Best Campgrounds near Gaston, OR

Campgrounds near Gaston, Oregon range from established state parks to RV resorts, with several options within a 30-minute drive. Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground in nearby St. Paul offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts with year-round availability. L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park's Dairy Creek West campground provides similar accommodation types with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access. The region includes both forested settings and open areas, with most developed campgrounds featuring standard amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and restroom facilities.

Many campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, though specific amenities and accessibility may vary seasonally. Reservations are recommended, particularly during summer months when occupancy rates increase. A visitor commented, "We came during offseason (November) and camped at this State Park for 3 nights. Man, it was so amazing. It was super quiet and empty so we felt like we had the entire park to ourselves." Road conditions generally allow standard vehicle access to established campgrounds, though some dispersed camping areas may require high-clearance vehicles. Facilities range from basic toilets at primitive sites to full hookups with showers and electric connections at developed campgrounds.

The camping experience near Gaston benefits from proximity to natural attractions and recreational opportunities. Several campgrounds provide access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and water activities. Reviews indicate high satisfaction with Oregon state park facilities compared to other states. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "I'm starting to realize that Oregon State Parks are SOOO much superior to California State Parks. The amenities at all the Oregon campgrounds I've visited are wonderful." Campers frequently mention wildlife sightings, including deer and various bird species. While some campgrounds offer spacious, private sites with natural separation, others feature more closely arranged sites that may feel crowded during peak season. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities, making them suitable for both tent and RV camping.

Best Camping Sites Near Gaston, Oregon (222)

    1. Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground

    72 Reviews
    Donald, OR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 678-1251

    $24 - $168 / night

    "As I rode up to the site, I noticed right away that it was not tucked far away from the amenities such as restrooms, and showers. It was part of one of the campground loops."

    "Champoeg State Heritage Area is a beautiful and peaceful campground located near Newberg, Oregon."

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

    38 Reviews
    Buxton, OR
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 324-0606

    $27 - $41 / night

    "As we had been here before, it was an easy drive in on US-26 to the campground (CG)."

    "Top reasons I love this campground:

    • So easy to get to from anywhere in northwestern Oregon; especially the Portland area 
    • Open year-round 
    • 18-hole disc golf course 
    • Great hiking and"

    3. Hagg Lake House

    3 Reviews
    Gaston, OR
    5 miles
    Website

    $35 - $55 / night

    "We stayed at the hagg lake house and had a blast. It was a little hard to find with just coordinates and gps pretty spotty but we found the house and was greeted and shown our area."

    "Just remember, get directions before you drive out and you’ll have a great time. Couldn’t expect a more hospitable host anywhere.

    Cheers!"

    4. Gales Creek Campground

    12 Reviews
    Timber, OR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 357-2191

    "Just off highway 6 (between Portland and Tillamook) is a series of lovely campgrounds in the Tillamook State Forest."

    "The fees were $10 to drive in and $5 to walk in. We parked outside the gate and walked to a campground."

    5. Olde Stone Village

    8 Reviews
    McMinnville, OR
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 472-4315

    "The positives outweigh the couple of minor things, so we gave it 5/5.

    Positives:

    • Walkway to Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum."

    "It was hot outside and the pool was fantastic. Highly recommend."

    6. Dundee Hills Resort

    4 Reviews
    Dundee, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 899-5326

    "It was a solid place to stay, surrounded by vineyards and walking distance to a few wineries and a couple of restaurants."

    7. Roamers Rest RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Tualatin, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 692-6350

    "A well cared for location. I think we got the last space! It’s a busy place. A bit of a head scratcher on what brings people here. Certainly located in and around a number of destinations."

    8. Jantzen Beach RV Park

    31 Reviews
    Vancouver, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 289-7626

    $40 / night

    "Arrived here late for a single night stay on the way to the Oregon Coast. This is a very convenient stopover for those needing a place to stay near Portland."

    "The park's location is very convenient, with easy access to downtown Portland and nearby attractions."

    9. Elk Creek Campground

    11 Reviews
    Timber, OR
    20 miles
    Website

    "Hwy. 6 is a twisting, overmodest bounty of recreational options leading to the Oregon coast, which is entirely public."

    "Off busy Highway 6 on the way to Tillamook and the Oregon coast, Elk Creek Campground is a sweet getaway from a lot of busier campgrounds and destinations in this region of Oregon (i.e., an hour from Portland"

    10. Keenig Creek Campground

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

    $15 / night

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

    "Nice access to water. At night you can see headlights in the distance and hear cars all day but once traffic dies down it isn’t so bad."

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Recent Reviews near Gaston, OR

1400 Reviews of 222 Gaston Campgrounds


  • S. Renae M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Milo McIver State Park Campground

    Great location not far from pdx!

    I decided at last minute to get out of dodge! But didn’t want to go far. This campground was perfect. Super clean and close but giving you the feeling of being out deep in the woods. The only bummer is in my app. It said camp fires allowed. And they ARE NOT allowed at this time. The park rangers are super nice and friendly and definitely efficient. You feel safe at this location. Will be back!!!

  • Kateryna K.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Nehalem Bay State Park Campground

    Great Spot

    Plenty of space for two tents on the one spot. Clean bathroom and showers. Close to the beach, beautiful nature. We really enjoyed our stay here. I would love to come back.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Paradise Cove RV Resort & Marina

    Maybe if?

    The campground had better days. We wanted a 50amp so we went up the hill. Road is terrible. It’s a long timer campground. It’s a “pick your spot” campground. Our site was soggy. But we were going to pick one. There’s an old lodge where a pool shows on the map. It is empty. Just for fun we went down to the lower area and it has some awesome views. But very crowded. I would probably go somewhere else next time.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Elk Creek Campground

    Beautiful, remote, minimal

    This campground has minimal facilities (pit toilets, no trash, etc). No cell service either (AT&T). Still, it's a quiet, gorgeous area next to a creek. Bring 15$ cash and be prepared for a wonderful time. I actually visited twice.

  • Willeth
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Columbia River RV Park

    Columbia River RV Park

    A great place to stop with a motorhome or tent, located on the banks of the Columbia River near Portland. The park is known for its cleanliness, friendly staff, and good amenities: paved parking, electricity, Wi-Fi, showers, and laundry facilities. There are also areas for pets and a place for dogs to run off-leash. Despite the close parking, the atmosphere is calm and welcoming. An excellent choice for an overnight stay after exploring Portland!

  • marcus K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Oxbow Regional Park

    Amazing Secret

    Nice regional campground. Has tent and RV spots. No hookups though. Mostly shady sites with just a handful having full sun.

    Restrooms are well maintained and have excellent showers. No coins needed.

    Great access to the river to keep cool in summer. Nice sandy beaches. Park also has a lot of sheltered picnic areas and playground.

    Multi-use trail great for short runs and apparently horses.

    No wifi and we had no phone reception. There are emergency phones installed throughout the park.

  • Brad and jamie L.
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Promontory Park

    Small wedding destination

    We got married here on 8/30/25 It was absolutely perfect. Sky and Phil were our absolutely amazing camp hosts. They were more than help and accommodating. Our day was so special and when we had complications with our reservations they fixed it without hesitation. Sky even brought Jr. Camper art projects for our kids. We had an amazing stay! Our middle son caught not only his first fish but he caught 4 in total. They have electric hot plate stations for community cooktops. The yoms have electricity and bunk beds this has one of our favorite spots.

  • GG Z.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Siuslaw National Forest Dispersed Camping

    NOT dispersed camping! Not free! This is an ATV ohc recreation site

    Not a dispersed camping area. There are several sites with fire pits but most are not accessible because of the deep soft sand and you can see signs of people getting stuck. There's a camp host and when we visited it was $5 a night. It's loud because of ATVs and no alcohol is allowed. Accessing the ocean is a long hike.

  • GG Z.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Nehalem Bay State Park Campground

    Lots of amenities

    Typical paid campground with hookups, firepits, and tables in every site. Sites are way too close together imo but I typically do dispersed camping. There's showers, trash, dog poop bag stations and easy access to the beach although it's a bit of a climb up the sand to get to the water


Guide to Gaston

Campgrounds near Gaston, Oregon range from secluded forest sites to lakeside retreats, with most located within a 40-minute drive radius. The region experiences a temperate climate with wet winters and dry summers, making May through September the prime camping season. Tillamook State Forest provides much of the public land camping in this area, with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet.

What to do

Hiking access: L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park offers extensive trail systems for all skill levels. "There are lots of hiking, biking, and horse trails. They even have a disc golf course within the park," explains a camper who appreciated the variety of recreation options.

Mountain biking: The network of trails in Tillamook State Forest provides technical riding opportunities for different skill levels. "The park has many hiking trails of varying length, access to the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, several disc golf courses, cabins, a horse camp, a day use picnic/event area and a hike-in camp area," notes a visitor to L.L. Stub Stewart.

Water activities: Elk Creek Campground offers direct access to both Elk Creek and Wilson River for swimming and fishing. "The campsite is located in the heart of the Tillamook State Forest, surrounded by majestic Douglas firs that create an atmosphere of comfort and harmony," reports one visitor who enjoyed the setting.

Historical exploration: At Champoeg State Heritage Area, visitors can experience Oregon's pioneer past. "The farmhouse fascinated my boys... they got to water the garden with a water pump and buckets!" shares a camper who found educational opportunities during their stay.

What campers like

River access: Gales Creek Campground receives praise for its streamside sites. "This campground was right on Gales Creek, with lush vegetation providing nice privacy," notes a visitor who enjoyed the natural setting despite the campground being full during their visit.

Privacy at walk-in sites: Keenig Creek Campground offers secluded tent camping. "The campsites are dispersed nicely and are clean and flat. The trails between the sites are well maintained to drag a cooler to your site," reports a camper who stayed at site 3, which has "a nice view to the hills on the other side of the river, and great morning sun."

Swimming holes: Natural water features rank high with campers. "The river was an excellent location to play in and in some spots we were able to swim," shares a visitor to Elk Creek Campground, which sits at the confluence of Elk Creek and Wilson River.

Wildlife viewing: The forests around Gaston provide habitat for diverse wildlife. "We had a blast looking at all the hens, roosters, and turkeys immensely," states a visitor to a small farm-based camping area near Hagg Lake who enjoyed the rural setting.

What you should know

Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds require planning ahead, but others operate first-come, first-served. "No reservations online, first come first serve on the sites so sometimes the place is full when you arrive, but it's always worth checking back," advises a visitor to Elk Creek Campground.

Camp host availability: Most established campgrounds have hosts from May through September. "The camp host was spectacular," notes a recent visitor to Elk Creek, highlighting the value of on-site assistance.

Seasonal considerations: Early spring camping brings mud and rain. "We came during offseason (November) and camped at this State Park for 3 nights," reports a visitor who enjoyed the quiet conditions but packed appropriate gear.

Cell service limitations: Hagg Lake House and surrounding areas have minimal connectivity. "Little/no access to internet so do not assume you can make phone calls or use phone apps," warns a visitor who suggests obtaining directions before arrival.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water features: Select campgrounds with gentle creek access. "Elk Creek is also day-use, so people heading to the creek or river will be walking by your site all day," notes a visitor who found the smaller creek "the perfect size for playing and swimming without the stress of a larger river" for their children.

Biking opportunities: Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground offers flat, paved trails ideal for children learning to ride. "GREAT biking trails that are kid friendly. There lots of historical sites around the campground to enjoy as well," shares a camper who visits year after year with their kids.

Playground access: Several campgrounds include dedicated play areas. "The kiddos absolutely loved the three pools, playground, and basketball hoops," reports a visitor about Jantzen Beach RV Park, noting it was "great for beginner campers and families" despite not being a typical campground setting.

Educational opportunities: The Tillamook Forest Center provides interactive exhibits for children. "A 7-minute drive from the awesome Tillamook Forest Center, which has really cool exhibits on the area," notes a visitor to Elk Creek Campground who appreciated this nearby resource.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: At Olde Stone Village, choose sites based on length requirements. "Spaces are long enough for big rigs, as long as you get the 65 foot sites. They have two sizes: 50 foot and 65 foot. I'd recommend the 65 foot sites for a big rig, so you have enough room to park your vehicle," advises an RVer.

Hookup locations: Pay attention to utility placement. "The water and sewer hookups were in the middle of the site, with electric being at the back of the pad," notes a visitor to L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park who found water pressure "not very good at around 35 psi."

Entrance challenges: Some sites have difficult approaches. "The entrance to the concrete pads was a little steep and might result in bottoming out. It was not a gentle slope, but a sharp incline," cautions a visitor about one RV park in the region.

Pad materials: Surface types affect leveling requirements. "The pad starts with asphalt and then goes to gravel, where you actually park the rig," explains an RVer who stayed at L.L. Stub Stewart, providing useful information for others planning visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Gaston, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Gaston, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 222 campgrounds and RV parks near Gaston, OR and 21 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Gaston, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gaston, OR is Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 72 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gaston, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Gaston, OR.