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Best Tent Camping near Bandon, OR

630 Reviews

The forests and coastal areas surrounding Bandon, Oregon offer several tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking both established and dispersed sites. Elliott State Forest provides extensive dispersed tent camping opportunities along forest service roads, while the Elk River "Stony Beach" area offers primitive tent sites with river access. Sunshine Bar Campground, managed by the US Forest Service, provides a more established option with basic amenities for tent campers.

Most tent sites in the region are accessible via gravel forest roads, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles. Elliott State Forest dispersed sites are located along Marlow Creek Road and feature pull-outs with room for several tents. One camper noted that "the road follows a babbling creek which was amazing to sleep next to." Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans sometimes in effect. Campers should verify current regulations before arrival. Most sites lack amenities like potable water, requiring visitors to pack in supplies. Vault toilets are present at established campgrounds like Sunshine Bar but absent at dispersed locations.

Tent campers throughout the area enjoy river access and forest settings. Areas farther from town offer deeper seclusion, especially midweek when fewer visitors are present. According to one visitor at Elk River "Stony Beach," the dispersed site features "crystal clear and cool" water for swimming during summer months. The campsite is "nice and secluded behind trees to shield you from other campers." Most tent sites provide good shade coverage from surrounding forest canopy. Wildlife sightings are common in these natural settings. During peak summer weekends, established campgrounds fill quickly, making dispersed camping in Elliott State Forest or along Elk River a good alternative for those seeking more solitude and willing to forgo amenities.

Map showing campgrounds near Bandon, OregonExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Bandon, Oregon (42)

    1. Dew Valley Ranch Nature Retreat

    2 Reviews
    Bandon, OR
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 551-5126

    $55 - $160 / night

    "There is a propane, fire ring, a clothesline, a fire pit, a picnic table, comfy chairs, Perfectly placed, solar lights, and much more!"

    "We're happy to welcome your host Heather to our platform. With several sites to choose from, we're sure you'll find one that suites you. Book your stay today and come back to leave them some love."

    2. Lampa Retreat

    Be the first to review!
    Bandon, OR
    6 miles
    +1 (541) 255-6663

    $55 - $80 / night

    3. Elliott State Forest Dispersed

    13 Reviews
    North Bend, OR
    31 miles
    Website

    "Nice and close to Bandon. No trouble accessing in our midsize suv. It was muddy at the site, and unfortunately, those before us left a lot of trash. Did my best to clean up when was left behind."

    "You have to drive some winding forest service roads to get to a spot then find one on or near the road but there's a couple good camp spots."

    4. Elk River "Stony Beach" Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Rough River Lake, OR
    28 miles
    Website

    "The dirt path from the main road down to the beach is very short but a bit steep and with some big dips when I was there so very low-clearance vehicles might have an issue getting in and out."

    "It’s nice a secluded behind trees to shield you from the other campers.

    We went on a Friday night and there were three other groups but plenty of space for a another couple of people."

    5. Sunshine Bar Campground

    3 Reviews
    Rough River Lake, OR
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 618-2200

    "The drive there is a narrow, winding road along the Elk River, lush green ferns and trees, and over a dozen small waterfalls."

    "It’s a ways up the river but close to the road. It seemed very secluded even tho it was close to a road. Plenty of spots with picnic tables and a beautiful view of the river."

    6. Boundary Campground

    2 Reviews
    Powers, OR
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 618-2200

    "The Boundary Campground located in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon is a great place to go for a quite getaway. It is located on Bear Creek Road. "

    "A small drive out of Wallowa and a gorgeous spot with well maintained facilities. Right next to the rolling wonderful Bear Creek Trail."

    7. Bennett County Park

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    Myrtle Point, OR
    17 miles
    Website

    8. Ham Bunch Cherry Creek Park

    1 Review
    Myrtle Point, OR
    22 miles
    Website

    9. Nesika County Park

    4 Reviews
    Coos Bay, OR
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 396-3121

    "It's beautiful, right next to a river that is actually accessible to old farts like myself.. No hookups.. now sewer.. This is a primitive and first come first serve.."

    "The camping is clean and the surroundings are gorgeous. The camp host is super friendly and nice. Best rate on firewood. By the barrel. The river is beautiful."

    10. Frona County Park

    1 Review
    Myrtle Point, OR
    22 miles
    Website
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Bandon, OR

11 Photos of 42 Bandon Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Bandon, OR

630 Reviews of 42 Bandon Campgrounds

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2021

    Cape Blanco State Park Campground

    A wooded Oregon Coast state park by the Pacific Ocean

    During a beautiful sunny April weekend along the Oregon Coast, campsites are difficult to find. We had to break our no reservations rule to snag the last campsite within the state park system along the Oregon Coast.

    It was nice, though, to have a nice site reserved for us but we just don’t like having to pay $8 to reserve a site. Online reservation system does make it easy, though.

    This is a beautiful campground with lighted wooded paths to the restrooms with free showers. Our site number A45 was very private next to the accommodating camp host. There is beach access via a narrow road but it is a spectacular one. We even saw a Jeep drive down to make its way along the beach which in Oregon is a highway. They were free range sheep near the beach so be careful when you drive down. It isn’t too far to walk from the campground and is very scenic.

    This is a lovely campground and we would stay again. We talked to a couple from Bandon just north who said they camp here once a month.

  • Ryan W.
    Aug. 20, 2019

    Umpqua Lighthouse State Park Campground

    At the top of the hill. Small and overlooked.

    Umpqua Lighthouse Campground is on top of a hill, which would make sense since there is a lighthouse there. If you are hiking and biking you may not want to make the effort choosing to stay at the bottom of the hill at the crappy RV/Tent camp in the wind or just keep going in either direction to a campground on more level ground, but that would be a mistake. Make it up to the top, and you'll be rewarded with an out of the way, minimally populated camp tucked into the trees just past the lighthouse, and with trails, wildlife and brand new bathrooms and showers.

    The Hiker/Biker Camp is just past the entry to the camp, down the trail towards Lake Marie. It has three different areas leveled off with shared storage boxes, fire pits and picnic tables. Each little clear is open to itself but nicely private to the other clearings so if you're traveling with a small group you can take over a whole area if you choose. Unlike most of the other Oregon State Park campgrounds there were not REI branded charging stations or bike tools, but the camp hosts let us plug into their outlets as needed.

    They were just finishing the building of brand new bathroom/shower facilities while I was there, but even the portable set up they had was one of the nicest ones I've seen in a campground. Deer were wandering about, and there was plenty of bird watching. 

    The main campground area was divided into a loop and straight line stretch. Sites varied from open with privacy trees to entirely shaded. Despite it being a weekend during the summer the camp wasn't full, and it was easy for travelers to pull in and grab a spot.

    Walk down the hill to the Lake Marie Trail for a quiet trip around the small lake. A few benches were found along the lake making great opportunities for relaxed reflection or a glass of wine. Shooting off from the LMT were trails out to the Umpqua Bay and the ocean side beaches.

    Amenities include:

    • New Bathrooms & Showers
    • Fire pits & Picnic Tables
    • Trails
    • Storage Boxes
    • Firewood for sale.

    Oregon State Park Hiker/Biker sites cost $7-8 

    *Pro-Tip: There is a really windy, less cool campground at the bottom of the hill near the entry to Umpqua Lighthouse State Park. Go up the hill. It will be worth it. Even if you've been hiking or riding all day. It is better.

  • Diana T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2024

    Sunshine Bar Campground

    Beautiful and FREE!!!

    Awesome little campground in the thick of the forest that backs up to the Elk River. The drive there is a narrow, winding road along the Elk River, lush green ferns and trees, and over a dozen small waterfalls. The small campground is free to campers and managed by the United States Forest Service. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring. There are vault toilets. The campsites are accessible by vehicle, making it perfect for truck camping or tent camping. There is no cell phone reception or nearby services.

  • Tj B.
    Jul. 24, 2017

    Tahkenitch Campground

    Beach access washout

    I liked how this campsite was set up, the sites along the inner hill have parking spaces down below, with a short walk into the pads and fire rings. This makes for a little more privacy and you don't hear people getting into their cars all the time. It wasn't overly populated either, so in the morning and at night, when the hwy traffic died down, it was very peaceful and you could hear just the slightest ocean sound in the distance. My main complaint was the 'nature trail' that was just off the campground, it was nice until it took you out on the dunes. The signage said there was beach access, but I never got close enough to get out on it. At one point the trail was washed out. Also the trail itself was not well marked, as I realized miles into a hunting trail that had obviously not been used a lot. I made it back to camp okay, after having to turn back. A 6 mile loop turned into a 9 mile adventure up and down the dunes. Very beautiful scenery and lots of wildlife to watch along the way though, overall a decent experience. No onsite sales of wood and no showers, but fairly clean flush toilet bathrooms.

    PROS:

    • walk-in sites
    • Not busy
    • Close to services

    CONS:

    • No beach access
    • Poorly marked trail
    • No wood sales
  • Tim W.
    Aug. 28, 2016

    Sunset Bay State Park Campground

    Unimpressive Facilities

    The weekend we spent at Sunset Bay was busy with limited availability. In our group was my mother-in-law who requires ADA facilities, and a potty training toddler. All of the designated ADA sites were full. Standard sites require an extensive, uneven, walk to the restroom, a problem for those needing ADA facilities, potty trainers, and middle of the night restroom users. The only play area is across the street (there is a path that crosses under the road) it provides only horseshoe toss pits, beach volleyball nets, and a basketball hoop. We stayed in A loop which is along the road and adjacent to the ranger station/entrance. There were limited barriers resulting in loud road noise, car lights at all hours, and a lot of wind. Tent sites, yurts, motor home sites, and dedicated hiker/biker sites are available, though tent sites are not level. Included in the cost of the camping fee is entrance to the botanical gardens with your vehicle permit, guided hikes to the tide pools, and educational events, such as animal lectures, in the amphitheater.

  • Anton Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2020

    Lobster Creek Campground

    Easy, convenient, peaceful

    Wile road tripping to oregon from Los Angeles, we stopped here for the night. Relatively affordable, very clean, and not busy (at least while we were there). You can walk down to the river to fish, where there were also RVs camping on the beach. Tent camping is limited to very few sites but it looked like there was plenty of rv space. We set up for the night at the tent sites where we had a nice dinner with a beautiful night sky above us. The river is a good fishing spot, according to some local fisherman we met in the morning following our stay. There were bathrooms but they were locked. We had good service though. The site we chose wasn't particularly hidden or private, so anyone driving in or out of the road to the river, whether that's someone launching a boat or a ranger checking fishing licenses, they will have a full view of your entire site, something to consider if you require privacy.

  • Nicolaus N.
    Nov. 1, 2018

    Half Moon Bay Campground

    Basic review for basic location

    LArgentina open spaces for people who have toy haulers. Tons of noise all day and night. Come here if you have sand toys or horses!

    Rest rooms but no showers. Basic fire rings and that's it.

    Right next to the dunes!

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2021

    LaVerne County Park

    Beautiful county park with awesome hosts

    We just had to escape the crazy busy Oregon Coast so we drove inland to this county park along the North Fork of the Coquille River. There are modern flush toilets and vault toilets. Our campsite was between two waterfalls including Laverne Falls. We had a view of the smaller one from our creek side site. We paid $15.23 for site 59. Picnic table, fire ring and potable water. We were there on a Monday night with just a few campers present but the locals enjoy it on the weekends for swimming and picnicking. Beautiful setting.

  • l
    Sep. 20, 2022

    Bluebill Campground

    Wonderful little spot

    Bluebill is a wonderful little spot to camp, hike, explore, fish, and enjoy the quiet. You can hear the dune buggies off in the distance which makes it feel close to home without being disturbing.

    Wild Mare camp is next to Bluebill Campground so you may hear an occasional horse whinnying, also makes it feel close to home without being disturbing.

    Bluebill Lake is a wonderful hike with a great trail to the water if you want to do some fishing.

    The Pacific Ocean is less than a mile away, with a gorgeous view from the top of the trail.

    My only confusion was the information board said to check in with the camp host, there isn't one there. Obviously, a volunteer position, but the park rangers should be more involved in the campground. Stayed four days, never saw a ranger.

    No internet at all, spotty cell service at best. No electricity. No hook ups. No showers. Be prepared to be self contained.

    It was clean, quiet, and comfortable. Other campers followed the rules.

    Check out is 1pm, check in is 2pm.

    Wonderful spot to camp.

Guide to Bandon

The Bandon, Oregon area offers diverse camping opportunities within dense coastal forests at elevations ranging from sea level to about 800 feet. Most campgrounds are accessible via forest roads with varying conditions, typically requiring 15-45 minutes of driving from town. During summer, the region maintains moderate temperatures between 60-75°F with minimal rainfall, while winter camping sees frequent precipitation and temperatures between 40-55°F.

What to do

Swimming in local rivers: At Elk River "Stony Beach" Dispersed Camping, the water provides perfect swimming conditions. "The river is crystal clear and was cool, comfortable to stay in for minutes. Took several divine swims," notes one camper who enjoyed the clear waters.

Hiking nearby trails: Forest trails offer exercise opportunities within short driving distance. "There is a great hike that is nearby called Bear Creek Trail. This trail does run along the river, which makes it great for fishing," mentions a visitor to Boundary Campground.

Horseback riding: Some local trails accommodate equestrian use. "They also have trails that you can ride your horses. We actually saw a few people doing this when we were on our morning hike," reports a Boundary Campground guest.

What campers like

River access: Many sites provide direct water access for cooling off. "The campsite is nice and secluded behind trees to shield you from other campers," notes one Elk River visitor who appreciated the privacy while still having river access.

Quiet atmosphere: Sunshine Bar Campground offers a peaceful environment away from crowds. "I spent two days out here July of 2020... The campsite was clean and even had some salamanders and hooting owls at night," shares one camper who enjoyed the nocturnal wildlife.

Natural features: Flowing water creates ambient sounds at night. "You can find dispersed camping spots up and down the river. The area is a large stony beach... For tents, the beach would likely be uncomfortable given its rockiness, but that's OK because there are a few places just off the beach that have dirt and tree-cover and are perfect for tent camping," advises an Elk River camper.

What you should know

Fire restrictions: Rules vary based on season and fire danger levels. "For camp fires, make sure to check the local regulations. When I was there they had a burn ban and the forestry guys came through somewhat regularly to check. They will ticket you if you break the rules. $250 fine I believe," warns a visitor to Elk River.

Cell service limitations: Most forest sites lack connectivity. "No phone service but the Forest was beautiful! We walked through the creek for a little bit," reports a camper at Elliott State Forest Dispersed.

Road conditions: Access roads can challenge some vehicles. "The drive there is a narrow, winding road along the Elk River, lush green ferns and trees, and over a dozen small waterfalls," describes a Sunshine Bar visitor, highlighting both the challenging drive and scenic rewards.

Sanitation planning: Most dispersed sites lack toilets. "People clearly struggle with how to manage the absence of toilet. I dug a little hole in the thimbleberries across the road and used their wide and soft leaves to clean myself up. No biggie," suggests an Elk River camper with a practical solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bandon, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bandon, OR is Dew Valley Ranch Nature Retreat with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Bandon, OR?

TheDyrt.com has all 42 tent camping locations near Bandon, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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