Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Summer Lake? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.
Nestled in the sagebrush rangelands to the west of Silver Lake___s dry lake bed, Duncan Reservoir is a great place for picnicking, canoeing, camping, and fishing for stocked rainbow trout. The campground consists of four single campsites on the west side of Duncan Reservoir, and a group campsite on the north end of the reservoir, below the dam. Additional facilities at Duncan Reservoir include a boat ramp, vault toilet, covered picnic area, and several picnic tables and fire grates. During the winter months, ice fishing is possible if the reservoir freezes over.
Open year-round. The 5-mile Portion of County Road 4-14 is gravel and sometimes rough. Be aware of livestock grazing on the open range, especially near OR 31. 4 Individual Campsites, 1 Group Site; first come, first serve. Vault Restroom. No Drinking Water available. No Food or Gas at Duncan Reservoir. The Nearest Services are in the nearby towns of Silver Lake, Fort Rock, and Summer Lake, Oregon.
County Road 4-14 winds through open range, revealing occasional glimpses of Silver Lake, Table Rock, Picture Rock Pass the occasional herd of pronghorn antelope.
Lake Abert and Abert Rim offer a classic example of basin and range landscape. Abert Rim is the longest exposed fault scarp in North America, and one of the highest fault scarps in the United States. It towers 2,500’ over Lake Abert, Oregon's only saltwater lake. Its waters and shoreline attract a diverse population of migratory waterfowl. After basaltic flood lavas covered much of eastern Oregon about 5 to 23 million years ago, great blocks of the Earth’s crust subsequently tilted, resulting in the raised scarp and lakebed seen today.
Know Before You Go: Open Season Lake Abert and Abert Rim are open YEAR ROUND. Numerous Pullouts on U.S. Route 395 provide opportunities to view scenery and wildlife. No Restrooms available. No Drinking Water available. No Food, Gas, or Lodging at Lake Abert or Abert Rim. The Nearest Services are in Lakeview, Oregon.
Point of Interest: A designated Watchable Wildlife Area and viewpoint about five miles north of Valley Falls on U.S. Route 395 provides seasonal public viewing of migratory birds on the lake.
The North Fork Sprague Trailhead is one hour and 20 minutes northeast of Bly, Oregon, and about half-mile from Gearhart Mountain Wilderness northern boundary. Visitors will find one vault toilet and a parking area with room for trailer turnaround, but no other amenities. Dispersed camping is allowed.
The North Fork Sprague Trailhead accesses the northern part of the Gearhart Mountain Trail #100 and allows visitors the opportunity to travel south through the middle of the Wilderness or to connect with the Boulder Springs Trail #101. Fishing enthusiasts also use the trailhead to get to Blue Lake, a popular fishing destination in the Wilderness. The lake is about 2.5 miles from the trailhead.
Traveler
Not the greatest for tent camping but we made it work. We pulled up past the main location where the dirt mounds are. We found refuge for the night off one of the little pullouts and set up camp right by the water. Highway was a little noisy but nothing too bad as it was quiet in the middle of the night. Sunset was perfect. We saw a Coyote on the hill leading to the scarp. 10/10
TravelerI camped on the rim of the hole with my daughter. While we had a good time, and there weren't very many other people around, we arrived after June 1 during a dry year, meaning no campfire. The temperature during the day was around 85, and pretty comfortable, but at night it dropped down to around 40. We were pretty cold since we had counted on a campfire. As for the Hole in the Ground, it is pretty cool, and you can walk the trails down into it and back up. Typical high desert semi forested terrain, decent roads, but bring a map, it's a hole, and therefore not visible until you're right up on it. Our map showed the power poles that run nearby, as well as the railroad tracks. We used those to orient ourselves so as to not get lost. There are no services here, so if you need something, you'd better bring it. We liked it, and will return.
TravelerThis campsite is dry camping. Silver Creek may be dry, as it has been since 2021. No facilities other than a picnic table. No Cell, No WiFi, etc. If you like totally 'being away from it all,' this is your place, if you can get there.
LegendWe are full-timers and have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow. We stayed for one night here in late May. Pretty much what everyone else has said- quiet behind the gravel mounds, very little traffic on US 395, especially at night, a really nice place. However, some disgusting f@#$%ng person left a large nasty pile of feces soiled jeans, pee pad, wipes, etc. lying in a heap by one of the gravel mounds. It has now been bagged and removed so others won’t have it detract from their stay. AT&T coverage was fair, with 3 bars of LTE and speeds up to 3 MB/s.
Guide
No indication of camping here. The last turn off is blocked by a barbed wire gate and there’s a house at the end of the road.
ScoutExcellent sunset view. We took a smaller 4wd RV here and the road got really rough right after this spot.
Camping near Summer Lake, Oregon, offers a unique experience with stunning landscapes and a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for hot springs or a quiet spot to unwind, there's something for everyone.
Camping near Summer Lake, Oregon, is a fantastic way to enjoy nature, relax, and create lasting memories. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot waiting for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Summer Lake, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Summer Lake, OR is Duncan Reservoir Campground with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Summer Lake, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Summer Lake, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
