Dispersed camping areas near Prineville, Oregon extend across BLM lands, National Forest terrain, and the Crooked River National Grasslands. These free campsites sit at elevations ranging from 2,800 to 4,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations between day and night—often cooling by 30-40 degrees after sunset. Cell service varies considerably, with stronger signals near highways and limited to no connectivity in more remote areas.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 0.5 miles At Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground, campers can take a short hike to view cascading water. "Half mile easy hike to the waterfall but the trail keeps going another Half-ish mile for a slightly longer walk. Lots of fishermen and folks walking the trail in the morning," notes Anna P.
Swimming: 100-foot cliff descent required While technically accessible, river access at some locations requires significant effort. "Even if you walk to the river it's about a 100ft drop down to it," explains Erik I. about Steelhead Falls. At other locations like Lower Crooked River, floating and swimming are more accessible.
Stargazing: minimal light pollution The Jasper Point Dispersed area provides exceptional night sky viewing. "This spot is great for watching a meteor shower, gets a little windy and not too much shade during the day," reports Daniel W. Darker skies are found farther from town.
What campers like
Privacy in juniper forests: For those seeking solitude, Skull Hollow Dispersed offers scattered sites with natural screening. "If you keep driving on the forest service road past the Skull Hollow campground there are many designated spots to car camp along the road... Some sites are shaded by juniper trees," writes Alex.
Expansive views: The plateau settings offer sweeping panoramas. One camper at Oregon Badlands Dispersed notes, "Close to Bend, easy to get to and find, quiet, views for miles. The dogs loved romping around here." Open terrain allows for excellent sunrise and sunset viewing.
Quick access to climbing: Proximity to Smith Rock State Park makes certain dispersed sites popular with climbers. "Stopped here in Redmond to do some fantastic climbing in Smith's Rock State Park. Clean pit bathroom and clean sites," reports Tristan S. about Steelhead Falls Trailhead.
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Many access roads require careful planning. "The drive in, we had to open and close the fence. We are in a 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan. Drive in was rocky, but we made it (very slowly). Bottomed out a few times," explains Timothy R. about Jasper Point.
Limited facilities: Most sites have minimal infrastructure. At Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping, "It's all free dispersed camping so there is no development besides the dirt road," states Jacob D. Plan to pack in all necessities.
Weather extremes: Temperature fluctuations and wind can impact camping comfort. "It was really windy in the morning and there was lots of dirt in the eyes but otherwise amazing!" notes Bree G. about Oregon Badlands. Sites at higher elevations experience cooler temperatures.
Tips for camping with families
Look for shaded sites: During summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, juniper trees provide critical shade. "We drove a little past the coordinates on the Dyrt site and turned right into another section of the BLM. There were multiple roads to take. We chose the dirt road to the right up a little hill to a plateau," explains Marc M. about Terrebonne East Camp Dispersed.
Plan for wildlife encounters: Children may enjoy spotting local fauna. "Quiet campsite on BLM land... Half mile easy hike to the waterfall but the trail keeps going another Half-ish mile for a slightly longer walk," writes Anna P. Coyotes are commonly heard at night across most sites.
Consider site selection carefully: Some areas offer more kid-friendly terrain than others. "Flat sites far enough away from each other for privacy even though the terrain is pretty open. Easy tenting," explains Anna P. about Steelhead Falls, making it more suitable for families than rocky areas.
Tips from RVers
Rig size limitations: Many dispersed sites have specific vehicle restrictions. "There is a sign in the way in indicating 30ft length max, but there is no mention on the BLM site. They must mean trailer length since we had no issues with our 22' trailer and rig (40ft total)," explains Mark W. at Steelhead Falls.
Leveling challenges: The terrain at most free camping near Prineville presents difficulties. "We were able to level up and had no neighbors until the morning of the eclipse when several people and RV's came in," writes Kelly H. about camping at Green Mountain North Trailhead Dispersed Camping. Bring leveling blocks.
Turnaround space: Some narrow roads lack adequate space for larger vehicles to maneuver. "Has a nice area to turn around a big truck," notes Amanda B. about Green Mountain North Trailhead, an important consideration for larger rigs on forest roads with limited pullouts.
