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Best Dispersed Camping near Welches, OR

90 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities abound in the Mount Hood National Forest near Welches, Oregon. Several free primitive sites exist within a short drive, including Mirror Lake, White River West Sno-Park, and Trillium Lake Airstrip. These areas offer varying levels of accessibility and amenities. Mirror Lake requires a 1.7-mile hike to reach designated camping spots around the lake, while Trillium Lake Airstrip provides drive-in access with multiple established sites. According to reviews, "Trillium Lake Airstrip has quite a few dispersed spots, somewhat close to one another," with a road behind the area offering excellent views of Mount Hood.

Most dispersed sites in this region are primitive with no drinking water, electricity, or sanitation facilities. Campers must pack in all necessary supplies and pack out all waste. Fire regulations vary seasonally; always check current restrictions before your trip. Several forest roads, including NF-2656 and FR-2730, feature pull-offs suitable for dispersed camping. Vehicle requirements differ by location. As one camper noted about Bonney Meadows, "The road is GNARLY. We did it in a regular sedan, but I cannot recommend it. Would not repeat."

Cell service is inconsistent throughout the area, with some spots offering Verizon coverage while others have no signal. Weather conditions can change rapidly, especially at higher elevations. Summer weekends often see higher visitation, particularly at popular sites like White River West Sno-Park, which one visitor described as having "so much room it never felt crowded with other folks coming and going." A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required for parking at many trailheads and some dispersed camping areas. The standard stay limit is 14 days within a 30-day period. Always practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve these natural areas for future visitors.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Welches, Oregon (45)

    1. White River West Sno-Park

    13 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 668-1700

    "Incredible access to back country hiking at Mt. Hood!"

    "Tucked our trailers up in the far corner with a commanding view of Mt. Hood!  Well, not much view the first smokey day, but it cleared up nicely after a wind shift the following day. "

    2. Mirror Lake

    7 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 622-5622

    "There are several backpacking campsites that are on the water, there is nothing more beautiful than watching the sunrise over the lake with Mt.Hood in the background."

    "It's best to come up with a couple backup plans as this is a popular spot! The hike in off the road isn't difficult, and the tent sites are all situated relatively close to the trail."

    3. Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    11 miles
    Website

    "Quite a few dispersed spots, kinda close to one another- everyone was respectful. The road behind this gets a great view of Mt. Hood!!

    No amenities. Dry camping!

    PACK IT OUT"

    "Nice forest service camping area. There are plenty of spots, but it can get pretty crowded on weekends. There is a beautiful view of Mt. Hood down the road and a nice hiking path to Trillium Lake."

    4. Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 352-6002

    "There are many park campgrounds in the Mt Hood NF but also tons of dispersed camping in the forest.

    We camped off FS 2656 just south of Trillium Lake in August 2020. There are many other locations."

    "Road can be rough in some places but 4WD not necessary. Not many pull-in camping spots so you’ll have to search around. Overall decent spot and close to Trillium Lake"

    5. Trillium Sno-Park

    5 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 668-1700

    "I am beyond happy with this app it shows you areas with free camping and helps out greatly"

    "Access to Redtop meadows trail. Hike the trail access to berries"

    6. McNeil Point Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    11 miles
    Website

    "Dispersed camping at McNeil point is a backpackers dream — you get to hike far into the clouds, far away from the people, yet this location is nearly as convenient as car camping. "

    "I started at the Top Spur trailhead and hiked the clockwise route up to McNeil (a little longer but saved be the scramble through rocks)."

    7. NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 668-1700

    "Also don’t let the Trillium Lake camp hosts scare you. They told us the gravel road to access the sites was “rough as hell” and were completely wrong. Nothing more than a few potholes."

    "FS Rd 2656 across from Trillium Lake Campground. Follow 2656 up a couple miles. Turn left on porcupine Trail. There is one small campsite on your left approximately 100 yards."

    8. Pioneer Bridle Trail Camp off Hwy 26

    1 Review
    Government Camp, OR
    6 miles

    9. Zigzag River Camp

    1 Review
    Government Camp, OR
    7 miles

    10. Bonney Meadows

    6 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 467-2291

    $10 / night

    "Make sure you have 4WD and a high clearance rig to get here. The last four miles are an exercise in off road driving and need to be taken slow."

    "You’ll want a 4wd or high clearance vehicle to access the last 4 miles. It’s worth it in the end. The meadow is beautiful and a nice view of Mt Hood."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Welches, OR

65 Photos of 45 Welches Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Welches, OR

90 Reviews of 45 Welches Campgrounds

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 29, 2025

    Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed

    Win for Memorial Day weekend!

    Surprised we were able to snag a spot here on Memorial Day weekend! Drove in Sunday evening. Quite a few dispersed spots, kinda close to one another- everyone was respectful. The road behind this gets a great view of Mt. Hood!!

    No amenities. Dry camping!

    PACK IT OUT

  • Mark F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2021

    Historic Clackamas Ranger Station - Dispersed Camping - Roadside

    Convenient, free roadside site near trails, lakes, & meadow in Mt Hood NF

    I was running in an ultramarathon race in September in the Mt Hood National Forest and all of the local campgrounds managed by PGE around Timothy Lake were closed due to the end of the season.  I was able to use map layers in The Dyrt PRO to identify where I was within National Forest boundaries and was able to confirm with local officials that I was in a free, dispersed camping zone. So, using the map layers and the search function on The Dyrt I looked for an area near the race start at the Historic Clackamas Ranger Station to park my RV for a 2 night off-grid stay.  The location was a wide gravel area on the side of the road that allowed for enough space to park, put out my awning, set up some chairs and a propane fire pit (no live campfires - propane only) while being within a few hundred yards of the Ranger Station.  There was room to walk along the road on the shoulder and you are very close walk to the Historic Clackamas Ranger Cabin with a beautiful meadow view, the Joe Graham Horse Camp, and just a couple of mile drive from Timothy Lake.  Clackamas Lake Campground was nearby as well with many accessible miles of hikable trails, including access to the Pacific Crest Trail, for hikers of all levels. There was some smoke from local wildfires but that went away as the fall rains arrived that weekend.  If you are looking for a place to park your RV near all of these amazing views and experiences this free, dispersed camping site worked great for me and my family for a couple of nights.

  • Vanessa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Gifford Pinchot National Forest-Canyon Creek Dispersed Camping

    You may get lost

    The coordinates here were incorrect coming from Hood River Oregon. It sent me down a rough dead end forest service road. I ended up lost on the mountain for 3 hours and finally made it out somewhere near camas. Make sure you have lots of fuel

  • Jason B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2024

    Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    Great/Quiet Spot

    Took a while to discover this spot, but clearly seems well used for dispersed camping. I parked nearest the access road, as my van would have hit trees to go a little further in. For smaller vehicles (e.g. roof top tents), you can get in a little further and off the access road. There was actually someone else back there, and we can't hear nor see each other.

  • Brendan R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 11, 2025

    Forest Rd 2730 - Mt Hood NF

    Great Area to Camp and Relax!

    There are several places along FR 2730 where you can pull off and camp. The road was very accessible, high clearance not required. We found a large pull off with several established fire pits. It's absolutely perfect for a group campsite. I imagine it will be a busier spot in the summer, but we couldn't find a single other person within miles of us in early May. To get up to the group camp site, you may need higher clearance (most SUVs should be fine) and 4wd/AWD, as there is a short rocky section that might cause some issues for FWD/RWD.

    Got a little chilly at night with winds whipping down through the area we were in, but overall very peaceful. You can see Mt Hood from the campsite through the trees, albeit it is decently far away and is subject to the visibility at the time you visit. We were able to see Mt Hood just before sunset, but couldn't see her at all the following morning.

  • Vanessa T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2025

    Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    Amazing spot!

    Absolutely loved the spot. There were about three sites. I believe from what I saw. I stayed at the first site when you first get there back there on the right hand side. It's a short hike down to the creek. It looks like there might be two walk-in campsites as well and I believe there might be one if you walk across the Creek. It's very close to trapper Creek trailhead and there is a vault toilet there. Minimal bugs didn't get any bug bites and it was in the '90s while I was there. Very little traffic. Not far from the highway just in case of emergencies. Absolutely no cell service. You must have a Northwest Forest pass or America the beautiful pass. Forest service does drive through there frequently to check

  • Kevin L.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Aug. 9, 2020

    Kevin's Mt Hood OG

    Dispersed Camping - Get away from it all

    This is a dispersed camping spot in the Mt.Hood National Forest that is free --- from both campground payment and people. It's an old forest road off the main gravel road that has been blockaded and closed down, giving you a wide open area that gets sun, mixed with good tree coverage from the wind. 

    The spot is flat and great for an RV, van or trailer. It's just a 100 meters off the main gravel road where the old forest road is dug out/blockaded from cars getting through. 

    We parked and camped right there. Or, if you want even more solitude, park at the blockade and walk 3/4 of a mile to the end of the forest road strip for some tent camping. Not sure if that is needed as I think we only heard/saw a few car drive by the entire time (on a beautiful August weekend). 

    Love this place. Happy to share it with others. If you are looking for some dispersed camping in the summer that's not a far drive from Portland, this spot is for you. If it's full, there are a half dozen to a dozen other dispersed camping spots along this gravel road between Frog Lake Campground and Clear Creek Crossing Campground. Enjoy.

  • Johny B.
    Jun. 19, 2025

    Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed

    Peaceful and Scenic Getaway

    Spent a quiet weekend at Little Soda Springs Rd Dispersed and loved it. The area is peaceful with a nice mix of forest and open space—felt super remote with hardly anyone else around. We found a great shady spot not far from a small creek, and it was perfect for relaxing. Heads up: there’s absolutely no cell service, so make sure to download any maps or trail guides(we used an offline hiking APK) before you get there. It’s close to Mount St. Helens and Columbia River Gorge, so we got in a great day hike. Nights were cool, days were warm and bug-free. Forest service came by once, which was nice to see. You’ll need a Forest Pass.

  • Ariel & John W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 15, 2020

    Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping

    Tons of dispersed in the shadow of Mt Hood

    There are many park campgrounds in the Mt Hood NF but also tons of dispersed camping in the forest.

    We camped off FS 2656 just south of Trillium Lake in August 2020. There are many other locations. Many are separate drives off a forest road but some side of the road spots too. Lake Trillium gets super crowded.

    Download the forest map from Avenza for accurate locations of all the forest roads and trails.

    The Mt Hood NF is amazing, with tons of lakes, creeks, waterfalls and hiking trails as well as great views of Mt Hood.

    No amenities for dispersed locations but you can use nearby campgrounds for water, trash and dump stations.

    There was decent Verizon service when we camped there.

    Would definitely camp here again.

Guide to Welches

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Welches, Oregon, where nature's tranquility awaits. With stunning views and a variety of outdoor activities, these spots offer a perfect escape for adventurers and nature lovers alike.

Scenic Views for Dispersed Campers

  • Experience breathtaking vistas at McNeil Point Dispersed Camping, where you can wake up to the majestic sight of Mt. Hood right outside your tent.
  • The White River West Sno-Park provides a large paved area with a stunning view of the mountain, making it an ideal spot for those who appreciate scenic landscapes.
  • For a more secluded experience, head to NF-3511 @ Mt Hood, where you can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and beautiful views during your drive up.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Welches, Oregon

  • Be prepared for varying road conditions when visiting Bonney Meadows, as the access road can be challenging, especially for standard vehicles.
  • Bring your own firewood to Mount Hood National Forest - NF 2656 -Dispersed Camping, as there are no firewood supplies available on-site.
  • Keep an eye out for mosquitoes, particularly in the summer months at Alder Flat, where the elevation can attract these pesky insects.

Hiking and Outdoor Activities While Free Camping Near Welches

  • Enjoy a short hike to the picturesque Mirror Lake, where you can set up camp and take in the stunning reflections of the surrounding mountains.
  • Explore the trails around Trillium Lake Airstrip Dispersed, which offers easy access to hiking paths and beautiful views of the lake and Mt. Hood.
  • For those seeking adventure, the area around Clear Lake dispersed camping provides opportunities for fishing and exploring nearby trails.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Welches, OR is White River West Sno-Park with a 4.7-star rating from 13 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 45 dispersed camping locations near Welches, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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