Camping options near Shedd, Oregon cluster along the Santiam and Willamette Rivers with elevations averaging 200-400 feet. The region experiences mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers with precipitation averaging 45 inches annually. Most dispersed camping areas require high-clearance vehicles due to unmarked forest roads, while established campgrounds remain accessible year-round with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Disc golf access: Waterloo County Park offers an 18-hole course through wooded terrain. "Waterloo is pretty open and has some bike trails and some parks and a pretty great disc golf course! The water is really cold but perfect for a day outside or a picnic with the kids!" notes one camper about Waterloo County Park.
Fishing opportunities: The Santiam River provides productive fishing spots with easy access. "This place has it, a dog park, play disc golf, hiking trails, fish, with ADA fishing deck, boat launch, playground, and two camping loops," explains a visitor about Waterloo County Park's diverse offerings.
Hiking trails: Silver Falls State Park offers multiple trail options within 45 minutes of Shedd. "There's a nice off leash dog area, but it's not fenced in, so heads up on that too. The camping area is a short walk across the highway from the beautiful day use area," mentions a camper about Silver Falls State Park.
Kayaking access: Hult Pond provides non-motorized boat access approximately 30 miles west of Shedd. "The pond was great for kayaking and there is plenty to explore if you aren't worried about a little elevation in your hike," shares a visitor to Hult Pond Recreation Area.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards of cleanliness. "Cute little RV park within the Lebanon city limits. Directly on the river with hiking/biking paths. 20 full hookup sites with locked safe restrooms/coin showers. Camp host greets upon arrival and provides area maps and complimentary tokens for showers," notes a visitor about Gills Landing RV Park.
Shade availability: Several campgrounds offer tree coverage for summer camping. "Corvallis, Oregon. Clean basic campgrounds," comments a camper about Benton Oaks County RV Park.
River access: Multiple sites provide direct water access. "Great little spot for a family get together and overnight stay...On the river good fishing... but be aware... current is swift.. swimmers seem to get in trouble every year here," warns a visitor about Waterloo County Park.
Wifi performance: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "This is the first time in 10+ years of RVing that I've had really good wifi at a park," reports a camper about Albany-Corvallis KOA, while another notes "Wifi was extremely slow but that's about par for the course."
What you should know
Road noise levels: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "Great campground with nicely spaced and well maintained sites. Clean restrooms, laundry and pool on site. There is a small playground too. Close to Corvalis but you do get a lot of road noise," explains a visitor to Albany-Corvallis KOA.
Cell service gaps: Coverage becomes limited west of Shedd. "We lost cell service about an hour before we even got there, and didn't have any the whole time there," reports a camper about Hult Pond Recreation Area.
Water safety concerns: River currents require caution. "On the river good fishing... but be aware... current is swift.. swimmers seem to get in trouble every year here," warns a Waterloo County Park visitor.
Late arrival procedures: Some campgrounds lack clear after-hours instructions. "Booked online and no instructions for late arrivals so we did not have WiFi instructions nor did we have code for bathrooms," notes a Benton Oaks County RV Park camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play structures. "They have a dog park, play disc golf, hiking trails, fish, with ADA fishing deck, boat launch, playground, and two camping loops," reports a visitor about Waterloo County Park.
Pet-friendly options: Most campgrounds accommodate pets with specific areas. "This KOA is pretty similar to any other KOA on the west coast. We stayed at one of the back-in / tent sites with our RTT and only had one neighbor beside us," explains a camper about Albany-Corvallis KOA.
Site selection strategy: Consider noise and space when booking. "I'd try to reserve spots 9 or 12 (next to the playground and sunny spots) or 72 (next to the creek in the shade) next time!" recommends a visitor to Silver Falls State Park.
Small campground experience: For families seeking quieter options, Carsner Tree Farm offers just three sites. "The hosts were super welcoming and accommodating, had a campfire going when we arrived, and even had fresh coffee brewed in the morning! Use of the fridge and freezer to refreeze our ice packs was great!" reports a camper.
Tips from RVers
Turning radius considerations: Some campgrounds require caution with larger vehicles. "We have a 38 foot rv. We got stuck in a ditch. Rv almost tipped over trying to u turn… if you go down the main lower path you will find a area big enough to u turn! Dont do it until then!" warns a visitor to Hult Pond.
Site layout variations: RV parks differ in spacing between units. "This KOA is pretty similar to any other KOA on the west coast. We stayed at one of the back-in / tent sites with our RTT and only had one neighbor beside us," explains a camper about Albany-Corvallis KOA.
Utility hookup details: Amperage and hookup types vary by location. "Has sites with electric and water, and those without. Does have a dump station, and bathrooms with showers. Has a few sites set up for ADA. There is only one site with 50amps the rest is set up for 30amp," notes a visitor to Waterloo County Park.
Overflow site options: Some campgrounds maintain secondary camping areas. "Loop 'A' is reservable and Loop 'B' open in summer as first come/first serve," explains a Waterloo County Park visitor.
