Best Tent Camping near Dufur, OR

This review is for the main campground, there is another group/horse campground across the highway that I did not stay in. The small campground is right off Highway 97. The first part of the campground is where the hook ups, large RV's, small trailers and tent campers are located. The spaces are very close together with very few trees separating spaces. Some spots looked barely big enough for a 2 person tent. In this same area is the only flush toilets/showers (Coin operated). Continuing past this main area and over a small hill is where the tent camping/sheep herders tents are located. Since it was located away from the main camping area it was quiet with regards to hearing fellow campers, the downside is the spaces are closer to the Highway. Day and night, semis speed past the state park on either a downhill straight away or an uphill straight away, regardless it sounds like a freight train or military landing pad all night/day long. It was so loud you had to stop talking until the semi passed. The space I was in was so small my 3 person tent only fit if one side was touching the fire ring. Luckily there was a fire ban so no fire to melt my tent. The space also had full view of the pit toilet, since it was the only toilet on that side, I saw everyone come and go. It was also super close to one of the sheep herders tent site. There were 2 sheep herder tents sites. The spots looked large and the tents looked like they would sleep at least 4-5 people. The other tent sites where much larger, but still all the sites could hear the highway. Note, be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy. There were a bunch of trails that ran through out the park that provided a nice alternative to get to the other side of the park or climb to the top of the hill near the power lines. The camp host was also a very nice gentleman who suggested activities in the near by area. I was exploring the area cause it's new to me, but I wont return cause it's not my type of camping.

Read up on this location with some good info. Flat paved sites for dry camping.

Lost Creek Campground has 10 single-family campsites and is located on one of the largest pyroclastic volcanic mudflows from Mt. Hood’s “Old Maid” eruption in the 1700s. Fortunately all of the mudflows have cooled. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Two yurts are also available. Campground amenities include a picnic area, drinking water and vault toilets. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host.

Lost Creek / Mt. Hood Area Recreation

Outdoor recreation includes fishing. Visitors also enjoy fishing, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing.  The Wild and Scenic Sandy River is also not far from the popular Ramona Falls Trailhead. Mt. Hood is just southeast of the campground offers visitors the opportunity for a nice a day trip.

AMENITIES

BBQ Grills

Campsite Tables

Comfort Station

Drinking Water

Fire Pit

Fire Rings

Firewood Available

Golden Age & Access Passports accepted

Grills

Pets OK

Picnic Tables

Restrooms (Vault Toilets)

ACTIVITIES

Biking

Bird Watching

Creek

Fishing

Hiking

Mountain Biking

Nature Trails

Photography

Picnicking

River

Walking Trails

Wildlife Viewing

Giles French Park  (GFP) is one of two adjacent free camping / bookdocking sites owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) along the Columbia River near the town of Rufus, Oregon.  I was there on opening day, 2021.  I didn't see any tents.  I also didn't see any signs saying tents aren't permitted.  I saw several motorhomes and travel trailers parked far apart.  I think the Native American fishermen dropped off some of the trailers to stay in when the spring salmon run begins.  There's a 7-day stay limit.  No open fires (campfires) are permitted.  I assume this is is because of the frequently gusty wind conditions.  I used a butane camp stove.  There's no television reception unless you have a satellite dish.  Cell service is good on both Verizon and AT&T.  The water is unsafe to drink unless it is boiled first for five minutes.  (I have no idea why.  Don't the dam employees have potable water?). There's exactly one flush toilet (for men anyway.) It's in the restrooms nearest to the dam.  This restroom is in poor condition.  The stall door lock is broken.  The urinal is out of service.  The lavatory drain is clogged.  (You get the picture.  If not, look at my pictures.)  All the other restrooms have vault toilets and no running water.  The restrooms are spaced very far apart.  The only trash dumpster is near the vault toilet that serves the boat ramp parking lot.  No camping is permitted near the restrooms.  Keep all this in mind when you select your site.  There are only a few picnic tables.  Most are situated where there's not much of a view.  The best views are in the third parking lot away from the dam, where the Native Americans have several closely spaced fishing scaffolds.  That was where I parked.  I had one neighbor on April 1-2, 2021.  A couple of non-Native American anglers showed up at the crack of dawn.  They didn't have any success as far as I could tell.  But, the spring salmon run had not started yet.  Similar to an island if you didn't bring it, it isn't at GFP.  There are no amenities other than the mentioned restrooms and non-potable water.  The views are spectacular, especially at sunset.  GFP sits in a canyon with sheer basalt cliffs on either side.  The play of sunlight on the Oregon side at sunset is colorful.  The dam is lit up with red, white and blue lights at night.  Barges sometimes pass through the lock at the north end of the dam.  Trains run along both sides of the Columbia River, BNSF on the Washington side and UP on the Oregon side.  These are noticeable but not particularly noisy since there are no crossings nearby.  I-84 creates more noise than the trains do.  Since the site is free and the amenities are few, it's good for a night or two in my opinion, but not much more.  I rated it low because of the poor condition of the restrooms.  Apparently the Army Corps of Engineers cannot open a stopped drain.

The campground is pretty remote-don’t expect any cell service-I didn’t have any with AT&T. The last 15 miles on the road to the campground is very winding and narrow-you have to drive 25mph for safety. The road was in good condition though. The campground is also very hilly. The C loop that I was on was pretty steep but the campsites had some privacy and decent space between spots for the most part. My campsite had 3 different areas that you can set up a tent on. The parking area at my campsite was actually pretty flat despite having to back up the hill to get to the spot. My campsite had quite a bit of shade in the afternoon which was great since it was in the 80’s and kinda humid. The only complaint I had was the flies! There were TONS of them everywhere and bug-spray did nothing to keep them at bay-then again you are in the forest so it’s bound to happen. My suggestion is to bring a screen tent. Parking is a premium by the general store and the boat launch and lake. It was packed when I got here around 4pm on a Saturday (not surprised) and I couldn’t get a spot so I drove to my campsite and walked there on the trails instead. It is a lot longer of a walk than I really thought and I was exhausted by the time I got to the lake and then even more tired when I got back to camp. The old growth trail and rhododendron trail had some beautiful trees. I was the only one on the trails at the time. The walk along the lake itself by the north day use area was shaded, flat, and pretty nice. Lots of picnic areas that were tucked away just off the trail. Some picnic spots were literally right on the waters edge. There was a fire ban but I saw people with little propane grills or hot plate stuff to cook yummy food. Lots of people were swimming. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards. The water was super clear and clean and a bit chilly but refreshing on a hot day. The toilets in the campground loops are vault toilets but they are pretty clean and even had hand sanitizer in them-which was a first that I have seen this summer. The showers are near the general store and you have to pay to shower. It was $6. They give you a key and take your ID and when you give back the key they give you back your ID. The shower room was super nice. Definitely looked like something that would be in a fancy hotel and was very clean. For $46 for 1 night with no electric or water hookup I was hoping that the shower would be included so that was a bit disappointing-although I was just grateful for the shower so $6 was worth it. The general store had lots of souvenirs and clothes (I bought a lost lake puzzle, a new hat, and water shoes). The store also sold hot food, coffee, snacks, soft serve ice cream, and some basic camping gear-which is nice in case you forgot something. Overall I would come back here.