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Lake Abert and Abert Rim offer a classic example of basin and range landscape. Abert Rim is the longest exposed fault scarp in North America, and one of the highest fault scarps in the United States. It towers 2,500’ over Lake Abert, Oregon's only saltwater lake. Its waters and shoreline attract a diverse population of migratory waterfowl. After basaltic flood lavas covered much of eastern Oregon about 5 to 23 million years ago, great blocks of the Earth’s crust subsequently tilted, resulting in the raised scarp and lakebed seen today.
Know Before You Go: Open Season Lake Abert and Abert Rim are open YEAR ROUND. Numerous Pullouts on U.S. Route 395 provide opportunities to view scenery and wildlife. No Restrooms available. No Drinking Water available. No Food, Gas, or Lodging at Lake Abert or Abert Rim. The Nearest Services are in Lakeview, Oregon.
Point of Interest: A designated Watchable Wildlife Area and viewpoint about five miles north of Valley Falls on U.S. Route 395 provides seasonal public viewing of migratory birds on the lake.
The North Fork Sprague Trailhead is one hour and 20 minutes northeast of Bly, Oregon, and about half-mile from Gearhart Mountain Wilderness northern boundary. Visitors will find one vault toilet and a parking area with room for trailer turnaround, but no other amenities. Dispersed camping is allowed.
The North Fork Sprague Trailhead accesses the northern part of the Gearhart Mountain Trail #100 and allows visitors the opportunity to travel south through the middle of the Wilderness or to connect with the Boulder Springs Trail #101. Fishing enthusiasts also use the trailhead to get to Blue Lake, a popular fishing destination in the Wilderness. The lake is about 2.5 miles from the trailhead.
Traveler
We drove our van right up near the water in a quiet nook. Spent one night enjoying the many shore birds, a beautiful sunset and a refreshing cool night. I would not recommend swimming in this active wildlife reservoir! Most camping sites were private, separated by sage brush, and did not have toilets, so best for self-serving vehicles- or if you are ok walking down the road a bit. Will have to come back for stargazing after the wildfires die down.
Traveler
Not the greatest for tent camping but we made it work. We pulled up past the main location where the dirt mounds are. We found refuge for the night off one of the little pullouts and set up camp right by the water. Highway was a little noisy but nothing too bad as it was quiet in the middle of the night. Sunset was perfect. We saw a Coyote on the hill leading to the scarp. 10/10
GuideDidn’t camp just checked it out. Not sure you can swim in the water, didn’t have my water shoes on to try. It looked like more like a pond on shore could be mucky. Not a long drive in, didn’t look like a place to swim. Not a place we would camp.
LegendWe are full-timers and have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow. We stayed for one night here in late May. Pretty much what everyone else has said- quiet behind the gravel mounds, very little traffic on US 395, especially at night, a really nice place. However, some disgusting f@#$%ng person left a large nasty pile of feces soiled jeans, pee pad, wipes, etc. lying in a heap by one of the gravel mounds. It has now been bagged and removed so others won’t have it detract from their stay. AT&T coverage was fair, with 3 bars of LTE and speeds up to 3 MB/s.
Legend
As we were driving on along Highway 140 near Adel, it was getting dark and we needed a place to camp overnight. I used PRO map layers to navigate a little way up Hogback Road / CR 3-10 toward Plush and found this handy turnout on BLM land. The night sky with Milky Way was amazing and we didn't hear any traffic during the night. In the morning, we awoke to a beautiful sunrise and sounds of migrating birds taking flight from their nighttime stopover at (mostly dried up) Crump Lake, across the street. We also enjoyed watching a herd of Bighorn sheep grazing by the side of the road. This site was free and fine for one night if you're in the area, but don't expect any privacy or amenities.
Ranger
This place does get busy so come early for a good spot. If you stay by the creek, expect mosquitos. It’s a long drive up the hill to get here too but the views on the way are great. Fill up on water when you get to the little ranger station so you don’t have to pack water up the hill.
LegendThis is a free campground at a former CCC camp in use during the Great Depression. Crews house here built the Hart Mountain road that passes through the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge. The bunkhouse remains.
The backdrop is the beautiful Hart Mountain area. Lots of wildlife here in the wetlands and meadows of the Warner Valley.
Each site has a fire ring, picnic table and there are vault toilets. There is a central water spigot for potable water but large rocks prevent you from filling your tank unless you have a longer hose.
The sites aren’t that private due to lack of vegetation but they are spaced far enough apart that you have a sense of privacy. There are some very dark skies here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Plush, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Plush, OR is Camp Hart Mountain with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Plush, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Plush, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
