Go Where Others Are Not: 4th of July Edition

June 30, 2015 1:50 PM

I hate the 4th of July. I live in Portland. Where can I go where others are not?

This year I feel a strong desire to leave town (Portland, OR) for the 4th of July and go where I can pretend I am the last person left on earth. Or at least in Oregon. I have a vague notion of driving east of Mt. Hood, pitching a tent and enjoying the silence on Saturday night.

Is that possible? If so, where? It will be me, my spouse and my dog.

posted by hollisimo to Travel & Transportation around La Grande, OR (11 answers total)

Camping on the 4th of July weekend is very popular and tons of people will be planning to drive into the outdoors to drink, play music and set off fireworks. I don't have specific recommendations around Portland, but are you willing to go somewhere you have to hike instead of just car camping?
posted by the agents of KAOS at 2:21 PM on June 30, 2015 [2 favorites]

One of my favorite 4th of Julys ever was going over the border to Canada where they did not give a fuck about US independence. I don't know if you need to be alone or just away from the 4th but you're not far.
posted by jessamyn at 2:22 PM on June 30, 2015 [16 favorites]

Response by poster: @KAOS my partner is disabled, so no backpacking for us unfortunately.
posted by hollisimo at 2:29 PM on June 30, 2015

A note on this weekend if you decide to go over the border: Canada day is tomorrow, and it's likely there will be fireworks and festivities all weekend as well. That's how they roll up here.
posted by Koko at 2:32 PM on June 30, 2015 [3 favorites]

You could try finding an Airbnb place or other private rental advertising a deserted middle of nowhere vibe, and message the owner to ask if it would suit? Like this one?
posted by the agents of KAOS at 2:45 PM on June 30, 2015

I am afraid of what will happen if I share this information with the teeming hordes, but I am a generous man. I am planning to go to Enchanted Forrest on Saturday, and their representative has told me that turnout is lower than usual on the 4th of July.
posted by chrchr at 3:19 PM on June 30, 2015 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Maybe try searching for counties that have banned fireworks due to our hot, dry weather. I figure people are going to congregate elsewhere this weekend. Or maybe campgrounds/recreation areas that are good for winter sports? I'm not sure if you all need accessible bathrooms but if not BLM land might be a good bet. We always look for BLM land when we want to get away from people. Neither of us are hikers at all so we just drive for a while until we find something that looks doable and pull off the road. In most areas, you can pitch a tent just about anywhere. We've found some good, unpopulated spots. Good luck! Hope you find a good spot for a peaceful weekend.
posted by Beti at 3:34 PM on June 30, 2015

How far are you willing to go? I spent a very quiet July 4th weekend on the Olympic peninsula one year - you would hardly have known the holiday was even happening. We even went to the beach. The farther north and west you go, the fewer people you will find, especially if you avoid the towns.
posted by lunasol at 4:53 PM on June 30, 2015 [3 favorites]

Best answer: A couple years back we drove up to the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest in Washington over the Fourth. We camped on BLM land as suggested above and saw almost no one.
posted by ottereroticist at 6:49 PM on June 30, 2015

When my husband and I wanted to get away from everyone, we went to Summer Lake Hot Springs in what the Lake County tourist board has deemed "Oregon's outback". I don't know if there will be any sort of celebrations, but you should be able to call them. I wouldn't car camp because they spots are not shaded and it gets super hot, but they have adorable little tiny homes for rent as well. Be prepared for mosquitos. I know that heat and mosquitos are not really selling points, but my husband and I felt very alone and it was marvelous. You can find it here: Summer Lake
posted by Hopeful and Cynical at 7:13 PM on June 30, 2015

Response by poster: This is great, folks-- thanks! Looks like BLM land is a winner!
posted by hollisimo at 2:02 PM on July 1, 2015 [1 favorite]