Seasonal camping options flourish within 30 minutes of Beaverton, creating easy weekend escapes for Portland metro residents. The Clackamas and Sandy rivers border several campgrounds at elevations between 200-600 feet, providing natural cooling during summer's peak temperatures that often reach the mid-80s from June through September. Winter camping near Beaverton typically requires weatherproofing for temperatures that dip into the 30s overnight.
What to do
Hiking with dogs: 20+ miles of trails at Oxbow Regional Park welcome leashed companions through old-growth forest. "The park's 1,200 acres of ancient forest are crisscrossed with hiking trails and provide habitat for elk, deer, and osprey," notes Emille R. The trail system connects directly to campsites, allowing morning walks without driving.
Disc golf competitions: Milo McIver State Park Campground hosts professional tournaments on its twin 18-hole courses. "Milo McIver may be best known for its twin 18 hole disc golf courses, or single 27 hole layout when tournaments aren't in progress. Home of the annual Beaver State Fling, a PDGA sanctioned National Tour event," explains Steve C.
River access for kayaking: Several campgrounds offer direct water entry points. "Great place to put into the river to float or kayak. Lots of parking. Also a campground. Perfect for a close weekend getaway," says Caty M. about Barton County Park, where summer weekends see dozens of colorful craft navigating the gentle currents.
What campers like
Proximity to Portland: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Beaverton provide natural settings while remaining surprisingly close to urban amenities. "Oxbow feels like it is in the middle of nowhere but it's easy to get to and practically within the city limits of Portland," shares Stephanie Z. This accessibility makes weekend trips practical even with limited planning time.
Educational opportunities: History-focused sites engage younger visitors. Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground preserves regional pioneer history. "The farmhouse fascinated my boys... they got to water the garden with a water pump and buckets!" describes Leslie C. Several campgrounds host ranger programs during summer months specifically designed for children.
Seasonal amenities: Heated facilities extend the camping season. "The yurts are heated, and a couple of them are pet friendly, which is great for us! There is a small table in each yurt. There's a couch and a bunk bed for sleeping arrangements," reports Lana N. about Champoeg's year-round accommodations.
What you should know
Age restrictions on RVs: Several parks implement vehicle age limitations. Roamers Rest RV Park notes specific requirements: "They also have RV age limit of 2010 but they allowed pictures before turning me down. Yay we got approved!" shares Becky S. Contact parks directly if your RV is older than 15 years to verify acceptance policies.
Noise considerations: Urban-adjacent campgrounds experience varying sound levels. "Road noise can be loud here. Try to get a site as close to the river as you can so you can avoid the highway noise at night," advises J.W. about Oxbow Regional Park. Train crossings, airport flight paths, and highway proximity affect different locations differently.
Cell coverage varies dramatically: Don't assume connectivity at all campgrounds. "Barely got 1 bar of 4g at the welcome center. There's a guest wifi in the parking lot there too but it's 2 miles further to the camp ground and texts hardly go through," reports Zach S. about Oxbow. Download maps and reservation details before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Barton County Park Campground offers multiple play structures. "The kids enjoyed the playground and biking around the loop... plenty of space for the kids to play," notes Lanae. Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Beaverton feature designated play areas separate from camping loops.
Biking-friendly locations: Car-free camping becomes possible with proper planning. "This is the campground we took our oldest daughter to on her first ever camping trip... We were able to take a city bus there and walk the 3/4 mile into the campground," explains Rachel K. about Barton County Park, highlighting transit accessibility uncommon for camping destinations.
Multi-generational activities: Seek campgrounds with diverse recreation options. "We love this park! Great little spot... They have some amazing activities for kids... Volleyball, gagaball, playground," shares Dan F. Most family-oriented sites include scheduled weekend activities during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Water quality considerations: Columbia River RV Park provides reliable utilities. "The full hookups were easy to use, and having pull-thru sites made settling in a breeze," reports David. However, some riverfront locations require supplemental drinking water. "The water is dirty. It's brownish and smells like metal. Make sure to bring your own fresh water," warns C.W. about Reeder Beach RV Park.
Spacing between sites: Site dimensions and separation vary significantly between parks. "Spaces can be a little crowded but they have tried to make some more secluded," notes Derek S. about Barton County Park. RVers with slide-outs should verify space availability before booking, especially at older facilities with tighter configurations.
Electric hookup specifications: Amperage options differ between parks, with 30-amp being most common. Sun Outdoors Portland South (formerly Pheasant Ridge) provides higher capacity connections. "They have both back in and pull through sites, a little tight with neighbors but I was told it is better than other RV resorts," reports Andrea P., highlighting the comparison between available options.
