Best Tent Camping near Gates, OR
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Best Tent Sites Near Gates, OR (62)
1. Marion Forks Campground
Idanha, Oregon10 Reviews•39 Photos•18 SavesAdjacent to the Marion Forks Fish Hatchery, Marion Forks Campground is a great 15 site (one pull through) campground tucked away from Highway 22 and a quiet place to relax. Enjoy a 1/4 mile leisurely stroll along Marion Creek on a paved loop path through the picnic area and fish hatchery and learn about spring Chinook salmon and the history of the area. Nearby, on Forest Service Road 2255, you can find the little used trail (#3431) to Independence Rock for a short hike. If you drive further up to the end of Road 2255, you'll reach the trailhead to Marion Lake (Trail #3436) leading to the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.
- Tents
- Trash
2. BLM Molalla River Recreation Area
Molalla, Oregon6 Reviews•18 Photos•112 SavesOverview
No cash, check, or cards are accepted on site. Make a reservations online or use the mobile app. Three Bears campsites are only available by making a reservation. Reserve a campsite on recreation.gov or Recreation.gov Mobile App prior to entering the Molalla River Recreation Corridor. There is no cell reception in the drainage.__ Situated in a picturesque grove of western red cedar 4 miles south of Glen Avon Bridge, the site has 15 tent campsites, each equipped with a tent pad, metal fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. The campground also has vault toilets and access to a beautiful cobble beach and swimming hole.
Recreation
Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)
Facilities
Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)
Natural Features
Molalla Wild and Scenic River and forested environment.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (503) 375-5646.
Nearby Attractions
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla Wild and Scenic River which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing. The Molalla is one of the few undammed tributaries of the Willamette River and cuts a picturesque gorge on its way to the valley floor. Table Rock Wilderness is further up the canyon and accessible through three trailheads.
Charges & Cancellations
Standard fees apply and are non-refundable. Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
$30 / night
3. Quartzville Recreation Corridor
Mississippi River Headwaters - Cross Lake, Minnesota5 Reviews•9 Photos•204 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Trash
- Alcohol
4. Elk Lake Campground
Detroit, Oregon4 Reviews•20 Photos•97 SavesThis 17 site tent-only campground, located adjacent to the Bull of the Woods and Opal Creek Wildernesses, is full of beauty in the summer. Wildflowers are a beautiful sight in the campground's meadows around July.__ Swim or paddle in the quiet waters of the non-motorized lake, go for a great hike with views of multiple Cascade peaks, or just kick back and relax in the campground.
- Tents
- Toilets
- Alcohol
5. Santiam State Forest Rock Creek Campsites
Gates, Oregon1 Review•17 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
$15 - $20 / night
6. Santiam State Forest Butte Creek Falls Campground
Mehama, Oregon2 Reviews•13 Saves- Fires
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
7. Rainbow (OR) - TEMP CLOSED
Welches, Oregon7 Reviews•13 Photos•40 SavesOverview
Campground closed due to the 2020 Riverside Wildfire Rainbow Campground provides ample access to the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River. The campground offers a great location to enjoy peace and quiet in the beautiful mountains of northern Oregon. Visitors enjoy fishing, hiking, biking and rafting.
Recreation
Fishing is very popular in the Oak Fork and anglers can expect a catch of winter steelhead, spring Chinook and late summer Kokanee salmon, as well as other species of freshwater fish. The Clackamas River also provides miles of wild water as it bends through the scenic Cascade range, making whitewater rafting a popular activity. The 5-mile Riverside National Recreation Trail, popular for hiking and mountain biking, is located not far from the campground. The surrounding area provides numerous additional opportunities for hiking.
Facilities
Fishing is very popular in the Oak Fork and anglers can expect a catch of winter steelhead, spring Chinook and late summer Kokanee salmon, as well as other species of freshwater fish. The Clackamas River also provides miles of wild water as it bends through the scenic Cascade range, making whitewater rafting a popular activity. The 5-mile Riverside National Recreation Trail, popular for hiking and mountain biking, is located not far from the campground. The surrounding area provides numerous additional opportunities for hiking.
Natural Features
The campground is located in Mt. Hood National Forest along the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River at an elevation of about 1,400 feet. Huge maple and Douglas fir trees cover the area, and dense shrubbery provides some privacy between campsites. The campground is not far from the Ripplebrook Ranger Station and Ripplebrook Pond. The river provides habitat for the federally protected bald eagle and northern spotted owl, as well as an occasional peregrine falcon. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area.
Nearby Attractions
Bagby Hot Springs is located about 14 miles southwest of the campground. A popular site for soaking and relaxing, the springs are in a heavily wooded area in the scenic Cascade Range. The available bathhouses are fed by three major hot water springs and several minor outlets in the area. A historic guard station was built there in 1913.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Alcohol
$20 - $22 / night
8. Santiam State Forest Rhody Lake Recreation Area
Gates, Oregon1 Review•2 Photos•26 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Toilets
- Alcohol
9. Tumble Lake
Detroit, Oregon1 Review•2 Photos•89 SavesThis quiet and remote lake hidden in a high valley above Detroit Lake is a perfect family day hike or overnight getaway.
From the trailhead, the first few steps of the hike start steeply, up a short embankment, but once you clear the ridgeline, it will be a gently rolling easterly walk past an interesting rock pinnacle and a nice viewpoint down to the lake. After about a half mile, you will reach the Tumble Ridge-Tumble Lake Trail Junction. Turn right to head south down into the Tumble Lake basin (going straight leads to Dome Rock). The first downhill portion consists of forested switchbacks, and then a short section of the trail requires some scrambling within a rugged rocky stream bed. You will then traverse cross two steep open meadows which will be in bloom late June through August. As you flatten out into the basin, you will begin seeing the shaggy forest of Alaska Cedars, dripping with moss. Prolific huckleberry bushes fill the understory. Several shaded campsites are available at the lake edge.
Once you arrive at the lake, continue on a faint user trail south and follow the lake outlet stream to some mossy rock ledges that give the viewpoint of Detroit Lake seen in the photo above. Here you will see the water disappearing over the cliff edge to form Tumble Falls.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
10. Cedar Grove Recreation Site
Scotts Mills, Oregon2 Reviews•4 Photos•33 SavesOverview
No cash, check, or cards are accepted on site. Make a reservations online or use the mobile app. Cedar Grove campsites are only available by making a reservation. Reserve a campsite on recreation.gov or Recreation.gov Mobile App prior to entering the Molalla River Recreation Corridor. There is no cell reception in the drainage.__ Situated in a picturesque grove of western red cedar 6 miles south of Glen Avon Bridge, the site has 10 tent campsites, each equipped with a tent pad, metal fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. The campground also has vault toilets and river access.
Recreation
Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)
Facilities
Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)
Natural Features
Molalla Wild and Scenic River and forested environment.
Nearby Attractions
Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla Wild and Scenic River which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing. The Molalla is one of the few undammed tributaries of the Willamette River and cuts a picturesque gorge on its way to the valley floor. Table Rock Wilderness is further up the canyon and accessible through three trailheads.
Charges & Cancellations
Standard processing fees apply and are non-refundable. Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
- Drinking Water
$30 / night
Recent Tent Reviews in Gates
1228 Reviews of 62 Gates Campgrounds
Jeff K.
Legend
Silver Falls State Park Campground
Magical!
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.
Kenny L.
Scout
NF2656 - Mt. Hood Dispersed Camping
Great Spot!
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.
Laptop G.Scout
Feyrer Park
Awesome
Good
- Laptop G.Scout
Feyrer Park
Really how?
- Laptop G.Scout
Feyrer Park
How to do?
Your examples really helped illustrate the points on how to build a personal brand. Thanks for making this so clear: ok win game
- MMike H.
Traveler
Timothy Lake Meditation Point
The Best of Timothy Lake
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.
- MMarty P.
Guide
Mt Hood Village Resort
Great Location!!
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.
Emma R.Traveler
Fishermens Bend - TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO CAMPING
As of Oct 2024 - still shut
As of Oct 2024 - still shut No access to bathrooms but can pay 5 for day use of their picnic benches
- Emma R.Traveler
John Neal Memorial Park
As of Oct 2024 - still shut
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
Laura M.Legend
Humbug Campground
Love it here
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.
ron R.
Ranger
39 Rd Dispersed Site
Great little stop for the night
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.
Guru K.Traveler
Smiling River Campground
Beautiful Riverside Campground, Maintenance Could Be Improved
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.
- MM00na A.Guide
Paradise Campground
great camping spot
i was in campsite 3 very short walk to see the river very quiet $28 dollars a night
Brandon K.Guide
Kiwanis Road Free Camping
Tranquil Peace
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.
Douglas H.Traveler
River Bend County Park
Quiet Mid-September
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).
Charles W.Traveler
Cascadia State Park Campground
Beautiful Park on the Santiam River
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.
- MMick G.Scout
Maxwell Sno-Park
review
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.
Deb H.Ranger
Lava Camp Lake Campground
Delightful small campground
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.
Elsa P.GuideKiwanis Road Free Camping
very convenient & gorgeous waterfall
whole 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.
- SScott B.Scout
Molalla Ripple
Space was overbooked
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.
CJ S.Scout
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.
Yoram A.Scout
Whitcomb Creek County Park
WIll not come back
Web site claims "Drinking Water" is available. However, the water coming out of the tap was brown, probably full of rust and minerals. The host told us not to drink the water, only use for toilet flushing and maybe shower. The county claims it is safe, I don't believe them.
- hheidiTraveler
BLM Molalla River Recreation Area
Beautiful!
Right on the Molalla river. Great campground. Vault toilets aren’t great, but they are useable. The water pump has bacteria warnings so bring plenty of water.
Gary D.Traveler
Paradise In Oregon
Outstanding old growth & river campground
Ice cold McKenzie River water to watch & listen, lull you to sleep, with old growth forest & trails to walk/bike.
It's a few miles from Tamolitch, Clear Lake, Blue River Reservoir and a lot of trails.
This campground is quiet, has no electricity or showers (fine by me) and is just pristine. The fires didn't touch it, the river is beautiful and it's well-maintained.
Verizon & AT&T had 2 bars LTE - enough to text, call & upload photos.
- KK. K.Guide
Clear Lake Campground
Decent Camping Location
This is a decent camp spot within an hour and a half of Portland metro. It has limited services, potable water, garbage and pit toilets. The water was nice, plenty deep for paddling or wading. It is pretty small, so not too many sites.
There was a Camp Host present thankfully and daily Sheriff drive by during the weekend. This was welcome due to a few obnoxious party groups. One in particular turned the forest into a rave with lights that flashed into tents, which was irritating. I think the Sheriff spoke to them because they headed out the next day. We had a nice weekend but I probably wouldn’t stay much longer than that in the future.
- SSid D.Traveler
39 Rd Dispersed Site
Convenient and Pretty
Right by some really nice short trails for a good evening/morning hike. You can park by the road and set up a tent or hammock for some privacy in one of the riverside spots if you arrive early enough. We loved this place, right off the main highway through Mt Hood and close to the city but still felt quiet and private enough.
- JJoanna C.Traveler
Hoodview Campground
Superb spot
This is the most well-maintained National Forest campground I’ve ever been to. Even the pit toilets were immaculate! The sites are large and private-feeling, and every site is right near the lake. Some sites are a little close to the main road, but it’s not a heavily travelled road. We were close to it but it was barely noticeable. Definitely on my favorites list now!
Guide to Gates
Tent camping near Gates, Oregon offers a variety of scenic spots where nature enthusiasts can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from tranquil riverside sites to rugged mountain retreats, there's something for everyone.
Some prices for tent camping range from $15 to $20
- The Cedar Grove Recreation Site provides a peaceful atmosphere with well-maintained sites and access to river views, making it a great choice for a relaxing getaway.
- At Elk Lake Campground, you can enjoy beautiful lake access and a rustic experience, with sites priced around $20 for a night of camping.
- Santiam State Forest Butte Creek Falls Campground offers a unique experience near stunning waterfalls, with tent sites available for a modest fee.
Local activities to enjoy while tent camping
- BLM Molalla River Recreation Area is perfect for families, featuring swimming spots and opportunities for fishing and catching crawfish.
- The Quartzville Recreation Corridor is a favorite for fishing enthusiasts, offering year-round fishing in a beautiful river setting.
- Santiam State Forest Rhody Lake Recreation Area provides a serene environment for kayaking and wildlife watching, making it ideal for nature lovers.
Tips for tent camping near Gates
- Bring plenty of water, especially when camping at BLM Molalla River Recreation Area, as the water pump has bacteria warnings.
- Be prepared for a rustic experience at Elk Lake Campground, where you’ll need to bring in all your supplies, including water and food.
- If you’re camping at Round Lake Campground, be ready for a bit of a trek, as access can be challenging due to fallen trees and rugged terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gates, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gates, OR is Marion Forks Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Gates, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 62 tent camping locations near Gates, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.