Camping spots near Canby, Oregon span across diverse microclimates from the Willamette Valley's 150-foot elevation to the foothills rising to 1,000 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with minimal rainfall, while spring and fall bring moderate precipitation with temperatures in the 60-70°F range. Campers find a mix of seasonal operations with most facilities closing between late October and mid-March due to increased rainfall and cooler temperatures.
What to do
Trail exploration at Silver Falls State Park: This campground offers access to the renowned Trail of Ten Falls, a 7.2-mile loop featuring multiple waterfalls including several you can walk behind. A recent visitor noted, "What can I say? Silver Falls is a magical place and everyone should experience it. You can just get lost in the beauty of it all."
River activities at Barton County Park: Located on the Clackamas River about 20 minutes from Canby, this park provides excellent access points for swimming, kayaking, and tubing. "Great place to put into the river to float or kayak. Lots of parking. Also a campground. Perfect for a close weekend getaway," explains one camper.
Disc golf at Milo McIver State Park Campground: Features two 18-hole professional-quality disc golf courses that host national tournaments. "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," writes a disc golf enthusiast.
Hiking through history at Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground: Combines outdoor recreation with historical sites where visitors can experience pioneer history. "I walked the path around the entire park, which took me about 3 hours. Along the way got to see the Champoeg Heritage site with period piece actors, wide open spaces, and the Willamette River," shares a camper.
What campers like
Heated yurts year-round: Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground offers heated yurts that extend camping seasons. "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, with the lower bunk larger than the top bunk."
Family-friendly biking trails: Several parks in the area feature paved and unpaved trails suitable for riders of all ages. One visitor to Champoeg notes, "Great biking trails that are kid friendly. There lots of historical sites around the campground to enjoy as well. Loop B is highly our favorite because it is smaller and more private and close to the river."
Orchard camping at Tranquil Orchards and Wine Tours: This unique setting offers camping among fruit trees with amenities. "This orchard is shady and very relaxing, although near a small airport and highway. There are showers and flushing toilets," reports one camper.
Clean facilities close to Portland: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and showers despite their proximity to urban areas. At Silver Falls, a visitor mentioned, "Awesome campground. Well maintained. Site spacing is good with lots of privacy between camps. Bathrooms and showers are super nice and clean."
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect availability: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Milo McIver is only open from March 15 to October 31, while others like Silver Falls remain open year-round but with reduced services in winter months.
Reservation requirements vary by season: Peak summer months (June-September) typically require reservations weeks or months in advance, particularly for weekend stays. Shoulder seasons offer more flexibility with availability.
Highway noise affects some locations: Campgrounds closer to major roads experience traffic noise. At Clackamette RV Park, a camper observed it's "basically a big ugly parking lot, just off a busy street and near a McDonalds. The river and park around it, however, where the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers meet, is pretty cool."
Fire restrictions fluctuate seasonally: Many campgrounds implement fire bans during dry summer months. A visitor to Milo McIver noted, "The only bummer is in my app. It said camp fires allowed. And they ARE NOT allowed at this time."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Barton County Park, a visitor mentioned, "The kids enjoyed the playground and biking around the loop. The river access down at the day use was lovely."
Swimming opportunities: Silver Falls State Park Campground offers more than just waterfall views. "We love hiking the trails and our kids love the playground and river swimming!" reports a family that visited the park.
Wildlife viewing spots: Multiple parks provide opportunities to observe local animals in their natural habitats. Milo McIver visitors often report seeing "herons and kingfishers" along the riverbank, particularly during morning hours.
Safety considerations: Some areas require extra supervision for younger children. A visitor to Champoeg warned, "Spring and summer can be a bug challenge so bring lots of insect repellant!"
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Most RV parks in the area feature relatively close sites. At Sun Outdoors Portland South, a camper noted, "It's lovely enough and if you are looking for an RV park with allll of the amenities while being very close to your neighbor, then this is it."
Urban proximity benefits: RV campgrounds near Canby offer convenient access to services and attractions. "Great RV park in Wilsonville OR. It is across the street from a shopping center that includes Costco. About 20 miles south of Portland along I-5 freeway with easy access," mentions one RVer.
Utility hookup variations: Water pressure and electrical connections vary between parks. One camper at Jantzen Beach RV Park observed, "Water pressure is the lowest we've ever experienced. Not sure what's going on but all of the folks we've talked to are experiencing the same."
Dumping station availability: Not all parks offer on-site dumping stations. At Clackamette RV Park, "There's a dump station at the entrance that's $10 (pay with credit card), but it's supposed to be free if you're camping here."
