Tillamook State Forest dispersed camping areas near Timber, Oregon sit between 500-3,000 feet elevation in dense coastal forest. The region receives significant rainfall, keeping the landscape lush year-round. Free camping spots range from established clearings with existing fire rings to more rugged pull-offs requiring preparation for muddy conditions during winter months.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 15-minute trails are accessible from several dispersed sites, particularly near Beaver Falls Trailhead. "The waterfall is amazing and only a 15 minute hike down!" notes Jaden J. "The trails are great and the waterfall is beautiful. The pulloff is muddy and hard but it's worth it," shares Sarah J. about Beaver Falls Trailhead.
Kayaking: Small forest lakes provide calm paddling opportunities. "The small lake has decent fishing and great for kayaking," according to Christie U. about South Lake. Some lakes even have community boats: "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."
Stargazing: Clear nights reward campers with stellar views at higher elevation sites. "Clear skies so got to see a beautiful array of stars. This spot was really a 10/10 for me," reports Dylan B. about the Trask River Campsites. The lack of light pollution makes this free camping near Timber particularly good for night sky viewing.
What campers like
Elevated views: Mountain vistas from several dispersed sites offer unique perspectives. "Great spot up the mountain on a gravel road. This spot has an almost 180 degree view around to the west!" mentions Hannah H. about Cole Mt Ridge. These higher elevation spots provide some of the best scenery in the free camping areas near Timber.
River sounds: Flowing water creates natural white noise at streamside sites. "River rushing near the spots makes for a really nice sound to fall asleep to. Not crowded and really peaceful," says Dylan B. about campsites along the Trask. These riverside locations are often cooler during summer months.
Solitude: Midweek visits typically offer greater privacy. "When i visited mid week in July it was empty," notes Kevin R. about South Lake. Another camper observed: "I only saw one really great beach area to pull up to but it was already claimed by another small boat."
What you should know
Road conditions: Gravel access varies widely by season and recent maintenance. "Road is gravel, pretty well maintained. There's a lot of pull off roads, not sure if you can go down all of them," explains Dawson T. about Cole Mt Ridge. Be prepared for changing conditions: "It's quite a distance on sometimes very rough gravel roads, with no turn outs and sometimes large drops on one side, so be very careful with log trucks."
Campsite timing: Weekend competition can be fierce for prime spots. "If you go earlier in the week, you'll most likes find a spot with no problem. If you wait till Friday evening during the summer, it'll probably be full," advises Christie U. about South Lake. Free camping near Timber requires flexibility, especially during peak season.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans are strictly enforced during dry periods. "Fires are permitted in most areas when fire danger is low, but seasonal restrictions apply during dry periods," according to forest regulations. Contact the Tillamook State Forest office before your trip to check current fire status.
Tips for camping with families
Safety precautions: Wildlife awareness helps prevent negative encounters. "Thankfully I did not see any during my visit," reports Chris H. about potential cougar sightings at South Lake. "This is also not the best place to camp if you are afraid of Cougars. There have been several recent Cougar sightings at this Lake."
Noise levels: Weekend activity can disrupt quiet camping. "This last trip was very disappointing it was packed with people camping which is wonderful that they're getting outside, but there was a group up on the hill who felt the need to blast music until 6 o'clock in the morning so nobody in the camp area got any sleep," warns Tawnya B. about South Lake.
Site selection: Facilities access varies by location. "We managed to get a spot that was a 1 minute walk to the water, and about the same to the vaulted toilets," shares Gerard R. Most dispersed sites have no facilities, making those with vault toilets more family-friendly.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Narrow roads restrict larger vehicles. "Not friendly to large vehicles or RVs, roads are very thin and no place to park," cautions Charlotte S. about Dispersed Camping Near Cannon Beach. Many free camping areas near Timber require high-clearance vehicles.
Turnaround points: Limited options can strand larger vehicles. "Could pull in a 16' trailer but until the camp site there is no other turn around spot so beware," warns James W. Many forest roads lack sufficient space for larger RVs to maneuver if campsites are full.
Surface stability: Seasonal conditions affect accessibility. "The dirt was solid -- I wasn't worried at all about getting stuck in the mud (and I'm here in the middle of winter with tons of recent rain)," reports Jeremy B. Spring and fall trips require checking recent rainfall patterns.
