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Best Dispersed Camping near Sisters, OR

205 Reviews

Dispersed camping around Sisters, Oregon occurs primarily on Deschutes National Forest land, with multiple free sites located along forest service roads south and west of town. The area includes several established dispersed zones including Black Pine Dispersed Camping, Harrington Loop Road Dispersed, and Sisters Rodeo Dispersed Camping. Most sites are primitive with no amenities and follow standard Forest Service regulations for backcountry camping. Several locations provide views of the Cascade mountains, particularly the Three Sisters peaks that give the nearby town its name.

Access roads vary significantly throughout the region, with some routes requiring high-clearance vehicles while others remain accessible to standard passenger cars. Forest Road 4606, also known as Brooks Scanlan Logging Road, provides access to multiple dispersed sites but features washboard conditions and potholes that can be challenging for larger vehicles. As one visitor noted, "The road is dirt but 2WD/low clearance is fine." Most dispersed camping in this area follows the standard 14-day stay limit enforced on public lands. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, and campers must pack in all water and supplies.

The dispersed areas near Sisters attract mountain bikers and hikers due to extensive trail networks throughout the region. "We've camped here a few times over the years and there are never many campers around," reported one visitor about the dispersed camping south of Sisters. Many sites offer excellent stargazing opportunities and relative seclusion even during busy periods. The proximity to Sisters provides convenient access to services while maintaining a backcountry camping experience. Some areas feature expansive sites suitable for groups, as noted in one review: "The sites were huge with enormous fire rings and would be ideal for groups." Cell service is generally available throughout the area, with visitors reporting 2-3 bars of LTE on major carriers, making these sites suitable for remote workers seeking primitive camping with connectivity.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Sisters, Oregon (63)

    1. Sisters, Oregon - Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Sisters, OR
    2 miles
    Website

    "Love this dispersed camping area just south of Sisters, OR. We've camped here a few times over the years and there are never many campers around."

    "Maybe 15min outside bend, a little hard to see the turn off in the dark, but once we did it was easy to find a spot and set up camp! We only stayed one night and were car camping so it was perfect!"

    2. Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Terrebonne, OR
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "Also very hot and dry, as to be expected in the high desert. The scent of Mock orange hung heavy in the evenings air and the waterfalls area had a pool nearby you could hang out in."

    "Breathtaking drives and not hard to find with given coordinates. Dirt roads are not too hard to drive but during the dry months it is extremely dusty."

    3. Harrington Loop Rd - Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Cloverdale, OR
    4 miles
    Website

    "Great dispersed camping. Plenty of places to park and car camp or set up a tent. Lights from a nearby building keep most of the area somewhat visible, but not enough to disturb you while you sleep."

    4. FS Rd 1514 Dispersed camping

    3 Reviews
    Sisters, OR
    6 miles

    "We spent some time driving around the Sisters area looking for a spot with a view.  Found a beauty!  The area is large enough for several rigs, including large ones. "

    "Great view of the mountains with access to other view points. Only issue is the provided GPS coordinate isn't correct. It send me close by but down a long awful gravel road."

    5. Black Pine Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Sisters, OR
    7 miles

    "We drove around looking for a place to boondock near Sisters for what felt like forever, but all the remote sites we planned on were taken."

    "One of the best dispersed camps we’ve been to all year!"

    6. Chipmunk Mountain Basecamp on Forest Road 4606

    2 Reviews
    Sisters, OR
    2 miles
    Website

    "We really like this spot because you can walk into town but far enough outside that it has a lot of privacy. The PRT trail system is close by, Three Creeks and the 3 Sister."

    7. BEND FS 4610 Dispersed

    12 Reviews
    Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland, OR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 383-5300

    "The main red dirt road is gorgeous with various pull offs spaced decently far apart. I saw one or two neighbors to the left and right of our spot but it was far enough that our spot felt private."

    "Dirt road through the forest. Pretty flat but sites were spaced out far enough that you couldn’t really see neighbors. Decent cell service, no complaints!"

    8. North Sisters Camp on North Pine Street

    1 Review
    Sisters, OR
    1 mile

    "Very safe good internet! I have straight talk"

    9. Sisters Rodeo Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Cloverdale, OR
    4 miles

    "Easy access and larger camp spots. We were there during a few events hosted by the Sisters Rodeo and got to listen to the events."

    10. Sister Mountains Viewpoint on Harrington Loop

    1 Review
    Cloverdale, OR
    4 miles

    "I have stayed here a couple times on motorcycle trips around Oregon. There are lots of sites that have been used and it's a great place to spend a night or two."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Sisters, OR

110 Photos of 63 Sisters Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Sisters, OR

205 Reviews of 63 Sisters Campgrounds

  • Thomas B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2021

    Deschutes River Overlook Dispersed Camping

    Handy Stopping Point

    We kind of stumbled into this free spot while heading to a more formal campground near Pelton Dam. As the daylight faded I spotted a pullout/turnaround area which then led to a rather private loop with a great view of the Deschutes River and Lake Simtustus. I had to confirm with the Dyrt BLM map overlay, but I was glad to find myself on public land. It’s not really a place I’d choose to spend more than one night, since it doesn’t really connect to any trails or walking areas, but it was a handy en-route overnight spot, complete with a nice view and bright sunset. It’s only a few miles off Rt. 26, following signs to Pelton Dam. There was plenty of room to turn around my 26’ skoolie. However, I didn’t really see a good place for a tent, but I didn’t look very hard. There were signs of previous users, including a fire ring (which I didn’t use). Since it was the eve of Earth Day, I did collect a bagful of empty cans and trash. Leave no trace, people!

  • Aaron M.
    Jul. 7, 2021

    Deschutes Forest NFD 4600-120 Dispersed Camping

    Fine dispersed camping close to town

    Just a forest service road. The area close to the road is closed to camping entirely. I showed up at 1am and missed that part since I'm so used to seeing no campFIRES and was hassled by a local for making their scenic walk less pretty. But if you look at the map posted you just need to be further in from the road - you'll see new signs for 14-day limits. Lots of mountain bikers riding past since there are a ton of trails out here. They also seem to be grumpy about seeing a vehicle parked out here, but oh well. 

    I don't know who is marking this area for services and water and toilets and RV hookups.... it's just a dirt road. However I do get 2-3 bars LTE on AT&T and Verizon even further in where you can camp.

  • Trevor G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 9, 2023

    Oregon Badlands Dispersed

    Quiet spot with epic view

    Nabbed a nice quiet spot about a mile up the dirt road. The fire ring looked like a bottledrop convention, but I quickly "Molly Maided" the site and was back to camping in no time. (Leave no trace, peeps!) Snow started to fall early in the evening and through the night. Woke up to single digits, but overall it was a perfect overnight getaway just outside of town.

  • Mark F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2022

    Whiskey Jack Dispersed Campsite

    Beautiful site at base of Cascade mountains

    We were looking for a dispersed camping site on Forest Service land outside of cell range so we used The Dyrt PRO maps to help us find this spot. It is just off of paved roads on a smooth gravel road that our RV easily handled - it is a pull off from Whiskey Jack road and has room for 1 RV or several tents on flat land with some soft ground cover from grass and pine needles. There are no services so this is dry camping and you’ll need to be self sufficient. There is a fire pit circle but with recent fires we wouldn’t use it and it may be prohibited. I am sure this road could be snowed in in winter months but was dry and clear in June. We picked the spot with fewer trees as we were testing out a Starlink satellite dish on our RV to see if we could get internet access deep in the woods. Lots of ponderosa pines, manzanita bushes, and chirping birds in warm weather days and cool nights. There is some traffic passing the site during the day but there is a road that a 4 wheel drive could travel if you wanted to get away from the road for some extra privacy and quiet. Overall a classic Oregon Cascades mountain meadow location that is only 10-15 minutes off highway 20 and makes you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere to rest and rejuvenate!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2022

    Skull Hollow Dispersed

    Free and close to Smith Rock!

    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. The road is dirt but 2WD/low clearance is fine. The campground has public, dry toilets near the entrance of the road. Some sites are shaded by juniper trees.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Jun. 7, 2021

    Sisters, Oregon - Dispersed Camping

    Our "go-to" spot for dispersed camping

    Love this dispersed camping area just south of Sisters, OR. We've camped here a few times over the years and there are never many campers around. We just camped here over Memorial Day Weekend and there was no one camping within at least a mile or two of where we were. There are lots of different areas to choose from so drive around the area until you find something you like. We were driving our Subaru with our Cricket camper attached and there's no issues with the roads. 

    Because this is right in a mountain biking area there are tons of trails to go explore - either hiking or biking. Some really pretty views! You will have bikers biking by your campsite from time to time but I actually like that - fun to have activity around.

    This area is also just a few miles from Sisters which is my favorite little town in Oregon. Lots of restaurants, bars and shops to explore!

    Be sure to check on a fire ban before having a fire.

  • Sarah R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 8, 2021

    Black Pine Dispersed Camping

    Spacious and remote

    We drove around looking for a place to boondock near Sisters for what felt like forever, but all the remote sites we planned on were taken. When we arrived at the Black Pine dispersed area, it was surprisingly empty for how busy the rest of the area was. 

    The sites were huge with enormous fire rings and would be ideal for groups. We just had one small van, but there was one other large party with multiple vehicles and a large camper van, and they fit comfortably in one site. 

    The actual sites are not very forested or private, but it still felt secluded since only two of probably 10 sites were taken. Definitely recommend this area, especially for groups!

  • Erin P.
    Aug. 7, 2017

    Moraine Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great South Sister base camp

    Hiked up on Friday night and got the last spot. No amenities, and a 2 mile straight uphill hike to get here. Theres a map of the campsites, but they are hard to find. None are near te lake so fill upwater in bulk! Stunning sunsets and sunrises. Made for a nice striking point to the summit. Gets busy. Have bug spray handy!

Guide to Sisters

Dispersed camping near Sisters, Oregon offers free sites with varied terrain across Deschutes National Forest. Located in central Oregon at an elevation of 3,182 feet, the area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 85°F and cold winters with snowfall. Campgrounds generally receive 2-3 bars of cell service from major carriers, making them practical for remote workers needing connectivity while camping.

What to do

Mountain biking on extensive trail networks: The area surrounding Sisters Rodeo Dispersed Camping connects to numerous trails. "The PRT trail system is close by, Three Creeks and the 3 Sisters," notes one camper at nearby Chipmunk Mountain Basecamp.

Hiking to waterfalls: Just a short drive from Sisters, Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground offers an accessible natural feature. "Half mile easy hike to the waterfall but the trail keeps going another Half-ish mile for a slightly longer walk," writes Anna P. The trail is family-friendly, as Isabella M. confirms: "Only half a mile to see the steelhead waterfall."

Stargazing: The clear Central Oregon skies provide excellent conditions for night sky viewing. At FS Rd 1514 Dispersed camping, one camper describes their experience: "Incredible mountain views, easy to access, quiet, and such a short drive to the Upper 3 Creek Sno Park for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, etc."

What campers like

Privacy and space: Many dispersed sites offer room to spread out. At Black Pine Dispersed Camping, Sarah R. reports, "The sites were huge with enormous fire rings and would be ideal for groups. We just had one small van, but there was one other large party with multiple vehicles and a large camper van, and they fit comfortably in one site."

Proximity to town: Free camping areas maintain a wilderness feel while keeping services accessible. A camper at Harrington Loop Rd - Dispersed appreciates this balance: "The campsites all appear well taken care of and clean. There are fire rings at some sites. Plenty of room for a larger 5th wheel as well."

Cell connectivity: Unlike many remote camping areas, most sites near Sisters maintain digital connections. At BEND FS 4610 Dispersed, a camper notes, "Decent cell service for T-Mobile. 2-3 bars 5G (close to the entrance though. No cell service the further you drive in.)" Another camper at Sister Mountains Viewpoint adds, "Overall, great free place to camp if you're in the Sisters, OR area."

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Access roads range from smooth to challenging. At BEND FS 4610 Dispersed, Kent G. describes: "A nice gravel rd with no major ruts or holes. Navigable with a van all wheel drive." However, conditions can change, as Chelsie notes: "Some of the sites are very soft sand so be careful if you don't have a four-wheel drive vehicle."

Dust can be problematic: The dry climate creates dusty conditions, especially during summer. One camper at BEND FS 4610 Dispersed explains: "Super super dusty. It just gets all over everything. Spent an extra hour packing up just to wipe things down."

Site availability fluctuates: During peak season, earlier arrival improves your chances. Kent G. reports: "Drove in about a mile+ to find an empty spot. Most already taken."

Tips for camping with families

Look for sites with established trails: Families appreciate accessible natural features. At Steelhead Falls, Anna P. notes: "Pit toilet. Flat sites far enough away from each other for privacy even though the terrain is pretty open. Easy tenting."

Consider proximity to water features: Swimming holes provide entertainment for children. At Steelhead Falls, a reviewer mentions you can "fish and jump off the rocks into the water."

Watch for fire ant colonies: Natural hazards can affect family camping. One family at Sisters Rodeo Dispersed Camping shared: "We camped at 3 different spots... The second was farther back. Only spent 1 night there cause there was a fire ant colony and we have kids."

Tips from RVers

Check length restrictions: Some areas have vehicle length limitations. At Steelhead Falls, Mark W. cautions: "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)."

Limited designated RV spots: Plan to arrive early to secure suitable parking. Mark W. continues: "There are only 2 spots and the end loop where a trailer will fit, have a backup plan if you have a trailer just in case they are taken."

Consider solar capabilities: Many sites offer good solar exposure. Tia A. at Sisters Rodeo Dispersed Camping reports: "Great for solar. Just if you don't have it set on top, you will have to move it throughout the day."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Sisters, Oregon?

Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near Sisters. Sisters, Oregon - Dispersed Camping offers numerous sites just south of town with plenty of privacy - even during holiday weekends, you can find spots with no neighbors for a mile or two. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Black Pine Dispersed Camping provides spacious sites with large fire rings. Other options include Peterson Ridge Road, Harrington Loop Road, and forest service roads throughout Deschutes National Forest. Most sites are accessible via dirt roads, with many accommodating standard vehicles. The best dispersed camping is typically found by exploring forest service roads branching off highways 20, 242, and 126 around Sisters.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping around Sisters, Oregon?

Dispersed camping around Sisters requires following specific regulations. At Skull Hollow Dispersed, camping is only permitted in designated spots along forest service roads. Many areas, like Deschutes Forest NFD 4600-120, prohibit camping close to main roads - you must use designated areas shown on posted maps. Standard dispersed camping rules apply: 14-day maximum stay, pack out all trash, use existing fire rings when fires are permitted (check current fire restrictions), and camp at least 100 feet from water sources. Some areas have seasonal closures during winter months. No amenities are provided except at nearby established campgrounds with vault toilets. Always practice Leave No Trace principles and verify current regulations with the Deschutes National Forest office before your trip.

Is free camping available near Sisters, Oregon?

Yes, numerous free camping options exist near Sisters. Whiskey Jack Dispersed Campsite offers free sites just off paved roads on smooth gravel that's RV-accessible. It's located on Forest Service land and provides a quiet setting. Oregon Badlands Dispersed offers free sites accessible about a mile up a dirt road, providing peaceful camping opportunities. Other free options include Terrebonne East Camp for stargazing, Ten Mile Sno-Park for cooler temperatures, and Deschutes River Overlook for water views. While these sites lack amenities like water and toilets, they offer scenic, peaceful camping without fees. Most are accessible by standard vehicles, though some remote areas may require higher clearance. Remember to come prepared with all necessary supplies.

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