Black Pine Dispersed Camping
Black Pine is an unofficial campground that offers a selection of nice dispersed campsites. It is located just off Three Creek Lake Road, about halfway between Sisters and Three Creek Lake. Many forest roads and hiking/biking trails can be found nearby providing for recreational opportunities. Black Pine is a good choice for those looking to save on campsite fees, or unable to find an available spot at one of the campgrounds at Three Creek Lake.
There are about 10 campsites in the main area at Black Pine, but more options for camping exist further up the dirt road. Sites are large, but most dont offer much privacy if there happen to be neighbors. A preexisting fire ring can be found at most sites. There are no amenities here, please practice leave no trace principles and keep the campsites clean for future campers. Black Pine Spring is located just behind the camp and offers a natural water source.
Traditional Campgrounds And State Parks Near Bend Oregon
Bend, Oregon is one of the best places in the United States for nature lovers and outdoors enthusiasts. And since camping is likely your thing, youll quickly find the perfect camping spot near one of Bends many lakes or scenic state parks.
If a traditional campground or a state park is what youre looking for, read on:
Lake Billy Chinook Cabins
Billy Chinook Lake is stunning, and the Cove Palisades State Park is a good option for camping near Bend Oregon and the lake. The park as more than 200 campsites, some of which have RV hookups.
However, if you want something a little more luxury, you could always book one of the deluxe, lakeside cabins which can sleep up to 8 people.
There are two main campgrounds in the park, the Crooker River Campground and Deschutes Campground, both of which are surrounded by nearly 10 miles of hiking trails, boat rentals, and the towering cliffs that surround the unique Lake Billy Chinook.
Price: tent site $20, electrical $30, deluxe cabin $87 | More Info: Website
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Dispersed Camping Near Bend Oregon
If rugged, untouched nature is what you prefer, then youre in luck! After spending a year searching for the best dispersed camping locations around Bend, weve found the absolute best.
Keep in mind, these campgrounds are dispersed sites, which means they are FREE, but you wont have access to amenities like toilets, running water, etc. Come prepared with your own gear. You can read more about dispersed camping here.
Scandia Rv & Mobile Park
Just south of Bend along US-97 is Scandia RV & Mobile Park with nightly and monthly rates. They have three sections with full hookup RV sites that are often full throughout the summer months. Call ahead early to make reservations, especially if you want one of their 14 pull-through sites.
Their basic amenities include WiFi, cable, and laundry facilities. Restaurants are within walking distance and the Bend Factory Outlet stores are less than a mile away.
Scandia RV & Mobile Park. Photo by Coopsecondact
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Dispersed Camping Spots Popping Up As Visitors Look For Primitive Escape
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers.
Its called dispersed camping. It is perfectly legal and hugely popular.
No picnic tables, no toilets, no trash cans, no fire rings, no treated water.
If you want it, you bring it, and you take it with you when you leave.
We do allow dispersed camping throughout the Deschutes National Forest as do most national forests. The limit on camping in any one spot is 14 days, said Jean Nelson Dean, Public Affairs Officer for the Deschutes National Forest. People need to obey forest closures and other regulations. People can only travel 300 feet off an open road and they have to camp 30 feet away from a water source: a spring, stream or lake.
A new popular spot has sprouted near Bend and anyone whos driven up Century Drive has noticed.
Dean says people who camp in the forest across Century Drive from Widgi Creek Golf Course a perfectly in their rights to do so.
Done right, dispersed campers avoid trampling vegetation by using previously created spots that are down to bare soil.
This time of year when its so dry, that means dust.
Dispersed campers should not camp in the middle of a clearing or a meadow and they should try to make their campsite less visible so that other visitors see a wild setting.
Typically, dispersed camping is not allowed near any developed facilities such as campgrounds, boat ramps and trailheads like Phils Trail.
The 18 Best Camping Spots Near Bend Oregon
The City of Bend, Oregon is an outdoor playground sandwiched between the equally mesmerizing high desert and High Cascades.
Known as a hub for outdoor recreation, Bend is a frontier town that retains an authentic sense of the wild west.
The massive, perpetually snow-capped Three Sisters mountains reign over the city from the west, and an endless sagebrush-encrusted desert spreads east to somewhere beyond the horizon.
Whether youre paddling down the white waters of the Deschutes River, shredding the slopes of Mt. Bachelor, or hitting the trails on Bends best hikes, youll need a place to catch some Zs and recharge for your next adventure.
You could spring for a hotel, but wheres the fun in that?
Weve put together a list of our 18 favorite camping spots around Bend. There are dozens upon dozens of campgrounds and backcountry campsites to discover in the area, and this list is a great guide to help get you started.
Tent or RV, youre in for some amazing camping outside of Bend. Take on the mountain highways for mile-high lakeside amenities, or travel deep into the woods for a remote experience far away from civilization.
The options are endless, as are the good times.
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Places To Go Camping Near Bend Oregon
What kind of adventure are you looking to have? Whether its a secluded and quiet spot or an RV resort with all the amenities, there is no shortage of camping opportunities near Bend. Use this guide to find which type of campground best suits you and your crew.
Here are the # best places to camp in Central Oregon:
Mount Ashland Campgroundklamath National Forest
A stack of rocks on a hill lined in evergreens, within the distance is the faint define of Mount Shasta in southern Oregon.
Located inside Klamath National Forest in Southern Oregon, the Mount Ashland campground affords distant mountain tenting alongside the Siskiyou Crest.
It affords entry to the PCT, superior views and glorious wildflowers, hen, and butterfly watching.
Beautiful place, pretty drive-in. Spots are scattered and exhausting to search out at night time. Had deer operating round whereas I used to be establishing the tent.
Pit bathrooms, mountain climbing shut by, accessible in any vehicle.
I hope this article on free camping Oregon was worth reading.
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Rufus Landing Recreation Areacolumbia River Gorge
When youre touring alongside the Columbia River and want a spot to cease east of The Dalles, the Rufus Touchdown Recreation Space is a handy boondocking and dispersed tenting website.
Managed by the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers, it has no designated websites however is slightly an enormous gravel parking space, which means tent campers might need to plan to snag spots earlier than RVers do.
Simply because its a simple tenting website doesnt imply it doesnt provide facilities, although. There are restrooms accessible only a quick stroll away, and theres a mountain climbing entry right down to the Columbia River.
This campground is an easy gravel lot for drop-in tenting. No hearth pits or reserved spots.
When youre going to a present at Maryhill or simply want a spot to crash alongside the freeway this can be a great place. Has restrooms and river entry.
Camping Near You Find A Free Campsite
Whether you just need to know where to camp nearby or you want to plan a free camping road trip, we’ve got you covered. You can simply use your smart phone’s GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast.
Our community provides the best free camping information available. Free campgrounds can be hard to find. Freecampsites.net makes it easy. We give you a simple, map based search engine to find free and cheap camping areas. Community reviews and ratings provide you with up to date information and help you select the best camp site for your next camping trip.
This is a platform for sharing campgrounds and camp sites you have discovered. We are community driven, and while we will be adding many free camping spots, we hope that you will add some of your favorite camping places as well. By sharing camping information freely, we can all spend less time researching campgrounds, spend less money, and more time camping. If everyone contributes a few campsites, we’ll all have more places to go camping.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
We are not actively seeking Wal-Marts, truckstops or other parking lots and will not be adding very many of these. There are enough Wal-Mart and truck stop directories out there already. However, if a member of the community finds one of these locations to be useful for overnight RV parking and creates an entry, we may approve the listing.
Please come back and let us know what you find!
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Priest Hole Recreation Site
If youre heading east, make a night or two of it at the Priest Hole Recreation Site. Situated on BLM land, this free primitive campground is located on the John Day River.
A gem nestled away far from town, Priest Hole is a favorite among the locals for fishing and swimming. Youre welcome to camp anywhere here, but dont expect any campsite amenities. This campground is perfect for those who prefer roughing it with nature all around.
Priest Hole is also a great camping location for experiencing all three units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument: Painted Hills, Sheep Rock, and Clarno.
The road out to Priest Hole is rough, so youll want to bring a vehicle with high clearance. Fire restrictions are in place from June through September, and pets are allowed.
Thousand Trails Sunriver Oregon
Amenities Pool and Spa Plenty of recreational activities, including pickleball, basketball, mini-golf, and more Pet-Friendly
We also spent several months living at the Thousand Trails Sunriver campground in Sunriver, Oregon. Upon arrival, you will notice that this campground has all the amenities and recreational offerings of a resort, nestled into over 283 acres along the Deschutes River.
Whether you want to hit the slopes of Mt. Bachelor or drop a line into the river, you are only minutes away from an endless list of recreational activities. We loved our stay here, and its exciting to learn that they will be opening a brand new pool and spa area in the summer of 2022.
You can review the recreational activities list and reserve your site here.
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Physical Distancing In Parks And On Trails
- Use wide trails where possible to stay six feet from others while passing.
- User-created trails damage habitat and create erosion.
- Visit less popular trails at less popular times. If you see many people or a full parking area, go elsewhere or at another time.
- Use trails and paths at nearby parks rather than driving across town or beyond.
- Wash hands before and after any visit to a park or trail.
- Follow local and national guidance to wear cloth face coverings in public.
- Offer a wide berth when passing and if approaching from behind, say a friendly hello, passing on your left.
- Keep dogs on a leash.
- Go solo or only with members of your household. No groups.
- If this is not possible or if you are sick, stay at home do not use a park or trail.
The Best Places To Go Camping Near Bend Oregon
Bend, Oregon is a unique city geographically: it sits on the Deschutes River in the High Desert, just east of the Cascade Range and bordered by the Deschutes National Forest. This location is perfect for outdoor activities from kayaking and canoeing on the river to hiking and biking miles of wooded trails.
All this nature is also close to Bends many city attractions. Bend has a thriving food scene with dining options for all occasions, along with 20+ breweries in town, as well as wineries and distilleries. Great shopping, arts, dining, and outdoor concerts can be found in the historic Old Mill District as well.
If youre planning on camping in Bend, do a little research first as there are lots of great options. Free dispersed campsites can be found in the woods while high-end RV parks are located across the area with luxurious amenities. These are some of our favorite places to go camping near Bend.
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Visit Bend Staffers Share Their Top Spots For Camping In Central Oregon
There might still be snow in the mountains, but Bend locals and visitors alike are already tidying their camping gear and getting ready for nights spent snoozing under the stars.
To help give you some ideas, we asked Visit Bend staff and volunteers to name some of their favorite camping spots around Central Oregon. Heres what everyone had to say
Blogger Tawna hanging around the campsite at Swamp Wells with her dog, Bindi.
Name: Tawna Fenske
Campground of choice:Swamp Wells Campground
Tell us about it! While I love spending time on Central Oregons lakes and rivers, I prefer quieter spots when it comes to camping. Swamp Wells offers that, with the added bonus of being close to town and offering easy access to nearby lava tubes like Boyd Cave and Arnold Ice Cave.
Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, Swamp Wells Campground is technically a horse camp, and youll see hitching posts and the occasional pile of horse doody lying around. But weve frequently had the place to ourselves and had a dandy time exploring the high desert terrain on our own two feet. At nighttime, the stars are incredible, and youll likely hear coyotes howling in the not-so-distant distance.
Tell us about it! This is a great lake for standup paddleboarding, skipping rocks, and camp fires under the stars. It has a boat launch and pit toilets, though no running water, so bring your own.
Kevneys kids frolic with their grandpa on the shore of Elk Lake.
Names: Chip and Josefa LaFurney
Mineral Camp Campgroundumpqua National Forest
This tiny campground alongside Sharps Creek in Umpqua National Forest is open year-round and has three particular person campsites surrounded by towering Douglas Firs.
There are hearth pits, picnic tables, and vault bathrooms, however no ingesting water or rubbish disposal.
It is a very small distant campground previous Dorena lake close to Bohemia Mountain.
When you can luck out, or go within the offseason, this can be a good far-out spot, off the overwhelmed path to simply loosen up by Sharps Creek.
I appreciated how this place is small and extra primitive than others, whereas nonetheless being a legit campground.
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Visitors Guide To The Central Oregon Backcountry
With rolling plains of sagebrush, dramatic river canyons and dense forests of old-growth juniper, the Central Oregon Backcountry provides visitors with a wide-ranging introduction to Oregons high desert.
This wild country is within a short 1- to 2-hour drive from Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Sisters and other Central Oregon communities. Whether you are looking for an easy day-hike or a weekend adventure, you can use our visitors guide to the Central Oregon Backcountry to plan your trip.
Water + Dump Stations
If youre in a self contained vehicle youre going to be looking for water and a dump station. There are two in downtown Bend. One is closer to the Deschutes free camping areas but the other one is free:
- Free dump & fill station: Chevron station on NW Revere
- Paid dump & fill station: Shell station on NW Galveston
- Paid dump & fill station: Lava Lake Campground on Cascade Lakes Highway. If youre free camping way out in Three Sisters Wilderness, this is probably a more convenient location.
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Tumalo State Park Campground
Tumalo State Park has a great family-friendly campground near Bend, Oregon that swells with adventure enthusiasts during the warm summer months.
Found along the scenic Deschutes River and located a mere 7 miles from Bend, this campground is easily accessible and offers great amenities like flush toilets, showers and ample recreational activities centered around water spots.
Tumalo State Park is a beloved day use site, as a result this Bend campsite fills up quickly!
Also, campers can choose to reserve one of seven yurts at this campsite .
As you can imagine, the yurts get reserved at lightning speed, but that doesnt mean you should try your hand at a reservation!
Tumalo State Park Campground near Bend
- Distance from Bend: 15 minutes | 7 miles
- Camping sites: 54 tent sites, 23 RV hookup sites, 7 yurts.
- Fee: $21 for tents, $36 for RV hookup sites, $61 for yurts
- Campground amenities: Flush toilets + showers,
- Campground popularity: High
Camping Is One Of The Most Popular And Affordable Ways To Explore The Pacific Northwest Especially Oregona Recent Report Found That More Than 29 Million People Camped In Oregon In 2018 Reaching An All
Camping allows you to base yourself near, or sometimes even within, some of Oregon’s greatest natural attractions. And if you don’t mind giving up certain comforts , you can even find some camping in Oregon that’s 100 percent free.
If you already have the equipment, tent camping gear or an RV, and some extra bucks for gas and food, it’s entirely possible to have an epic adventure that doesn’t necessarily cost more than staying at home would.
If you’re looking for places where you can go free camping in Oregon, check out the twenty-something campgrounds and camping areas below. Before heading out to these free spots in Oregon, be sure to read up on best practices for free camping, including how to leave no trace and, if you’re an RVer, how to go boondocking.
Where to find free camping in Oregon
The beauty of dispersed camping, besides costing absolutely nothing, is that you won’t need to make reservations. These campgrounds are almost always first come, first served. Additionally, as camping on public lands is typically not a crowded affair, Oregon free camping has a chance to offer glorious solitude and welcome peace and quiet amid gorgeous natural scenery.
Not all campgrounds on public lands are free, however, so some research is required to plan your trip. To make things a bit easier for you, we’ve come up with the best places for free camping in Oregon from real camper reviews on The Dyrt.
Mineral Camp Campground : Umpqua National Forest
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