Best Tent Camping near Forest Grove, OR

Tent campsites in the Tillamook State Forest provide secluded options for campers seeking wilderness experiences near Forest Grove, Oregon. Elk Creek Campground offers walk-in tent sites along a creek with swimming opportunities, while Keenig Creek Campground provides primitive tent camping with sites tucked among trees and shrubs for privacy. Both campgrounds are within 30 miles of Forest Grove and offer access to hiking trails and river recreation in the coastal forest ecosystem.

Most tent-only sites in the region feature tamped-down dirt pads with fire rings, though some lack metal grates for cooking. Campers should bring adequate water supplies, as several campgrounds including Keenig Creek have no potable water available. Walk-in tent sites typically require carrying gear short distances from parking areas, with no wheelbarrows provided at most locations. Vault toilets are standard at established campgrounds, while dispersed camping areas in Tillamook State Forest have no facilities and operate under strict pack-in, pack-out rules with 14-day stay limits.

Areas farther from Highway 6 offer deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking quiet experiences. A camper described Elk Creek as having "sites with enough space between 'em that you have a bit of privacy during the day and night." The Wilson River provides swimming opportunities at several tent campgrounds, though water shoes are recommended for the rocky river bottoms. First-come, first-served policies apply at most tent sites in the region, with no reservations accepted at popular locations like Keenig Creek and Elk Creek campgrounds. Weekend visitors should arrive early, especially during summer months when sites fill quickly. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for day hiking on the Wilson River Trail or exploring the nearby Tillamook Forest Center.

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Best Tent Sites Near Forest Grove, Oregon (39)

    1. Healing ponds farm retreat and healing center

    8 Reviews
    Buxton, OR
    14 miles
    +1 (503) 709-0706

    $45 / night

    "The RV toilet, hammock, fire pit, and picnic table were well maintained."

    "Our site was secluded and we had privacy. The pond area is beautiful with all the statues found around it. Highly recommend and we plan to visit again :)"

    2. Elk Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Timber, OR
    18 miles
    Website

    "Wonderful location next to the confluence of Elk Creek and the Wilson River. Vault toilets. Pump water. Walk-in/tents only, so no RVs, but still a nice location."

    "Elk Creek Campground is gorgeous, shady, Elk Creek itself winds around the campsites spooning it and provides ample swimming and fishing spots."

    3. Keenig Creek Campground

    14 Reviews
    Timber, OR
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-2545

    $15 / night

    "This is a great site if you like "rustic" (which we do) since the sites are walk in-only. Adorable sites with picnic tables, fire rings and just enough privacy."

    "First of all, it is an easy enough drive from Portland, about an hour or so."

    4. Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    15 Reviews
    Tillamook State Forest, OR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 357-2191

    "These sites are beautiful and really meant for tent camping—but you can park an rv in most of the spots.

    There is a vault toilet closer to site 14 but no hookups."

    "Gorgeous spots all over that are accessible in most 4WD/off-road capable vehicles."

    5. Brooke Creek Walk-In Campground — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

    3 Reviews
    Buxton, OR
    15 miles
    +1 (503) 324-0606

    $14 / night

    "We reserved a spot in the Brooke Creek walk-in tent site. It is a 1/4 mile walk to the sites starting from the visitors center."

    "this was so awesome.. we used the walk-in camp sites that had been closed till the moment we asked after closing due to a tree falling in one of the bathrooms.. so me and my friend were the only ones out"

    6. Evans Farm

    1 Review
    Hillsboro, OR
    5 miles

    7. Jones Creek

    10 Reviews
    Tillamook, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-2545

    $15 - $20 / night

    "I showed up around 3pm on a Friday and was barely able to find a walk-in tent site. All the car-accessible sites were taken and the only reservable site is the group spot."

    "There are many river acess points, the forestry center, walking trails and wildlife all within walking distance. The campsites are on a first come first serve basis and many of them are pretty big."

    8. Trask River County Park

    7 Reviews
    Tillamook, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-4682

    "Trask River Campground is 20 minutes away from Tillamook."

    "Vault toilets and a little path down to the river on the side that has individual camps. Our Pop-Up fit in nicely! There is an area on the other side of the road for large group camping."

    9. Henry Hagg Hideaway

    Be the first to review!
    Gaston, OR
    9 miles
    +1 (541) 351-1229

    $25 - $45 / night

    10. Tillamook State Forest Jordan Creek OHV Campground & Staging Area

    3 Reviews
    Tillamook, OR
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-2545

    "While OHVs are limited to maintained gravel roads, this campground is much less populated than those you find along the Wilson River Highway."

    "Privacy Is pristine most of the year, summers are ok but traffic increases, be mindful of your surrounding becuase this place is frequently visited by dirt bikers and keep a log of directions, I got lost"

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Tent Camping Reviews near Forest Grove, OR

1164 Reviews of 39 Forest Grove Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Aria R.
    Jul. 7, 2017

    Cape Lookout State Park Campground

    Cape Comfy

    In brief: quieter campground, good for families, small groups, dog owners and hikers.

    If you love being lulled to sleep by the sound of waves, this is your spot. The Pacific ocean sang us to sleep each night. 

    But enough poetics, this is one of the comfiest beach access campgrounds within an hour-ish of Portland. Large tent sites leave plenty of room for you to bring a buddy or to pop out extra lawn chairs. 

    When we were there the only showers available were over in the RV area but they were clean, private and warm - car camping jackpot! We saw the park staff cleaning the restroom at regular intervals and there was always toilet paper. Fire rings have grill bars on top for hotdogs and that perfect baked potato.

    There are always lots of dogs here and while the rangers try to get everyone to keep their pups on leash in camp, be prepared for a surprise sniff or two. Plenty of firewood for sale - and the ecological importance of not bringing your own is pretty big unless you live nearby.

    In the summer months expect kids to be riding their bikes and scooting through the park loop Dawn to dusk but at least they are outside! 

    We've been here in the winter months and it is much quieter, if a cloudy day is your thing then that's a good time for you to go as well.

    We always scout out the whole grounds for future trips and take notes on our favorite spots, I'll include some of those below:

    D circle

    55 and 54 spacious private

    42 full shade lots of trees full shade smaller Camp pad

    32 Shady Tree filled has a climbing log. Room for multiple tents privacy longer driveway

    27 much wider cement pad room for at least three tents 26 right next door both pretty open and connected

    67 has hammock trees and room from multiple tents.

    Backside of D loop will be great for summer heat

  • Stephanie Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 1, 2021

    Cape Lookout State Park Campground

    Yurt for late spring, Tent for the Summer

    I camped twice at Cape Lookout this season - in June in a yurt, and in July at the campsite right behind the dune.  

    In June, it was freezing, rainy and windy, and the yurt was fantastic. The most amazing feature of the yurt was the heater. It really kept the place warm, and the yurt was spacious. We were 3 adults, and could easily have slept another one or two. Each yurt has a small patio as well as a fire ring- and inside was electricity and a power outlet. Best of all, you were still just steps away from the sunset on the beach.

    For camping, there are so many different kinds of sites at Cape Lookout - Sites closer to the entrance are very woodsy, the sites closest to the beach frontage (behind the dune) are very very open, and sites along the furthest perimeter are a little more spacious and some have trees (important to note if you want to hand a line or a hammock!)

    We camped at the site right behind the dune where the beach access is. It was a little noisy since everyone passed our site on the way to the beach, but very lovely to be just steps away. Each of the tent sites has a fire ring and picnic table. In both June and July when I visited there was no fire ban.

    Hiking is great in the area. You're also close to Pacific City, Jacobson's Salt, the tunnel at the Oceanside Beach, and Tillamook if you're staying here longer and want to take day trips outside of the State Park.

    Recommend booking early for summer campsites. The yurt I booked in June was available for booking same day.

  • Aria R.
    Jul. 17, 2017

    Tillamook Coast RV Park

    Good In a Pinch

    Great spot to go if everything else is full which it was, first time we've ever headed to the coast with no reservations in an act of "spontaneity" or "adventure". I advise against doing that in the summer, lol.

    Key Points:

    • Bring Cash. Cash only.
    • First come first serve.
    • We got conflicting rate info from another source, it is $25 a night.
    • Firewood is $5 a bundle but it is much more than you normally get for $5 at other campgrounds; it's a plastic tub that you just stuff with wood.
    • Ice available $2/bag.
    • Hot showers are 50 cents for three minutes. Shower area is kept clean and fresh smelling, restrooms are gender specific and each have two toilets and a shower stall.
    • There was no check out time as long as we didn't stay another full night.
    • Traffic noise is moderate, you are near the hospital so you may hear sirens which then trigger the coyotes to get in a yelling match with each other.
    • Dog friendly, lots of dogs, on-leash only but lots of 'em.
    • Mixture of sites with shade and full sun, not level but you're not sleeping on slope either.
    • Close to town so getting extra marshmallows is easy.

    For an RV oriented place, the campgrounds are pretty okay. There aren't site numbers or designators, it's just pretty much anywhere on the grass that has a picnic table. There were at least a dozen sites that we could see and we got the impression that you could really pitch a tent anywhere as long as you didn't try to move the fire rings or disturb the RV folks, we were literally instructed "just stay on the grass".

    There is definitely a mixture of long-time residents and short term weekend warriors in the RVs themselves which I always find interesting. In one site we had a family in a rental RV rolling in from Cali and in another site, there was a shirtless old man playing with bubbles and blasting Spanish opera music. If you use the expression "variety is the spice of life" then you might enjoy it here. If camping alongside folks who live in their older RVs 24/7/365 makes you uncomfortable, then this won't be the place for you. There is a Harley riding resident who seems to make a lot of motorcycle trips in the day but not late into the night and not early AM, everything was peaceful and quiet by 10pm.

    Additionally, if you are a camper that doesn't want nature too much in their face, this may not be the place for you either, there are a butt-ton of coyotes in the area and we had some stubborn garter snakes in the site that didn't seem fazed by us at all.

    This fella did a great drone video of the grounds, you can get an idea of all the options for water play options with the river:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTkGoLyQv_g

    Lots of fishing access though we didn't get a chance to try it, we could see 'em swimming which is always promising.

    We will probably come back here if we have plans to kayak as it is easy, gentle access to the river and we know we'll have a basecamp and a hot shower (albeit a paid one) to paddle back to. Other than that, we'll probably only come here if Cannon is full.

  • Savannah S.
    May. 9, 2019

    Trask River County Park

    Private and Peaceful

    Trask River Campground is 20 minutes away from Tillamook. There is not a lot of service around the area going to Tillamook so go straight to Tillamook town center and start your GPS for accurate directions (or until you get good service). You will have no service whatsoever up at the campground but that’s what camping is for, to enjoy your time outdoors! You might as well get all of your needs in town before you head up, Safeway in Tillamook has bundles of wood for $5.99, for two nights we used 4 bundles (they come with fire starter kits).

    There is no showers or sinks but there is multiple “vault” toilets around the campground. For clean water there is multiple pumps around the campsite, bring your own soap.

    Nice swing set and grassy areas for kids or pets to run around. If you’re lucky enough you will wake up to elk grazing in the grassy areas.

    There is a main road in between the campgrounds since sites go from A-C. People fly up and down that road at 50+ MPH so watch your kids and pets.

    Multiple trails and cool things to see around the campground! Enjoy!

  • L
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Nehalem Falls Campground

    Group site rental mid week stay

    This small campground is very far off the 101 so if you are looking for a coastal vibe this is not it. Deeply wooded, green, and beautiful. One side of the campground sits alongside Nehalem river access, on hot days this is a popular hangout so expect to see a lot of people. Vault toilets after a busy summer season were ammonia rich and hard to handle. Trash receptacles and potable water available. (Old school pump) I’ve heard that it stays wet enough back there that this campsite never really has a fire ban, but always check with the camp host, they also sell fire wood. First come first serve campsites Using reserve America online. Do Not confuse this campsite with Nehalem Bay State park when reserving.

  • Kaysha R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 3, 2022

    Cape Lookout State Park Campground

    Great, clean, dog friendly campsite!

    I LOVED this place! I was really impressed with the closeness to the beach and how secluded it was. Although that could be due to it being January. After being wind blown but having a blast on the beach it was great to walk back to our yurt and warm up. When we arrived there was already an air purifier and the heater running. It was super cozy in there. Both my husband and I slept like babies on the beds - don’t forget your own sleeping bags though of course.

    I was impressed with the sweet smelling restrooms and hot (free) shower. Everyone was quiet and respectful and masks were required in the restrooms and facilities and such. One of the nicest yurts I’ve stayed at!


Guide to Forest Grove

Nestled in the lush landscapes of Oregon, tent camping near Forest Grove offers a perfect escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Keenig Creek Campground provides drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets, making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.
  • Elk Creek Campground features a serene setting along a river, with clean sites and easy access to hiking trails.
  • Trask River County Park offers reservable sites, firewood, and showers, ensuring a convenient camping experience.

Activities for outdoor enthusiasts

Tips for tent camping near Forest Grove

  • Arrive early at Keenig Creek Campground to secure a prime spot, especially during peak season when it can get busy.
  • Be mindful of your surroundings at Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping, as some areas may have limited privacy and can attract more visitors.
  • For a quieter experience, consider Reehers Camp, which offers limited spots and a peaceful atmosphere away from the crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Forest Grove, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Forest Grove, OR is Healing ponds farm retreat and healing center with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Forest Grove, OR?

TheDyrt.com has all 39 tent camping locations near Forest Grove, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.