The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Dispersed Camping near Scappoose, OR

78 Reviews

Tillamook State Forest offers multiple primitive camping areas within driving distance of Scappoose, Oregon. Free dispersed sites can be found throughout the forest via a network of forest service roads, many accessible through the Jones Creek area. The gravel roads leading to camping spots range from moderately rough to steep and rocky, with most sites suitable for tents and some accommodating smaller RVs.

Several visitors note the area's stunning views, particularly from elevated sites. "We found a small mountaintop spot with amazing 360 degree views," reported one camper. The region experiences significant off-road vehicle activity, particularly on weekends, creating noticeable noise. Limited or no cell service exists throughout the forest, though some higher elevations may connect to satellite internet. Beaver Falls Trailhead offers an alternative primitive camping option north of Scappoose with several roadside pull-offs that work well for overnight car camping. The 14-day camping duration limit applies to most dispersed sites in the region.

Map showing campgrounds near Scappoose, OregonExplore the Map

Best Dispersed Sites Near Scappoose, Oregon (30)

    1. Gee Creek Rest Area I-5

    1 Review
    Ridgefield, WA
    10 miles

    2. Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    8 Reviews
    Clatskanie, OR
    27 miles

    "Definitely best for car camping as the spots down by the river were pretty wet and muddy this time of year. The waterfall is amazing and only a 15 minute hike down!"

    "The river is a walk down a very steep hill behind the pullout. No place to pitch a tent, best for car camping."

    3. Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    15 Reviews
    Tillamook State Forest, OR
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 357-2191

    "Accessible through the Jones Creek campground turn off, continue up the forest roads past the OHV staging area and you’re in paradise!"

    "My mistake, these coordinates took us to the top of the mountain. It is currently an active logging area, so the truckers are out at 3am. The road up was a very narrow road."

    4. Tillamook Forest Dispersed - Shots and Pecks

    3 Reviews
    Timber, OR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-2545

    5. Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    17 Reviews
    Carson, WA
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 891-5000

    "It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there."

    "Spent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around."

    6. Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

    8 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 891-5000

    "Found in typical condition. Please pick up after yourself. Many sites out here. Camped on a week day. One other camper out here. No traffic on road. Like others said road getting in sucks."

    "Road got a little bumpy getting out here but once we found a spot right near the riverbank, you felt like you were deep in it. Saw a few people on the way out."

    7. Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Cougar, WA
    46 miles

    "This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it."

    "This dispersed camping is free, huge bonus in my book."

    8. Snag Creek Trailhead Dispersed

    6 Reviews
    Stevenson, WA
    41 miles
    Website

    "I wanted to add videos of the river sites to my other review for this site, but the website wouldn't let me - anyway, the hike has 3 river sites about 1 mile in from the trailhead and they are beautiful"

    "We wanted a beginner backpacking trip (10 to 12 miles round trip) close to town - this one is a pretty hike with views at the end (theoretically, we saw fog)."

    9. Cole Mt Ridge

    4 Reviews
    Tolovana Park, OR
    43 miles

    "The coordinates did not take us to the exact spot, but the pin on the map was the closest, it’s actually to the left on the dirt road. You’ll see a tiny dirt road going up hill and that’s the spot."

    "This spot has an almost 180 degree view around to the west! Could fit about 2-4 people comfortably. No amenities but such a good time!"

    10. Scenic Overlook Dispersed Camp near Foley Creek

    3 Reviews
    Wheeler, OR
    43 miles

    "Definitely quite the long and slow drive up a narrow backcountry road - steep in sections but overall quite manageable."

    "It’s just past a river around a bend when heading east on the south side. You’ll see signs off the pavement for Cook Creek campground. Keep on driving up staying on the main road."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 30 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Scappoose Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Scappoose, OR

70 Photos of 30 Scappoose Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Scappoose, OR

78 Reviews of 30 Scappoose Campgrounds

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2022

    Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    Perfect for Overland and off-road vehicle camping

    Accessible through the Jones Creek campground turn off, continue up the forest roads past the OHV staging area and you’re in paradise! Gorgeous spots all over that are accessible in most 4WD/off-road capable vehicles. There is a massive network of forest service roads many with spots to set up your own quiet camp away from all the dirt bikes and RVs. No facilities obviously but that’s what makes this place special. It’s incredibly quiet and peaceful and a gorgeous piece of the PNW coastal area.

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2025

    Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    GPS takes you to the top!

    My mistake, these coordinates took us to the top of the mountain. It is currently an active logging area, so the truckers are out at 3am. The road up was a very narrow road. So careful if there’s other cars coming through, especially the logging semis.

    Nonetheless a cool spot. Dry camping. Please clean up after yourselves.

  • Kevin W.
    Aug. 20, 2024

    McBride Lake NF-81 Dispersed

    Lots of shade, very private and trailer friendly.

    I have camped here twice now, once during a scouting trip in 2016 with my boys and again in September 2024 with just me and my dog :).  I could pull my 17' pop-up "A" frame trailer and back into one of the two spots with no problem.  Due to the narrow road, it may be a bit more snug with bigger rigs (25+ feet long and anything more than 8+ feet wide).  I would scout the road and area before committing; however, there is a turnaround that you could use to maneuver the trailer to drive out.  It's plenty big to accommodate a few trucks/cars and one, maybe two towable trailers.  If you're going tent camping, there are about four flat places for tents.  The area has no trails, so you would not have to worry about people wandering into the campsite. The Ape Caves is a small drive away. The town of Cougar, WA. is about 10 miles away if you need gas or food.  There is a lot of shade, and it is not solar-friendly.  The main road is about 100 feet away, relatively quiet, and very private.  There was a large rock fire pit in the middle. There is no cell phone reception; however, if you drive East for a few miles, you may be able to get 2 bars with Verizon.

    Per the state website, "On the southwest side of Mount St. Helens, Forest Road 81 provides an experience away from crowds. On this road, access Kalama Horse Camp, Red Rock Pass, and Forest Road 830, the road to Climber's Bivouac, and the start of the summer climbing route. From the west, the road begins on Forest Road 90, near Cougar, WA, and travels through private timberlands and state lands before entering Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The road connects with Forest Road 83 on its east side. While mostly paved, be prepared for several miles of gravel(between Forest Road 830 and 8123) and a road that is sometimes very rough."

  • Vanessa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

    You may get lost

    The coordinates here were incorrect coming from Hood River Oregon. It sent me down a rough dead end forest service road. I ended up lost on the mountain for 3 hours and finally made it out somewhere near camas. Make sure you have lots of fuel

  • Vanessa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2025

    Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    Amazing spot!

    Absolutely loved the spot. There were about three sites. I believe from what I saw. I stayed at the first site when you first get there back there on the right hand side. It's a short hike down to the creek. It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there. Minimal bugs didn't get any bug bites and it was in the '90s while I was there. Very little traffic. Not far from the highway just in case of emergencies. Absolutely no cell service. You must have a Northwest Forest pass or America the beautiful pass. Forest service does drive through there frequently to check

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2023

    Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    Amazing Hike!!

    This place was beautiful!! Definitely best for car camping as the spots down by the river were pretty wet and muddy this time of year. The waterfall is amazing and only a 15 minute hike down! The only reason this place got lower than a 5 star is because of all the trash near the parking lot. Too beautiful of a place to be used as a dump!! Definitely used as a party spot but aside from this it’s worth the visit!

  • Johny B.
    Jun. 19, 2025

    Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    Peaceful and Scenic Getaway

    Spent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around. We found a great shady spot not far from a small creek, and it was perfect for relaxing. Heads up: there’s absolutely no cell service, so make sure to download any maps or trail guides(we used an offline hiking APK) before you get there. It’s close to Mount St. Helens and Columbia River Gorge, so we got in a great day hike. Nights were cool, days were warm and bug-free. Forest service came by once, which was nice to see. You’ll need a Forest Pass.

  • Danielle S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2018

    Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed Camping - s. Mount St. Helens

    This is a dispersed campsite near the south side of Mount St. Helens. It's free, which is always great. The drive in is just off the highway and up a little hill, but my car had no problems with it. There's a lot of space here. From our spot, we saw at least a half a dozen fire pits, but we were the only ones there. It has some nice trees and a trail. Up the road is Lava Canyon, where there are toilets if you need. There are some decently flat spots for a tent and I felt was all around a good site.

  • Haroon A.
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    Little Soda Springs Rd: Washington's Wild Camping Haven

    I love how Vanessa mentioned the creek access from that first campsite! As someone who's been searching for dispersed camping spots with water features, this feels like such a gem. The fact that Forest Service regularly patrols is actually reassuring rather than intrusive- I've been to some dispersed sites that felt a bit too"wild west" if you know what I mean. I've been using offline hiking apps for my trips in the Gifford Pinchot, but I hadn't considered Little Soda Springs until now. That tip about downloading maps beforehand due to no cell service is crucial- learned that lesson the hard way last summer near Mt. Adams! Anyone know if the creek is suitable for filtering drinking water, or should I pack in all I need?

Guide to Scappoose

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Scappoose, Oregon, where nature lovers can find serene spots to unwind and explore. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.

Scenic Waterfalls for Dispersed Campers

Outdoor Activities While Free Camping Near Scappoose

Unique Experiences for Dispersed Campers

  • Campers seeking a more secluded experience can find hidden gems at Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping, where you can enjoy privacy and stunning views while being surrounded by towering trees.
  • The Pumice Butte- Dispersed Campsite offers incredible views of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams, making it a fantastic spot for stargazing and enjoying the night sky.
  • For a truly immersive experience, North Fork Trask allows you to connect with nature while enjoying the sounds of the nearby river, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Scappoose, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Scappoose, OR is Gee Creek Rest Area I-5 with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 30 dispersed camping locations near Scappoose, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring