The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Dufur. Dufur is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Discover great camping spots near Dufur, reviewed by campers like you.
"We stayed in the big open field next to it.
I don’t think this is technically an “official” campsite but it has a lovely composting toilet that smells like fresh cedar."
"Bike-packing Campground Review:
The lower Deschutes River from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River, goes about 100 river miles along the water and was designated an Oregon Scenic Waterway in 1970."
$55 / night
"Carbon Farm is private camping on a farm a few miles outside of Dufur on the east side of Mt Hood National Forest."
$8 - $35 / night
"We went during weather transition from rain to clear. The result, high winds in the canyon. This only lasted the one night. Fantastic weather the rest of the time. A slight bit of small trash around."
"We were so glad we kept driving down this road until the very end."
"Not too far from Meadows and Parkdale ... and even not to far for an overnight or weekend away from Portland.
The first come sites are just off of Forest Road 44 >> Dufur Valley Road."
"Very quiet and even has a few dispersed camp spots outside the main area. Had some deer walk right through our camp spot while we sat by the fire."
$16 / night
"Campground Review
An open, relatively unused campground next to a sleep-calling stream right in between the last forested part of Mt."
"The campsites are all well spaced out parallel to a nice clean looking river. We stayed in the off-season, so that is probably why it was empty."
$10 / night
"This is a fairly easy trail to backpack on with lots of great sites to camp. If you’re hiking up to the lake you might want to make it a two day trip to really enjoy it."
"The drive up the the lake is not super peaceful but once you get there it's pretty great."
"It's a long drive up a very bumpy dirt road to get here, so make sure you have 4-wheel drive and a high clearance vehicle."
"Do the timberline trail and this will be a stop!"
"Decent, well stocked vault toilet. Thumbs up all around, I will definitely return to this gem."
"Super easy to drive in, with lots of options for spots we parked at the top of the hill and walked about 5 min down to our spot right on the creek, however there were many spots that you could drive right"
LegendCamped here for the second year in a row, and it did not disappoint. We got lucky with a nice spot on the creek this year, which I would recommend for the best experience. The sites are spacious and most are pretty private which is great. It is primitive, no showers and just one vault toilet. I will say that the site did have a fair amount of trash on it which was disappointing, but we cleaned it up before heading out. Remember to leave no trace!!
TravelerThis campground in along the John Day River with access to the river from the campground but no water views. Most sites have a pergola over the picnic table for shade and a sturdy wooden fence, I assume for wind protection. The sites are nicely spaced but the wind, blowing dust and heat made it pretty uncomfortable to be outside. The river here is broad and shallow so not deep enough for watercraft. The water was pretty warm. There are several hiking trails along the river.
ScoutStayed 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.
LegendThis 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.
ScoutI camped there in my RV several times and always tried to get slot A13. It’s all the way at the end and has a nice amount of space and only a potential neighbor on one side. I also tent camped and, after scouting the sites, chose C6. That site is a bit small but is away from the rest and above them on the slope so you don’t need your rain fly for privacy.
LegendRead 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
GuideConnected to a rest area. $19 camping no hookups. Water, pad, picnic table, and fire ring in site. Free showers. Clean bathrooms. Freeway noise not bad.
TravelerGiles 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.
LegendAshley here with The Dyrt! We want to welcome this property owner to our platform. "Camp beside a private spring fed lake. You’ll have this high desert oasis all to yourselves. This is a leave no trace camp site, pack it in pack it out. Fishing is NOT included in your stay. You can inquire about fly fishing rates." Book your stay today and leave them some love!
Dufur, Oregon, offers a variety of tent camping experiences surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, you'll find excellent options nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dufur, OR is Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 62 tent camping locations near Dufur, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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