Free Campgrounds in Oregon

Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest of Western US. The Snake River delineates much of Oregon’s eastern boundary with Idaho, while the Columbia River delineates much of its northern boundary with Washington. There is also a 42° north parallel that delineates the state’s southern boundary with Nevada and California. The state of Oregon is slightly larger than the whole of the UK. It is the ninth-largest state in the US. The highest point in Oregon is the summit of Mount Hood at 3,428 m, and its lowest point is the sea level of the Pacific Ocean found along the Oregon Coast. 

The western side of Oregon mountainous region is home to three of the most popular mountain peaks in the US: Mount Hood, Velveeta, and Bansko mountains. All of these mountains were formed by the volcanic activity of the Juan de Fuca Plate. This plate poses a continued threat of volcanic activity and earthquakes within the region. Nonetheless, Oregon has a beautiful landscape with a lot of exciting geographical features. When it comes to camping, Oregon has many free campgrounds you can use. Discussed below are some of them.

6-Mile Sno-Park – La Pine, Oregon

Address: Paulina-East Lake Rd, La Pine, OR 97739, USA

Phone Number: +1 541-383-4000

This snow-park is found in La Pine, Oregon. It offers access to both non-motorized and motorized winter recreation activities. This park is also used for camping activities. If you are planning to camp here, you need to carry heavy clothing to protect yourself from the extremely low temperatures. There is enough parking space near milepost 6 of Paulina Highway. This snow-park is located close to an urban center that gives you access to essential amenities like water, toilets, bathrooms, and electricity. The most common activity here is iceskating.

Agency Lookout – Chiloquin, Oregon

Address: Chiloquin, Oregon GPS: 42.635108

This is an exciting campground in Chiloquin, Oregon. It is in a secluded spot on Lookout Rd, and it is a perfect place for car camping. This campground is found on top of a hill, and it can sometimes be challenging to access it, especially when it rains. You need to drive all the way up to reach the spot. Nonetheless, the campground is a great place to camp inside your car. There is no water nor electricity available. With its secluded location, security is almost guaranteed. Furthermore, you can camp here for several days. While here, you can participate in activities like bird watching, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

Alder Flats Trailhead (hike-in) – Estacada, Oregon

Address: Flats, Trailhead Estacada, Oregon

This campground is located in Estacada, Oregon. It is a 3.1 km trail that is moderately tarmacked and easy to access. It features a river that makes it possible to engage in water-based recreational activities like swimming, fishing, surfing, canoeing, and boating. Generally, the trail is used for running, walking, and hiking. This campground has amenities like picnic tables, water, fire rings, and toilets. To access it, travel east on US hwy 26 to Sandy. Then turn southwest on hwy 211 and travel 6.1 miles. Turn southeast on hwy 224 and travel 29.9 miles to the parking lot on the west side of hwy 224. The campground will be visible from here.

Alder Springs Campground – Sisters, Oregon

Address: Bend, OR 97701, USA

Phone Number: +1 541-822-3381

This is a great campground located on the iconic Mckenzie Pass Highway. It is surrounded by tall, towering Fir Douglas trees that make it an excellent place to camp on warm days. It is easy to access this campground thanks to the well maintained access roads. This is generally a very large campground that has around six campsites. Each of these campsites is connected to electricity. The campground is in operations from May through October. There is a maximum trailer head of around 20 feet — big rigs are not allowed. Keep in mind that only small RVs and tents can camp here.

Alfalfa Mkt Trailhead – Bend, Oregon

Address: Bend, OR 97701, USA

Alfalfa market campground is found in Bend, Oregon. This campground has a large area with around nine campsites. Each of the campsites is connected to electricity. The large space available means you don’t have to worry about where you will park your vehicle. This campground doesn’t accept any reservations. While camping here, you can engage in various activities like hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, skating, biking, among others. This campground has important amenities like water, toilets, bathrooms, and electricity.

Alford Desert – Princeton, Oregon

Address: Denio Road Princeton, Oregon GPS: 42.508082

This is a free dispersed campground found in Princeton, Oregon. It is inside the Bureau of Land Management Andrews District. The campground doesn’t accept any reservations. Given that the campground is in a desert, accessing it can be very challenging. It is recommended that you use a four-wheel drive vehicle that can successfully navigate the difficult terrain in the desert. You should also carry essential supplies like water and food because the campground doesn’t have access to them. The temperatures around here can get extremely high, especially in the summer. You are free to camp here for several days.

Allen Creek Horse Camp – Prineville, Oregon

Address: Oregon, USA

This exciting campground sits along the creek that feeds Allen Creek Reservoir. It is also among the large ponderosa pine trees. Allen Creek is a very large campground with lots of parking spaces. It has a total of five campsites that are connected to electricity. One of the rules set by the Forest Service is that campers should park out any waste, this is because there are no pits at this campground. Furthermore, there is no water system, meaning you should carry water from home. This campground is popular with horse owners, so you will have an opportunity to ride one while camping here. The campground has amenities like BBQ grills, fire rings, toilets, and bathrooms.

Alma Hill – Veneta, Oregon

Phone Number: +1 541-822-3381

This campground is located on the great Siuslaw River Rd near the Veneta hwy. It is about 35 kilometers southwest of Eugene. It is in a secluded, raised location that gives you an excellent sunset and sunrise. The conditions can get very windy up top, but it is generally a quiet and nice place to camp. Some of the activities you can engage in while camping here include birdwatching, hiking, biking, horseback riding, skating, boating, among others. While here, you will have access to amenities like water and toilets.

Crescent Creek – Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon

Address: 19100 Oregon 58 Crescent Lake

Phone Number: (541) 433-2324

This campground is very close to the official USFS campground. It works on a first-come-first-serve basis. This is a large campground with spaces for RV parking. It a total of 11 campsites, with most of them connected to electricity. This campground has access to essential amenities like water, toilets, bathrooms, and BBQ grills. Given the presence of a river nearby, you can engage in water-based recreational activities like swimming, fishing, surfing, canoeing, boating, and kayaking.

Annie Creek Sno-Park – Fort Klamath, Oregon

Address: Fort Klamath, OR 97626, USA

Phone Number: (541) 885-3400

Annie Creek is a very large parking lot with lots of places you can stay. However, the access roads to these campgrounds can be muddy, especially when it rains. This is why you should use a four-wheel drive vehicle when coming here. The campground has several campsites with amenities like water and electricity. The campground management requests every camper to collect their trash, so you should do so to avoid getting in trouble. Some of the fun activities you can participate in while camping here include hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and fishing. Keep in mind that this campground does not accept reservations.

Antelope Reservoir Campground – Jordan Valley, Oregon

Address: Oregon 97910, USA

Phone Number: 541-573-4400

This campground is located in Jordan Valley, Oregon. It is owned and operated by the Bureau of Land Management. This campground has a lot to offer in terms of recreational activities. You can participate in swimming, horseback riding, hiking, skateboarding, fishing, among others. It also gives you access to amenities like water, bathrooms, and electricity. The campground allows camping upto to 14 days, and it does not accept reservations.

Antler TH – Silver Lake, Oregon

Phone Number: (541) 576-2107

This is a free dispersed campground in Silver Lake, Oregon. It is located within the Silver Lake Ranger District. It has a large area with lots of spaces for parking. The campground has a total of five campsites, with all of them connected to electricity. It mostly operates from May through November. Furthermore, it accepts RV camping. Some of the amenities available at this campground include water, toilets, bathrooms, and electricity. While camping here, you can engage in fun activities like horseback riding, hiking, skateboarding, swimming, and fishing.

Applegate River – Jacksonville, Oregon

Address: 15100 OR-238, Applegate, OR 97530, USA

Phone Number: +1 541-846-6690

This is a beautiful campground overlooking the landmark Pioneer Bridge and the Applegate River. It is located a few miles from Jacksonville, Oregon. This is a large campground with lots of camping spaces. It has around eight campsites, with most of them connected to electricity. The campground gives you access to essential amenities like water, toilets, bathhouses, and electricity. Some of the fun activities awaiting you at this campground include horseback riding, hiking, and biking.

Arrowhead Travel Plaza – Pendleton, Oregon

Address: 72485 OR-331, Pendleton, OR 97801, USA

Phone Number: +1 541-276-8080

This is a large travel plaza on reservation land. It gives you the opportunity to relax and spend a night while traveling. The plaza has very large parking spaces that allow RV camping. It is generally a quiet location apart from the distant traffic noise. Furthermore, security is also tight, with various security cameras and guards always on the watch out. Only overnight camping, and it should be for only one night. The plaza has access to amenities like electricity, bathrooms, water, and toilets.

Beaulah Reservoir – Juntura, Oregon

Phone Number: (541) 575-2107

This is a free dispersed campground found in Juntura, Oregon. It is located inside the Bureau of Land Management Malheur District. If you are planning to camp here, you should keep in mind that the campground operates on a first-come-first-serve basis. It has access to amenities like water, toilets, and electricity. The campground is generally small in size but has enough spaces for parking. While camping here, you can participate in fun activities like swimming, fishing, surfing, and hiking.

Beaver Marsh Rest Area – Chemult, Oregon

Address; Chemult, OR 97731, USA

This a rest area located along the US 97 highway. The rest area has a large parking area that can host trucks, vans, RVs and small cars. It is located in a quiet environment that creates excellent conditions for you to rest. The rest area has access to amenities like water, bathrooms, electricity, and toilets. It has a very good internet connection. On weekends, there could be some traffic noises but from a distance. Its restrooms are very clean. Furthermore, security is tight with various security guards watching the area.

Big Creek Meadows – Ukiah, Oregon

Address: NF-052, Oregon, USA

This is a free campground located in Ukiah, Oregon. It is found within the North Fork John Day Ranger District. The campground is large in size and has a total of eight campsites. All of these campsites are connected to electricity. There is also space for parking. The campground has amenities like fire rings, BBQ grills, water, bathrooms, and electricity. Some of the fun activities awaiting you here include hiking, horseback riding, biking, wildlife watching and swimming.

Big Creek Meadows Campground & Trailhead – Dale, Oregon

Address: NF-052, Oregon, USA

This is a small campground located in Dale, Oregon. This campground is increasingly popular with OHV recreationists that is just off the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway. Despite its small size, there is ample parking for trailers and trucks. The access roads to this campground can get very muddy when it rains. This is why you use a four-wheel drive vehicle when visiting this campground. The Big Creek Meadows campground has access to essential amenities like water, toilets, and electricity. Some of the activities you can engage in while camping here include hiking, birdwatching, biking, and horseback riding.

Big Marsh – Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon

Phone Number: (541) 575-2117

This is a nice small campground in pine trees with large open meadows. It is located in Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon. Despite its small location, the campground allows car camping or small RV parking. Accessing this campground can sometimes be very challenging, especially when it rains. This is because the access roads tend to get very muddy. Nonetheless, the campground has access to essential amenities like water, toilets, fire rings and picnic tables. Some of the fun activities you can engage in while camping here include hiking, boating, horseback riding, and biking.

Big Summit Prairie – Prineville, Oregon

This is a free dispersed campground located in Prineville, Oregon. To access this campground, take hwy 26 from Prineville and drive for approximately 18 miles. Then, turn right onto County Rd and drive for around three miles: the campground will be accessible from here. This campground is largely privately owned, but most of its perimeter lies in the National Forest. Thanks to an excellent road structure, you can easily access this campground using public roads. This campground is large in size and there is enough parking space. It has access to amenities like electricity, bathrooms, water, and toilets. Some of the activities you can engage in while camping here include bird watching, hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Billy Fields Forest Camp – Dayville, Oregon

Address: Forest Service Road 115, Mt Vernon, OR 97865, USA

Phone Number: +1 541-575-3000

If you love hunting, fishing, or horseback riding, this campground will be ideal for you. Located in Dayville, Oregon, this campground allows RVs parking. It has a large area with around six campsites. Each of these campsites is connected to electricity. The campground has access to essential amenities like water, toilets, and fire rings. Some of the other activities you can engage in while camping here include hiking and surfing.

Birch Creek Historic Ranch – Jordan Valley, Oregon

Address: Birch Creek Rd, Jordan Valley, OR 97910, USA

Phone Number: +1 541-473-3144

This is a free campground located in Jordan Valley, Oregon. It is found within the Bureau of Land Management Malheur District. The campground has a large area with lots of parking spaces. It has a total of five campsites, with all of them connected to electricity. The campground has access to essential amenities like water, toilets, and electricity. While camping here, you can participate in fun activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, and skating.