Best Dispersed Camping near Oakridge, OR
Want to go dispersed camping near Oakridge? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Oakridge's most popular destinations.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Oakridge, OR (21)
1. Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping
9 Reviews•28 Photos•490 SavesBlue River, Oregon- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. Mount Thielsen Wilderness
19 Reviews•86 Photos•625 SavesDiamond Lake, OregonMt. Thielsen Wilderness encompasses 54,914 acres and runs along the crest of the Cascades 80 miles east of Roseburg and just north of Crater Lake National Park. Elevations range from 5,000' to the 9,182' summit of Mount Thielsen. Born of the same volcanic activity that created Crater Lake, this is the land of fire and ice.
Much of the Mount Thielsen Wilderness is made up of high alpine forests and open meadows. The terrain is moderate but becomes very steep toward the crest of the Cascade Mountains. Timberline stands at about 7,200 feet, just above a forest of mountain hemlock and fir mixed with whitebark pine. Lodgepole pine dominates the vegetation at lower elevations. The many streams in the area carry a substantial amount of snowmelt in spring.
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail winds through the Mount Thielsen Wilderness for 26 miles along the summit of the Cascade Range. For a more serene wilderness adventure, hike into Lake Lucille or Maidu Lake on the North Umpqua Trail #1414. The trail passes over deep pumice that was deposited when Mt. Mazama erupted to form Crater Lake. The famed North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River begins at Maidu on its long trek to the Pacific Ocean.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
5. Dispersed wikiup camping
4 Reviews•10 Photos•171 SavesLa Pine, Oregon- Pets
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
6. Rock Creek Dispersed Camping
2 Reviews•3 Photos•103 SavesLa Pine, Oregon- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
7. Millsite Forest Dispersed Camping
3 Reviews•6 Photos•81 SavesDiamond Lake, OregonMillsite Forest Camp is a campsite in Oregon. Millsite Forest Camp is situated nearby to Thielsen Forest Camp and southeast of Toolbox Meadows.
There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay up to 14 days at Millsite.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
8. Moraine Lake Dispersed Camping
4 Reviews•5 Photos•156 SavesDeschutes National Forest, Oregon- Pets
- Dispersed
9. Sparks Lake Recreation Area
3 Reviews•6 Photos•141 SavesDeschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland, Oregon- Pets
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
10. NF 2612 Dispersed Camping
1 Review•3 Photos•83 SavesDiamond Lake, OregonMany people enjoy the solitude of camping away from developed campgrounds. Many people prefer to drive out on a Forest Service road and pitch their tent near a stream or at a spot with a nice view. Call any of our ranger stations for recommendations about where to camp.
Be aware that some areas may be closed to dispersed camping and that campfires may be prohibited in the summer, so call a ranger station ahead of time to ask. Generally, you cannot camp within a mile of developed recreation areas such as trailheads or picnic areas. Also, you cannot camp on the Forest for longer than 14 days at a time or more than 28 days in a year.
There are usually no facilities or services available to dispersed campers, such as trash removal or toilets. Please practice Leave No Trace by using existing sites when possible, packing out your trash, camping 100 feet from water, and digging a 6-8 inch hole for human waste.
- Pets
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Oakridge
52 Reviews of 21 Oakridge Campgrounds
- J
Justin L.
Guide
Forest Road 960 by Pacific Crest Trail PCT
Views in all directions, multiple spots
Great spot. Go all the way to the end of the road to reach the top. There is ample room to turn around, in spite of a step climb.
Was able to pull 15' trailer up with 4wd.
Wide open sky for solar and starlink.
Mid 60s f during day in early October. 40 f at night.
- JJustin L.Guide
Dispersed wikiup camping
Dusty and featureless, but flat
Only about 70 yards from main road. Super fine dust, everything will be dirty.
Tall trees so no good vantage point for starlink or solar.
No water features right at site.
- JJustin L.Guide
Sparks Lake Recreation Area
Perfection!
Amazing views. Access to water. Gorgeous sunsets. Not far from toilet if you're up for a walk, or have wheels. Firepits. This site has it all.
Room to back in 15' trailer to camp or of.
Early October, 70 f during day 30 f at night.
- DDale R.
ScoutSparks Lake Recreation Area
Nice spots near Spark Lake
There are several spots off of the road to the Spark Lake Day Use area. The road is very rough, but taken slow does not require a 4wd.
rick A.
Traveler
Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping
Closed
Closed due to fire damage
- rick A.Traveler
Craig Lake
More pond than lake
Very small maybe 4 spots. Definitely not worth the drive. Small pond not really a lake.
Catherine L.Guide
Millsite Forest Dispersed Camping
Easy off the main road stop
Quiet camping area off 138. You come up to what looks like a county shop, but keep going to the left, and you're here. A handful of sites. We were easily able to park out jeep a ways in.
Jackson R.ScoutBlue River Reservoir Roadside Camping
CLOSED FOR FIRE ACTIVITY
I didn't want to destroy the rating, but currently closed as of August 14th
Juliana R.ScoutMillsite Forest Dispersed Camping
Open, empty, very quiet
This was a lovely place to camp for the night. There were probably 10-15 campsites, and I was the only one there when I showed up. Campsites have picnic tables and fire pits and there is a pit toilet. Many trees which provide shade. Some mosquitos but not too bad. Very easy to find with the directions and it was also on GAIA GPS.
- KKai K.Guide
Mount Thielsen Wilderness
Great spot but nails in the road
BE CAREFUL got a nail in the tire here. Ended up with a flat giving me a headache 😒. Otherwise the campsite was amazing, would have been 5 stars if not for the nail.
- KKai K.Guide
Forest Road 960 by Pacific Crest Trail PCT
Great Views
Came here not really knowing what to expect and we were surprised with what we got. Road was was easy to get up, however 4x4 is definitely needed for the spots up on the rocks. Lovely view where we were! Lots of little camp fires scattered around the area .
- PPJ J.Traveler
Mount Thielsen Wilderness
Dusty
Seemed to be plenty of spots when I got there on a Sunday. Far enough from the main highway, I didn’t hear any traffic in the middle of the night. A caveat however, the east side of hill itself seems to be an active rock quarry. That means if you are waking up on a work day, it may be somewhat of a rude awakening
- mmeadow B.Traveler
Sparks Lake Recreation Area
very pretty view of the lake
i would get here pretty early next time to get a spot with a clear view of the lake, even on a monday it was pretty packed. there’s a bit of traffic in and out during the night but that’s pretty expected.
- RReidGuide
NF 2612 Dispersed Camping
Good open area dispersed camping
We picked this dispersed camping near Lemolo Lake since it was an open area that we could run our Starlink. There was also some cell service. Lemolo lake also has several Campgrounds to choose from if you want to pay. In the area we visited Lemolo Falls and Warm Spring Falls. We weren't disappointed. The area does have mosquitoes to contend with. Where we camped there was a picnic table and rock fire ring. Be mindful of the no fire season.
Anam S.GuideMount Thielsen Wilderness
loved it
Easy to access road. So so many spots below, and a few great ones up the hill. We stayed below since we arrived late at night. Nice little walk in the morning up the hill, good views. Quick drive to crater lake. There were mosquitoes, but some deet and no prob.
- JJeff Q.Scout
Lemolo Forebay
No available sites
Looked like a great place to camp. Arrived at about 3:30pm and unfortunately all sites were occupied by then. After reading the prior couple reviews, I hoped this would have availability on a Thursday afternoon. Bummer. I noticed one group was playing music, so evening might not have been as quiet as I'd prefer.
Whitney P.Traveler
Rock Creek Dispersed Camping
Beautiful place
Camped in a tent, beautiful scenery
Salvatore F.TravelerMount Thielsen Wilderness
Great family dispersed spot!
We drove to this little spot after a busy day at crater lake July 2nd. We arrived about 6pm. Having seen a YouTube video about this spot in advance, we 4x4 straight to the top in my f150. Little bumpy but no problem getting up. At the very top, another truck with a RTT beat us, but we took the sheltered spot deep in the “rock quarry” center area.
We were worried about mosquitos due to so many reviews complaining, but it was pretty clear overall. There were a few, but really not a nuisance at all. I did use deet lotion, but my partner didn’t and she didn’t seem to mind at all. We walked to the tippy top section where are are trees and there were swarms on misquotes, but down in the rocks was pretty clear.
Got a fire started under the full moon and had a wonderful night with my family. 10 out of 10.
- AAlexandra O.Traveler
Mount Thielsen Wilderness
Quiet spot by Crater Lake
Nice quiet spot off the main road. There are several flat spots for tents or small campers. The road is pretty good though we didn’t try to go up the mountain. There are lots of bugs and you can hear the occasional chainsaw, so just be aware.
- TTravisScout
Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping
Scenic drive along the McKenzie river when coming from Hwy 5
Mosquitos are a bit much at dusk so ensure to bring spray. Dispersed camping outside improved areas are the best bet on weekends as this site seems to be very popular. Once outside improved areas, seclusion is easy to obtain. Water access is limited once off the paved road due to steep rocky drops.
Overall, this site is beautiful! The water is crystal clear and is ideal for swimming, fishing, kayaking as well as boating.
Jordie G.GuideLemolo Forebay
Beautiful but bring bug spray
Pavement turns to dirt road to get to the sites. Each site has a fire ring and a table. The vault toilet has a trash can and was stocked with TP when we were there but we bring our own.
The trails down to the river are loose dirt and steep but we drove to the other side of the river to lounge in the sun.
Lots of skeeters! Bring your bug spray
- EErin S.Traveler
Lemolo Forebay
Beautiful Sites
There are only about 6 little sites here and a boat ramp for the little lake. There is one long-drop toilet (no TP) and many sites had picnic tables. I'm not sure if all did, but ours did. We also had a fire pit.
We were there 2 nights and only had one other group show up the whole time.
There is a dangerous low-head dam at the beginning of the lake near the campground, so please keep track of your kids/pets!
I would certainly stay here again - it's about 12 minutes from the Umpqua Hot Springs!
Brandon A.GuideSaddle Camp
Solitude
It's best if you have four wheel drive or all wheel drive. Wouldn't recommend going in the winter months or rainy season. It is a very fun drive though taxing and it is slow going. But was out there it is complete quiet and solitude. And make sure you stock up on anything you need cuz there's nothing there
Riley N.
LegendBlue River Reservoir Roadside Camping
A little sketchy
We went looking for the other campgrounds on this road that we’re closed so we were disappointed. We didn’t leave our van due to rain but we had a nice little pullover. No fires allowed due to recent fires on the area
Caroline E.GuideBlue River Reservoir Roadside Camping
Peaceful camping
Sites were secluded and quiet. I found a site nearby the creek so that I could hear the stream all night. It was so peaceful! There are a couple forks in the road but I kept right through the first two until I made it to a gravel road with pull-outs. Nice areas for tent or car camping. Only one other group out there
Braden M.TravelerMount Thielsen Wilderness
Beautiful but buggy
Went the second week of June. Not hard to find off of given coordinates but once you're off the road you might have to do some non dirt off roading due to trees down in the road. There was still some snow on the ground with warmer weather. Bugs were swarming all around and it was nearly impossible to even sit by the fire. If there were less bugs it would've been a 4/5
- HHannahGuide
Mount Thielsen Wilderness
Great Location
Plenty of available spaces, and I think even in the heart of summer there would be availability. The dirt road isn't the kind you need to do a Hail Mary to drive down. Our van did just fine, and I think a big rig could handle itself. While outside you can hear the cars from the main highway nearby, but not close enough to be obnoxious. The stars were spectacular
Guide to Oakridge
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Oakridge, Oregon, where nature lovers can find solitude and adventure in the great outdoors. With a variety of locations to choose from, each offering unique experiences, you'll be sure to enjoy your time in this stunning region.
Scenic Drives and Nature Exploration while free camping near Oakridge
- The Saddle Camp area is perfect for those seeking a quiet retreat, accessible via a fun yet challenging drive that requires four-wheel drive, especially in winter months.
- For a picturesque experience, consider the Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping, where you can enjoy crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming and fishing while surrounded by beautiful scenery.
- If you’re looking for a peaceful spot, Millsite Forest Dispersed Camping offers a serene environment with multiple sites nestled among trees, providing shade and tranquility.
Top Attractions for dispersed campers
- The Lemolo Forebay is a fantastic spot for those who enjoy boating and fishing, with a boat ramp available and beautiful views of the lake.
- Nearby, the Rock Creek Dispersed Camping area provides access to scenic trails and the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the region while enjoying a campfire under the stars.
- Don't miss the chance to visit Dispersed wikiup camping, where you can relax by a shallow stream and enjoy the sounds of nature, making it a perfect spot for a peaceful getaway.
Dispersed campers should check out Alpine Lake
- The Alpine Lake area is a hidden gem for those who love tent or RV camping, offering a free and beautiful setting without the need for reservations.
- For a more adventurous experience, the Forest Road 5875 location allows for easy access to hiking trails and exploration of the surrounding wilderness.
- If you're seeking a unique camping experience, the Briggs Dispersed Camp offers a free option with plenty of space for tents and RVs, making it a great choice for families or groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Oakridge, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Oakridge, OR is Blue River Reservoir Roadside Camping with a 3.8-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Oakridge, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 21 dispersed camping locations near Oakridge, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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