Best Dispersed Camping near Richland, OR

Searching for a dispersed campsite near Richland? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Richland, OR (19)

    Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area

    1. Mann Creek Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    22 Photos
    19 Saves
    Weiser, Idaho

    Overview

    Mann Creek Campground is located near the Mann Creek Reservoir in the foothills of the West Central Mountains in western Idaho near the Payette National Forest. The reservoir is a popular boating and fishing destination. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

    Recreation

    The reservoir offers 283 surface-acres of water and five miles of shoreline, although the water level fluctuates seasonally. Visitors enjoy boating, canoeing, swimming and trout fishing.

    Natural Features

    Mann Creek Reservoir lies in the rolling and arid foothills of the Hitt Mountains. At an elevation of 3,300 feet, the area is hot and dry in the summer months. Large shade trees help block some of the intense sun, but shade is limited.

    Contact Info

    For facility specific information, please call (208) 549-4200.

    • Pets
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Dispersed
    • Toilets

    $15 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Oasis Recreation Site
    Camper-submitted photo from Oasis Recreation Site
    Camper-submitted photo from Oasis Recreation Site
    Camper-submitted photo from Oasis Recreation Site
    Camper-submitted photo from Oasis Recreation Site
    Camper-submitted photo from Oasis Recreation Site
    • No image available
      Camper-submitted photo from Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping
      Camper-submitted photo from Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping
      Camper-submitted photo from Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping
      Camper-submitted photo from Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping
      Camper-submitted photo from Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping
      Camper-submitted photo from Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping

      4. Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping

      2 Reviews
      8 Photos
      14 Saves
      Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon

      Dispersed camping is a popular camping method for many visitors to the Forest. Choosing to camp along a stream or adjacent to a meadow where there are no picnic tables, toilets or firerings allows campers to enjoy a more primitive experience.

      It is recommend that dispersed campers keep to traditional campsites off of established 'two-track' vehicles routes which have been used in the past. Most of these routes are less than 300 feet from a designated open road.

      There are some areas on the Forest that are closed to dispersed camping. These include administrative site, special use permit area, or sensitive areas for archeology or wildlife.

      Please remove all temporary structures before you leave such as meat poles, toilets, furniture, and ditches around your tents. To find out more about minimum impact camping please visit our outdoor ethics section. Some general rules of use and restrictions also apply to visitor using dispersed camping sites. These include regulations like forest-wide camping stay limits; use of camp fires, firearms, and fireworks; and controlling pets.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Dispersed
      • Alcohol
      Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

      5. Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

      7 Reviews
      32 Photos
      168 Saves
      New Meadows, Idaho

      Numerous dispersed campsites are located around the Lost Valley Reservoir. __No amenities available.

      • Phone Service
      • Dispersed
      • Trash
      • Drinking Water
      • Toilets
      • Alcohol
      Camper-submitted photo from Ice Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Ice Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Ice Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Ice Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Ice Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Ice Lake
      Camper-submitted photo from Aneroid Lake Backcountry Dispersed Campsite
      Camper-submitted photo from Wallowa Falls Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Wallowa Falls Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Wallowa Falls Campground

      8. Wallowa Falls Campground

      1 Review
      3 Photos
      4 Saves
      Joseph, Oregon

      Note: Directions listed here are to the park entrance. Please call 800-551-6949 for detailed directions. The walk-in, tent only campground is nestled at the base of the Wallowa Mountains and surrounded by cliffs, tall pine trees, and wildlife. Relax to the sound of the Wallowa River and a small brook that runs through the campground. Take a hike on nearby trails that lead into the Eagle Cap Wilderness or picnic at the Little Alps Day-use Area. Wallowa Lake State Park is north of the campground.

      Seasonal Camping

      10 walk-in sites are first-come, first-served. Potable water available from spigots in the campground. Park overnight at the Little Alps Day-use Area. $10 per night. Pay at the self-pay station. Cash, check, and credit cards welcome. Firewood is available for $5/bundle. Two vault toilets located in the campground and a full restroom located just north of the campground in the Little Alps Day-use Area.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • ADA Access
      • RVs
      • No image available

        9. Hitt Mountain Dispersed Campground and Trailhead

        Be the first to review!
        4 Saves
        Richland, Oregon

        This dispersed campground if access via Highway 71 out of Cambridge. Dispersed campground with an outhouse, fire rings and some tables. Places to tie stock are available. Trailhead - parking lot site.

        • Dispersed
        Camper-submitted photo from Echo Lake Dispersed Camping
        Camper-submitted photo from Echo Lake Dispersed Camping
        Camper-submitted photo from Echo Lake Dispersed Camping
        Camper-submitted photo from Echo Lake Dispersed Camping
        Camper-submitted photo from Echo Lake Dispersed Camping
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      Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

      Recent Dispersed Reviews in Richland

      22 Reviews of 19 Richland Campgrounds


      • Nick J.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Aneroid Lake Backcountry Dispersed Campsite
        Oct. 11, 2024

        Aneroid Lake Backcountry Dispersed Campsite

        Great Backcountry High Alpine Lake

        Aneroid Lake is one of my favorite locations in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The dispersed camping for backpackers is on the North side of the lake, whereas the South side is private property (Camp Halton). The lake is stocked every few years with rainbow trout, and has a good supply of brook trout.

        The water is very cold but worth the dip if it's a hot summer day.

      • Evan W.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed near Baboon Creek Quarry
        Aug. 18, 2024

        Dispersed near Baboon Creek Quarry

        Good spot for a few nights

        There are a few spots and spurs off NF-6510 that would make for good boondocking. Might be hard to get level, but other than that it’s pretty nice. The spot on the map has a stone fire ring. There are a few spots before and after that would be suitable to setup camp as well.

        I got to the spot marked on the map in my extended Transit, but I’m sure road conditions may change with the seasons, storms; etc. Depending on your comfort, you may only want to head this way with high-clearance vehicle.

      • JThe Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping
        Aug. 8, 2022

        Balm Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping

        Boondocking

        Directions:  About 13 miles from Medical Springs on a gravel road (half hour or so). Take Big Creek Rd to Collins Lane.  That turns into USFS 67, then 72.  The gravel road is good, but access to the camping is pretty narrow and rougher.  Probably not a good place for a big nice camp trailer.  

        Camping is dispersed, mostly on the west side of the reservoir. The east side has a few spots but the road is really rough toward the dam. Fish are stocked. Boats with oars, paddles or electric motors are allowed. There are no improvements.  Check fire restrictions.  Campfires are prohibited almost every year for most of July, August and September.  Cattle graze here.  The water level gets pretty low by August.

      • allison W.
        Camper-submitted photo from Southern Elkhorn Mtn/Powder River Basin Area
        Jul. 17, 2022

        Southern Elkhorn Mtn/Powder River Basin Area

        Huge and diverse area

        Boondocking is easy with a camper van or tent setup in this national forest area, but it’s hard to make a generalization that covers this vast collection of campgrounds and areas. It earns a good review at the end of the day for being conveniently located and hassle free; you can always find a decent spot up around the bend and it’s the right mix of privacy and tranquility while being reasonable close to civilization if calamity strikes.

      • Will M.
        Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area
        Jun. 12, 2022

        Mann Creek Recreation Area

        Not a bad place

        Nice oasis. Clean bathrooms and good sized sites. Even sites have the table and pit on the back side of your trailer. Lots of skeeters to take your spray. We also ran into a couple bull snakes.

      • Fishin' R.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
        Feb. 9, 2022

        Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

        Very Quiet

        until the late 1980s my family and I camped here with our RVs all the time but a chipmunk they have been trying to save since( they are everywhere...) has resulted in the campgrounds being closed for vehicle use. great place to take a tent and a six pack! little store 3 miles down the road.

      • Christine
        Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area
        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...

      • Will M.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
        Sep. 9, 2021

        Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

        Great campgrounds tucked away

        Great spot tucked into the trees. Some sites are a bit cramped, but enjoyable. Cool trails and nearby water to keep the kids occupied. The road is tight but you can get a fifth wheeler in. Every spot looks very easy backing in. No sharp corners, no sacrifices were made in order to back in.

      • Michael The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Ice Lake
        Jul. 4, 2021

        Ice Lake

        Nine-Mile Hike

        The water is no-joke cold. Fantastic nine-mile hike into the forest. Stayed two nights. Elevation is ~8,000 feet. Got altitude sickness on day two.

        No fires allowed. No amenities. Back-country hikers only. No cell service. Perfect getaway.

      • Larry J.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
        Jun. 26, 2021

        Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

        Great dispersed camping

        Just came back from my second week long trip in 3 weeks there. Camped right on the water! I usually go up on Monday stay till Saturday, one of the benefits of being retired! Definitely going to go one more time, maybe two this summer. Very very scenic.

      • Amy S.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area
        Apr. 4, 2021

        Mann Creek Recreation Area

        Awesome spot!

        This is a great campground near the reservoir.  Lots of shade trees, almost a park like setting.  Plenty of room to roam from this base camp.  It does get pretty hot in the summer.

      • Amy S.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area
        Apr. 4, 2021

        Mann Creek Recreation Area

        Beautiful Reservoir

        This is a great area.  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.  Spring and fall are really nice times of year here.

      • Arielle W.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Echo Lake Dispersed Camping
        Oct. 4, 2020

        Echo Lake Dispersed Camping

        Gorgeous and remote. Be prepared to CLIMB!

        This is not an official campground. There is a lot of space for campers, though, and it is not heavily trafficked. The trek to Echo Lake is about 8 miles (one-way) from the start of the Hurricane Creek Trail. When you arrive at Echo Lake, beauty awaits you! This location is a remote and peaceful retreat. The lake is so clear and serene. The views of the mountainside are breathtaking. This is a great site for groups and there is enough space to spread out. The stars are vivid and you can see the movement of the stars and moon along the mountains.  The trek to the lake is SO WORTH IT! This is probably one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been to. It gave me the wilderness escape that I needed. It is a hidden gem! Whenever you visit, leave your stressors behind you and enjoy the preserved beauty. The lake is very cold, but I definitely enjoyed the shock after the hike in! 

        The hike into Echo Lake is an intense incline! We tracked about 3,500 feet of elevation gain in about 5 hours during our hike in. The way back only took us about 3.5 hours and is mostly downhill. I would not recommend this hike for a beginner hiker/backpacker. I carried 60 lbs on my back up and down this trek and it was A LOT for me as a relatively new backpacker (with endurance conditioning). It is a hike that one should work towards, for sure! This trek is would be great crosstraining for an endurance athlete (like me!). At times, the incline felt like a 10-15% grade, but I do not know this for sure. It is pretty steep and challenging if you are carrying a lot of weight. I recommend going as minimalist as possible to avoid extra weight, if possible. I brought my bull mastiff dog along with me and she had a blast! I would recommend conditioning your dog for a trek like this. It can be pretty gnarly and steep at times! My dog wouldn't have made it if she had not done treks like this before. There are creeks along the route to the lake and I would bring extra water to hydrate your dog in between water sources. As always, leave no trace and keep this spot pristine and clean :)

      • Sarah W.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Ice Lake
        Aug. 31, 2020

        Ice Lake

        Can’t say enough, come here

        This backpacking trip is a very accessible hike.

        The road to get to the trailhead is paved and the hike to Ice lake is 9 miles in (18 miles total)

        You can add some miles (and a lot of elevation) if you add a day hike to the Matterhorn. Second tallest to Sacajawea. When I say it takes 3 hours to get up and 30 minutes to get down.. I’m not joking. Unless you’re an ultra runner who can handle high intensity at elevation, this will take some time. Well worth it for the views and ice lake will be waiting for you at the bottom.

        Photos are from August 2018 and July 2019... notice the snow in July. Couldn’t do the added day hike that time.

      • Easton S.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
        Sep. 17, 2019

        Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

        Second annual

        Liked it enough to come back. Had a huge group and multiple dogs in the group site. Very clean camp area. Extremely reasonable prices. Bathrooms are really dirty. Water for drinking is available just a short walk or really short drive. Nice fire pits. Close to water for playing in. There are some towns nearby. Would recommend just use the woods whenever possible.

      • Easton S.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
        Jul. 24, 2019

        Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

        Lots of trees

        There is a lot of space in each camp. Not much land in between each camp so be courteous. Good drinking water. A fairly dirty pit bathroom. I’m pretty sure it’s pet friendly. You can walk to the reservoir. The beach is very rocky.

      • L
        Camper-submitted photo from Mann Creek Recreation Area
        Aug. 6, 2018

        Mann Creek Recreation Area

        Fishing and more

        Has designated campsites and primitive large campsites if you are willing to drive in a ways. Its a wonderful place to camp or just spend time fishing the day away.

        No fire rings are in the primitive area so if you want fire and there is a ban your out of luck. Very limited shade

      • DThe Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
        Jul. 30, 2018

        Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

        Beautiful Sunsets on a mountain lake.

        Once you turn off Hywy 95 on to Lost Valley Reservoir Road (about 16 miles North of Council), you will reach a Y in the well kept gravel road. If you turn left, you will come to Cold Spring Campground. There are RV/trailer and tent sites available for a small daily fee. There are campfire sites, hiking trails, toilets and water from a hand pump. You will need to pack out your own garbage as there are no dumpsters. Not a bad place but you are still about 1/2 mile away from the Lost Valley Reservoir.

        If you return to the Lost Valley Reservoir road, you can continue on to the Reservoir. After about 1/2 mile, you will see the lake off to your right. There are camp sites all along this stretch of the lake with direct access to the lake. A few sites have a common outhouse with no running water. Along this side of the lake there is also a boat launch area, but I believe this is a 'No Wake Lake'. Check local burn bans, and pack your garbage out.

        The road continues along the lake edge and over a small dam. There are several small, dirt access roads that lead to the lakes edge with camping sites at the end of each. Several roads are VERY rough and have deep ruts in them, and I personally wouldn't risk driving them without a vehicle that has plenty of clearance.

        The lake is small and as the summer progresses and water is drained from the reservoir, it shrinks. I prefer camping here until about the 1st or 2nd week of August. After this, the water levels drop drastically and green algae begins to accumulate around the lakes edge. There are small perch for fishing, but I did not catch any big enough to keep. We camped here in mid-July this year and had a campfire each night.

        Beautiful views, great hiking, refreshing water, and several families had ATV's. Huckleberries are usually ripe 1st/2nd weeks of August. Very relaxing. Enjoy.


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      Guide to Richland

      Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Richland, Oregon, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you'll enjoy the freedom of camping in the great outdoors.

      Tips for free and dispersed camping near Richland, Oregon

      Top activities while free camping near Richland

      • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the stocked waters at Mann Creek Recreation Area, where you can catch rainbow and brook trout.
      • Hiking opportunities abound near Ice Lake, which requires a scenic nine-mile trek to reach its stunning alpine beauty.
      • For those looking to explore, the area around Wallowa Falls Campground offers picturesque trails and breathtaking views, perfect for a day of adventure.

      Scenic attractions for dispersed campers

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Richland, OR?

        According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Richland, OR is Mann Creek Recreation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.

      • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Richland, OR?

        TheDyrt.com has all 19 dispersed camping locations near Richland, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.