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bbaley's avatar
bbaley
Explorer
Jun 27, 2012

ideas for dispersed/dry camping in central oregon

Hi all -
Looking for inspiration and ideas for a dry camping/boondocking/dispersed camping area in central Oregon.

While I have explored a good chunk of the central state (and a fair amount of it's logging roads and back roads) I was never really paying attention to spots for this option and whether it was BLM, State etc.

Now that we have trailers, I was hoping someone could help with ideas - not looking for you to give away your secret spot - a highway or general area would suffice.

We are a tent trailer and a 19' Hybrid towed with 4x4 trucks.
Nearness to water (lake or stream) is nice, even if it's a short drive or hike.
Just looking for a quiet spot away from the chaos and noise ;)


Any info much appreciated!

10 Replies

  • Subscribed for the good links and info. I need to get back out in the wild. It has been a long winter!
  • Roy&Lynne wrote:
    There are a lot of places that are free or cheap along 395 Ukiah Dale Forest State Park, Toll Bridge, Drift Fence, Parish Cabin, Alder Springs Forest Camp, Chickahominy,
    From 97, Macks Canyon, Rattlenake Canyon, Jones Canyon, Trwin Spring. White River, Oasis, South Junction, Trout Creek, Haystack and Skull Hollow.
    There are a bunch of campground just south of Prineville, along Crooked River and some South of Sister. There are a few around Newberry Crater, and lots around Wickiup Reservoir.
    These places are all either free campgrounds or under $12.


    Thanks for the help! I had been looking along 395 on map off and on wondered!
  • Check out the Fremont-Winema NF just north of Crater Lake -- the rangers are very helpful and will point you to some great boondocking. The white box in the lower left corner of this shot is our trailer -- the jagged hills on the upper right are in the Watchtower area of the rim of Crater Lake:

  • bbaley --- we haven't seen the traffic like we usually do. When are you planning on leaving?
  • There are a lot of places that are free or cheap along 395 Ukiah Dale Forest State Park, Toll Bridge, Drift Fence, Parish Cabin, Alder Springs Forest Camp, Chickahominy,
    From 97, Macks Canyon, Rattlenake Canyon, Jones Canyon, Trwin Spring. White River, Oasis, South Junction, Trout Creek, Haystack and Skull Hollow.
    There are a bunch of campground just south of Prineville, along Crooked River and some South of Sister. There are a few around Newberry Crater, and lots around Wickiup Reservoir.
    These places are all either free campgrounds or under $12.
  • amandasgramma wrote:
    South of Bend, west of La Pine is Wikiup Reservoir. There are tons of places around that reservoir to boondock. There's also a lot of spots around the other lakes up in that area. We have boondocked at Wikiup. If you are planning to come that far, PM me and I'll tell you exactly how to find places. :) :)


    I've been to Wikiup a number of times - we usually camp at Crane Prairie - and I've noticed some good sites there too, but was figuring on going father East since we are near 4th of July - assuming it would be pretty crowded around there ?
  • South of Bend, west of La Pine is Wikiup Reservoir. There are tons of places around that reservoir to boondock. There's also a lot of spots around the other lakes up in that area. We have boondocked at Wikiup. If you are planning to come that far, PM me and I'll tell you exactly how to find places. :) :)

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