Best Tent Camping near Gervais, OR

Granted, it's been 90 degrees everyday so anything near water feels incredible. BUT nothing quite as incredible as the ice, rushing Clackamas river!!!!!

We stayed at this park for 3 days and it was such a trip. 2 adults, 2 kids and a pup had plenty of space on a tent site. The bathrooms were great and not to far of a trek, but for convenience they set up and ADA accessible portapotty near the tent camping area. The rangers were kind and helpful, as were the park hosts.

Whether you're going for a full day of floating down the river (rentals offered at one of the boat launch areas) or want to climb your way down to a secluded chunk of river bend and hitch your float to a tree or rock, there is so much this park has to offer!

If you want to camp in Oregon this is the place to go. There are several waterfalls and hiking trails. You can see wildlife and you can't beat the beauty. You can tent camp and they also have yurts.

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.

We camped here again in July. Drive 6 miles up a paved road then 1/2 mile on a dirt road. Spent 5 days in spots RV1 and RV2. They were doing some log pickup close to our spot so during the day it was sort of noisy but after 3PM things got really quiet and peaceful. Trees were very plentiful and keep us cool during the 90* days. We went up the hill to tent site#13 where there was water, but you had to pump your own. The water was very clean and tasty. They had 2 buildings that had pit toilets and 1 port-potty by the day use area by us. We walked a trail beside the day use area that went for about 1.5 miles by on of the creeks. There were many other roads that went to other trails that were longer. All was very quiet except for the cars, trucks and Jeeps that sped down the road by our camp going to the trail to the right from 7PM until 1AM. I have no idea why they were here at all because they we not camping here and drove very fast for a gravel road. Be advised even though there are 15 camp sites only(2) RV-1 and RV-2 are actually designated for motorhomes and travel trailers under 32 feet in length. Most all other sites are up a steep road but can accommodate very small RV's but mostly tent camping area. Little to no cell service right at the base of the campground. Just a 1/2 mile back to the asphalt road there is 1 bar at the very least. This campground is 6 miles up a small paved road from Grand Ronde then a half mile on a gravel road in a heavily wooded area to the first RV camp site#1 and#2.

Always tent sites.

You never see any stinking trailers at this campground. It's perfect for tent camping.

We didn't stay even 24 hours. We only stayed for a place to sleep overnight, but I'm eager to return and stay longer. I was super impressed with the size and location of the tent sites. The tent sites were also secluded and flat. (But a far walk to the bathrooms/showers). There seemed to be a lot of hiking trails. I couldn't check them out because of our schedule, but I would 100% return. We drove to the boat launch area and it was easily accessible.

Not super geared toward tent camping, if you have an RV or trailer it may be better. Super open with sites right on top of one another.

This is Santiam State campground that is for basically tent camping. Water and Pit toilet. Some sights next to Butte Creek. The best part is that you very close to Butte creek water falls.

Beautiful place right next to the lake! Wasn’t a fan of how open the sites are and the noise from the highway. We were tent camping however so your mileage may vary with a camper/trailer set up.

Had a wonderful time tent camping here with our 4 month old baby. Great place to cool off on hot summer days. Love the trail that goes around the lake!

**Might have been affected by fires in September 2020**

Very crowded in summer. Pit toilet. Tent camping. Very steep final approach on dirt road. Very beautiful lake with Salomanders. If your lucky to have the lake to yourself it can be very quiet except for wildlife sounds. It is possible to kayak with easy access

Went tent camping. Was expecting a bit more of a campsite, but it was just a big field with everybody together. No privacy or trees even blocking other campsites. Not suitable for more than 1 tent or groups. Bathrooms okay, and water was close so thats a plus. Would only stay again if desperate.

I was unimpressed. Okay local if you need to camp in Portland. Not so nice bathrooms. Tent camping was in a big field with weird gravel bits that got louder in the morning. No barriers between campsites. I would pass and find a nicer place to pitch your te t

Tent area is separate from RVs and it has lots of privacy. Camp host is very sweet, he brought fire wood to my tent. Nice trails and lake, nice bathroom/shower. It is about 100 yard walk through forested trail to showers and you can't park your car in your tent camp but it is small so the parking is very close. I like how forested the area is.

We tent camped two nights at Silver Falls. Tree lined campgrounds were well maintained. Sites are close together and the grounds are very social (which we like). Ranger led evening program was educational and interactive. The highlight of the trip was the 8+ mile hike to explore 10 different waterfalls. The hike was easy enough for our seven year old to complete, but tough enough to wear us out. We very much enjoyed a swim with other families in one of the final falls. The drive from Portland was gorgeous! It was nice to get a glimpse of rural Oregon.

This is one of the best places in all of Oregon. You can hike all around, swim, and even access the prettiest parts in a wheelchair! Also some campground activities like games and playgrounds. The camping is pretty straightforward and clean. There are “bunk houses” in addition to simple tent sites. There are some campsites next to a creek, if you are lucky! It is pretty crowded, so know what you’re getting into...but it’s worth it for the beauty. Get up before sunrise and get on the trails if you can!!

Silver Falls is awesome to visit and the campground is great if you have the opporunity to stay for a day or two.

Beautifully forested and close to the waterfalls, the campground has all the features you could need.  Tent sites, rv sites, and cabins.  It's very popular and can sometimes be hard to find a reservation.

I have stayed here many times both in an RV and in tent sites. The campground is well maintained and the hosts have been great each time I have been there.

Estacada lake is within walking distance, and there is salmon fishing within driving distance inside of the park. There is also a "bat" barn that is close by.

I like this park and highly recommend it.

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. Nice and quiet camping, no noisy neighbors. I loved it here for a getaway but it was a smidge boring. The creek isn't that deep so it was family-friendly.