RV camping near Gates, Oregon ranges from lakeside sites to mountain adjacent parks within 20-30 miles of the small community. Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains at approximately 850 feet elevation, Gates serves as a gateway to outdoor recreation along Highway 22. Winter temperatures average 30-45°F while summer brings 70-90°F conditions with minimal rainfall from July to September.
What to do
Swimming and lakeside activities: Foster Lake near Sweet Home offers water recreation just steps from Edgewater RV Resort and Marina. The resort sits across from the lake which features "a decent trail along the lake" according to one visitor. Another camper mentioned it's "only 3 miles from Sweet Home with groceries and gas."
Hiking and exploration: Mount Hood area trails are accessible from Mt Hood Village Resort in Welches. One visitor notes the resort provides "easy access to a number of nearby activities" including "hiking and mushroom hunting adventures." Another mentioned the "Wildwood recreation site is right next door and boasts an underwater salmon viewing area as well naturalist inspired boardwalks and walking paths."
Golfing: For RV campers who golf, Mallard Creek Golf and RV Resort in Lebanon offers dedicated packages. A visitor explained, "Mallard Creek is gear up for the serious golfers so the summer has special packages for the RV site with golfing from Memorial day weekend to the end of September." Another noted the resort includes "powered cart you have to pay $20 per person for 9 holes or $30 for 18."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Blue Ox RV Park in Albany maintains high cleanliness standards throughout their property. One visitor observed the park has "multiple laundry rooms, heated indoor pool, recreation area indoors" all described as "spotlessly clean." Another camper noted the park offers "paved sites" with "awesome staff."
Level camping spots: Knox Butte RV Park in Albany provides well-maintained spots for RVs. A camper reported "everything is paved, the sites have nice clean picnic tables, and plenty of green lush grass." Another mentioned "the showers were clean and had good water pressure."
Connectivity: Many RV parks near Gates offer reliable internet and cellular service. At Blue Ox RV Park, campers report "Wi-Fi is strong and fast" with "48 channels of sharp cable TV picture." Another visitor confirmed "great WiFi" and mentioned "two bars of 5G Verizon" signal strength.
What you should know
Year-round availability: Most RV parks in the Gates region remain open throughout all seasons. Silver Spur RV Park operates "OPEN YEAR ROUND" while Mt Hood Village Resort accommodates winter visitors with indoor facilities including "pool, hot tub, hot showers, bathrooms with indoor plumbing."
Site spacing considerations: Campground layouts vary significantly in the region. At Silver Spur RV Park & Resort in Silverton, one visitor noted "the sites are very easy to get into being angled" but cautioned about "very small RV spaces" that felt "very crammed for anything more than a last minute stay."
Road noise: Some parks experience traffic noise due to proximity to highways. At Silver Spur RV Park, a visitor reported "the B lot backs right up to the highway with unbearable road noise" that shortened their planned stay. Another park visitor mentioned "a very bumpy gravel driveways to the RV parking spots."
Tips for camping with families
Indoor recreation options: Several parks offer weather-independent activities for children. Mt Hood Village Resort provides "a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers (and warm water) and activities during the day for kids." Another visitor confirmed it's "very family friendly."
Dedicated play spaces: Family-focused amenities exist at multiple locations. Silver Spur RV Park includes "a small kids park and the park provided activity's (corn hole, etc.)" and was described as "family/pet friendly." One visitor noted they "have all sorts of activities for you and kids if you have them."
Proximity to attractions: Portland-Woodburn RV Park offers family convenience with its location "right behind the Woodburn Outlet Mall with own private entrance" and being "close to Portland and Salem." A visitor described it as "convenient shopping for groceries or gas nearby."
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality: RV campers report varying water pressure across parks. Knox Butte RV Park offers "great water pressure for shower" while others note most sites provide "full hookups" including water, electric, and sewer connections. One camper at Emerald Valley RV Park appreciated "full hookups that worked well."
Laundry facilities: Multiple parks maintain on-site laundry services. Knox Butte RV Park charges "$1.75 wash, $.25 dry 13 minutes" according to one visitor who found the facilities "clean." Blue Ox RV Park features "multiple laundry rooms" that receive regular maintenance.
Seasonal considerations: Winter RV camping requires preparation for mountain roads. While Mt Hood Village Resort operates year-round, visitors should note the resort serves as "basecamp for my hikes around Mt Hood" where weather conditions change rapidly. Temperature variations between valley and mountain locations can exceed 20°F during winter months.
