Lee-Roy 
Scout
ScoutGee Creek Rest Area I-5
Nicer than I was expecting, lots of parking
Its a rest stop but has lots of parking. People didnt seem to care about the posted time limits (15 minutes, 2 hours etc)
Camping near Forest Grove, OR
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The Tillamook State Forest area northwest of Forest Grove, Oregon provides a variety of cabin camping options within an hour's drive. L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park features two cabin camping areas - Dairy Creek East and Dairy Creek West - both offering fully equipped cabins with electric hookups and water access. These cabins provide a comfortable forest experience while maintaining proximity to amenities. Hagg Lake House offers more rustic cabin accommodations in a rural setting near Henry Hagg Lake, with sites suitable for tent, RV, and cabin camping in a working farm environment with bathroom facilities.
Most cabin facilities in the region require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when occupancy rates peak. The road network generally provides good access to developed campgrounds, though some locations like Hagg Lake House can be challenging to find. One visitor noted: "The place was hard to find with just coordinates and GPS pretty spotty but we found the house and was greeted and shown our area." Winter camping is available at select locations like Champoeg State Heritage Area, which offers year-round cabin and yurt accommodations, while other facilities operate seasonally from late spring through early fall.
Campers consistently mention the peaceful forest settings and wildlife viewing opportunities as highlights of the cabin camping experience near Forest Grove. Several campgrounds feature water proximity, with sites available near creeks, ponds, or lakes. A visitor to Hagg Lake House commented: "We selected the view option and was not disappointed minus the owl howling, but had a great view and very quiet." The cabin options range from basic rustic structures to fully equipped units with electricity and heat. Most cabins require campers to bring their own bedding, while all provide shelter from the region's frequent rainfall. Facilities at Gales Creek Campground and L.L. Stub Stewart State Park receive positive reviews for their well-maintained grounds and proximity to hiking trails, though summer weekends often fill to capacity.
Best Campgrounds near Forest Grove (245)
1. Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park
"As we had been here before, it was an easy drive in on US-26 to the campground (CG)."
"The sites are larger than at most of the Oregon state parks we have been to. The site was the levelest we have ever stayed in, usually there is a slight tilt one way or another."
from $32 - $57 / night
Check Availability2. Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground
"As I rode up to the site, I noticed right away that it was not tucked far away from the amenities such as restrooms, and showers. It was part of one of the campground loops."
"Champoeg State Heritage Area is a great place to visit for camping, biking, and especially if you're excited about Oregon history."
from $29 - $254 / night
Check Availability3. Gales Creek Campground
"Just off highway 6 (between Portland and Tillamook) is a series of lovely campgrounds in the Tillamook State Forest."
"The fees were $10 to drive in and $5 to walk in. We parked outside the gate and walked to a campground."
4. Hagg Lake House
"We stayed at the hagg lake house and had a blast. It was a little hard to find with just coordinates and gps pretty spotty but we found the house and was greeted and shown our area."
"Just remember, get directions before you drive out and you’ll have a great time. Couldn’t expect a more hospitable host anywhere. Cheers!"
from $35 - $55 / night
Check Availability5. Reeder Beach RV Park & Country Store
"Flat gravel for most part, steps away from the Columbia River, decent space between sites with good shade depending on your site. Only reason for 4 starts is because the water is dirty."
"Nice quiet campground along the Columbia river in Oregon. Minutes from Portland, with lots of fun farm stands and rural experience."
6. Healing ponds farm retreat and healing center
"The pond area is beautiful with all the statues found around it. Highly recommend and we plan to visit again :)"
from $45 / night
Check Availability7. Elk Creek Campground
"Hwy. 6 is a twisting, overmodest bounty of recreational options leading to the Oregon coast, which is entirely public."
"Off busy Highway 6 on the way to Tillamook and the Oregon coast, Elk Creek Campground is a sweet getaway from a lot of busier campgrounds and destinations in this region of Oregon (i.e., an hour from Portland"
8. Keenig Creek Campground
"First of all, it is an easy enough drive from Portland, about an hour or so."
"Nice access to water. At night you can see headlights in the distance and hear cars all day but once traffic dies down it isn’t so bad."
from $15 / night
Check Availability9. Hares Canyon Horse Camp — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park
"When we came back from the shower my wife and I observed a dark shadow darting from the table around the back corner of the tent. Figured it was a raccoon or something."
"Lots to do with the Banks / Vernonia trail running through the camp that has over 15 miles of paved walking / biking trails."
from $33 - $95 / night
Check Availability10. Dairy Creek East — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park
"One of our favorite Oregon SPs. In the middle of a mountainous forest with lots of hiking, paved path & mtb biking, disc golf, horse trails and more."
"Dairy Creek is clean and well maintained, and has great access to the trails and disc golf around the park. If you're in an RV this is a good set up."
from $33 - $57 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 29 min from Portland, OR
- 1 hr 4 min from Salem, OR
- 1 hr 14 min from Longview, WA
- 1 hr 26 min from Albany, OR
Recent Camping Photos near Forest Grove, OR
354 Photos of 245 Forest Grove Campgrounds
Mark W.
Hagg Lake House
Meg R.
Healing ponds farm retreat and healing center
Paul A.
Gales Creek Campground
Shane B.
Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park
Erin P.
Dairy Creek East — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park
Aria R.
Elk Creek Campground
Corinna B.
Cedar Creek Corridor Primitive Camping
Justin P.
Keenig Creek Campground
Josh H.
Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground
Jayden K.
Dovre Rec. Site
Ansley P.
Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping
Braxton C.
North Fork Trask
Recent Reviews near Forest Grove, OR
1505 Reviews of 245 Forest Grove Campgrounds
- LLuis F.Scout
Cape Lookout State Park Campground
Beginner campers
From the moment we drove up too the registration booth, I was greeted by a helpful ranger, who provided all the info we needed for our 2night stay. We arrived at our campsite in perfect condition. After setting our tent and supplies up we made our trek to the beach. Which only took less than 5 mins. On our way back we made a pit stop at the bathrooms we weren’t expecting a clean bathroom but to our surprise they were pretty good. All in all we loved our stay and will definitely be coming back
- CClark V.
TravelerDairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park
Nice park in the State system
The “West “ camping spaces seem much more private than the east. The main attraction of this park is proximity to the Banks-Vernonia Bike trail. Although not directly accessible from the campground, it’s a short ride or drive to the trailheads. I recommend the Buxton trailhead for first timers and then just ride 5 mins south to a spectacular old rail trellis, maybe the largest on this trail system. Campground has all the amenities you’d expect for a state camp, including the price ($85/night) which rivals a hotel room pricing in some places but you could definitely do worse at that price point if heading to the coast. For that reason if coming/going from the coast with bikes this is a great alternative stop on the way
Koa W.Scoutthe retreat at cannon beach
Great stay
Very friendly
- AAngela S.
GuideBig Eddy Park
Big Eddy County Park
This is a nice county park with both full hook ups and partial hook ups available. The campground itself has very nice established trees and foliage around all sites. Some sites are closer together towards the back of the campground on the highway that will have more road noise then the river side. There is a large field with swings, volleyball net, tetherball, and general area for families and kids to enjoy. There’s a public wash house/restroom, but not sure the cleanliness status since we use our Airstream facility. This park is heavily used on holiday weekends but seems quieter on a non-holiday weekend when we were here last. Six of the sites back up to the river that have full hook ups. There is a ramp available but mostly dirt packed and fitted for more for the floatation/kayak/paddle boarding use and Family swimming then motorized water craft. The Eddie itself is fairly shallow and great for kids and families to enjoy but still deep enough to float a kayak. The Verizon cell service is fairly poor with only one to two bars. The camp hosts are very nice. There is wood provided to purchase and delivered to your site by the host. We stayed in site seven this time which is probably the busiest for bike and foot traffic as it is also the turnaround for the boat ramp and will most likely choose another site next time we visit. We will definitely be back to the Big Eddy.
Bekah M.GuideTillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping
Scary drive up but beautiful view
Off the side of a logging road but beautiful views. Little fire pits overlooking the mountains. No signal. Lots of recreational vehicles and logging trucks.
Hana B.GuideSandy Riverfront RV Resort
Clean & Friendly
This is a small and tightly-packed park with all amenities. Although the spaces are close, there is a nice plot of grass and a table. There are many full-timers here, and their spaces are nicely kept/decorated.
There are many places to eat, shop, coffee, etc. in the nearby downtown area and just beyond. It was a perfect stop for stocking up on supplies and enjoying the river, and only about half hour away from Portland.
The park is full of furry friends & friendly people, but we were disappointed that our dog was not allowed at the Glenn Otto park across the road. We walked up a couple of blocks and found a nice little trail behind the Harlow House Museum for an evening hike.
We didn't make reservations, but got lucky on arrival as there were only a handful of available sites. Ours was a pull-thru, and our 25' trailer fit easily, although it was a tight fit with our truck. There were many there with much larger rigs than ours, so it's obviously doable. This park has a lot of R&Rs, which isn't our favorite way to camp, but they were so friendly and gracious, that it gets 5 stars easily! It will be our go-to when visiting the Portland area!
micheal W.ScoutClackamas River RV Park
Wonderful place to stay or extended stay
This place is amazing as a location to stay. It’s 6 miles up river from town that has anything you need. Nestled in the mountains along an amazing river and lake for boating and fishing. Close to many mountain lakes as well and winter activities. The people here are great to work with and care that you are comfortable during your stay. With mail boxes and all deliveries go to the office so they are safe and secure having stuff delivered. The staff is very helpful and the showers and laundry facilities are clean and well kept. Great value for the money. Better than many I have seen.
Haary M.ScoutJantzen Beach RV Park
Jantzen Beach RV Park – A Real-Life World Tour Stop for Travelers
Jantzen Beach RV Park resembles a real-life destination reminiscent of a Subway Surfers World Tour—a vibrant, accessible, and colorful location where travelers can take a break, recharge, and appreciate the environment before resuming their journey. Situated just minutes away from downtown Portland, the park provides that exhilarating feeling of having a"new city unlocked," featuring clean facilities, spacious sites, and numerous modern amenities. Much like navigating a new map in Subway Surfers, visitors here experience a blend of enjoyment and relaxation: heated pools, ubiquitous Wi-Fi, a fitness center, billiards room, game room, playground, and scenic walking paths along the stunning Columbia River shoreline. The sites are spacious, tranquil, and well-kept, with many guests valuing the serene atmosphere despite the park's convenient access to the city. Although the park can become busy—akin to a crowded tv station—and some long-term residents reside on-site, the overall experience remains smooth and accommodating for travelers. With full hookups and 60’ pull-thru sites, as well as pet-friendly areas, it offers everything necessary for you to continue your real-life"world tour" in comfort. If you are passing through Portland or considering a longer stay, Jantzen Beach RV Park serves as an ideal checkpoint on your travel itinerary—clean, convenient, and filled with the essentials every traveler requires before embarking on the next adventure.
Guide to Forest Grove
The Tillamook State Forest area surrounding Forest Grove, Oregon sits at elevations between 200-3,600 feet with a maritime climate that averages 70-80 inches of annual rainfall. Most established campgrounds in the region are nestled within second-growth Douglas fir and western hemlock forests. Winter camping options remain limited with temperatures typically ranging from 30-45°F, while summer daytime temperatures average 70-85°F.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park offers extensive mountain biking networks for all skill levels. A visitor noted: "Lots of hiking, biking and horse trails within the park and a regional rail to trail runs through it" and another mentioned there are "wonderful access to biking (paved or dirt)." The park maintains over 20 miles of mixed-use trails.
Fishing opportunities: Elk Creek Campground provides access to both Elk Creek and Wilson River for trout fishing. A camper shared: "Elk Creek Campground is gorgeous, shady, Elk Creek itself winds around the campsites spooning it and provides ample swimming and fishing spots." The fishing is particularly good during spring runs.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature disc golf courses with varying levels of difficulty. At L.L. Stub Stewart State Park, one reviewer mentioned: "Because you are in a state park you have easy parking, access to a disc golf course, a paved bike trail (Banks-Vernonia Trail) and lots of hiking/mountain biking trails."
Historical exploration: Champoeg State Heritage Area combines camping with Oregon history. A visitor explained: "Along the way got to see the Champoeg Heritage site with period piece actors, wide open spaces, and the Willamette River." The interpretive center showcases Oregon's territorial government formation.
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Gales Creek Campground offers secluded sites with natural screening. A camper noted: "This campground was right on Gales Creek, with lush vegetation providing nice privacy." Sites along the creek tend to fill first on summer weekends.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds provide chances to observe local wildlife. At Hagg Lake House, one visitor described: "We enjoyed seeing the baby bunnies, cows, goats, chickens, and turkeys! My partner, myself, and teen had so much fun visiting them all." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best viewing.
Riverside camping: Elk Creek Campground features sites directly adjacent to water. A reviewer shared: "We found a spot that was still open and right on the river. We couldn't have asked for a better location. The river was an excellent location to play in and in some spots we were able to swim." Sites 3-8 have the best water access.
Year-round availability: Some campgrounds operate throughout winter months. At Champoeg State Heritage Area, a camper mentioned: "Love to stay here when all the other campgrounds close. Nice hiking trails. The rangers are very nice." Winter rates are typically $5-10 less than peak season.
What you should know
Limited water access: Not all campgrounds provide reliable drinking water. At Hagg Lake House, campers should bring their own water supply. A visitor advised: "Little/no access to internet so do not assume you can make phone calls or use phone apps." Water availability at forest campgrounds may be seasonal.
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. For L.L. Stub Stewart, a reviewer explained: "Some of the sites can be reserved in advance, and some are always open for walk ups." Reservations often open 6 months in advance for summer weekends.
GPS/navigation challenges: Several forest campgrounds have poor signage and limited cell service. At Hagg Lake House, one camper warned: "The place is hard to find with just coordinates and GPS pretty spotty." Downloading offline maps is recommended for navigating to remote sites.
Noise considerations: Farm-based campgrounds may have early morning animal sounds. A visitor to Hagg Lake House noted: "There are 5+ chicken/turkey coops so recognize they talk EARLY and often... The roosters, quite frankly, don't give a dam what time it is, they start their roostering at 2 am." Earplugs are recommended.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly amenities: Champoeg State Heritage Area offers activities for all ages. A reviewer shared: "Champoeg has a little everything. GREAT biking trails that are kid friendly. There lots of historical sites around the campground to enjoy as well." The park hosts regular interpretive programs during summer months.
Swimming spots: Several campgrounds feature safe water play areas for children. At Elk Creek, a visitor mentioned: "The creek was an excellent location to play in and in some spots we were able to swim." Parents should supervise children around all water areas.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include dedicated play areas. A reviewer at L.L. Stub Stewart noted: "My kiddos absolutely loved the three pools, playground, and basketball hoops. Plenty to check out and explore for them." Most play structures are designed for ages 5-12.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. At Champoeg, a camper explained: "The farmhouse fascinated my boys... they got to water the garden with a water pump and buckets!" Many parks offer junior ranger programs during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Columbia River RV Park provides full amenities for RVers. A visitor noted: "The park has daily, weekly, and monthly rates, which vary with the size of the space. Our space is $500 per month. There is free Wi-Fi, cable, trash service, and water." Most full-hookup sites offer 30/50 amp service.
Site leveling considerations: Some forest campgrounds have uneven sites. A camper at Gales Creek mentioned: "Neither were level, but I used my levelers for the first time." Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most forest campgrounds.
Access limitations: Several campgrounds have restrictions on RV length. At Gales Creek, a reviewer advised: "Spaces are fairly small so no campers over 25ft I'm guessing." Always check maximum vehicle lengths before booking.
Seasonal availability: Winter camping options for RVs are limited. At L.L. Stub Stewart, a visitor explained: "Our site was on the north side of the road so when we put out our satellite unit it had lots of southern sky to find a signal from." Many forest campgrounds close RV loops from November through April.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Forest Grove, Oregon?
Where are the best campgrounds near Forest Grove, Oregon?
The Forest Grove area offers excellent camping options within driving distance. Gales Creek Campground in the nearby Tillamook State Forest provides a convenient forest retreat with water access and toilet facilities. For those willing to drive to the coast, Hebo Lake Campground is highly regarded for its peaceful atmosphere, clean facilities, and excellent fishing opportunities. Both locations offer different experiences - Gales Creek provides a forested setting closer to Forest Grove, while Hebo Lake offers a serene lake experience within reasonable driving distance. L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park near Buxton is another excellent option with drive-in sites and reservable spaces for both tent and RV camping.
What overnight camping facilities are available in Forest Grove?
What overnight camping facilities are available in Forest Grove?
Forest Grove itself has limited overnight camping directly in town, but several excellent options exist in the surrounding area. Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park near Buxton provides reservable sites with drive-in access. Just a short drive away, Hagg Lake House offers a unique overnight experience with toilet facilities and reservable spaces. For those seeking a coastal experience within driving distance, consider Nehalem Bay State Park Campground or Cape Lookout State Park, both offering full facilities including showers and beach access. Most locations require reservations, especially during peak summer season.
Are there RV camping options available near Forest Grove?
Are there RV camping options available near Forest Grove?
Yes, several RV camping options are available near Forest Grove. Clackamette RV Park offers riverside sites with convenient access to Oregon City and reasonable pricing. The park is situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers, making it ideal for fishing enthusiasts. Jantzen Beach RV Park near Portland provides full hookups and is big-rig friendly. For those willing to drive a bit farther, Nehalem Bay State Park Campground on the coast accommodates RVs with spacious sites. Most RV parks in the region offer water and toilet facilities, with many providing electrical hookups and dump stations. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer months.
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