Warm Springs Ranger District

Developed Campgrounds

Blowing Springs Campground

The Warm Springs District has several developed campgrounds. These offer parking for your vehicle (car, trailer or camper), a level tent pad, a picnic table, a post for a lantern, a small fire ring, and a charcoal grill. Nearby, you will find a tested water source, toilets, and trash receptacles. Some campgrounds offer a sanitary waste dump for camping vehicles with holding tanks. Each campsite is within sight of one or two other campsites. In addition, to allow everyone a chance at the "favorite" campsites, a 21-day limit for camping on National Forest land is enforced.

Some of these campgrounds have Forest Service attendants/volunteers. Reservations are accepted at McClintic Point Group Campground only.  All other campgrounds are on a first come/first served basis.     

For more information on campground locations, facilities, fees, and reservations visit our Developed Campground Recreation page.

Dispersed Campsites (undeveloped campsites) 

Dispersed campsites occur along forest roads (vehicle camping) and along forest trails (dispersed trail camping).

Dispersed Vehicle Camping

Dispersed vehicle camping is offered at pull-off areas along a forest road. A pull-off area offers only a fire ring and room to pitch a tent.

Dispersed Trail Camping  

Dispersed trail camping (backpacking) is offered along the non-motorized and motorized trails in the forest.  Level, hardened campsites with a fire ring and room to pitch one or two tents are found within sight of the trail. Hikers who practice LEAVE-NO-TRACE camping may choose their own campsite far from a trail.

Leave No Trace

When camping on the National Forest, we ask that you do your part to help keep our Forest clean.  Practice NO TRACE CAMPING techniques by leaving the site in the same natural condition in which you found it.

• Carry out all trash.

• Bury human waste and toilet paper in a hole at least 8 inches deep and well away from a spring or stream; be sure to cover the whole area with loose soil after use.

• Keep 100 feet from trails, roads, and water.

• Remember, the water you use to bathe or wash dishes in may be drinking water for a downstream camper.  So keep soap and waste water from cooking or bathing away from streams.

• When building a fire, use only dead wood lying on the ground.

• Build fires away from trees to reduce forest fire hazards and prevent damage to root systems.

• Use existing fire rings.  If none are available, clear a small area down to mineral soil.  Clear away any dry branches or leaves that could catch on fire.

• Hang lanterns at least 12 inches away from a tree trunk to avoid damaging the tree's living tissues.

To learn more about Leave No Trace visit this non-profit organization's national website. 

Campfires

Avoid building campfires by using a cook stove. If you must build a campfire, use an existing fire ring and keep the fire small.  Though campfire permits are not required when camping, you are responsible for maintaining a safe campfire and can be held liable for suppression costs should you cause a wildfire.  Forest fire hazards can be severe in the fall and spring, when dry leaves cover the forest floor.  Never leave a campfire unattended. When breaking camp, thoroughly douse the fire with water until it is DEAD OUT.  Scatter or bury the COLD ashes, and cover the fire pit with soil.  Scatter any partly burned unused firewood.

Sanitation

Trash receptacles are available at most developed campgrounds and at a few trailhead-parking areas.  In other areas of the forest, hikers and campers should carry out all trash they create. 
At the developed campgrounds, restrooms are provided, but outside these areas hikers and campers should cover all fecal matter with 3-6 inches of dirt.

Drinking Water

The water supplies in developed recreation areas are regularly tested and treated when necessary.  Natural water sources such as springs are not tested and all such sources should be regarded as unsafe for human use.  Purify all water taken from natural sources before consuming of before using to wash utensils. 

Respect Private Land

On many parts of the Forest, land ownership patterns are patchy, with Federal lands
intermingled with private land.  When hunting or hiking on National Forests, know where the boundaries are between government and private land.  If you aren't sure, purchase a map of the area from the Warm Springs District Office.  Do Not trespass onto private land, or shoot toward private land while hunting.  Be sure to get permission from the landowner before crossing on to their land.  Remember to be a good neighbor and respect the rights of private landowners.

Hunting Season

Hunting season runs from October through January.  Be extremely careful when camping.  Do NOT wear white.  During spring turkey season (April - May) do NOT wear red, white, or blue, as these are the colors of the turkey head, which is the hunters' target.

Remember...Cellular Phones Are Not Reliable In The Forest