Non-traditional Camping, or dispersed camping is a great way to test your outdoor skills and enjoy nature in its purest form. The lack of facilities though may not be for everyone. For those people who enjoy non-traditional camping here are some guidelines and tips when camping around the Umpqua Forest.
Where can I go dispersed camping?
There are plenty of places to go dispersed camping around Roseburg. It’s legal to camp on publicly owned land that’s managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management or the National Forest Service. Anywhere in the Umpqua National Forest is fair game, though there are some restrictions that need to be followed when camping in the Umpqua National Forest.
What are the rules?
Most publicly owned land is open to dispersed camping, with some restrictions. The general guidelines are:
- No camping within a mile of a developed recreation site such as a trailhead or picnic area.
- Length of stay cannot exceed 14 days at a time or more than 28 days per year.
- Leave No Trace by using existing sites (if possible), pack out anything you packed in, camp 100 feet from any water source, and dig a 6-8 inch hole for human waste.
- Follow local fire restrictions. During the summer the forest can get pretty dry so you may be limited to just using a gas stove or no open flame at all
Shelter in Place
There are a few shelters in the area for those who want a structure to hang up a hammock or as a place to stay out of the rain. Remember these structures are first come, first served. Here are a couple of our favorites:
Twin Lakes Shelter
Features a short hike that leads to a shelter near one of the lakes, with the trail continuing around both lakes. If the shelter is taken there are plenty of other spots with established fire pits around the lakes to make a primitive camp.
Boze Shelter
This trail leads to a historic trail shelter located beside the Black Rock Fork of the South Umpqua River. Although the grade is flat, the loose, rocky soil makes this is a more difficult 0.2-mile hike.
