Tillamook State Forest offers numerous dispersed camping spots that provide free camping near Wheeler, Oregon, particularly along forested mountain roads 20-30 miles inland. Elevations range from 1,000 to 3,000 feet with significant temperature variations between day and night. Most sites feature established fire pits and room for 1-3 vehicles, though hunters claim many spots during fall season.
What to do
Fishing along Trask River: Several pull-offs along the river provide access for anglers at Trask River Campsites. "River rushing near the spots makes for a really nice sound to fall asleep to. Not crowded and really peaceful. Clear skies so got to see a beautiful array of stars," notes camper Dylan B.
Kayaking on small lakes: South Lake offers calm waters perfect for paddling. "The small lake has decent fishing and great for kayaking," reports Christie U. However, be prepared for potential challenges as Gerard R. mentions: "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."
Wildlife watching: Early mornings provide opportunities to spot local fauna. "Scenery is spectacular, lots of wildlife, deer, elk, coyote, and amazing old growth forests," according to Ariel & John W., who camped in the Siuslaw National Forest area.
What campers like
Mountain views: Cole Mt Ridge offers expansive vistas. Hannah H. describes it as an "Off grid site with beautiful views! This spot has an almost 180 degree view around to the west!" Another camper, Paulina Z., notes it has "room for two cars" and "lovely mountain views."
Solitude on weekdays: Mid-week visits typically ensure better site selection. "If you go earlier in the week, you'll most likely 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.
Night sky viewing: The higher elevation sites away from coastal fog provide excellent stargazing. "The night sky is vivid and there are many little forest roads around to explore," reports Gene J. about the Siuslaw National Forest area, while Dylan B. mentions seeing "a beautiful array of stars" at Trask River.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many sites require careful navigation on gravel roads. "Road is gravel, pretty well maintained. There's a lot of pull off roads, not sure if you can go down all of them," notes Dawson T. about Cole Mountain. For Scenic Overlook near Foley Creek, Emma T. warns: "Definitely quite the long and slow drive up a narrow backcountry road - steep in sections but overall quite manageable."
No cell service in most areas: Plan accordingly for communication needs. Gerard R. mentions there's "no ATT/Verizon service" in many areas, while Ariel & John W. confirm: "No amenities of any kind, no cell service" in the Siuslaw Forest.
Logging activity: Be alert for logging operations. Brendan from Tillamook State Forest cautions: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pack extra supplies: With no amenities, bring everything you need. "No amenities besides a vault toilet and no fee. Nothing fancy, but really beautiful, clean, nice rangers, and not busy at all," reports Sam L. about South Lake.
Consider noise levels: Some areas experience recreational vehicle traffic. Tawnya B. advises: "It is posted quiet time from 10 PM to 6 AM," though compliance varies. At Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping, Seth M. describes finding "a beautiful spot" but notes you need to "watch your GPS and use some dead reckoning with the topographic map."
Plan for trash management: No services mean packing out all waste. Michael P. notes: "A little bit of trash in various different spots on this mountain which is a bummer, but I tried to clean up the spot i was in to the best of my ability for the next camper!"
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility limitations: Many spots are unsuitable for larger vehicles. "Not friendly to large vehicles or RVs, roads are very thin and no place to park," warns Charlotte S. about dispersed camping near Cannon Beach.
Road width challenges: Christian C. explains: "Roads are narrow. Not recommended for large longer vehicles," while noting that there are "plenty of places to set up for the night" if you have a smaller RV.
Consider high clearance vehicles: Mike F. who visited Trask River notes: "The gravel road to the sites was not a problem. The sites were well kept. We felt lucky to find this place." However, smaller RVs and truck campers fare better than larger rigs on most forest roads leading to no-cost camping options.
