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NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP

13 ReviewsAdd Review

Crater Lake National Park visitors find a convenient staging area along Forest Road 70, where dispersed camping sites accommodate everything from tent campers to large RVs. The gravel road extends about a mile into Winema National Forest, providing access to multiple camping areas at roughly 5,000 feet elevation.

Road conditions vary by season and recent weather. Ray & Terri F. notes the surface is "gravel and in pretty good shape, i.e., no potholes, but is heavily washboarded," requiring speeds under 7 mph for larger RVs to avoid excessive shaking. Most reviewers report the road remains accessible to standard vehicles, though conditions can deteriorate during wet periods.

Sites range from easily accessible spots near the road entrance to more secluded areas requiring short walks or higher-clearance vehicles. Several campers mention finding level sites suitable for big rigs within the first mile, while others describe hiking further up the road to locate more private spots. Evidence of recreational shooting appears at some sites, with bullet casings and target-marked stumps noted by visitors.

Cell coverage proves surprisingly reliable for a dispersed area. Multiple T-Mobile users report 3-bar 5G service, while AT&T provides 1-2 bars with speeds around 7 Mbps. "Even got 3 bar TMobile 5g at the site a mile or so up the road," confirms matt. Summer visits may encounter flies and mosquitoes, though August campers report fewer insects.

Snow can arrive as early as late October at this elevation. For additional forest camping options, Winema NF Dispersed off FR 70 lies just a mile north.

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Map & DirectionsNF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP is located in Oregon near Diamond Lake

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

43.07222119 N
121.95142036 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 22 users
    Last on 6/10/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 8 users
    Last on 6/10/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 22 users
    Last on 6/10/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 8 users
    Last on 6/10/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Reviews13 Camper Reviews - NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP

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4.5

out of 5

13 Reviews

Campers regularly cited large, level sites with excellent privacy near Crater Lake. Most visitors reported good T-Mobile coverage and peaceful settings, though some noted occasional road traffic and seasonal mosquitoes.

Reviewed Aug. 24, 2025

Good spots by Crater lake

Really loved this spot was nice and flat and open. Close to Crater lake and hikes. Had service and didn’t run into too many people.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP by Ashley L., August 24, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2025

Patchy service, cool spots

We went here and found a decent spot but then hiked up the road more to the top and found a super cool spot. It was a little rougher road, but totally worth it.

Month of VisitAugust
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Reviewed Aug. 5, 2025

Great quiet site

Nice site, no bugs in August. Close by to all the crater lake hikes. Even got 3 bar TMobile 5g at the site a mile or so up the road on the left

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP by matt , August 5, 2025
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2025

Room for everyone

This specific spot and others nearby were occupied. Kept driving and in less than a mile found a spot all to ourselves. Huge site, perfectly level, in the woods. Not many mosquitoes. Solid T-mobile coverage.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 6, 2025

Big rig friendly!

Perfect stop along the way! About a mile in, there’s plenty of open space for big rigs! Several areas had small fire pits. We saw 2 vehicles in the afternoon and could hear other campers in the morning but couldn’t see them.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP by Wendy M., June 6, 2025
  • Review photo of NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP by Wendy M., June 6, 2025
Reviewed Jun. 15, 2024

Flying Insect Heaven

It was a nice area; it was pretty easy to access, and there was lots of open space. I couldn't really hear the highway, but several trucks did drive down the dirt road. Had good cell service with t-mobile , but did spend most of the time in my tent due to the flies and mosquitoes

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 7, 2024

Quiet

I spent a Thursday night here and it was almost completely empty. I only saw one person drive down the forest road. Good cell service for T-Mobile. Easily accessible for any car. Be a good human and bring a trash bag to pack out some of the litter.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Oct. 6, 2023

Right outside the park

Plenty of different types of camping spots: trailer and RV to serious offroad spots. I found a very secluded place with my 4by4 down rough road but plenty of other options. Best thing about it was I was able to be in the park to watch the sunrise.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP by Jeffery T., October 6, 2023
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2022

Awesome sites in ponderosa forest

Lovely big boondocking spaces with plenty of room. Close to Crater Lake NP. Road in is excellent, passable by any vehicle when we were here in late October. Mostly flat sites with varying privacy. The further you drive in the more privacy you will get. No service as this is just a spot to park for the night but perfect for self contained folks or hardy tent campers. It snowed when we were here in late October! At around 5,000ft elevation

Month of VisitOctober
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  • Review photo of NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP by Aliza N., October 26, 2022
  • Review photo of NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP by Aliza N., October 26, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 27, 2021

Nice large site just a mile off of OR-138 on NF-70

We are full-timers and have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and had scouted the area before arriving with the RV. NF-70 is gravel and in pretty good shape, i.e., no potholes, but is heavily washboarded. This wasn’t an issue for the Cherokee, but with a stiffer suspension, I had to limit the RV speed to less than 7 mph to keep from shaking it apart. We found a nice large and level site(43.0722212,-121.9514206) just off of NF-70 and there were a few other dispersed sites near there as well. We stayed for 3 days in late September and had the place to ourselves. There was no one else with in miles of our spot and only saw 2 or 3 cars each day on NF-70. There were a few 9mm bullet casings on the ground, so locals probably use the spot to camp and target shoot. One of the tree stumps was riddled with bullet holes. AT&T service was fair with 1-2 bars of LTE and speeds up to about 7 MB/s. We were able to get DISH coverage on one of the western satellites at our site through a gap in the trees. There were no OTA channels to be had with our fixed omni antenna.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP by Ray & Terri F., September 27, 2021
  • Review photo of NF-70 Dispersed Camping Near Crater Lake NP by Ray & Terri F., September 27, 2021
Showing results 1-13 of 13 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is NF-70 dispersed camping located near Crater Lake?

NF-70 dispersed camping is located on Forest Road 70 near Crater Lake National Park. The area features a gravel road that, while washboarded in some sections, is generally in good condition and accessible to most vehicles. The dispersed camping spots begin about a mile down the road, with more secluded sites available the further you travel in. The area offers flat, shaded camping areas with varying levels of privacy. There are spots suitable for different camping styles, from large RVs to more remote areas requiring 4x4 access.

What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping near Crater Lake National Park?

When dispersed camping near Crater Lake National Park, standard Forest Service regulations apply. Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash - the area has some litter issues that responsible campers can help address. Existing fire rings should be used when having a campfire, and fire restrictions may apply during dry seasons. There are no services provided, so bring all necessary supplies including water. The area doesn't require permits or fees for dispersed camping, making it an economical option for visiting Crater Lake.

Is BLM land available for camping near Crater Lake Oregon?

The dispersed camping on NF-70 is on National Forest land, not BLM land. This Forest Service area provides the primary dispersed camping opportunities near Crater Lake National Park. For those specifically seeking BLM land camping, you would need to travel further from the immediate Crater Lake vicinity. The Forest Service land on NF-70 offers similar benefits to BLM camping, including no fees and relatively flexible camping arrangements in a forested setting.

What is the best time of year for dispersed camping near Crater Lake?

Late summer through early fall is generally the best time for dispersed camping near Crater Lake. August and early October offer more moderate temperatures and fewer mosquitoes than earlier in the season. June and July camping is possible but brings higher mosquito activity that can be bothersome. Late October provides excellent road conditions and less crowded campsites but cooler temperatures. Winter camping is not advisable due to snow conditions. The summer months provide the advantage of extended daylight hours for exploring Crater Lake National Park, including catching the spectacular sunrise views.

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