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Best Dispersed Camping near Timber, OR

65 Reviews

Tillamook State Forest provides numerous dispersed camping opportunities within easy reach of Timber, Oregon. Free primitive sites are available throughout the forest, particularly along forest service roads in areas like Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping, North Fork Trask, and Scenic Overlook near Foley Creek. Most sites are undesignated with no formal boundaries, allowing campers to find their own spots along roads and clearings. These public lands permit camping without reservations, though visitors should practice Leave No Trace principles and be aware they are camping in active forest management areas.

Forest roads throughout Tillamook State Forest vary significantly in quality and accessibility. Many routes require high-clearance vehicles, with several locations accessible only via steep, narrow gravel roads that may become difficult during wet conditions. Most dispersed sites lack amenities—no drinking water, toilets, trash service, or hookups are available. Fires are permitted in most areas when fire danger is low, but seasonal restrictions apply during dry periods. Camping is typically limited to 14 days within any 30-day period. Cell service is largely unavailable throughout the forest, making these sites ideal for those seeking to disconnect completely.

The dispersed camping experience near Timber features a mix of mountain views, riverside spots, and forested settings. Several areas provide elevated camping with panoramic vistas, particularly at locations like Cole Mountain Ridge and Scenic Overlook. While some sites experience noise from off-road vehicles and occasional logging operations, many spots remain relatively quiet, especially on weekdays. "We found an isolated area with a small opened peak overlooking the forest which was amazing," one camper noted about their Tillamook Forest experience. Another visitor remarked on the solitude: "For being about an hour outside of Portland, this place is magical. If you're into dispersed camping, you have to give this place a visit."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Timber, Oregon (21)

    1. Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    15 Reviews
    Tillamook State Forest, OR
    16 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."

    2. Tillamook Forest Dispersed - Shots and Pecks

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

    3. Scenic Overlook Dispersed Camp near Foley Creek

    3 Reviews
    Wheeler, OR
    23 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."

    4. Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight

    8 Reviews
    Clatskanie, OR
    28 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."

    5. Cole Mt Ridge

    4 Reviews
    Tolovana Park, OR
    24 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!"

    6. Trask River Campsites

    3 Reviews
    Tillamook, OR
    26 miles

    "River access and a fire pit. Dirt bike parking adjacent but pretty private."

    "There are 3 easy to find campsites, very easy to find and access. 2 or 3 miles before the gravel road was a commercial campground with a store and very friendly folks inside."

    7. Dispersed Camping Near Cannon Beach

    3 Reviews
    Tolovana Park, OR
    25 miles

    "Some paths are less driven on so maybe avoid with a big RV or van, can also get a little hilly and tight.

    I got in around 8:45pm and there were a good amount of spots left."

    8. North Fork Trask

    1 Review
    Tillamook, OR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-2545

    "I saw a total of 3 designated dispersed camping sites along this road. But there were a ton of pull offs along the river."

    9. soapstone lake trail dispersed camping

    1 Review
    Arch Cape, OR
    24 miles

    "Secluded yet close to Cannon Beach. Road was very accessible. Creek and trailhead nearby. Spot at the dead end is best."

    10. South Lake

    16 Reviews
    Beaver, OR
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 750-7000

    "South Lake is fairly small, I consider it more of a pond to be honest, but a great place for disperse camping. The quickest drive in is a bit sketchy."

    "Do not drive here if you can't drive on the edge of a cliff on gravel roads. it's bumpy and definitely not for the faint of heart. other than that, it's a great site with nice pullouts and camping for"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Timber, OR

50 Photos of 21 Timber Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Timber, OR

65 Reviews of 21 Timber 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.

  • Robert D.
    Jul. 14, 2022

    South Lake

    A rough and very narrow road to get here.

    We took a ride from Hebo up road 14 or 1400 to South Lake. The trip took over 1 hour down a partly paved road with lots of pot holes then the rest of the way down a very narrow pot hole dirt road to South Lake. Along the way we passed Hebo Lake Campground that had many tent camp sites. Once we arrived at South Lake we found the lake to be somewhat small and there were a few tent sites somewhat close together. We had been told this lake was always stocked with Trout. We suggest only using a 4x4 or a high clearance vehicle to make this trip.

  • Gerard R.
    Jul. 24, 2020

    South Lake

    Quiet Lake

    South Lake is fairly small, I consider it more of a pond to be honest, but a great place for disperse camping. The quickest drive in is a bit sketchy. I recommend taking a slight slower route to avoid scratches on your vehicle from branches. We checked out a few dispersed sites before we picked our spot. We managed to get a spot that was a 1 minute walk to the water, and about the same to the vaulted toilets. The vaulted toilet is on the NW side of the lake. It must’ve been checked often for toilet paper because we were there for 4 nights and it always had some in there.

    We caught trout every day we were there. Most are small but was fun nonetheless. There is an old boat without a motor tied up for anyone to use. Only had one ore that was half broke but it still managed to get us across the water 🤷🏻‍♂️. We found a decent amount of firewood, just have to make sure it’s try if course. It’s all hidden below the ferns/greenery. No picnic tables or metal fire rings but who needs them? Plenty of rocks for a fire pit were already set up. Plenty of shade. Only downside was precious campers leaving toilet paper near the trees when you are literally a minute or less walk to the vaulted toilet.

  • 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!

  • Ariel & John W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 14, 2020

    Siuslaw National Forest Dispersed Camping

    Remote, wild, beautiful

    This is for dispersed camping in the Siuslaw NF off Forest Road 55, off 101. Turn into 55 from 101 between Thor’s Well and Devil’s Churn. There is a FS paid campground (Cape Perpetua Campground) right off FS 55.

    If you follow 55 about 10 miles in, there are lots of established boondocking spots at around 4000 elevation. Additionally there are unmapped logging roads which can also be explored for camping.

    Scenery is spectacular, lots of wildlife, deer, elk, coyote, and amazing old growth forests. No amenities of any kind, no cell service.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2023

    Siuslaw National Forest Dispersed Camping

    Coordinates go to a no access area

    The directions/coordinates are for 10min outside pacific city. It is now a private entrance/driveway with no access to go through to the dispersed coordinates! And the locals said a lot of the forest is closed off due to logging in that area. Defiantly follow the rangers review about the devils churn/thors well spot. The directions from Dyrt was about an hour or so away from his instructions ! We weren’t able to find a spot and ended up leaving the area

    entirely.

  • michael K.
    Aug. 8, 2022

    South Lake

    Beautiful Site but..

    Do not drive here if you can't drive on the edge of a cliff on gravel roads. it's bumpy and definitely not for the faint of heart. other than that, it's a great site with nice pullouts and camping for car campers, vans, etc... I was fortunate and I have a black series off road trailer behind a 4runner, and we were fine. I would not recommend a trailer for this location. great for tents and the lake is ok, not too appealing to us, though.

  • EThe Dyrt ADMIN User
    May. 29, 2025

    Scenic Overlook Dispersed Camp near Foley Creek

    360 views!

    This was a really fantastic campsite! Definitely quite the long and slow drive up a narrow backcountry road - steep in sections but overall quite manageable. There are a few options up here but one really phenomenal site with wide ranging views. Be weary that it is a long drive to get here and no way to tell if there's sites available until you do the entire drive up. No water up here.

Guide to Timber

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Timber, Oregon, where nature lovers can find serene spots to unwind and connect with the great outdoors. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure without the crowds.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Timber

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Scenic Overlook Dispersed Camp Near Foley Creek

  • The Scenic Overlook Dispersed Camp near Foley Creek offers a stunning backdrop for your camping experience, making it an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts.
  • Located off a fire road, this site provides easy access for both tents and RVs, ensuring a comfortable stay in a picturesque setting.
  • With no amenities, this location encourages a true back-to-nature experience, perfect for those looking to disconnect and enjoy the tranquility of the forest.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Timber, Oregon

  • When visiting North Fork Trask, be prepared for a rugged experience, as this area is accessible by drive-in and offers a true wilderness feel.
  • If you're looking for a quieter spot, consider Beaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight, which is known for its beautiful waterfall and relatively low foot traffic.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles at sites like Siuslaw National Forest Dispersed Camping to help preserve the natural beauty for future visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Timber, OR is Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping with a 4.6-star rating from 15 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 21 dispersed camping locations near Timber, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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