Ultimate Guide to the Best Campsites in Oregon

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Best Campsites in Oregon
Best RV Camping in Oregon
Best Free Camping in Oregon
Best Camping Spots in Oregon and Washington
Campsites in Florida on Beach (For Comparison)
Oregon Camping Reservations
FAQs related to campsites in Oregon
Campgrounds
Backpacking
Footwear
Outdoor Gear

Oregon is a camper’s paradise, filled with lush forests, stunning coastlines, and majestic mountains. Whether you’re a seasoned camper with your own RV or a beginner with a tent, Oregon has something for everyone.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top campsites in Oregon, from free spots where you can connect with nature without breaking the bank, to the best tent and RV campsites.

Table of Contents show

Best Campsites in Oregon

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, Buxton, OR

- Address: 54445 NW Timmerman Rd., Buxton, OR 97109
- Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=75
- Phone: (503) 345-8185
- Type of Camping: Tents, Primitive Camping, yurt/cabin/teepee rentals

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park is a park located in the Northern Oregon coast and is known for its sweeping forested hills and scenic view of the Columbia River Gorge. The park features a variety of camping options, including cabins, yurts and campsites. There are five campground areas to choose from: Henry Hagg Lake, Whiskey Run, Mapleton day–use area, Trillium Lake day–use area and Hardwood Campground.

These campgrounds offer a diverse selection from rustic, backcountry sites to full hookup sites with all the amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. There are also plenty of trails for hikers and mountain bikers as well as rest rooms and showers throughout the park. Recreational activities includes hiking trails, mountain biking trails, horseback riding and a playground, with modern restroom and shower facilities.

Ouachita National Forest Campgrounds, Oakridge, Oregon

- Address: 59000 HWY 58 Spur, Oakridge, Oregon 97463
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/ouachita/recreation/camping-cabins
- Phone Number: (541) 782-2283
- Type of Camping: RV & Tent

Ouachita National Forest Campgrounds in Oakridge, Oregon offers one of the few remaining old-growth Douglas fir stands in the West. Located along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River, visitors can explore impressive stands of towering timber, lush meadows with colorful wildflowers and sparkling mountain streams.

The campground is conveniently located off Highway 58 16 miles east of Oakridge and approximately 1/2 mile east of Salt Creek. It offers RV sites as well as tent camping on select locations, some areas offering electricity and drinking water. Other amenities include fire rings, picnic tables and barbecue grills. A variety of activities are available including swimming, fishing, hiking and mountain biking.

Looking for a tent?

Trillium Lake Campground, Government Camp

- Address: Trillium Lake Rd, Government Camp, OR 97028
- Website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232831
- Phone Number: (503) 668-1700
- Type of Camping: RV & Tent

Trillium Lake Campground is a stunning outdoor recreation site located in the Mount Hood National Forest near Government Camp, Oregon. It features 84 beautifully maintained campsites, including six double sites, more than one and a half miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

The lake is perfect for non–motorized boats like canoes, kayaks and rafts. Fishing and wildlife watching from the lakeshore can also be enjoyed here. Rich evergreen forests complete this wilderness enclave which provides an ideal getaway destination any time of year.

Willamette National Forest Campgrounds, Oakridge, OR

- Address: 59000 HWY 58 Spur, Oakridge, Oregon 97463
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/willamette/recreation/camping-cabins
- Phone Number: (541) 782-2283
- Type of Camping: RV, Tent, Primitive

Willamette National Forest Campgrounds are located in central Oregon, offering a variety of outdoor activities and natural wonders. With over 1 million acres of unspoiled land and more than 400 miles of trails, Willamette National Forest is a popular destination for camping, fishing, hiking and biking. The campgrounds range from primitive sites to developed RV parks with electricity, showers and other amenities.

Popular attractions include the McKenzie River Trail, Three Sisters Wilderness and Mount Jefferson Wilderness Areas. Other recreation opportunities include swimming, canoeing, horseback riding and whitewater rafting. Campers also need to be aware that parts of the forest are home to bears and cougars so proper precautions should be taken.

Rock Creek Campground, Mt. Hood National Forest, OR

- Address: 41208 Oregon 206 97037
- Website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232873
- Phone Number: (541) 352-6002
- Type of Camping: RV & Tent camping

Rock Creek Campground is a peaceful retreat tucked away in Oregon‘s Deschutes National Forest. Located just off the highway, this campground is surrounded by lush conifer forests and crystal clear mountain streams. The campground features spacious sites for tent camping, RV’s and trailers, with plenty of privacy.

Amenities include vault toilets, potable water, picnic tables and fire rings at each site. You’ll find plenty of activities here such as fishing in straight–line Rock Creek or the Deschutes River; excellent hiking trails nearby like the Lower Bridge Trailhead or South Meadow Loop Trailhead; outstanding mountain biking opportunities on nearby trails; plus wildlife watching opportunities.

Lost Creek Campground, Rhododendron, OR

- Address: 45991 SE Lost Creek Rd., Estacada, OR 97023
- Website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232838
- Phone: (503)-856-6375
- Type of Camping: Tent, Primitive

Lost Creek Campground is a peaceful, family friendly campground located on the outskirts of Bigfork, Montana. It offers over 50 campsites for camping, RVing, and picnicking. All sites are situated among the rolling countryside and have spectacular views of the Swan Valley and Flathead Lake. Facilities at the campground include tent pads, fire rings, tables, showers, flush toilets, and a dump station.

The campground also has access to over 40 miles of hiking trails that wind through nearby National Forest lands. Lost Creek Campground is open year–round with a variety of activities such as fishing, bird watching, snowshoeing in winter months, and mountain biking.

Tumalo State Park, Bend, OR

- Address: 63135 O.B. Riley Rd., Bend, OR 97701
- Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=34
- Phone Number: (541) 388-6055
- Type of Camping: RV & Tent

Tumalo State Park is located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The park consists of 180 acres of diverse landscapes ranging from lush pine forests and rolling meadows to rocky hills and steep ravines. It is popular year–round for camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, disc golf and picnicking. There is even a working alpaca farm that campers can hike to. The campground has 38 full–service sites.

Quartzville Creek Recreation Area, Sweet Home, OR

- Address: 2487 NW Quartzville Dr., Sweet Home, OR 97386
- Website: https://oregondiscovery.com/quartzville-creek
- Phone Number: (541) 367- 5168
- Type of Camping: RV, Tent, Primitive

Quartzville Creek Recreation Area is located within the Willamette National Forest. The recreation area spans over two miles of scenic views along Quartzville Creek and campers have access to 21 designated sites for RV and tent camping. Each site includes direct access to the Creek, picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms with running water.

Visitors may also take advantage of the many trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding around the area or enjoy an afternoon of fishing in Quartzville Creek.

South Beach State Park, Newport, OR

- Address: 45400 Highway 101, Newport, OR 97365
- Website: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=149
- Phone Number: (541) 867-4715
- Type of Camping: RV, Tent, Primitive

South Beach State Park is located along the beautiful Oregon Coast just south of Newport. This picturesque park offers scenic beachfront views, sand dunes and hiking trails. The area feature 47 campsites spread across four areas: Cranberry Meadows, Horsfall Beach, South Jetty and Horsewater Creek.

There are several biking trails throughout the park which lead up to lighthouses, fishing docks or state park trails down the coast! Each site offers amenities like bathrooms, cook spots and picnic tables.

Cottage Grove Lake Regional Park, Cottage Grove, OR

- Address: 2851 Row River Rd., Cottage Grove, OR 97424
- Website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/232
- Phone: ( 541) 768-7350

Cottage Grove Lake Regional Park Campground is a stunning 201–acre park on the banks of Dorena Reservoir, located in Lane County, Oregon. The campground offers over 100 campsites and RVs from basic to full hook–up. The area has beautiful views of the reservoir, and trails that lead to explore the surrounding forests and wetlands.

Amenities include boat launch ramp, fishing dock, wildlife viewing areas, a swimming beach with adjacent playgrounds and picnic tables. Nature lovers can find plenty of outdoor activities including berry picking in the summer months, bird watching and huckleberry harvesting in the fall, canoeing around the lake exploring its many coves and islands, fishing for trout or bass throughout the year as well as hiking around paved paths or more rugged nature trails.

Best RV Camping in Oregon

Here are some of the best RV camping spots in Oregon, along with their website, location, description, activities, and amenities:

Lost Lake Campground and Resort
- Website: https://www.lostlakeresort.org/
- Location: Hood River, Oregon
- Description: Situated between Lost Lake and the glacial Mount Hood, this campground offers breathtaking views and activities for everyone.
- Activities: Boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, wildlife viewing
- Amenities: RV sites with full hookups, dump station, showers, laundry facilities, camp store
Detroit Lake State Recreation Area
- Website: https://oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/detroit-lake-state-recreation-area/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=OR&parkId=402267
- Location: Detroit, Oregon
- Description: A 3,500-acre, 9-mile long lake in the Cascades below Mt. Jefferson, this campground is a popular recreation area for fishing and water activities.
- Activities: Boating, fishing, hiking, water activities, wildlife viewing
- Amenities: RV sites with full hookups, dump station, showers, firewood for sale
Cape Lookout State Park
- Website: https://oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/cape-lookout-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=OR&parkId=402120
- Location: Tillamook, Oregon
- Description: Located on a sand spit between Netarts Bay and the ocean, this campground offers beach access and stunning views.
- Activities: Beach access, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing
- Amenities: RV sites with full hookups, dump station, showers, firewood for sale
Pacific City RV & Camping Resort
- Website: https://www.sunrvresorts.com/resorts/west/oregon/pacific-city-rv-camping-resort/
- Location: Pacific City, Oregon
- Description: This resort is located just minutes from the beach and offers a variety of amenities for RV campers.
- Activities: Beach access, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing
- Amenities: RV sites with full hookups, dump station, showers, laundry facilities, pool, hot tub, game room, playground
Bend-Sunriver RV Campground
- Website: https://www.sunrvresorts.com/resorts/west/oregon/bend-sunriver-rv-campground/
- Location: Bend, Oregon
- Description: This campground is located in the heart of Central Oregon and offers easy access to outdoor activities.
- Activities: Hiking, fishing, water activities, wildlife viewing
- Amenities: RV sites with full hookups, dump station, showers, laundry facilities, pool, hot tub, game room, playground

Best Free Camping in Oregon

For those who love the thrill of the great outdoors but are on a budget, Oregon offers an array of free camping options. These sites, often referred to as “dispersed camping,” are typically found in national forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. One of the best places for free camping in Oregon is the Deschutes National Forest. With its sprawling landscapes and numerous recreational activities, it’s a favorite among campers. Here, you can set up camp near a serene lake or amidst towering pine trees, all without a fee.

Another popular spot for free camping is the Siuslaw National Forest. This coastal forest offers a unique camping experience with its diverse ecosystems. You can spend your days exploring the forest, fishing in the rivers, or even clamming along the coast.

Remember, while these sites are free, they usually offer minimal amenities. You’ll need to bring your own water, and there are no restroom facilities or trash services. It’s essential to follow the principles of Leave No Trace: pack out what you pack in, respect wildlife, and leave sites as you found them.

Here is a comprehensive list of the best free camping sites in Oregon:

Siltcoos Lake
- Location: Siuslaw National Forest
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities
Elko area
- Location: South of the Rogue River
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities
Forest path pullouts
- Location: Throughout the state
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities
Alder Springs Campground
- Location: Crooked River National Grassland
- Description: Free camping with no amenities
Annie Creek Sno-Park
- Location: Fremont-Winema National Forest
- Description: Free camping with no amenities, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing
Oak Flat Campground
- Location: Ochoco National Forest
- Description: Free camping with no amenities
Bonney Meadow Campground
- Location: Willamette National Forest
- Description: Free camping with no amenities
Harrington Loop Road
- Location: Sisters
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities
Badlands Rock Dispersed
- Location: Bend
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities
Summit Rock (Forest Road 960)
- Location: Umpqua National Forest
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities
Elk River Road
- Location: Siskiyou National Forest
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities
Cole Mountain Ridge
- Location: Umpqua National Forest
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities
Tillamook State Forest
- Location: Tillamook
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities
Wildhorse Meadow
- Location: Umpqua National Forest
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities
Smith River Falls Campground
- Location: Siskiyou National Forest
- Description: Free camping with no amenities
Mt. Hebo Area
- Location: Tillamook
- Description: Dispersed camping opportunities

Best Camping Spots in Oregon and Washington

The Pacific Northwest, encompassing both Oregon and Washington, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With its diverse landscapes, it offers some of the best camping spots in the country. Let’s explore some top picks in both states.

Oregon

Camping Spot	Location	Activities	Amenities
Silver Falls State Park	Silverton, Oregon	Mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing	Campsites, Smith Creek Village, Historic South Falls lodge, café, fire pit
Lost Lake Campground and Resort	Hood River, Oregon	Hiking, fishing, boating, swimming	Campsites, cabins, yurts, general store, boat rentals
Cape Lookout State Park	Tillamook, Oregon	Beach access, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing	Campsites, yurts, hiker/biker camp, hot showers, firewood for sale
Crater Lake National Park	Klamath County, Oregon	Hiking, fishing, boat tours, ranger-led programs	Campsites, RV sites, cabins, showers, laundry facilities, camp store
Wallowa Lake State Park	Joseph, Oregon	Boating, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing	Campsites, yurts, cabins, hot showers, firewood for sale
Nehalem Bay State Park	Nehalem, Oregon	Beach access, hiking, fishing, horseback riding	Campsites, yurts, horse campsites, hot showers, firewood for sale
Tumalo State Park	Bend, Oregon	Hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, rock climbing	Campsites, yurts, hot showers, firewood for sale
Stub Stewart State Park	Buxton, Oregon	Hiking, mountain biking, disc golf, horseback riding	Campsites, cabins, hiker/biker camp, hot showers, firewood for sale
Detroit Lake State Park	Detroit, Oregon	Boating, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing	Campsites, yurts, cabins, hot showers, firewood for sale
Timothy Lake	Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon	Boating, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing	Campsites, boat ramp, picnic area, vault toilets

Washington

Camping Spot	Location	Activities	Amenities
Kalaloch Campground	Olympic National Park, Washington	Beach access, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing	Campsites, dump station, firewood for sale
Shi Shi Beach	Olympic National Park, Washington	Beach camping, hiking, wildlife viewing	No amenities, pack-in, pack-out
South Beach Campground	Olympic National Park, Washington	Beach access, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing	Campsites, flush toilets, firewood for sale
Pacific Beach State Park	Pacific Beach, Washington	Beach access, hiking, fishing, clamming, wildlife viewing	Campsites, yurts, dump station, showers, firewood for sale
Lake Wenatchee State Park	Leavenworth, Washington	Boating, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, water activities	Campsites, yurts, cabins, dump station, showers, firewood for sale
Cape Disappointment State Park	Ilwaco, Washington	Beach access, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, historic sites	Campsites, yurts, cabins, dump station, showers, firewood for sale
Olympic National Park	Olympic Peninsula, Washington	Hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, ranger-led programs	Campsites, backcountry camping, visitor centers, ranger stations
North Cascades National Park	North Cascades, Washington	Hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, ranger-led programs	Campsites, backcountry camping, visitor centers, ranger stations
San Juan Islands	Washington	Boating, kayaking, wildlife viewing, hiking	Campsites, dump station, showers, firewood for sale
City of Rocks Campground	Almo, Idaho	Rock climbing, hiking, wildlife viewing	Campsites, flush toilets, firewood for sale

Campsites in Florida on Beach (For Comparison)

While Oregon offers a diverse range of camping experiences, it’s interesting to compare these with what’s available in other parts of the country. Let’s take a look at Florida, known for its stunning beachfront campsites.

Florida Camping

Florida’s coastline stretches over 1,300 miles, offering a multitude of beach camping options. One of the most popular is the Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys. Here, campers can enjoy a tropical paradise with crystal clear waters, palm-lined beaches, and vibrant marine life. The park offers both tent and RV camping, with many sites located right on the beach.

On Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Fort De Soto Park is another excellent choice. It’s made up of five interconnected islands and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including kayaking, fishing, and bird watching. The park’s campground is nestled among mangroves, providing a unique coastal camping experience.

Oregon Camping

Comparatively, while Oregon’s coastline is more rugged and less tropical than Florida’s, it offers its own unique beauty. Oregon’s beach campsites often feature dramatic cliffs, dense forests, and cooler temperatures, providing a different but equally captivating camping experience.

Oregon Camping Reservations

If you’re planning to go camping in Oregon’s best campsites, it’s important to know how to secure a spot. Many of the most popular campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak camping season.

Here’s are simple steps to help you navigate the reservation process.

- Choose your preferred campground
- Reserve a spot online through the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department website
- Reservations can be made up to 9 months in advance for individual sites and 1 year in advance for group sites
- Popular sites can fill up quickly, especially during the summer months, so it’s best to book as early as possible
- Check the length restrictions for each site if you plan to camp in your RV
- Don’t forget to check the cancellation policy in case your plans change unexpectedly