Campgrounds near Dorena, Oregon offer diverse camping options within the Willamette National Forest and surrounding areas. Located at approximately 800 feet elevation, this region experiences mild summers with daytime temperatures typically in the 70s-80s°F and cooler evenings around 50-60°F. The area's proximity to multiple watersheds, including the North Umpqua River and Willamette River, creates opportunities for water recreation at several campgrounds.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Near Umpqua's Last Resort, guests can access guided mountain bike tours. A reviewer noted, "Guided and self-guided mountain bike tours" are available along with "waterfall tours" making it an excellent base for outdoor adventures.
Fishing access: Many RV sites near Dorena, Oregon provide direct river access for fishing enthusiasts. At Elkton RV Park, campers appreciate the location "on the Umpqua river that's within walking distance to Elkton." One camper mentioned it's a "Great fishing" location with "very nice" facilities on the river.
Drive-in movies: A unique activity not found at most campgrounds is available at Hi-Way Haven RV Park, built on an old drive-in theater site. A camper described the experience: "It's a converted drive-in theater and they've taken the retro theme to heart and run with it. They serve free popcorn and if you choose to sit in the nice grassy area (plastic Adirondack chairs provided) for the movie."
What campers like
Waterside camping: Casey's Riverside RV Resort in Westfir provides paved sites along the river. As one camper described, "River front sites are fairly uniform in size but the high 30s through mid 40s will give you the best river view plus you can really hear the rushing of the river." Another mentioned, "The two rivers converge right at site 52... so lovely."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards at several parks. At Deerwood RV Park, a reviewer observed, "For once the laundry and showers were better then expected, the best ive seen at a park come to think of it." Another noted the grounds are "nicely maintained" with "lots of trees and grassy areas."
Dog-friendly accommodations: Most RV parks near Dorena welcome pets and provide specific amenities. At Premier RV Resort, a reviewer mentioned, "It is a very dog friendly park and there is lots of room for dogs but everyone picked up after dogs and we heard almost zero barking. There's also a nice sized fenced dog area."
What you should know
Site reservations: The limited availability of campsites, especially during summer, makes advance planning essential. At Deerwood RV Park, a camper noted, "Unless you want to stay for a day or two or move sites every other day, you need to reserve early."
Highway noise: Several campgrounds near major roads experience traffic noise. At Premier RV Resort, one reviewer mentioned, "There is a lot of road noise from I-5" while suggesting "ask for a site close to the office or in the older section. The new sites farther back are closer to the interstate."
Wi-Fi connectivity: Internet access varies significantly between campgrounds. A camper at Deerwood noted, "Wifi shows but no wifi. We used Verizon puck and worked fine," while another mentioned "WiFi would slow way down to the point of being unusable during peak periods(mid morning and late afternoon)."
Tips for camping with families
Dedicated family areas: Some campgrounds have informal family sections. At Casey's Riverside RV Resort, a reviewer observed, "We nicknamed back-in sites 61-68 at the end of the CG 'kiddies corner' as this was where the families camped during our stay."
Recreation amenities: Hi-Way Haven RV Park offers various family-friendly features. One reviewer listed these amenities: "fenced off leash dog area, several other on leash dog areas, playground, nice little store, ice, propane on site, and most importantly the movies on the old drive-in screen Thursday through Saturday nights during the summer!"
Swimming options: During summer months, children can enjoy water activities at several locations. At Umpqua's Last Resort, a camper mentioned, "A cool creek swimming hole in the forest is very nearby," providing a natural option for cooling off.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds provide level sites, saving RVers setup time. A camper at Casey's Riverside RV Resort stated, "Every site is big-rig friendly and almost perfectly level. Minimum work getting setup."
Jack pads requirement: RVers should note that some parks have specific equipment requirements. At Deerwood RV Park, a reviewer cautioned, "ALL spots require jack pads. Having not stayed in too many parks with asphalt, this was a surprise for us. They did not mention at checkin, but we got a polite email the next morning."
Water pressure considerations: Water system pressure varies between parks, with some requiring pressure regulators. One camper noted, "We had great water pressure and needed to use our reducer" while staying at Casey's Riverside RV Resort.
