Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Plush? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Plush. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
The Campground at Cave Lake is little used and the perfect place for a week-end or week long getaway.
Vee Lake Trailhead/Campground is a ending point for the southern segment Fremont National Recreation Trail in the North Warner Mountains. The trailhead is located one hour 15 minutes northeast of Lakeview, Oregon. The site overlooks Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge on the edge of the high desert. The trailhead offers two camping sites and one vault toilet that are maintained during the open season. The mixed forest features ponderosa pine, white fir, and some aspen stands. Vee Lake is stocked with rainbow trout, and there is a launch for electric motor boats and canoes. One unique feature of Vee Lake is an earthen, man-made dam on which one can walk around.
Located on hour northeast of Lakeview, Oregon, Can Springs births a bubbling creek that flows through this primitive forest camp with a riparian vegetation area bordering it. Large ponderosa pine trees help create a wonderful place to explore or relax in nature’s solitude. There are three campsites with picnic tables and fire rings and one vault toilet. There is no potable water. Visitors need to pack plenty of water.
Located one hour five minutes of Paisley, Oregon, Happy Camp is a developed campground ideally located along peaceful Dairy Creek. The stream flows through the middle of the campground, offering fishing opportunities for rainbow trout. At 5289 feet in elevation, this alpine campground features nine camping sites. All campsites include picnic tables and fire rings, but no garbage receptacles. * Remember to “pack it in, pack it out.” There are three vault toilets, and two water spigots. Fresh water is also available at Clear Springs Forest Camp, about 1.5 miles to the west on Forest Service Road 047. Besides fishing, hiking on the nearby trails, and relaxing at Happy Camp, you can toss horseshoes (bring your own) into the horseshoe pits or picnic under the historic shelters. The picnic shelters were built in the 1930’s by Civilian Conservation Corps.
Overton Reservoir Forest Camp is quiet and relaxing. It is located on the shores of Overton Reservoir.
Located 40 minutes southeast of Lakeview, Oregon, Twin Springs campground offers three peaceful campsites at 6,300 feet elevation. Twin Springs gurgles up in the center of the forest camp amid tall ponderosa pine, white fir, and aspen trees. There is a lush riparian understory along the creek and bright wildflowers in the late spring and summer. Amenities at Twin Springs include picnic tables and fire grates, and one vault toilet. Visitors can enjoy bird watching, wildlife viewing (deer are common) and hiking on the Crane Mountain National Recreation Trail, located two miles west and accessed near Rogger Meadow. There is no potable water. Visitors need to pack plenty of water.
Clear Springs is located one hour 10 minutes southwest of Paisley, Oregon. Clear Springs, elevation 5400 feet, is an undeveloped forest camp situated right along Dairy Creek. There is one picnic table, fire ring, and one vault toilet, including a variety of dispersed camping spaces. This camp is primarily used by hunters during hunting season. You can fish for rainbow trout in Dairy Creek. There is also a natural spring that bubbles up about 1/4 mile down the road from the camp. Alert : There is no no potable water. Visitors need to pack plenty of water. Also, there is no garbage service. Remember to “pack it in, pack it out.”
The Dismal Creek Forest Camp has been decommissioned.
Deep Creek campground is located in the South Warner Mountains, one hour 25 minutes southeast of Lakeview, Oregon. This site offers rustic camping in a ponderosa pine, cottonwood, and aspen setting. Colorful wildflowers are abundant in spring and early summer. It is a popular camp in the fall for hunters. Amenities include four campsites along the creek, each with picnic tables and fire grates, and one vault toilet. There are fishing, wildlife viewing and hiking opportunities. There is no potable water. Visitors need to pack plenty of water.
The Corral Creek campground, located at the base of the Gearhart MountainWilderness 45 minutes northeast of Bly, Oregon, offers six campsites in a rustic lodgepole pine and meadow setting. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and there is one vault toilet. The creek flows along the edge of the campground, and is fishable when the water level is sufficient. This campground is an excellent location for access to the wilderness trail system, including the trailhead for Lookout Rock and Blue Lake (Trail 100). The trailhead lies about a half-mile from Corral Creek campground. You can do an out and back hike or horseback ride to the Palisades, about three miles round trip. Or, head to Blue Lake for a short backpacking excursion, about 18 miles round trip. Besides wilderness users, this campground is popular with hunters during hunting season. June and July are heavy mosquito months so bring bug spray. There no potable water. Visitors need to pack plenty of water.
Ranger
Back in July 2019, my buddy and I rode our motorcycles to this camp/hot spring. I had heard of this place from another friend on Facebook & this was our destination. A wonderful ride to this easy-to-find site. Everything from full-service cabins to rent and RVs, down to what we used, tent camping. Beautiful but spartan tent camping area, portable toilets (clean), and cable spools used as tables. The hot springs were WONDERFUL, with both indoor (bathhouse) and outdoor pools. If I recall. clothing optional after 9pm. The operators of this facility are extremely "green" in thinking, with the re-use of most building materials, etc. Their website is excellent and gives more details. Highly recommend!!
Scout
This campground has a vault toilet, a water pump, and a brown water dump site. It has 7 back in camping spots, and there is fishing nearby. I would suggest smaller trailers and Rvs or tent camping. If you need phone or internet service this site is not for you.
Scout
This sweet little place beside a creek in Surprise Valleyis just right for low-key tent camping and they have a place for a small van or RV too. Composting toilet, dipping in the creek, and a cool little town (restaurant there is open Thurs-Sun). It's on a farm, technically, but they are mostly taking time off farming. Dark skies and no worries.
Ranger
After seeing the eclipse earlier that morning, I set out to find THIS well-known camping/hot spring area. A beautiful drive through Plush OR, then up, up, and away onto the Hart Mountain Plateau. The overview of Warner Valley is epic. Follow the easy 'dyrt' road through the Refuge Headquarters and continue on the well-marked Hot Springs Rd. You will arrive at a parking area with an information kiosk. Camping is split into a north & south area. There are some walk-in tenting spots to the north. The spots are well-marked and fairly large. A family kindly allowed me to share one with them. I was able to find 3 hot springs, one sheltered and 'developed' by a stone wall, concrete, and a ladder into the deep warm water (98-100 degrees?) The other two are completely natural and easy to find on the short trail between the camping areas. These are shallow, but warmer (102-104?). Do not be surprised if people are enjoying the springs 'au natural'. A ranger did swing by to verify that all campers were in designated spots. No camping in the parking lot. Night skies were pitch black without the Moon.
Overall, a wonderful spot to escape to :-)
Legend
The Campground: Oregon Sunstone Collection Area
Sunstones are the Oregon state gemstone, and out in the middle of the Oregon desert the Bureau of Land Management has set aside an amazing area where you can camp and rockhound for free. There's shade areas covering picnic tables, a pit toilet (filled with black widow spiders), and large camp sites with level gravel tent pads.
The campsite is amazing, yet remote. If it weren't for the black widow spiders in the pit toilet and lack of water, this site would easily rate a 5. As it was, we had an amazing time staying here for two nights, picking up sunstones everywhere as well as visiting a local "fee" mine called Pana Mine. Smallish sunstones are everywhere right on the surface. If you want to find larger sunstones or ones with unusual colors, local mines have several pricing options.
Tips:
Ranger Review: Oofos OOlala Sandal - Cloud White
I've been wearing my Oofos Flip Flops (OOlala Sandal - Cloud White) for several weeks now and I have nothing but good things to say about them. As a dyrt ranger, I was given a pair to review for free, and I was quite excited having heard such great things beforehand from other rangers. They definitely lived up to the hype. Super-comfy, thick soles that held up well even to rocks and hiking, and the ability to send them through the wash are all huge pluses in my book.
To truly put them to the test, however, I brought them with me to the suntone collection area near Plush, Oregon--an area in the middle of the Oregon desert literally covered with sharp glass-like rocks. I knew none of the other sandals or water shoes I had would hold up to all those rocks, and I was also dubious with the Oofos. After all, other flip-flops I've had in the past would always get rocks and thorns stuck in the bottom that would tear holes in them. After three days out in the desert however, I was thrilled to have my Oofos including the sole still looking like new. Definitely a 5/5 star review for my favorite new shoes.
Check out the video review to hear my sizing tips and the one suggestion I have to make them better.
LegendPrivate “campground” near Lakeview, Oregon (right along the Northern California border) functions more like a year round RV park; most of the residents are permanent although there are spots for travelers passing through. Call ahead for availability to make sure there’s space and they can accommodate your rig.
In total, the owner told me that they have 18 versatile sites they keep for travelers that can accommodate tents. Six of them are pull thrus with electric hookups, and five of those have water hookups. Dump station is not available on site. Friendly folks in the off chance you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods!
TravelerDescription is accurate - one table, one fire ring and room for a couple of tents, but not much else. The fresh water spring is not a 1/4” mile but just across the road where it has easy access through a pipe flowing into a small pool. Tons of flow and I found the water pure and clean. Lovely location with a couple spots to put your tent right next to Dairy Creek. The road gets very low use so not a bother.
Guide
There are spots to park your RV and hook up to water and electric. It is a gravel parking lot. There are designated tent spots in the dirt next to the gravel parking lot.
There is a nice heated restroom with flush toilets. Showers are available, however they are $3.
The area was very windy and noisy.
Guide
A small quiet campground near, but not on Drews creek. Only space for about 4 maybe 5 RVs. All sites great for tents. There are no services - no water, no electric, no dump. It does have two very nice and clean modern pit toilets. We had no cell service.
Scout
Absolutely fantastic experience at Oregon Outback RV Park! We recently had the pleasure of hosting our family reunion here, and I can’t say enough about how perfect it was. The owners went above and beyond by reserving the entire park exclusively for our family, creating a private and intimate setting that made our reunion truly special. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by how clean and well-maintained the entire site was. The stunning view of Abert Rim added to the charm, and being nestled among the trees made for a picturesque and serene backdrop to our stay. But what truly set Oregon Outback RV Park apart was the warmth and kindness of the owners. They were not only incredibly accommodating but also genuinely wonderful people who made us feel right at home. Their hospitality was a highlight of our stay and added an extra layer of joy to our gathering. If you’re looking for a great family camp experience, look no further. Oregon Outback RV Park is a hidden gem that offers a perfect blend of cleanliness, charm, and heartfelt service. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to create lasting memories with our loved ones. Highly recommend it to anyone seeking a memorable and delightful camping experience!
Guide
A really fun RV park with good shade. The owners were extremely nice and helpful. We could see Oregon’s only geyser erupt from our site!
RangerCows… you will see many open range cows while you drive down a long gravel road and again when you reach your destination at Mud Creek. The creek is somewhat seasonal, but you can find a small stream on the road across from the campsite. Not enough water to go fishing or swimming. There is no cell service out there, but many hiking trails and peace and quiet if that is what you are searching for. There is a trailhead a mile up the road with parking. There are vault toilets and space for both tent and RV camping. Be on the look out for rattlesnakes, ticks, and cows out here.
Ranger
Peaceful and beautiful RV park about 8 miles west of Lakeview Oregon. All pull-thru level sites. Clean bathrooms/showers/laundry. Large grassy area with volleyball, horseshoes, and cornhole. Lots of hiking trails and rven a lake with fishing.
TravelerOwners were friendly and willing to help us with whatever needed, including giving good directions to some of the beautiful local scenic sites. We loved the big shade trees and green grass at our group’s 3 sites. Plenty of room for our big RV’s in the easy pull-through sites. We stayed 2 nights on our way through the Oregon outback and would definitely come back.
RangerThis remote campground is functional and practical. Bare bones with a few camp sites, a restroom, some covered picnic benches and a restroom. Bring your own water and plenty of it! It can be very windy here so make sure to stake down your tent well so it doesn't blow away! (We saw this happen to one gent. Glad he had some fear in it to keep it from flying too far).
There are many roads near by that lead out into the collection area. It takes your eyes a minute to see what you are looking for because sunstonea are so plentiful!
My tip: look for the reflections of the stones, catch a glint and go after it! There are thousands right under your nose and you don't necessarily have to dig to find them.Happy Rock Hounding!
RangerThe sunstone is Oregon’s State rock. HERE AT THIS LOCATION YOU CAN COLLECT THEM FREE OF CHARGE - but don’t be greedy! They come in all shapes and sizes, but most are the size of a fingernail or baby’s tooth. You will need to drive out 45-90minutes on a gravel road to reach this location and it is truly out in Oregon’s Outback and will take a full day to reach your destination. FYI DO NOT PICK SUNSTONES UNTIL YOU REACH END-POINT. The surrounding land is not for public use. You will know you’re good to go and at the end-point when you see the photos below with the sign and camp site. It would be safer to Camp in an RV or car because of rattlesnakes and heat-exposure. We did not stay because of the poor air quality from summer fires nearby. There are wild antelope and rabbits in the area. Keep on the look out for wildlife on your drive! No shade is available except for the covered Camp spots. You will see the MANY Sunstones laying out on the ground, sparking in the sun, no need for digging which is quite fun. Sunstones are made from the minerals in the dried up/preserved lake in this area. Lake county is full of seasonal lakes is what we discovered on our road trip this summer...Good luck and have fun!
Legend
This was a very open campground, very little privacy allotted for each site. There were some tree cover and grass. The lake was not very swimmable as it was dry, so we went to a nearby creek and enjoyed that.
It was pretty awesome to be on the state lines of Oregon and California, able to be two places at once. The town of New Pine Creek spans both states and has lots of fun places to visit and see.
TravelerThis place is really in the middle of nowhere and so quiet. Pit toilet was clean and well stocked. There were 5 or 6 other campers spaced out so that you could hardly see most of them. Best of all sunstones littered the ground everywhere. Out in the northwest corner of the area is the best gathering, bring something to sieve with and plop yourself down and just pick them up. If it wasn’t for our kids being bored to tears we may still be there… This is a part of Oregon that not many people take the time to see. It’s definitely worth it.
GuideIn other places I've seen this place reviewed as dingy. What someone expected from a privately run campground on the edge of a massive salt pan expected...I don't know. If you're not into the perfectly imperfect it ain't for you, then again very little in the Oregon Outback will be. There are a few rusted cars hanging around, but the cabins are clean and well kitted, the spring pools are absolutely pleasant, and the scenery outstanding.
GuideIt’s not a bad little park. Has electricity and water at the sites. Almost all our drive-through. Cost is $35 a night. Have bathrooms and showers.
Showers are not marked men or women. I am wondering if that’s the Oregon thing.
They’re working on making us a little nicer place. I think they’re going to have a store but they don’t have anything right now.
It’s right along the highway but it doesn’t seem too noisy. It’s not a busy road. Or at least not tonight.
Everything is gravel.
They have propane.
They don’t have a restriction on how old your RV is.
Guide
Pros: Totally isolated (during the week). Stunning views of surrounding mountains and forest with a crystal clear lake (Cave Lake) for swimming and fishing. Sites equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. Pit toilets. Camped directly next to lake. Stargazing was absolutely breathtaking. One of our very favorite sites just over the Oregon-California border.
Cons: No water. Difficult climb/drive without good tires or 4WD (very steep, high grade road that is mostly dirt and large rocks).
Tips: 4WD/AWD is a must. And drive slowly (see above). We popped a tire in our SUV on the way up, but totally worth it.
Traveler
It’s a nice spot for a night but plan to stay inside the entire time. When I pulled up people were leaving and told me it’s infested with mosquitoes to the point they’d rather go into town and get a hotel for the night. If you dare to go outside you’ll be eaten alive spray or not I tried. I’m from a rural farm town in Alabama. We get a good amount of mosquitoes down south but this is out of this world. Oregon should look into spraying the area truly.
I’d also like to add I’m towing a 30 foot TT and my roof was touching The tree branches on the way in. I would not recommend a 5th wheel or anything longer. It’s tight.
Edit: after I got to my next spot I noticed tears on my rubber roof. Highly recommend no 5th wheels and tts be extra careful if you decide to try and boondock here.
Guide
Pretty location but also lots of bugs, be prepared for mosquitos! There is a small creek that runs through some of the campsites and lots of other wildlife including snakes, rabbits and deer. No bathrooms or showers located near sites.
Ranger
This is a sweet spot in the Hart Mt Antelope refuge. Camping is free and is slightly dispersed into three different areas. As you come in by the hot springs and make a right, those sites are closest to the hot spring itself. Rock creek runs through right behind those sites. However the other sites to the south are very nice. We were there in Oct, the weather cooperated and it was a very nice time. Although it was kind of windy. We used the walled or enclosed hot springs around 9PM and had them all to ourselves. The water was clean, you can actually tread water and not touch the bottom in places. The temp was nice too. Right around 100 deg. I wanted to check out the more rustic spring but the wind kept us out. This is also a good jump off point for other sites like Warner Mt., Petroglyph lake, and Flook lake(weird designs you can see from the air). And the drive up is really spectacular, worth it to stop on a clear day to see the valley below with all the lakes.
GuideWildlife and landscape collide and paint a beautiful picture. There is a small creek with fish nearby and deer and coyote frequent the campgrounds. Nearby are the hot springs and petroglyphs at the nearby lake. This area however is pretty mosquito heavy and as it is a fairly long distance from any town come prepared as there is no nearby gas station/store/restaurants. Make sure to also watch out for rattlesnakes as we encountered one on our trip.
LegendWent here attempting to outrun the smoke from forest fires. Hart Mountain is a gorgeous location and although didn’t see any antelope I was treated to solitude and scenery. Hot springs were great and met some wonderful people who were very welcoming and had been coming to the same area for years. 100% free and plenty of spaces to pull up and choose from across the preserve. No cell signal so plan accordingly.
RangerCamped here in Oct 2020. This is a USFS campground in the Fremont Winema NF. No hookups but large private sites with fire rings and ginormous picnic tables plus vault toilets. There’s water but only in season. Close to Hart Mtn Antelope Refuge. Would camp here again.
Nestled in the stunning landscapes of Oregon, tent camping near Plush offers a perfect escape into nature. With a variety of campgrounds available, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the serene beauty of the Fremont-Winema National Forest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Plush, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Plush, OR is Cave Lake Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Plush, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Plush, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
