Best Tent Camping near Cottage Grove, OR

I had a great experience here The campground was clean, the leave no trace policy is followed here. Quiet hours are 10pm - 6am, it was quiet even during the non-quit hours. Very private. There are running water spigots strategically placed throughout the camp, each water station has a waste water dump, and trash can. There are flush toilets with running, a sink and trash can. The garbage was picked up daily. Each site was a tent pad, fire pit and large table. Each site was very private, I couldn't see the other campers unless they were passing by our site. There is no internet, no electricity, and no showers, bring your own. The only negative was the mosquitos - easily resolved with a netted day tent or pop-up with mesh. Laying Creek sounds heavenly all throughout the camp, the trails are great to walk, and you will eventually wander to a swimming hole. Beautiful campground, with a great history going back to 1933. Highly recommend!

One option when looking for a campground last minute during the summer close to Eugene, Oregon. This one is not usually very busy during peak season in my opinion.

This is a primitive campground so no hook ups for your rv. Bring the generator if your needing a power source during the day.

There are restrooms/ showers on site along with drinking water, a playground, and an rv dump station. Picnic tables and fire pits at each site. Trails are nearby along with a beach/ swimming area at Dorena Lake. Watch for signs of Algae or Swimmers Itch as it has been present the past few years at Dorena Lake.

Overall its a great last minute campground not far from town ( Cottage Grove- Eugene), but doesn't make my list of top 5 if I can make reservations a head of time.

General: Located just across the street from the North Umpqua River, there is a mix of:•

* petite RV sites (RVs up to 20’ with FHU 20-30 amp- 3)

* deluxe RV sites (RVs up to 29’ with FHU 30-50 amp- 5)

* Super RV sites (RVs up to 60’ with FHU 50 amp- 7)

* glamping tents (7)

* cabins with heat and A/C(4)

* a cottage

* a tiny home

* camper

* retro bunkhouse

* retro RV 

Site Quality: We were in a deluxe RV site that had a level gravel camper pad, electric hookup, fire ring, and picnic table. Unlike most RV parks, there was a decent amount of foliage between most sites to provide a measure of privacy. 

Bath/Shower House: Two toilets, two sinks, and two showers. Clean but limited privacy for the toilets with just a curtain. Bench and hooks are outside of showers with no other separation so there is a lack of privacy there as well (did not use the shower so I cannot comment on how well it worked, although they looked nice). 

Activities/Amenities:

* Guided and Self-guided hiking tours

* Guided and self-guided mountain bike tours

* a full-day waterfall tour ($75 pp, with 24-hour advance notice)

* whitewater rafting tours

* Stream and river fishing holes

* Fly fishing and hunting

* Kayak rentals on Toketee Lake (We had hoped to do this, but the weather had other plans)

* Wi-Fi is available for $2.99 per 24-hour period per device but it was flaky at best

* There is a store with ice, firewood, food, beer, and wine, apparel, propane, diesel, and gasoline, rafts, and sleds. 

We arrived later than planned (just before dark) and it was cold and rainy the next day so we were not able to take advantage of the many nearby recreation activities but the staff recommended a nearby waterfall hike that we could do in inclement weather. We would definitely consider returning during better weather.

The Baker Bay Campground and Marina is a county park outside of Cottage Grove, Oregon. It has a boat launch and boat rentals. There are several huge inflatable water structures in the bay which kids can play on for a fee. The concession stand is currently under construction however there is plenty of green space for picnics. There is a large play structure, horseshoes, and a sand volleyball pit.

Great site for families with kids.

Decent main restroom and showers however, the vault toilet near the main camping spots was the WORST I have ever been near. I can't imagine how people near the toilet could stand being there - especially in the heat of the summer.

The three campsites are under the cover of fir, cedar and maple trees. All are decently sized and spaced, just off the road enough to feel private, as claim miners and passers by stop to use the vaulted toiled that is located across the road from the campsite parking. 

Provided you have a decent, four-wheel-drive rig, or are willing to make the hike, the bohemia mines, as well as several mine shafts carved out along the roadway are accessible to view.

The first site is smaller (1-2 tents) and the most private. It has a well placed fire ring with grill, and wood picnic table, but lacks a direct path to the creek. 

The middle spot is the largest (3+ tents), fire ring with grill, picnic table and great access to the creek.

The third spot is also well sized and has the same table/fire ring setup, and a couple trails that lead to the creek.

The area is in recovery from the 2024 fire that consumer over 1200 acres. Though that fire was started by natural causes, it is a strong reminder to pay attention to fire bans and area regulations as well as properly, tending campfires, and making sure they are extinguished.

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I have the distinct pleasure to tryout and review gear from great outdoor companies. This is my ranger review of the Primus Lite+ backpacking stove kit at Rujada campground in Oregon.

Campground review

Rujada is smaller campground located just south-east of Cottage Grove, Oregon; up Bryce creek rd.

This is a nice, well-maintained campground right on Layng Creek, in a heavily wooded area. It offers 15 campsites, some of which can be reserved online and others are first come, first served. The sites are quite unique to each other, some offering privacy, some larger and open, and a couple just off the "Swordfern trail" next to the creek. You can hear the creek's small waterfall from most of the sites, and there is even a couple of spots on the creek to take a dip; if you wish.

The "Swordfern trail" starts at the day use area; where you can find a large ball field, horseshoe pits and a tiny playground. The trail continues into the forest following the creek, until it takes a big bend back around to the campground. It is an easy to moderate 2 or so miles, that I feel is family and dog friendly, as the grounds allows pets. If you want bigger hiking payoffs, just up the road approx. 6 miles, you can find "Pinard", "Moon", and "Spirit falls". Each are around 2 easy hiking miles and worth hitting, you can easily do all three in one day. I highly recommend these falls as they are some of the better, lesser known falls in Oregon.

As for amenities; Rujada has two restroom facilities, one pit and one gender-specific flush, with sinks, located nearby the day use area. They also have trash service, recycling, water bibs and dish water troughs. There are no r.v. specific sites, so no power or sewer hookups. Each site also offers the expected firepit rings as well as awesome picnic tables made from big timbers from back in the day.`

I liked this campground overall for its small size and more primitive nature, I will return and use it for a good jumpoff point for the many beautiful hikes nearby.

Product review

Primus Lite +

https://primus.us/products/eta-lite-7?variant=17262691525

The Primus Lite+ is a great, light and well built integrated backpacking stove/pot kit from the makers of the original soot free kerosene stove back in 1892. These stoves have come a long way, now offering auto start piezo igniters, no need for manually lighting with a match.

The integrated pot system is attached with a grasp on the neoprene surround and a twist. No need to worry about your pot falling off while boiling water. If you would rather use your ol' trusty pot or kettle; it does have 3 small pegs that can be screwed into the burner to better balance your cookware. These pegs also attach to the pots strap and are at hand anytime. For more stability it also comes with two more options, one is an included tripod stand that fits 3 size fuel bottles. The other is a sweet, included hanging lanyard, so if you can't find a suitable surface, you can hang it from a nearby branch.

If you purchase the smallest size fuel canister, all items(less the tripod) will fit into the integrated pot, taking up the least amount of space possible in your pack.

This unit burns very hot, as the flame is concentrated directly on the pot and is not very adjustable. It does boil water very quickly though, 3-4 min. depending on conditions. I do feel that it might not be the best unit for cooking food as I could see it easily burning the food to the bottom. I might try rice or soup, just keep an eye on it. It is a perfect setup for making Mountain house meals and I love it for my coffee.

My only criticism would be the pouring spout, or lack thereof. The cap has a hole for pouring with two alongside to allow for airflow. My problem, which may be user error, is most times I'm pouring, the water spills down the side of the pot. I tried to pour quicker, or slower, at an angle, and almost always have this problem. It is getting better each time I try, so hopefully I can solve this soon.

All and all a great unit and does all that would be expected from this type of system, with some cool unique features. I recommend this to any backpacker or even the casual camper.

This is a very small remote campground past Dorena lake near Bohemia mountain. There are only 3 spots at this free of charge campground. If you can luck out, or go in the off season, this is a nice far out spot, off the beaten path to just relax by the 'Sharp's creek'. It is watched over by the local mining authority as it is located nearby many open mining claims. That being said, there are no camp hosts or water bibs, but there is a pit toilet, as well as fire rings and picnic tables in the sites . There are no stores or gas stations past Cottage Grove, so get your supplies before leaving town.

I liked how this place is small and more primitive than others, while still being a legit campground.

There are a few nearby hikes including the spectacular Trestle creek falls and Bohemia mountain, but you have to double back and up Bryce creek rd to find them, unless you have 4wd.