Tent camping near Beaverton offers access to dense coastal forests with annual rainfall averaging 70-90 inches, creating lush undergrowth and moss-covered landscapes. Campers can find primitive sites at elevations ranging from 200 to 1,500 feet within the Tillamook State Forest, with cooler temperatures than Portland during summer months. Most areas experience temperature drops of 15-20 degrees at night even during July and August.
What to do
Swimming in Wilson River: At Elk Creek Campground, visitors can access several natural swimming spots where Elk Creek meets the Wilson River. "Adorable sites with picnic tables, fire rings and just enough privacy. Nice exploring in the area and a great river with swimming areas when it's warmer," notes one camper.
Mountain biking trails: Several forest roads in the Tillamook State Forest connect to single-track mountain biking routes for various skill levels. "Mountain biking—some really good stuff—is very close at hand, as well as hiking the Wilson River Trail or ascending Elk and Kings mountains," reports a visitor who completed a challenging 9-mile loop with nearly 4,000 feet of elevation gain.
Wildlife viewing: Morning hours provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities. "There were tons of birds, rabbits, and chipmunks at the site. The river was super clear, with a rocky beach and some beautiful formations," reports a camper who visited Keenig Creek Campground in early September.
Island camping adventure: For something completely different, Government Island State Recreation Area offers boat-in camping on the Columbia River. "We love camping on the island, as you can only get to it via boat so it is not overly populated. There are no fire pits but you can burn. No potable water, so bring your own," advises a regular visitor.
What campers like
Seclusion within reach: The best tent camping spots near Beaverton offer surprising privacy despite proximity to urban areas. At Brooke Creek Walk-In Campground, one camper reported: "This was so awesome... we used the walk-in camp sites that had been closed till the moment we asked after closing due to a tree falling in one of the bathrooms... so me and my friend were the only ones out there."
River sounds mask highway noise: At Keenig Creek Campground, campers recommend selecting sites closer to the water. "My advice would be to get as close as you can to the river. You can't hear anything," notes a visitor who found the sound of flowing water effectively masked nearby highway noise.
Swimming holes for cooling off: Natural swimming areas provide relief during hot weather. A camper at Elk Creek noted: "The peculiarity of this campsite is its simplicity and convenience. All tent sites are pedestrianized, which adds to the sense of privacy. Each campsite is well screened by trees, has its own parking, a fire pit with a grill for cooking, and a special platform for a tent."
Free dispersed options: For campers seeking no-fee accommodations, Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping provides multiple options. "Great little spot. Watch your GPS and use some dead reckoning with the topographic map. There is a little side road that gets a bit narrow and then opens into a beautiful spot," advises one visitor who found a secluded location.
What you should know
No reservations at many sites: Several of the most popular tent camping areas operate on first-come, first-served basis. "Keenig Creek Campground to me was pretty average. They don't take reservations, which can be a good or bad thing. If you are a planner, not being able to make reservations would probably be hard for someone like that," notes one camper.
Limited water availability: Water access varies significantly between locations. A visitor to Government Island warns: "No potable water, so bring your own. There is 1 restroom and no designated camp sites. But we love it!"
Road noise affects site selection: Highway proximity impacts some campgrounds. At Keenig Creek, a camper advised: "Don't choose a campsite close to the highway...you will hear every car/truck that goes by! My advice would be to get as close as you can to the river."
Early arrival crucial in summer: Competition for the best tent sites intensifies during peak season. At Elk Creek Campground, a visitor reported: "You won't even need to go into nearby Tillamook to eat famous cheese. Chew on some dried mango chunks - your well-stocked visual and atmospheric buffet is right here."
Tips for camping with families
Choose walk-in sites carefully: When camping with children, consider distance from parking to campsites. At Brooke Creek Walk-In Campground, a camper noted: "The hike isn't long or difficult. The sites don't have fire pits but there is a communal fire pit, which is great for meeting your fellow campers!"
Find swimming spots with gradual entry: Look for river access points with shallow areas for younger children. At Keenig Creek, "There's a beyond perfect swimming hole, that we all quickly discovered was plenty deep enough to jump off the rock formation next to it. It was busy on a hot saturday afternoon, but not crowded in the least."
Pack water containers: Since many sites lack potable water, bring adequate supplies. A visitor to Keenig Creek advised: "No potable water- luckily my family and I brought enough water!! We planned to do some hiking, so we definitely brought enough water to last us the weekend. Highly recommend buying jugs of water."
Consider farm retreats for unique experiences: Healing Ponds Farm Retreat offers family-friendly camping with animal interactions. "We had such a lovely stay! We enjoyed seeing the baby bunnies, cows, goats, chickens, and turkeys! My partner, myself, and teen had so much fun visiting them all. Our site was secluded and we had privacy," shares a family who visited.
Tips from RVers
Limited options for larger vehicles: Most tent camping areas near Beaverton cannot accommodate large RVs. Sand Island Marine Park Campground has some boat-in access for RVers: "Can be a long haul from the boat to the camp site. Lots of dock space. Sites are back from the water. Could use a map of the island and sites."
Consider horse camping facilities: For those traveling with horses and RVs, specialized campgrounds offer appropriate facilities. At Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp, a visitor noted: "This State Park has a hiker/biker area due to it's location on the Willamette Valley Bikeway. There is no potable water, so you must plan to pack enough water for the night."
Prepare for limited hookups: Most forest campgrounds near Beaverton lack electrical connections. "We were planning to bring our smaller RV, but found out they didn't have electrical hookups. We just brought tents, instead," reported a visitor to Keenig Creek Campground who had to adjust their plans.
