretty slowly around the turns."
