The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Gates. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Gates, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Gates, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
The main campground has tent sites, RV spots and cabins. Bring your horse and stay in the horse campground.
Campground Book sites at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance. Reservations are required for cabin stays.
48 electrical sites with water (18+ sites open year-round) 43 tent sites with water nearby (seasonal May–Oct.) 14 cabins (7 pet friendly, open year-round) Flush toilets and showers Universal Access: Campsites B2 and B4, four cabins, and campground restrooms/showers are accessible. Howard Creek Horse Camp (seasonal May–Oct) 5 primitive sites with horse stalls Group site for 24 people and 12 horses
People call it the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, and once you visit, you know why. Silver Falls State Park is the kind of standout scenic treasure that puts Oregon firmly onto the national—and international—stage.
Camping: The main Silver Falls campground has tent sites, RV spots and cabins. Bring your horse and stay in the horse campground. If you need an area for many people, the park also has group tent and RV camps, and the historic Youth Camp for up to 250 campers.
Waterfalls: Where else can you walk behind a waterfall? Check out the famous South Falls and see what a 177-foot curtain of water looks like from behind. It’s part of the Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a dense forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon, and descends to a winding creek at the forest floor. This 7.2 mile loop is considered to be a moderate hike, with an overall elevation change of 800 feet. Several connecting trails with separate access points make shorter routes. For everyone’s safety— absolutely no pets allowed on the Canyon Trail. Pets on leash are allowed on all other trails.
Boots, bikes, paws, hooves: The park offers more than 35 miles of backcountry trails for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding (see guided ride info below). Bears and cougars live in the more remote park areas.
Daytime activities: The South Falls Day-use area has spacious lawns, barbecue stands, picnic shelters, tables, a playground, horseshoe pits, an off lead area for dogs, and a charming creek. Ever since the opening day in 1933, visitors have been using these grounds for potlucks, family reunions and weddings.
The Silver Falls Lodge and Conference Center offers a variety of amenities. Relax and enjoy comfortable lodging within the wooded setting, or feast at the many catered specialty events. Enjoy a preordered meal at the historic dining hall or order a box lunch to take on a hike or to your campsite. They also specialize in hosting special events! Visit silverfallslodge.com or call 866-575-8875.
Guided horseback rides: Silver Falls Riding Stables at Howard Creek offers five horseback rides daily through Sept. 29. Advanced reservation recommended. Visit silverfallslodge.com for times and rates.
$28 / night
In the summer months, this 3,500-acre, 9-mile long lake in the Cascades below Mt. Jefferson is a popular recreation area for fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming, camping, and picnicking. The U.S. Forest Service and__Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation and operate numerous boat ramps, campgrounds and day-use areas around the lake. Two privately owned marinas are located near the town of Detroit.Both Detroit and Big Cliff lakes are located 43 miles southeast of Salem on the North Fork of the Santiam River. They are operated by the Corps of Engineers as part of a system of thirteen multi-purpose dams and reservoirs that make up the Willamette Valley Project. These dams and reservoirs work together for the purposes of flood damage reduction, hydropower generation, irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife enhancement, and downstream water quality improvement within the Willamette River drainage system.. To learn more about the lake and construction of the dam visit the Army Corps of Engineers website at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/In late summer, early fall through spring, the water levels on Detroit and Big Cliff lakes are frequently drawn down to the point where boat launches are no longer available. Reservoir and river level information is available from the US Army Corps of Engineers__here. Watch for obstructions near the shoreline such as submerged stumps, logs and rocks. Small craft should stay out of open waters when it is windy since dangerous waves can build up suddenly.Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by Passenger Car; Fish available include: Trout, Native Trout; Types of fishing available include: Shore, Motorized boat, Float tube, Fly, Spin, Bait; ADA Accessible fishing access with fishing pier, boat launch, and fish cleaning stationView more Popular Lakes & Rivers
There are 21 camping units that can accommodate vehicles and trailers up to 55 feet in length. Some sites are reservable and some are FCFS sites. Each site has a picnic table and grill. There are 3 toilets. Drinking water is available to visitors from multiple spigots throughout the campground. Garbage receptacles are located in the campground. Humbug Campground is surrounded by old-growth forest, and during the months of May through July, the rhododendrons bloom in a spectacular show of pink blossoms. Recreation in the area is abundant -- plan on a quiet stroll through this lush forest or fishing on nearby Breitenbush River. Scan and Pay is offered at this campground; you may also pay by cash or check for FCFS campsites. There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with Scan and Pay payments. This system is the same as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be refunded. Please download the Rec.Gov app prior to arriving at the campground as there may be no cellular service or very limited service at the campground. Reservations for this site can be made up to 6 months in advance of arrival date by reserving online at RECREATION.GOV or by calling 877-444-6777.
Wading and fishing are popular activities in the Breitenbush River, and rainbow trout is the most common catch for anglers. The Willamette National Forest has about 1,700 miles of trail. While many are in wilderness areas, a number of trails are low-elevation, easy-access trails for year-round hiking.
The campground lies in the Willamette National Forest, which stretches for 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range. The varied landscape of high mountains, narrow canyons, cascading streams and wooded slopes offer varied recreational opportunities for visitors. The Breitenbush River is a tributary of the North Santiam River, and its clean waters flow from short forks of snowmelt in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. A variety of plants and foliage separate the spacious campsites and provide privacy from other sites.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917.
Detroit Lake has a marina and provides plenty of opportunity for water recreation like boating, water skiing and kayaking.
$21 / night
Fishermen's Bend Recreation Site has limited day use open. No camping or dump station is available.__ $5 passenger vehicle (up to 9), $10 non-commercial vans (10-19 passengers), $20 non-commercial bus (over 19 passengers), $30 Northwest Oregon District Annual Day Pass for passengers vehicles only, America the Beautiful Interagency Passes and Golden passes are also acceptable for day-use fees Cottonwoods Shelter rental $110 per day, does not include vehicle day-use fees
Day use only until further notice. Expanded opened area includes River Loop only. Group picnic shelter, Cottonwoods, is reservable 7 first come-first serve individual picnic sites some hiking trails around River Loop and to the fishing overlook boat launch river access
porta potties, picnic sites with picnic table, parking, and barbecue grill, hiking trails, boat ramp, camp host, fishing overlook
North Santiam State Park is next door, with more great water and hiking opportunities. Scenic John Neal Memorial County Park is less than 15 minutes away. Silver Falls State Park is 45 minutes from Fishermen's Bend, with 10 majestic waterfalls, ranging from the grand 177' South Falls, to the delicate 27' Drake Falls.
For facility specific information, please call (503) 375-5646.
Standard fees apply and are non-refundable. Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.
$110 / night
Champoeg State Heritage Area features a rare combination of history, nature, and recreation. Situated south of Newberg along the scenic Willamette River, Champoeg's forests, fields, and wetlands recreate the landscape of a bygone era.
This is the site where Oregon's first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843. A thriving town of 200 was established, only to be washed away during a great flood in 1861. This rich history earns the park’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places.
A diversity of activities await. Enjoy walking or biking on the paved trails that pass historical landmarks and hug the river. Play the 18-hole disc golf course under the oak trees, relax at the multitude of scenic picnic areas, or fish or kayak from dock on the Willamette River. For RV's there are 21 full-hookup sites and 54 electric sites with water.
The ecologically rich landscape is home to more than 130 bird species, including seasonally nesting western bluebirds and acorn woodpeckers.
$5 - $72 / night
Camp•hub, real cuisine, and BnB outdoor boutique hotel.
Immersing yourself into the outdoors, if only for a drizzly afternoon stroll, is not simply refreshing—for Oregonians, it’s practically fundamental to experiencing a flourishing life in the Pacific Northwest.
Setting out on the trail or sleeping under the stars can be the restorative breath of fresh air that can completely transform a mindset. That transformation in mindset could have significant impacts on the climate of surrounding environment + the local community, and that's not something to take lightly.
From the outset, our mission at Silver Falls Hospitality has been to learn firsthand from the very nature of the wilderness, and directly from those who have been stewards of the land before us. As a small business and as a blossoming cohort of creatives and a "boots-on-the-ground" team, we aim to convey the resilience that we have gained & have continuously learned from, and hope to instill those values into the hearts and minds of the sojourners, friends, locals, and families that we are honored to host.
$89 - $250 / night
The campground area offers 60 campsites, 55 single and 5 double sites, that can accommodate railers up to 30 feet in length. There are both reservable and FCFS Campsites. The campsites are laid out in two main loops with sites #1-36 in one and sites #37-63 in the other. There is a designated host site (#1) near the entrance. The group camp offers individual campsites and a picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 70 people. 20 vehicles, and trailers up to 30 feet in length. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. The day use area includes a boat launch and 2 courtesy docks for loading and unloading only; no mooring is allowed. There are approximately 35 parking spaces for use at the day use area, which have also been used as overflow parking (eg extra vehicle w/boat trailer) for the campground. Campsites are surrounded by towering trees, which create a secluded atmosphere. Visitors enjoy exploring the area and discovering osprey hovering above or nesting in many trees. Water is available to visitors from faucet risers throughout the site. There are 4 double-flush toilets, 2 of which contain coin-operated showers, located throughout the site. Trash receptacles are located in the campground. Scan and Pay is offered at this campground; you may also pay by cash or check for FCFS campsites. There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with Scan and Pay payments. This system is the same as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be refunded. Please download the Rec.Gov app prior to arriving at the campground as there may be no cellular service or very limited service at the campground. Reservations for this site can be made up to 6 months in advance of arrival date for individual camp sites and 12 months in advance of arrival date for the group camp by reserving online at RECREATION.GOV or by calling 877-444-6777.
Detroit Lake is a popular destination for boating, jet skiing, swimming and fishing. Rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon and catfish are found in the lake. A boat ramp and dock are located next to the campground. The Stahlman Point Trail is a quarter-mile from the campground entrance road. The trail meanders through younger Douglas fir forests and offers some memorable views of Detroit Lake.
A mix of wooded and open sites are provided at the campground. Its location is near enough to the Detroit Reservoir to hear passing boats, but a little too far for unobstructed views of the lake. The reservoir covers 3,500 acres and is surrounded by groves of Douglas fir.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917.
Additional hiking trails can be found across the lake, including those that lead to Dome Rock and Needle Rock.
$242 / night
$23 / night
$26 - $70 / night
The main campground has tent sites, RV spots and cabins. Bring your horse and stay in the horse campground.
Campground Book sites at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance. Reservations are required for cabin stays.
48 electrical sites with water (18+ sites open year-round) 43 tent sites with water nearby (seasonal May–Oct.) 14 cabins (7 pet friendly, open year-round) Flush toilets and showers Universal Access: Campsites B2 and B4, four cabins, and campground restrooms/showers are accessible. Howard Creek Horse Camp (seasonal May–Oct) 5 primitive sites with horse stalls Group site for 24 people and 12 horses
People call it the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, and once you visit, you know why. Silver Falls State Park is the kind of standout scenic treasure that puts Oregon firmly onto the national—and international—stage.
Camping: The main Silver Falls campground has tent sites, RV spots and cabins. Bring your horse and stay in the horse campground. If you need an area for many people, the park also has group tent and RV camps, and the historic Youth Camp for up to 250 campers.
Waterfalls: Where else can you walk behind a waterfall? Check out the famous South Falls and see what a 177-foot curtain of water looks like from behind. It’s part of the Trail of Ten Falls, a spectacular, nationally recognized hiking trail that weaves through a dense forested landscape. The trail passes a series of breathtaking waterfalls along a rocky canyon, and descends to a winding creek at the forest floor. This 7.2 mile loop is considered to be a moderate hike, with an overall elevation change of 800 feet. Several connecting trails with separate access points make shorter routes. For everyone’s safety— absolutely no pets allowed on the Canyon Trail. Pets on leash are allowed on all other trails.
Boots, bikes, paws, hooves: The park offers more than 35 miles of backcountry trails for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding (see guided ride info below). Bears and cougars live in the more remote park areas.
Daytime activities: The South Falls Day-use area has spacious lawns, barbecue stands, picnic shelters, tables, a playground, horseshoe pits, an off lead area for dogs, and a charming creek. Ever since the opening day in 1933, visitors have been using these grounds for potlucks, family reunions and weddings.
The Silver Falls Lodge and Conference Center offers a variety of amenities. Relax and enjoy comfortable lodging within the wooded setting, or feast at the many catered specialty events. Enjoy a preordered meal at the historic dining hall or order a box lunch to take on a hike or to your campsite. They also specialize in hosting special events! Visit silverfallslodge.com or call 866-575-8875.
Guided horseback rides: Silver Falls Riding Stables at Howard Creek offers five horseback rides daily through Sept. 29. Advanced reservation recommended. Visit silverfallslodge.com for times and rates.
$28 / night
There are 21 camping units that can accommodate vehicles and trailers up to 55 feet in length. Some sites are reservable and some are FCFS sites. Each site has a picnic table and grill. There are 3 toilets. Drinking water is available to visitors from multiple spigots throughout the campground. Garbage receptacles are located in the campground. Humbug Campground is surrounded by old-growth forest, and during the months of May through July, the rhododendrons bloom in a spectacular show of pink blossoms. Recreation in the area is abundant -- plan on a quiet stroll through this lush forest or fishing on nearby Breitenbush River. Scan and Pay is offered at this campground; you may also pay by cash or check for FCFS campsites. There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with Scan and Pay payments. This system is the same as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be refunded. Please download the Rec.Gov app prior to arriving at the campground as there may be no cellular service or very limited service at the campground. Reservations for this site can be made up to 6 months in advance of arrival date by reserving online at RECREATION.GOV or by calling 877-444-6777.
Wading and fishing are popular activities in the Breitenbush River, and rainbow trout is the most common catch for anglers. The Willamette National Forest has about 1,700 miles of trail. While many are in wilderness areas, a number of trails are low-elevation, easy-access trails for year-round hiking.
The campground lies in the Willamette National Forest, which stretches for 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range. The varied landscape of high mountains, narrow canyons, cascading streams and wooded slopes offer varied recreational opportunities for visitors. The Breitenbush River is a tributary of the North Santiam River, and its clean waters flow from short forks of snowmelt in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. A variety of plants and foliage separate the spacious campsites and provide privacy from other sites.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917.
Detroit Lake has a marina and provides plenty of opportunity for water recreation like boating, water skiing and kayaking.
$21 / night
Fishermen's Bend Recreation Site has limited day use open. No camping or dump station is available.__ $5 passenger vehicle (up to 9), $10 non-commercial vans (10-19 passengers), $20 non-commercial bus (over 19 passengers), $30 Northwest Oregon District Annual Day Pass for passengers vehicles only, America the Beautiful Interagency Passes and Golden passes are also acceptable for day-use fees Cottonwoods Shelter rental $110 per day, does not include vehicle day-use fees
Day use only until further notice. Expanded opened area includes River Loop only. Group picnic shelter, Cottonwoods, is reservable 7 first come-first serve individual picnic sites some hiking trails around River Loop and to the fishing overlook boat launch river access
porta potties, picnic sites with picnic table, parking, and barbecue grill, hiking trails, boat ramp, camp host, fishing overlook
North Santiam State Park is next door, with more great water and hiking opportunities. Scenic John Neal Memorial County Park is less than 15 minutes away. Silver Falls State Park is 45 minutes from Fishermen's Bend, with 10 majestic waterfalls, ranging from the grand 177' South Falls, to the delicate 27' Drake Falls.
For facility specific information, please call (503) 375-5646.
Standard fees apply and are non-refundable. Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.
$110 / night
Champoeg State Heritage Area features a rare combination of history, nature, and recreation. Situated south of Newberg along the scenic Willamette River, Champoeg's forests, fields, and wetlands recreate the landscape of a bygone era.
This is the site where Oregon's first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843. A thriving town of 200 was established, only to be washed away during a great flood in 1861. This rich history earns the park’s placement on the National Register of Historic Places.
A diversity of activities await. Enjoy walking or biking on the paved trails that pass historical landmarks and hug the river. Play the 18-hole disc golf course under the oak trees, relax at the multitude of scenic picnic areas, or fish or kayak from dock on the Willamette River. For RV's there are 21 full-hookup sites and 54 electric sites with water.
The ecologically rich landscape is home to more than 130 bird species, including seasonally nesting western bluebirds and acorn woodpeckers.
$5 - $72 / night
Camp•hub, real cuisine, and BnB outdoor boutique hotel.
Immersing yourself into the outdoors, if only for a drizzly afternoon stroll, is not simply refreshing—for Oregonians, it’s practically fundamental to experiencing a flourishing life in the Pacific Northwest.
Setting out on the trail or sleeping under the stars can be the restorative breath of fresh air that can completely transform a mindset. That transformation in mindset could have significant impacts on the climate of surrounding environment + the local community, and that's not something to take lightly.
From the outset, our mission at Silver Falls Hospitality has been to learn firsthand from the very nature of the wilderness, and directly from those who have been stewards of the land before us. As a small business and as a blossoming cohort of creatives and a "boots-on-the-ground" team, we aim to convey the resilience that we have gained & have continuously learned from, and hope to instill those values into the hearts and minds of the sojourners, friends, locals, and families that we are honored to host.
$89 - $250 / night
The campground area offers 60 campsites, 55 single and 5 double sites, that can accommodate railers up to 30 feet in length. There are both reservable and FCFS Campsites. The campsites are laid out in two main loops with sites #1-36 in one and sites #37-63 in the other. There is a designated host site (#1) near the entrance. The group camp offers individual campsites and a picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 70 people. 20 vehicles, and trailers up to 30 feet in length. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. The day use area includes a boat launch and 2 courtesy docks for loading and unloading only; no mooring is allowed. There are approximately 35 parking spaces for use at the day use area, which have also been used as overflow parking (eg extra vehicle w/boat trailer) for the campground. Campsites are surrounded by towering trees, which create a secluded atmosphere. Visitors enjoy exploring the area and discovering osprey hovering above or nesting in many trees. Water is available to visitors from faucet risers throughout the site. There are 4 double-flush toilets, 2 of which contain coin-operated showers, located throughout the site. Trash receptacles are located in the campground. Scan and Pay is offered at this campground; you may also pay by cash or check for FCFS campsites. There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with Scan and Pay payments. This system is the same as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be refunded. Please download the Rec.Gov app prior to arriving at the campground as there may be no cellular service or very limited service at the campground. Reservations for this site can be made up to 6 months in advance of arrival date for individual camp sites and 12 months in advance of arrival date for the group camp by reserving online at RECREATION.GOV or by calling 877-444-6777.
Detroit Lake is a popular destination for boating, jet skiing, swimming and fishing. Rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon and catfish are found in the lake. A boat ramp and dock are located next to the campground. The Stahlman Point Trail is a quarter-mile from the campground entrance road. The trail meanders through younger Douglas fir forests and offers some memorable views of Detroit Lake.
A mix of wooded and open sites are provided at the campground. Its location is near enough to the Detroit Reservoir to hear passing boats, but a little too far for unobstructed views of the lake. The reservoir covers 3,500 acres and is surrounded by groves of Douglas fir.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 967-3917.
Additional hiking trails can be found across the lake, including those that lead to Dome Rock and Needle Rock.
$242 / night
Legend
What can I say? Silver Falls is a magical place and everyone should experience it. You can just get lost in the beauty of it all. The cabins are small but comfortable with heat, lights, and beds. Covered porch is nice to sit and listen to the rain.
Scout
Such an awesome find! The first campsite is small and perfect for a couple tents. The second site could easily fit 3 or 4 tents and has plenty of additional space for parking, kitchen set-up, etc… both sites also have really nice fire pits. Also don’t let the Trillium Lake camp hosts scare you. They told us the gravel road to access the sites was “rough as hell” and were completely wrong. Nothing more than a few potholes. Any vehicle could make the trek.
Scout
Good
ScoutScoutYour examples really helped illustrate the points on how to build a personal brand. Thanks for making this so clear: ok win game
Traveler
Short walk, or 7 miles in, start on west shoreline trail 528 on the NW parking lot past the day use area. Great mostly flat trail for backpacking or cart camping along the west shoreline of Timothy Lake in the Mt Hood National Forest. Sites are well marked and $10 per night fee. Northwest Forest Parking Pass required for overnight parking.
Guide
Ok site. Not especially scenic, but good outdoor space with lots of owl and bug noise at night.
Right next to road. Cars come by somewhat regularly, at some speed, kicking up dust.
There is an open spot suitable for solar and starlink.
Guide
I really wanted to give 5 stars, but they have far too many permanent residents, which makes the campground look un-kept. The grounds were ok, bathrooms were clean, price was fair, large spaces , and very good customer service.
Traveler
As of Oct 2024 - still shut No access to bathrooms but can pay 5 for day use of their picnic benches
Traveler
As of Oct 2024 - still shut With gate and padlock, shut to even get into but there is a park nearby to use the restrooms if needed but no camping
Legend
Humbug is one of our favorite campgrounds. We love the easy access to the beach and the beautiful hikes. Showers are hot and free, rangers are always friendly.
Cell service is pretty iffy here, but we manage to make it work with the cell booster.
There's a dump station and water fill, trash and recycling, water spigots throughout campground, and firewood for sale.
Tent sites in Oregon don't currently have the 25% non-resident surcharge (though I've heard that's changing soon) and there are plenty of non-hookup/tent sites that will fit RVs. There are also FHU and pull through sites.
Ranger
The river is loud you could hear it from both sides of the road. I actually looked, and there are rivers on both sides of the road. It is out of the way there is no light pollution. At night cars rarely come by. The campsite was clean and relatively level. However bring an extra block for your tongue jack. The only reason it wasn't five stars is because there's absolutely no T-Mobile cellular internet service. There is cell phone operation.
Traveler
We went as a group of 8+ families, booking a number of different campsites in two groupings, one on the riverfront, one on the backside of the loop. The campground layout is a large loop with a road down the center, so was great for kids riding bikes around and playing.
The riverside sites were beautiful but ours was very close to an outhouse that was extremely full and smelled very bad. It really needed to be cleaned out and clearly hadn't in a long time.
Also the river was super cold and very fast moving, which at times was a little scary with a ton of young kids running around.
Camp Sherman was only a mile away and has fresh donuts in the morning. I was able to ride over on my electric skateboard and it was a beautiful enjoyable ride.
There was also a small bridge 7-10ft above the river that folks jumped off of which was fun.
We didn't have any major problems with bees or mosquitos as some other folks mentioned that they had in previous reviews.
We had one morning evening where fog was rolling across the river and it was uniquely beautiful. Overall it's a great spot, but would have been perfect if the maintenance had been better and the outhouse smell wasn't so bad.
Guide
i was in campsite 3 very short walk to see the river very quiet $28 dollars a night
Guide
It was a 10pm arrival but thankfully we found a spot that did not disappoint. I wish we had a full weekend to stay but the overnight and breakfast on the river was a great start to our PNW visit.
Traveler
Closed due to fire damage
Traveler
Very small maybe 4 spots. Definitely not worth the drive. Small pond not really a lake.
Traveler
Beautiful early fall days at River Bend.
Midweek, Sunday - Thursday the campground was maybe 25% filled. It was quiet! Leaves were beginning to turn colors, needles from pine tree were falling like rain.
The Santiam river is low at this time and was great for wading into, swimming if like cold river.
Kayaking the river - I dropped in at Cascadia - beautiful float back to River Bend - had to traverse quite a bit due to low water levels / avoiding the small waterfalls (5-10ft drops).
Scout
It's a wonderful app for finding quick stays. I stayed at steelhead falls and it was perfect
Ranger
This is a nice, small, well maintained RV park near town. Foster Lake is just across the road and is beautiful with a decent trail along the lake. The road can get very noisy as it’s popular with motorcycles.
ScoutCamping along side gravel road some spots better than others. Gets really busy on major holidays so go claim a spot early.
Traveler
We stayed at what is now Cascadia County Park (per signage at the park) at the beginning of September. Monday and Tuesday night there were only a couple of other campers in the park. Needless to say it was very quiet.
Our first day we noticed a man without a shirt sitting, leaning against the bathroom exterior wall for a least an hour or so. Later that day we saw a couple who appeared to be homeless using the shower on the premises. Neither of these people caused any problems nor interacted with any camper as far as I could tell. Near the entrance at the picnic area there is a sign warning visitors to lock their cars.
This is a beautiful park, densely forested, bordered by the Santiam River. We stayed in one of the pull though sites, number 4. It was more private than most sites. We were happy to stay here to escape the smoke in Central Oregon were we live. We had reservations at Little Crater Campground, but choose not to stay there as the there were fires nearby and the area had an Evacuation Advisory - Level one and there is only one way out of the area.
Scout
Our friends had very positive reviews about this park, so we definitely want to visit it soon. I think it will be a great getaway. The only thing I wanted to mention is that the provided map in PDF format didn’t open on my PC for some reason. But I was able to convert it online, and the issue was resolved. Using https://pdfguru.com/html-to-pdf, you can convert HTML to PDF, vice versa, and into many other formats. So I find this editor to be a great service if you need to work with PDF files. It might be useful to someone else, just like it was for me.
Ranger
This small, primitive campground is just about a mile from the McKenzie Pass on Hwy 242, the old McKenzie Hwy. it has 9 sites, 2 of which are walk-in. Lava Camp Lake is a small alpine lake and most of the camp sites have views of the lake. You can also see Mt. Washington and Black Crater from most places in the campground. Part of the area is a burn scar from a 2017 (I think) fire in the area. But there are a lot of trees around the campsites and plenty of shade. Lots of deer. One well-maintained pit toilet. No water.
We stayed in site 6 in our small camper van. It was mid-week in early September (after Labor Day) and there was only one other camper there for one night. It was so quiet and peaceful. perfect.
Guidewhole road is paved all the way up & plenty of spots to pull off plus multiple bathrooms! got super chilly even in august but was very cozy in sweats & under a few blankets in the rooftop tent. would definitely stay here again and it's a good option for vehicles w/ low clearance or non off roading folks.
Scout
Jim did a great job of communicating and was attentive to all the campers, but they ended up overbooked so we were moved away from the river and into an open field. With no hookups and lacking riverfront, the night seemed over-priced. With van life on site and a full campground, it didn’t have the quiet feel we expected.
Scout
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.
Camping near Gates, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Gates, Oregon, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gates, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gates, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 292 campgrounds and RV parks near Gates, OR and 24 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gates, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gates, OR is Silver Falls State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 72 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gates, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 free dispersed camping spots near Gates, OR.
What parks are near Gates, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Gates, OR that allow camping, notably Foster Lake and Willamette National Forest.
