Looking for an adventure where you can explore Damascus and then fall asleep in your tent? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Oregon tent camping excursion.
No cash, check, or cards are accepted on site. Make a reservations online or use the mobile app. Three Bears campsites are only available by making a reservation. Reserve a campsite on recreation.gov or Recreation.gov Mobile App prior to entering the Molalla River Recreation Corridor. There is no cell reception in the drainage.__ Situated in a picturesque grove of western red cedar 4 miles south of Glen Avon Bridge, the site has 15 tent campsites, each equipped with a tent pad, metal fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. The campground also has vault toilets and access to a beautiful cobble beach and swimming hole.
Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)
Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)
Molalla Wild and Scenic River and forested environment.
For facility specific information, please call (503) 375-5646.
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla Wild and Scenic River which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing. The Molalla is one of the few undammed tributaries of the Willamette River and cuts a picturesque gorge on its way to the valley floor. Table Rock Wilderness is further up the canyon and accessible through three trailheads.
Standard fees apply and are non-refundable. Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.
$30 / night
$5 - $18 / night
Campground closed due to the 2020 Riverside Wildfire
Rainbow Campground provides ample access to the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River. The campground offers a great location to enjoy peace and quiet in the beautiful mountains of northern Oregon. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking, biking and rafting.
Fishing is very popular in the Oak Fork and anglers can expect a catch of winter steelhead, spring Chinook and late summer Kokanee salmon, as well as other species of freshwater fish. The Clackamas River also provides miles of wild water as it bends through the scenic Cascade range, making whitewater rafting a popular activity.
The 5-mile Riverside National Recreation Trail, popular for hiking and mountain biking, is located not far from the campground. The surrounding area provides numerous additional opportunities for hiking.
The campground offers more than a dozen single-family sites for tent camping. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Parking surfaces are paved and gravel.
The campground is located in Mt. Hood National Forest along the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River at an elevation of about 1,400 feet. Huge maple and Douglas fir trees cover the area, and dense shrubbery provides some privacy between campsites. The campground is not far from the Ripplebrook Ranger Station and Ripplebrook Pond.
The river provides habitat for the federally protected bald eagle and northern spotted owl, as well as an occasional peregrine falcon. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.
Bagby Hot Springs is located about 14 miles southwest of the campground. A popular site for soaking and relaxing, the springs are in a heavily wooded area in the scenic Cascade Range. The available bathhouses are fed by three major hot water springs and several minor outlets in the area. A historic guard station was built there in 1913.
$20 - $22 / night
This trail enters the Mt. Hood Wilderness on the west side of Mount Hood. This trail accesses Burnt Lake and Zigzag Mountain with views above treeline. The north side also has wonderful old cedar snags showing remnants of a wildfire that came through around 1900. Starting from the north Burnt Lake trailhead, this trail begins at Forest Road 1825-109 (2,680’) and ends at Forest Road 2627-207 (3,320’). From Forest Road 1825-109, the trail climbs steadily up to Burnt Lake (4,120’). There is a nice loop trail around the lake accessing several campsites. From the lake the trail continues up a steep climb 0.6 mile and reaches Zigzag Ridge (4,720’). Soon after, the trail reaches Zigzag Mountain Trail #775. Turn right onto Zigzag Mountain Trail #775 and follow the ridge westward 0.3 miles until Burnt Lake Trail #772 drops over the south side of the ridge descending to Devil’s Meadow area. From Devil’s Meadow the trail follows an easier grade down an old roadway to West Zigzag trailhead at Forest Road 2627-207.
Meditation Campground is a small walk-in campground on the shores of Timothy Lake. Campers should park at the Westshore Day Use area to access the campground. The rustic sites are limited to groups of six campers each. It has 7 sites and is accessible by boat, bike or hike-in only. There is a toilet there and each site is equipped with a table and fire ring.
Parking area for 4-5 vehicles overflow on the Highway 224. Alder Flat Trail #574. Link to Trail Description and Map
No cash, check, or cards are accepted on site. Make a reservations online or use the mobile app. Cedar Grove campsites are only available by making a reservation. Reserve a campsite on recreation.gov or Recreation.gov Mobile App prior to entering the Molalla River Recreation Corridor. There is no cell reception in the drainage.__ Situated in a picturesque grove of western red cedar 6 miles south of Glen Avon Bridge, the site has 10 tent campsites, each equipped with a tent pad, metal fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. The campground also has vault toilets and river access.
Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)
Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)
Molalla Wild and Scenic River and forested environment.
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla Wild and Scenic River which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing. The Molalla is one of the few undammed tributaries of the Willamette River and cuts a picturesque gorge on its way to the valley floor. Table Rock Wilderness is further up the canyon and accessible through three trailheads.
Standard processing fees apply and are non-refundable. Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.
$30 / night
Scout
I was contacted by the company who owns this site. Automatically the individual had threatening words to me as in, you need to go buy a tent now. We have the right to remove you from premises right now. Terrible customer service, and after spending money for the service they provide. They will just take away everything from you and kick you off the princess. The owner also likes to redefine what objects and vehicles are. Also, like to redefine vocabulary words. I would stay away from this place due to helter-kelter atmosphere.
Scout
Such an awesome find! The first campsite is small and perfect for a couple tents. The second site could easily fit 3 or 4 tents and has plenty of additional space for parking, kitchen set-up, etc… both sites also have really nice fire pits. Also don’t let the Trillium Lake camp hosts scare you. They told us the gravel road to access the sites was “rough as hell” and were completely wrong. Nothing more than a few potholes. Any vehicle could make the trek.
Traveler
The place is clean and has a rain forest feel. Trees close in. Amazingly dark and quiet at night. A bit muddy for walking the dog.
Scout
Good
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Traveler
Short walk, or 7 miles in, start on west shoreline trail 528 on the NW parking lot past the day use area. Great mostly flat trail for backpacking or cart camping along the west shoreline of Timothy Lake in the Mt Hood National Forest. Sites are well marked and $10 per night fee. Northwest Forest Parking Pass required for overnight parking.
Traveler
Nice area to camp at, vault bathroom close by but there was no toilet paper so bring your own. Does feel like camping in a Parking lot. Trail close by.
Guide
I really wanted to give 5 stars, but they have far too many permanent residents, which makes the campground look un-kept. The grounds were ok, bathrooms were clean, price was fair, large spaces , and very good customer service.
Traveler
As of Oct 2024 - still shut No access to bathrooms but can pay 5 for day use of their picnic benches
Traveler
As of Oct 2024 - still shut With gate and padlock, shut to even get into but there is a park nearby to use the restrooms if needed but no camping
Legend
Humbug is one of our favorite campgrounds. We love the easy access to the beach and the beautiful hikes. Showers are hot and free, rangers are always friendly.
Cell service is pretty iffy here, but we manage to make it work with the cell booster.
There's a dump station and water fill, trash and recycling, water spigots throughout campground, and firewood for sale.
Tent sites in Oregon don't currently have the 25% non-resident surcharge (though I've heard that's changing soon) and there are plenty of non-hookup/tent sites that will fit RVs. There are also FHU and pull through sites.
Scout
The campground itself is nice, but there's the near constant hum of interstate I-5 traffic less than a hundred yards away.
Guide
It was a 10pm arrival but thankfully we found a spot that did not disappoint. I wish we had a full weekend to stay but the overnight and breakfast on the river was a great start to our PNW visit.
Scout
If you enjoy hiking, this is a great campground with many beautiful trails to explore. The bathroom is clean and there's free hot shower. There's a country store 2 miles west of here you can get firewood and some supplies. Sites are a little less private and occasionally I heard train passing by from the nearby railway (bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper). Check our videos for details: https://youtu.be/BrSpGhdefQ0?si=dVS7YPTZX8AplUVL
Ranger
First time here, not particularly enamored with the campground for several reasons.
Nestled in the trees and between Hwy 84 and the Union Pacific Railroad, both are busy and can be heard all day and night.
No dump station anywhere in this campground, you can dump and either campground to the west or the east but not convenient.
Spaces are tight and we would not have been able to get into our spot if the person across from us did not kindly move her vehicle. Our rig is not that large, at 26'.
The good is the river which is an easy walk or e-bike ride. Lots of trails to ride but they say no e-scooters but okay for e-bikes. This was not enforced since my brother and sister in law rode their scooters all over the place.
RV camping is separated from the tent camping which would make it nice for tent campers.
Fun to ride the paved trails, go to the Columbia River and watch the sail boarders doing their thing.
TravelerThis is a nice campground with lots of trees and shade but it sits between I-84 and the Columbia River which has a major train line so it's not necessarily a quiet campground (trains run all night). No dump station available but we had electric and water. Not much grass anywhere and things were really dusty due to dryness and heat of the summer. You can't see the river from the campground but you can walk to it (or drive to it) and there are several picnic tables near the river. There is a nature trail but it is not marked well at all to find the beginning of it. Convenient to Hood River though and an easy drive to Cascade Locks for ice cream at the local dairy dine.
GuideNice find in the forest. Very peaceful with huge sites. There are only 3 sites for tent camping. If you have a camper or RV very large parking lot to camp in. Nice hiking trails throughout the sno-park that we took advantage of. We got up next morning and hike the falls down the Hwy. Camp sites are right off Hwy. A little Hwy. noise but at night fall only a couple of cars. We did pack out a lot of other people’s trash at both sites. Sad to see so much trash left behind when there are garbage cans right next to the pit toilets. Definitely will come back.
Traveler
A great spot with privacy ! Lots of turnouts along the road with river accesses just steps away ! Definitely recommend!
Guide
Quiet campground with clean vault toilets. Many of the sites are very close to each other and some do not accommodate even a small trailer. Small stream near by with limited access. Monte Carlo and Monte Cristo trails are close by but were under repair by WTA. There were some mountain lions near the camp while we were there, 2 separate sightings, probably moving because of the work on the nearby trails
Guidewhole road is paved all the way up & plenty of spots to pull off plus multiple bathrooms! got super chilly even in august but was very cozy in sweats & under a few blankets in the rooftop tent. would definitely stay here again and it's a good option for vehicles w/ low clearance or non off roading folks.
Guide
A couple spots right off the road for car camping or small campers. There was an “official” camp sight more near the Dry Creek Trail (has a bathroom). We opted to walk south along the river to try and find a space. Ended up crossing the river where there are a couple more hidden spots. We found out later that there is a trail right before you cross Trapper Creek that leads you to the spot we were at. There were a few people out and you can sometimes hear cars but overall it was an easy stay with some nice views. The river drowns out most the noise. Would definitely come back here
Scout
Jim did a great job of communicating and was attentive to all the campers, but they ended up overbooked so we were moved away from the river and into an open field. With no hookups and lacking riverfront, the night seemed over-priced. With van life on site and a full campground, it didn’t have the quiet feel we expected.
Scout
Stayed just one night in site 1, which was the only one available. It’s very private being far from the trail and has good access to the shore but is very shady at all times, although also sheltered from the wind. There was a fire ring (although no fires allowed) and a table. Several viable tent spots on the site. The toilets were closed and, unfortunately, previous campers weren’t so great at “leave no trace” because we found a bunch of dog and human feces around.
Traveler
Good luck. This takes you to the middle of nowhere with no camping spots. You’ll have no service.
Traveler
Right on the Molalla river. Great campground. Vault toilets aren’t great, but they are useable. The water pump has bacteria warnings so bring plenty of water.
Scout
I am the new Park Host at Scappoose RV Park, I have been here for 5 months. I have put allot of time in making the park a safe and clean place for families. Please come take a looked, I have gotten so many compliments on how good the park looks again!
Camping near Damascus, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Damascus, Oregon, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just be sure to check the specific campgrounds for what they offer and any potential drawbacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Damascus, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Damascus, OR is BLM Molalla River Recreation Area with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Damascus, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 83 tent camping locations near Damascus, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
