Best Tent Camping near Eagle Creek, OR

Tent campsites in the Eagle Creek area of Oregon offer varied outdoor experiences within Mount Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge. BLM Molalla River Recreation Area provides designated tent sites with drinking water and toilets, while more primitive options exist at Rainbow Campground and Meditation Point Campground. Several sites allow walk-in tent camping in forest settings with access to the Pacific Crest Trail, streams, and alpine lakes.

Most tent campgrounds include basic amenities like fire rings, with varying levels of facilities. Tent pads at BLM Molalla River Recreation Area feature maintained paths to walk-in sites, while more remote areas like Breitenbush Lake Campground require high-clearance vehicles for access. Seasonal closures affect many sites, with several campgrounds currently closed due to fire damage, including Rainbow Campground and Sunstrip Campground. Vault toilets are common at established sites, though backcountry locations often have no facilities. Fire restrictions vary by season and location, with complete bans during high fire danger periods.

The tent camping experience around Eagle Creek offers proximity to water features and trail networks. Sites near streams like Shellrock Creek provide natural sound barriers from nearby roads and cooling effects during summer months. Burnt Lake and Serene Lake offer hike-in tent sites with lake access, providing more remote experiences for backpackers. Tree cover varies by location, with some sites offering ample shade while others provide open views. According to one visitor, "The sites are roomy with nice tent pads and picnic tables. There are lots of trees around, so not great for solar, but there are some open areas." Walk-in tent sites typically offer more privacy than drive-in locations, especially during peak summer weekends when many campgrounds fill quickly.

Best Tent Sites Near Eagle Creek, Oregon (87)

    1. Mount Hood National Forest Sunstrip Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSE DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE

    6 Reviews
    Welches, OR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 630-5721

    $22 - $24 / night

    "Stayed in site 6 a few years ago, sites 5 and 6 have an incline, but flat space for tents. Mostly, if not entirely shaded. Steep, short climb to river. Can access the river from other locations."

    2. Government Island State Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Fairview, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 280-6844

    "No potable water, so bring your own. There is 1 restroom and no desinated camp sites. But we love it!"

    3. BLM Molalla River Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Molalla, OR
    22 miles
    Website

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Very quiet and camp spots were perfect distance. Plenty of restrooms. The stream has some swim sections, but not entirely. Bring water shoes!"

    "I usually stay at Cedar Grove nearby, but stayed here this year (2020). The campground is clean with water sometimes available."

    4. Rainbow (OR) - TEMP CLOSED

    8 Reviews
    Welches, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 630-5721

    $26 / night

    "The biggest perk for us was the awesome trail that leads from the campsite and heads down to the Clackamas River."

    "Rainbow campground is a great little campground that is nestled up right next to ripplebrook."

    5. Carter Bridge Campground

    1 Review
    Estacada, OR
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 630-8700

    6. Serene Lake

    2 Reviews
    Mt. Hood National Forest, OR
    22 miles

    "Beautiful little mountain lake on the slopes of Mt. Hood. We did the 12-mile loop in two days from the trailhead below Shellrock Lake."

    "Limited campsites"

    7. Cedar Grove Recreation Site

    2 Reviews
    Scotts Mills, OR
    23 miles
    +1 (503) 375-5646

    $15 - $30 / night

    "We stayed within 50 yards of the water and was indulging in the river noise to destress to."

    "Hiking nearby with tabletop rock and about 25 miles of trail right across the road. Only issue I have found is the logging trucks run all night."

    8. Burnt Lake

    5 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    27 miles
    Website

    "My group and I had a great overnight backpacking trip here last weekend! A good, well-maintained trail for beginners. It is clearly defined and not overly challenging, with only one blowdown."

    "I highly recommend this backpacking campsite to anyone who has explored around the Mt. Hood area. This is a hidden gem that I had never been to!"

    9. Lookout Springs Campground

    1 Review
    Welches, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 668-1700

    10. Kinzel Lake Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mt. Hood National Forest, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 668-1700

    "This is one of my favorite places to camp near Mount Hood. The road leading into the campgrounds (NF-2613/Kinzel Lake Road) is primitive and just challenging enough to keep most folks away."

    "Took the NF route out there was about 35-40 minutes in my husband and I’s ford ranger 4x4. Pretty bumpy road all the way there and some deep dips."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 87 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Eagle Creek, OR

1744 Reviews of 87 Eagle Creek Campgrounds


  • Alyson M.
    Aug. 14, 2023

    Camp Creek

    Perfect Spot

    Camped 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!!

  • Nathan R.
    May. 28, 2018

    Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

    Serenity in Fauna-Great for Groups too!

    I love this campground.

    Specifically, I love site number 10.

    There are 23 sites at this campground, though sites 10-23 are reservable, leaving sites 1-9 ‘first come, first served’. To get to the campground, you’re going to be working on the far left side of the Welcome Center parking lot. They have allotted several parking spots there, as well as a huge parking area for other cars and trailers. Once you park, grab your gear and hike on down that path straight ahead! If you have. A lot of gear they have three carts available to haul everything out in one go.

    The trail to the camp is about 1/4 mile, it’s dirt in some places and gravel in others. The trail is very easy, you go down a ways, and then hit a gradual short climb to the few station. If you haven’t paid online (reserved spot), you will need to fill in the information on one of the provided permits, write down your car infix, put the fee in, and drop it in the box. (Right now the sites are $11/night). Place the white top copy on your dashboard (yes, you have to hike back out there. I know, I know.) OR: You can skip all of that, set up camp in your chosen (non-reserved) spot, and go pay at the welcome center drop box. Saves you a trip.

    When you’re done with all of that and want to find your spot, there are two trails; one on each side of the fee board. The left goes through sites 23 and up. The right side starts with site 1. It's just one gigantic loop so whichever way you choose will lead you to the right spot.

    I was in site 10, and took the left: this ended up being the long yet scenic choice.

    There are communal fire rings in the back section (which is great for groups!). There are no trash cans: pack it in, pack it out. There are pit toilets available: aka, outhouses. The doors lock, there's hand sanitizer provided. Going into the pit toilets, and then coming out really makes you appreciate the fresh air of the great outdoors.

    The tent pads are a typical woodsy mix of pine straw, leaves, and loose gravel. Sleeping pads are a blessing, but so are nicely stacked lead piles in a pinch. Tent stakes require a little oomph, I just use the ball of my shoe to push it into the ground.

    If there's one thing you want to pack, it's bug spray. It's not overly buggy, but the mosquitoes are there, and you don't want them to dampen your experience! Be on the safe side.

    There are no food storage lockers, you cannot leave food out on the tables. You are still in the wilderness, and you are in bear/cougar territory. Hang your bags, or go throw your food back in trunk of your car. Best case scenario is you wake up to some trash pandas ransacking your site if you leave food out.

    Overall, this has become one of my favorite spur-of-the-moment camping spots and I come back twice a week.

  • CJ S.
    Aug. 22, 2024

    Meditation Point Campground

    Beautiful, Private, Remote

    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.

  • j
    Jul. 25, 2021

    Cougar RV Park and Campground

    Tent sites are large, minimal grass and shade.

    The tent sites are very large however they have minimal grass or shade. RV sites are very close to each other. There are two bathrooms of one toilet, shower area combined. The shower is coin operated so unless you plan ahead with quarters you are out of luck. It has a card option but does not work. The bathrooms are also not clean. There are 2 portable toilets that were very clean. They advertise quiet hours after 10 pm but it is not in-forced. There was a group partying until 1am next to us. Neighboring property was also blasting music into the morning. There are many other options in the area I would look into one of those.

  • F
    Jul. 23, 2020

    Ainsworth State Park Campground

    Nice, small campground

    I 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.

  • Stephanie Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 3, 2019

    Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

    Ranger Review: PRIMUS LITE+ Backpacking Stove at Brooke Creek Hike-in

    Campground Review: Brooke Creek Hike-in Camp

    Brooke Creek Hike-in Camp is one of 3 campgrounds within Stub Stewart State Park, and the only one that really feels like you’re actually camping out in the woods – because you are.

    The tent only hike in camp isn’t a long haul from the parking area at the welcome center – it’s about ¼ mile and the trail into the campground is mostly gravel. There are carts available for hike in campers to use at the campground trailhead if needed. Note that if you’re using a cart, that the walk in is uphill.

    The campground area is wooded and each site has a picnic table. There are pit toilets and a water point. There are not fire pits in the sites—the fire pit areas are shared in central places in the campground. Some of the sites have a lot more privacy than others. I was camping in an unusually warm mid-week in May so the campground was mostly empty.

    I chose Site 1 because it had a good place for my hammock. If the campground had been full, I’d have picked a site a lot further in since the first few sites are right along the single trail that all campers/hikers would be using.  Some of the sites can be reserved in advance, and some are always open for walk ups.

    The self-registration is at the campground, NOT at the trailhead, so you’ll have to hike in, register, and then return your camping receipt to your car. If you’re paying with cash, bring your money on the first hike in. You can also pay with your credit card number.

    There are lots of trails directly accessible from the campground including the Banks-Vernonia Bike Trail as well as other hiking, biking and equestrian trails. I had a nice run on the Bumping Knots Loop.

    Product Review: The PRIMUS LITE+ Backpacking Stove

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt I sometimes get to test and evaluate quality products from amazing sponsors. On this camping trip, I tested out the Primus LITE+ backpacking stove. https://primus.us/products/eta-lite-7?variant=38436885010

    I’ve been in the market for a backpacking stove for awhile, looking for a lightweight and simple to setup option, so I was excited to get to test out the Primus LITE+. I opted for the .5L pot because I often camp solo (there is also a PRIMUS LITE XL version with a 1L pot available), Also, you can purchase the XL pot separately as an accessory which will give me more options when camping with a partner.

    Here are my opinions on the PRIMUS LITE+ after using it for one camping trip to make dinner and breakfast:

    PROS:

    Boils Fast: The PRIMUS LITE+ stove is incredible at the most basic things it needs to be good for: boiling water fast! In under 2 minutes start to finish you can assemble the stove and bring your water to a boil. Plus, fast boiling means you aren’t using a lot of fuel.

    Size/Weight: The whole stove system packs into itself and is about the size of a large mug including the fuel canister. I can fit the entire thing into the side pocket of my backpack. With the canister it weighs about a pound.

    Pot Versatility: The pot that comes with the PRIMUS LITE+ locks to the stove giving it a good wind shield, and allowing you to hang the pot to boil if you don’t have even terrain. The XL pot which is sold separately also attached to the same setup.  If you aren’t backpacking and want to use another pan or pot, there are small pegs which screw into the stove top to allow you to use any cooking set up. The pegs are stored in the handle of the stove so you don’t lose them.

    Accessories: I haven’t gotten it yet, but the LITE+ has a coffee press attachment so you can brew a cup straight in the pot. Always a bonus when a simple attachment means one less thing to carry for your perfect camping setup.

    CONS:

    Fuel Canister:  The smaller canisters needed if you want to pack your fuel into the kit  aren’t as readily available at places like Target or Walmart where I can more easily pick up my camping fuel when I’m on the road to camp. If I want to pack it all in to the pot, I’ll need to shop in advance at REI or a specialty outdoor store that carries the smaller canisters.

    Insulation: The insulated sleeve on the pot makes it easy to hold and to drink from, but after just a couple of uses it was already getting pretty dirty with coffee and soup debris. It isn’t as easy to keep clean, and since the handle is actually part of the insulation sleeve, you can’t effectively use the pot without it.

    It’s Small: Being small is one of the benefits of the stove, but the .5L mug/pot is smaller than I anticipated. While it’s perfect for a solo trip, you’ll want the 1L pot if you’re cooking for more than one.

    Overall, Primus LITE+ is a great stove that’s efficient. I’d opt for the bigger size if I were to buy it again, since it would be more versatile with only a little added weight and easier to fit the more readily available fuel cartridge.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2019

    Ainsworth State Park Campground

    Good location to explore the waterfalls

    Ainsworth is one of three state parks with camping along the Columbia River Gorge. All are very close to the highway so you will hear road noise and trains thundering past on the adjacent tracks. But, if you are looking to camp with easy access to the Gorge, especially the waterfalls, this is a reasonable option. Many sites in the RV section were pull-through, with very generous sized driveways. Each RV site is full hookup with a picnic table, fire ring, and dish water disposal drain. Bathrooms are spacious and clean with HOT water. Showers are clean with a hook, and a stool. Six walk-in sites. Camp host was friendly and helpful. Unfortunately, all trails from the campground are still closed due to the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire but it was nice to see the reforestation that has occurred so far.

  • Stephanie Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2019

    Dairy Creek East — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

    A Pretty Boring Campsite at a Great Park

    The Dairy Creek Campground at Stub Stewart is a two loop campground. The sites are spacious, but there isn't much character.  The East loop is pretty much an open field. The west loop has a few more trees but still not much privacy or space between sites. 

    Dairy Creek is clean and well maintained, and has great access to the trails and disc golf around the park. If you're in an RV this is a good set up. If you're camping with kids, there's a play area here.

    There are a few "walk in" sites where you don't park your car next to your tent, but rather in the parking lot next to the grassy area where the open tent sites are. If you're looking for a better tent camping experience that actually feels like it's in the woods, you're better off going to the hike in campground in the park.

    The loops are big and there is parking near the bathroom. This is great if you don't want to walk a long way, but it's bad if you've got the campsite near the bathroom with all the cars coming and going.

  • C. W.
    May. 30, 2021

    Mount Hood National Forest Lost Creek Campground

    Clean dispersed 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


Guide to Eagle Creek

Eagle Creek, Oregon, offers a variety of tent camping options surrounded by stunning natural beauty, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape into nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy hiking along the scenic trails leading from the Rainbow (OR) - TEMP CLOSED campground, which offers access to beautiful river views and secluded spots.
  • The Cedar Grove Recreation Site is close to hiking trails, including the popular Tabletop Rock, perfect for those looking to explore the area.
  • Families can have fun swimming and fishing at the BLM Molalla River Recreation Area, which is known for its great swimming holes and kid-friendly activities.

Tips for tent camping near Eagle Creek

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Eagle Creek, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Eagle Creek, OR is Mount Hood National Forest Sunstrip Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSE DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE with a 3.3-star rating from 6 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 87 tent camping locations near Eagle Creek, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.