Dispersed camping sites around Sutherlin, Oregon sit at elevations ranging from 500 to 3,500 feet with access to Umpqua National Forest and BLM lands throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F while winter camping requires preparation for nighttime temperatures that can drop below freezing. Most dispersed camping locations require driving on unpaved forest roads with varying conditions depending on recent weather.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Doolittle Butte offers excellent stargazing and wildlife watching. "Beautiful view overlooking the mountains. Low traffic but rains a lot and we had a visitor come sniff around but quickly left," notes a camper at Elliott State Forest Dispersed.
Fishing at local ponds: Burma Pond features good fishing in a quiet setting. "Quiet spot not far from I5. No noise at all, just the wind in the trees and bullfrogs... Tons of blackberries growing wild along the waters edge," reports a visitor at Burma Pond BLM.
Sunset viewing spots: Some areas offer spectacular sunset views. A camper at BLM Kentucky Falls Road shares, "Great spot! Quiet and if you walk a little over through a trail you'll get an amazing view of the sunset."
Explore forest trails: Many dispersed sites connect to hiking trails. As one camper at Elliott State Forest Dispersed noted, "You have to drive some winding forest service roads to get to a spot then find one on or near the road but there's a couple good camp spots."
What campers like
Secluded camping: Many sites offer privacy despite being relatively close to main roads. At Lemolo Forebay, a camper mentioned, "There are only about 6 little sites here and a boat ramp for the little lake... We were there 2 nights and only had one other group show up the whole time."
Convenient locations: Some free camping near Sutherlin provides easy access from highways. "Subaru Impreza got up the road just fine! Location is about 20 minutes off i5. Hard to find with Apple Maps but we switched over to google maps and it was a lot easier!" reports a Burma Pond visitor.
Natural features: Campers appreciate the diverse landscapes. A visitor to Skull Creek Campground noted, "Appeared to be 4 sites, each with a nice picnic table and fire pit. There was an onsite pit toilet and bear proof trash can."
Stargazing opportunities: The area offers excellent night sky viewing. A camper at Doolittle Butte shared, "Nice big lot. Beautiful views of stars on a clear night. Very remote. Climb an easy dirt road back a few miles. A few deep potholes but nothing too technical."
What you should know
Road conditions vary seasonally: Forest roads can become challenging after rain. One camper at Elliott State Forest Dispersed explained, "We stayed all day but decided not to stay a night. Our day stay was due to the road being too steep for my 1993 truck camper. It got too hot and blew the transmission."
Bug protection needed: Insects can be problematic at certain times. A Lemolo Forebay visitor warned, "The trails down to the river are loose dirt and steep but we drove to the other side of the river to lounge in the sun. Lots of skeeters! Bring your bug spray."
Navigation challenges: GPS reliability varies by location and provider. A Burma Pond camper advised, "I navigated using Google Maps due to other reviews saying Apple made it confusing. This led us right to the pond/camp sites."
Limited amenities: Facilities are minimal at most locations. "No running water and very little shade from the sun..but it is a free off the grid campground," notes a Skull Creek Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Safety precautions: Watch for natural hazards near water. A Lemolo Forebay camper warned, "There is a dangerous low-head dam at the beginning of the lake near the campground, so please keep track of your kids/pets!"
Site selection for comfort: Choose sites with space for children to explore safely. At Saddle Camp, a visitor recommended, "It's best if you have four wheel drive or all wheel drive. Wouldn't recommend going in the winter months or rainy season. It is a very fun drive though taxing and it is slow going."
Wildlife education opportunities: Many sites offer chances to observe nature. A camper at Burma Pond noted, "The pond at the top was beautiful with tons of bats flying around at night. Super cool!"
Access to swimming spots: Some areas provide water recreation. A Lemolo Forebay visitor shared, "Each site has a fire ring and a table. The vault toilet has a trash can and was stocked with TP when we were there but we bring our own."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller vehicles. At Burma Pond, a camper noted, "The spots are VERY close together, 10 to 20 feet apart. All of the spots are right on the edge of the water. Spots are small but room for a single vehicle or van at each."
Steep access roads: Some sites require careful driving. "This was quite a way in on a fairly smooth but steep dirt road. Along the road were random deep pot holes so be aware they sneak up on you when the road is shadowed," cautioned a Burma Pond RVer.
Turnaround space: Plan for limited maneuvering room. According to a Burma Pond visitor, "The road is narrow with very few turn arounds. The way down I was in 1-2 gear riding the break on some of the hills."
Internet connectivity: Cell service is limited but satellite options work in some areas. One camper reported, "Starlink mini had decent reception for being hard mounted to my roof. Cell service is basically non-existent, one bar of LTE every now and then."
