Rustic camping near Reedsport, Oregon offers access to some of the most remote wilderness on the Oregon Coast. The region sits where the coastal mountains meet the sea, with elevations ranging from near sea level to over 2,000 feet in the surrounding forests. Winter temperatures average 40-50°F with frequent rain, while summers remain mild at 65-75°F with morning fog common through July.
What to do
Fishing at Hult Pond: Located about an hour from Reedsport, Hult Pond offers decent fishing opportunities. One camper reported: "The fishing was pretty decent, caught three largemouth bass." Shore access can be challenging in some areas, so bringing a small paddle craft is recommended.
Stargazing on clear nights: The remote nature of Doolittle Butte creates excellent conditions for night sky viewing. A camper noted: "Beautiful stop for dispersed camping... lot's of space for big group with multiple cars" and another mentioned "Beautiful views of stars on a clear night. Very remote."
Creek exploration: Many forest sites feature small streams and creeks. In Elliott State Forest, one camper shared: "The road follows a babbling creek which was amazing to sleep next to. There are no amenities, follow any postings about campfire restrictions."
What campers like
Forest solitude: The backcountry roads in Siuslaw National Forest provide true wilderness camping experiences. One camper described: "I drove back in a few miles and camped along the road, in some old growth forest. It was dark, and I mean truly dark in there when you shut off your lights off, and silent as a tomb. Huge uncut trees, bad ass country!"
Elevated viewpoints: Several camping areas feature spots with panoramic views. At Forest Road 55 Pulloff, a camper reported: "Unbelievable vista off paved and then maintained gravel road... I arrived at 9pm and there were two pull offs in this area. It was awesome to car camp here. I only saw two others."
Morning mist views: The landscape creates atmospheric conditions perfect for misty mornings. One camper at Elliott State Forest shared: "Nice misty views over the trees in the morning." These conditions are common in spring and early summer when temperature differences between night and day are greatest.
What you should know
Road conditions vary widely: Many access routes require careful driving. On BLM Kentucky Falls Road, one camper noted: "Paved most of the way up," while another at Siuslaw warned: "The way Google took us to this spot was terrible. Instead of keeping us on the gravel road, it had us drive through an overgrown dirt path."
Cell service limitations: Expect very limited or no connectivity. At Hult Pond, a camper reported: "We lost cell service about an hour before we even got there, and didn't have any the whole time there. There are some really cool spots that were taken."
Variable site availability: Weekdays generally offer better chances for securing preferred spots. One visitor to Near Fawn Creek mentioned: "Very nice and secluded," while a camper at Elliott State Forest shared: "You have to drive some winding forest service roads to get to a spot then find one on or near the road but there's a couple good camp spots."
Tips for camping with families
Download offline maps: Given the lack of cell service and complex road networks, preparation is essential. A camper at Elliott State Forest advised: "Needed a last minute to car camp that was close to the coast, found these dispersed sites online and figured I'd try it out. There was surprisingly multiple spots that I had cell service (AT&T) so I was able to navigate myself around through a satellite map."
Pack games and entertainment: Without electronic distractions, bring alternatives. A visitor to Near Fawn Creek Campground suggested: "About an 1 hour from Corvallis but worth it if you can go at a good time! No service but great from a seclusion! So remember all games and firewood you need!!"
Watch for wildlife visitors: Animals frequently visit campsites. One camper at Elliott State Forest reported: "Beautiful view overlooking the mountains. Low traffic but rains a lot and we had a visitor come sniff around but quickly left."
Tips from RVers
Turning radius concerns: Many forest roads have limited turnaround areas. At Hult Pond, an RV camper warned: "We have a 38 foot rv. We got stuck in a ditch. Rv almost tipped over trying to u turn… if you go down the main lower path you will find a area big enough to u turn! Dont do it until then!"
Avoid steep routes: Some areas have challenging grades unsuitable for larger rigs. One camper at Elliott State Forest cautioned: "We stayed all day but decided not to stay a night. Our day stay was due to the road being too steep for my 1993 truck camper. It got too hot and blew the transmission, made a nice long trail in the steep road."
Pull-offs are typically small: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller vehicles better than large RVs. A camper noted about Siuslaw National Forest: "It's a small road through the forest with a few pull off spots along the way. Nothing particularly interesting here, just trees. Can be difficult to find a spot without having to drive pretty far into the forest."
