Dispersed camping opportunities near Selma, Oregon extend beyond the well-known sites to include numerous primitive camping areas in Siskiyou National Forest. Located in southwestern Oregon at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, this region experiences hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Camping spots along the Rogue and Chetco Rivers provide natural cooling during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
What to do
Swimming access: Redwood Bar offers excellent water activities with "crystal clear river for swimming/floating in," according to Jules S. The site features "nearby rocks for jumping off" and good kayaking spots, though families should note that "it's a river not a lake so kids ought to have life jackets."
Fishing opportunities: The Argo Bar recreation site provides direct river access where visitors can watch "boaters and rafting companies coming and going all day," as Laura M. notes. The boat ramp allows easy water entry, and campers report "fish were jumping and the water clear" at nearby pond-side camping areas.
Stargazing: For night sky viewing, the Beautiful Dispersed View off Fire Rd offers elevated sites away from light pollution. Connor M. describes it as a "scenic pull-off" with the advantage that "the 6.5 mile road (FS-25) is paved so the accessibility of the site is a plus."
What campers like
Privacy at smaller sites: Campers appreciate the seclusion at Burma Pond BLM where Nicholas G. reports "I camped one night right off the water. Quiet and clean. I slept great." The site offers "pretty woods and good stars," according to Carl L., making it ideal for those seeking solitude.
Riverside proximity: Many campers value waterfront access at Patrick Creek Dispersed Camping, where Sarah S. found "the creek is absolutely clear, a bit chilly but stunning." Catherine L. adds that "the creek behind us was beautiful and the sounds just put you right to sleep."
Convenient highway access: For travelers looking for quick overnight stops, Burma Pond offers accessibility "not too far from I5" as Clayton P. notes. The site is "a convenient place to stop if you're driving through" with only "about 20 minutes off i5" according to Emma G.
What you should know
Site capacity limitations: Most rustic camping areas near Selma have limited space. At Beautiful Dispersed View off Fire Rd, Kali R. warns these are "tiny pullout spots just enough for a van to park, would not recommend for an rv or trailer." Similarly, Burma Pond has "three spots, two of which are very close together."
Road conditions vary significantly: Access roads require careful driving beyond what GPS might indicate. Logan N. reports "quite a few generally easily dodge-able potholes" at Burma Pond, while Clayton P. advises "GPS via Apple and Google wanted me to go on a rarely used and overgrown forest road to get here, I recommend using GPS to get in the general area then look at the map to manually navigate."
Seasonal considerations: Water levels and conditions change dramatically throughout the year at Ennis Riffle. Monica W. warns "beware of camping here during the rainy season. The water covers the entire campground." Similarly at Redwood Bar, a camper notes "as the summer progresses, the water level drops, the temperature rises and the algae grows. As such, we prefer June camping."
Tips for camping with families
Pack water recreation gear: When camping with children at Redwood Bar, bring proper safety equipment as one camper recommends: "Remember! It's a river not a lake so kids ought to have life jackets." The fast-moving water requires supervision, with ellis P. noting the "river was fast moving so if you have kids, make sure to bring lifejackets."
Noise considerations: Some areas experience weekend parties that may not be ideal for families with young children. At Redwood Bar, Katelin M. warns "kids do come party here Friday nights maybe Saturdays. Music can be loud and trash is left," while at Canyon Gulch, Shelby S. was "woken up in the middle of the night to someone practicing with their shotgun in the distance."
Choose timing carefully: Weekday camping typically offers quieter experiences. At Rocky Riffle, Laura M. notes "a lot of rafters and kayakers, especially on weekends, but they stay mostly on the water but can become quite loud at times." Similarly at Redwood Bar, another camper suggests to "go during the week and you might have the place all to yourselves."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most dispersed camping near Selma has significant limitations for larger rigs. Kali R. cautions about Beautiful Dispersed View that these are "all tiny pullout spots just enough for a van to park, would not recommend for an rv or trailer." At Burma Pond, one camper notes "if we had a smaller rig we would come here again."
Leveling challenges: Finding flat parking can be difficult in this mountainous region. At Ennis Riffle, Laura M. reports "we couldn't really find a flat place to park, and so ended up parking just along the bathroom, which was the flattest spot here." Similarly, at Rocky Riffle, the terrain requires careful site selection.
Maneuvering space: Some sites have limited turning radius. At Patrick Creek, Sarah S. notes "it is a bit steep coming down but since we were the only ones we had plenty of room to back the camper where we wanted," but Catherine L. adds she "wouldn't recommend for larger trailers." Plan to arrive early to secure suitable spots, especially during peak season.
