Best Dispersed Camping near Ontario, OR

Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Ontario, Oregon, with several free primitive sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Oasis Recreation Site offers convenient access directly off the highway along the Snake River, with basic amenities including pit toilets but no potable water. Owyhee-Dispersed camping areas provide more remote experiences with spectacular canyon views and access to Snively Hot Springs. Mann Creek Recreation Area and Succor Creek State Natural Area offer additional options for tent and RV camping. According to reviews, the Oasis Recreation Site serves well as "a convenient spot right off the highway," though campers should expect some road noise and "coyote howling" at night.

Water availability is limited throughout the region; campers must bring all drinking water as filtering from rivers is not recommended. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with minimal shade at most sites. Several campers noted that Owyhee-Dispersed sites "get HOT out there" with "very few spots with any shade." Fire regulations vary by location and season; many sites permit campfires in established rings, but fire bans are common during dry months. Cell service is virtually non-existent at most locations, particularly in canyon areas.

Road conditions vary significantly between sites. Oasis Recreation Site accommodates all vehicle types with easy highway access. However, many Owyhee-Dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles, with campers reporting that "if you have a 4WD vehicle you should be just fine, but if you have a trailer or camper, that can really limit what spots you can get to." Wildlife sightings include coyotes, rabbits, and various bird species. Pack-in/pack-out principles apply at all sites; no trash collection services are available. Visitors should prepare for primitive conditions with variable weather and limited facilities.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Ontario, Oregon (12)

    1. Oasis Recreation Site

    11 Reviews
    Weiser, ID
    18 miles

    "Not the most scenic of campsites, and it is right next to the road so there was some noice at night, as well as lots of coyote howling. but I appreciated the convenient location, that it's free, and right"

    "It’s right along the Snake River and borders an established campground to the east. There are two picnic tables/fire rings, one on either side of the boat launch."

    2. Owyhee-Dispersed

    9 Reviews
    Adrian, OR
    25 miles
    Website

    "Was driving thru to seattle from the Midwest. My last stop! Easy to find. No signal and no fires allowed due to BLM land. Was a brisk 12° in mid/late November. A few campers."

    "Parked little below the coordinates and spent the night by the Snively hot springs. Not as gross as the reviews lead on. Very happy with this find."

    3. Mann Creek Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Weiser, ID
    27 miles
    Website

    $10 - $15 / night

    "Great place to stop on our drive from CA to ID. The other campground is just a few hundred yards up the road and it is a very park like gorgeous setting with restrooms."

    "There is camping around the reservoir and at the near by campground.  Up past the reservoir there are roads to ride ATV's.  There is not a lot of shade and it gets hot in the summer.  "

    4. Owyhee River - Below Dam - Owyhee Dam Park

    4 Reviews
    Adrian, OR
    29 miles

    "Firstly, dont follow your gps to the coordinates given here, if you follow it to the point on google maps you'll end up at one of the highest points in that valley (and you'll see my newly made "night"

    "Lots of great spots as yoi river along the river, not necessarily the coordinates provided here. Epic fishing. :)"

    6. Succor Creek State Natural Area Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Homedale, ID
    41 miles

    "Located at the southern end of Succor Creek State Natural Area, close to the boundary with BLM land. 1/10th of a mile from Succor Creek Road."

    "One pit toilet."

    7. Swedes Landing

    1 Review
    Richland, OR
    43 miles

    "I'm just now getting around to reviewing some places that I've enjoyed and plan to return to. "

    8. Tripod Dispersed camping g

    1 Review
    Ola, ID
    46 miles

    "Creeks, lake, and hiking."

    9. Rockville Headstone Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Marsing, ID
    47 miles
    Website

    "Nice flat spot with a wide view all around. Its got a few old headstones from the 1800's. Was easily accessible with a 2wd sedan. Good sleeping surface despite dead grass."

    10. The Rock Stage Stop - BLM Dispersed

    1 Review
    Marsing, ID
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 896-5912

    "this is an Old Stage Stop where they would leave feed up on top of the rocks and other supplies to keep them away from animals in Indians the location I have shared is the location of the old hotel. look"

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ontario, OR

25 Reviews of 12 Ontario Campgrounds


  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2024

    Succor Creek State Natural Area Dispersed

    Beautiful view of Succor Creek canyon and surrounding hills

    Free. Coordinates: 43.43811,-117.11743. Camped here at the end of Sept, 2024. Located at the southern end of Succor Creek State Natural Area, close to the boundary with BLM land. 1/10th of a mile from Succor Creek Road. Access from Succor Creek Road is okay; rocky and eroded in a few places on an uphill drive. The site is located on a loop where the access track ends at a livestock fenced. You pass another large dispersed site on the way up. The dirt site is not quite level. Lots of cow patties.  Surrounded by grass and sagebrush. Site has a rock fire ring. Open to sky, no shade; solar recharging and Starlink possible. It may be possible to set up a tent in the grass. There is a view of Succor Creek canyon. Fantastic views of surrounding mountains. No hiking trails, but one can explore that area beyond the fence and get additional views of the canyon and creek. No cell service. Very remote location. Except for a few cows and coyotes, very quiet area. I loved this spot!

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 28, 2022

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    Amazing views! Sunset to sunrise

    Was driving thru to seattle from the Midwest. My last stop! Easy to find. No signal and no fires allowed due to BLM land. Was a brisk 12° in mid/late November. A few campers. If you have an off road vehicle- it’s great to climb up some hills to find the perfect spot!

  • Andy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2019

    Owyhee River - Below Dam - Owyhee Dam Park

    Good little place

    Firstly, dont follow your gps to the coordinates given here, if you follow it to the point on google maps you'll end up at one of the highest points in that valley (and you'll see my newly made "night one" site. If you want the site in the pictures, which was fairly quiet other than a few people checking if it was open, take the first right after the bridge and follow the trail down. Lots of trails, more people near the river but if you're into desert camping and want seclusion you'll want to get into the hills (towards google maps point) but hang a right at the top of the trail. Overall, pretty great place to getaway.

  • Christine
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Mann Creek Recreation Area

    Gorgeous, safe and quiet

    Great place to stop on our drive from CA to ID. The other campground is just a few hundred yards up the road and it is a very park like gorgeous setting with restrooms. It was completely full on a weekday so we came to the primitive site. Wonderful. Level. Lots of respectful families Boondocking. We parked with our carryall trailer and our two vehicles and slept in our truck. What a gorgeous view and skies to wake up to. There’s a day use area further south that you can stop at on your way out for the restroom. If we go this way again, we will definitely stop here. Follow the directions, not the GPS coordinates. There is two roads to get in more creek and man creek. More creek will make you wish you had a sports bra on and a new suspension for your car when your finally get to pavement...

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Succor Creek State Natural Area Dispersed

    Amazing canyon views

    First you start with a 20 mile gravel road that is pretty wash boarded over much of it. I would recommend airing down your tires so you still have your fillings when you get to the campsite. Campsite is in a canyon with beautiful views and an amazing sunrise. It looks like there are about 15 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, but I also see areas where people have made other sites perhaps when the place gets busy. The creek is running slowly, but there is water in it. One pit toilet.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 12, 2025

    Rockville Headstone Dispersed Camping

    A cool place few people have been.

    Nice flat spot with a wide view all around. Its got a few old headstones from the 1800's. Was easily accessible with a 2wd sedan. Good sleeping surface despite dead grass.

  • Karson M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2025

    Mann Creek Recreation Area

    Near the reservoir

    Easy enough pull off with lots of open dispersed sites. Granted, little shade and little privacy. Lots of people on a Monday night. Very warm in summer.

  • Devon R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2025

    Succor Creek State Natural Area Dispersed

    Great dispersed spot

    There are 10+ dispersed spots north of the campground, some on the river side of the road, and some on the mountain side. We loved ours next to the river. It was private, moderately screened from the road, and best of all, away from other campers!


Guide to Ontario

Rustic camping near Ontario, Oregon offers numerous free sites along the Snake River and its tributaries. The high desert terrain ranges from 2,100 to 4,500 feet elevation with summer highs frequently reaching 100°F and winter temperatures dropping below freezing. Dispersed camping in this region requires preparation for limited facilities and varying road conditions across BLM lands.

What to do

Soak in hot springs: Snively Hot Springs provides thermal bathing opportunities along the Owyhee River. "The hot springs are off the road across the street from the sign. It was a little too hot for my liking but my wife enjoyed wading in it," shares one camper at Owyhee-Dispersed.

Fishing for brown trout: The Owyhee River below the dam is known for exceptional fishing. "If you enjoy Fly Fishing for Brown Trout, this place is awesome. There is dispersed camping all along the river below the dam," notes a visitor to Owyhee River Below Dam, adding "It is very rugged, but there are amenities for camping."

Historical exploration: At The Rock Stage Stop, visitors can discover remnants of frontier history. "This is an Old Stage Stop where they would leave feed up on top of the rocks and other supplies to keep them away from animals and Indians... look to your right as you pull in and you can't miss the remains."

What campers like

River access: Many campers appreciate having the Snake River nearby for recreation. At Oasis Recreation Site, "The spots are right on the water and sunset/sunrise are gorgeous," according to one reviewer who notes it's "perfect for an overnight stay when passing through the area."

Canyon views: The dramatic landscape creates memorable camping backdrops. "There are 10+ dispersed spots north of the campground, some on the river side of the road, and some on the mountain side. We loved ours next to the river. It was private, moderately screened from the road," shares a visitor to Succor Creek State Natural Area.

Night sky viewing: The remote location offers excellent stargazing opportunities. One camper at Rockville Headstone Dispersed Camping describes it as a "nice flat spot with a wide view all around" that provides "good sleeping surface despite dead grass."

What you should know

Limited shade: Few trees mean preparation for sun exposure is essential. At Owyhee-Dispersed, "It's an absolutely stunning location, but there are very few spots with any shade at all and it gets HOT out there."

Variable camping surfaces: Many sites have challenging ground conditions. At Owyhee-Dispersed, "All sites are on tent-stake-resistant river cobble, though some disguised with a thin layer of dirt, or a white layer of alkali or talc."

Wildlife encounters: You'll likely share the landscape with local fauna. One camper at Mann Creek Recreation Area mentions, "We also ran into a couple bull snakes," while another advises, "Lots of skeeters to take your spray."

Visitor behavior: Some areas experience loud gatherings. A visitor to Owyhee-Dispersed noted, "We were surrounded by loud campers that were partying and yelling well past 11 PM (most of the noise was coming from the hot springs). Cars were coming and going all night."

Tips for camping with families

Bring plenty of water: With no potable water available, family camping requires adequate supply planning. At Oasis Recreation Site, one camper reminds others to "remember to bring water! The river water was pretty murky, wouldn't want to filter it if I don't have to."

Check noise levels: Some locations offer quieter family experiences than others. At Succor Creek, a camper reports it was "private, moderately screened from the road, and best of all, away from other campers!"

Wildlife education opportunities: The area provides chances to observe desert ecology. At Owyhee-Dispersed, one camper shared, "We heard numerous birds in the area, such as killdeer, mourning doves and owls. We saw a few small bunnies, not sure of the kind."

Trash management: Teaching leave-no-trace principles is important as several campers report finding trash. "This place is absolutely beautiful and would be perfect if it weren't for people leaving so much trash behind. My wife and I spent a lot of time picking up countless bullet casing and other trash."

Tips from RVers

Vehicle access considerations: Many primitive camping areas have challenging access. At Owyhee-Dispersed, "Depending on how rugged your vehicle is, spots are limited."

Highway proximity options: For easier RV access, some sites offer convenient highway locations. Oasis Recreation Site "is a free site on the Snake River next to a full hookup RV Park. This site is convenient and accessible for an overnight stay."

Level site availability: Finding flat spots for larger vehicles requires planning. At Tripod Dispersed camping, one visitor notes, "We spend lots of summers here. So many open spaces. Lots of cattle roaming."

Space between sites: Some areas provide ample room between campers. At Oasis Recreation Site, "There are 5 spots to camp here most are right along the river. Each has a picnic table and fire pit!"

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites around Ontario, Oregon?

Dispersed camping sites around Ontario typically offer minimal amenities. Succor Creek State Natural Area Dispersed features multiple sites, some along the river and others on the mountain side, providing natural beauty but limited facilities. At Mann Creek Recreation Area, you'll find level primitive sites suitable for boondocking. Most dispersed sites in the region lack water sources, electricity, or dump stations. Some areas like Oasis Recreation Site do have pit toilets. Cell service varies significantly by location. Remember to pack all necessary water, practice Leave No Trace principles, and prepare for self-sufficient camping with minimal facilities.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ontario, Oregon?

Several free dispersed camping options exist near Ontario, Oregon. Oasis Recreation Site offers convenient free camping right along the Snake River, with spots located next to a boat launch. It's easily accessible from the highway, making it ideal for overnight stays. Another option is Owyhee-Dispersed, which provides free camping on BLM land. The area has multiple spots suitable for various vehicle types, though note that fires may be restricted depending on the season. Both locations are within reasonable driving distance from Ontario and offer scenic views without any camping fees.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Ontario, Oregon area?

Dispersed camping regulations near Ontario generally follow BLM guidelines. At Owyhee River - Below Dam - Owyhee Dam Park, camping is permitted along the river with standard 14-day stay limits. Rockville Headstone Dispersed Camping follows similar rules. Throughout the region, campfires may be restricted seasonally, particularly on BLM lands during fire danger periods. Pack-in/pack-out principles apply to all waste, and camping is typically limited to existing sites to minimize environmental impact. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, maintain appropriate distance from water sources (usually 200 feet), and be aware that many areas prohibit cutting live vegetation or damaging natural features.