Best Campgrounds near Happy Valley, OR

The outskirts of Happy Valley, Oregon feature a diverse range of camping options within a 30-minute drive, from state parks to riverfront RV sites. Milo McIver State Park, located 20 miles southeast near Estacada, offers spacious campsites with tent areas, RV hookups, and yurts nestled among towering evergreens. Oxbow Regional Park provides year-round camping with river access and hiking trails. Barton County Park Campground along the Clackamas River accommodates both tent and RV camping with 110 sites available from May through October. Clackamette RV Park in Oregon City sits at the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers, providing urban camping with fishing opportunities and proximity to Portland.

Most campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, particularly during the peak season from late spring through early fall. Milo McIver State Park operates from March 15 to October 31, while several RV parks remain open year-round. Cell service varies significantly, with stronger coverage at campgrounds closer to urban areas and limited or no reception at more remote sites. As one camper noted about Milo McIver: "The campground is well maintained and the hosts have been great. Estacada lake is within walking distance, and there is salmon fishing within driving distance inside of the park." Highway noise can be a factor at some locations, particularly those near major roads, though sites deeper in forested areas offer more seclusion.

Riverside camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with many campgrounds offering direct water access. The Clackamas and Willamette Rivers provide popular fishing spots and water recreation opportunities. According to one reviewer, Clackamette RV Park offers "simple RV sites with access to everything. The river is right there, bike trails, grass area, walk to town, everything." Wildlife viewing is another highlight, particularly at Milo McIver where campers report seeing "elk, water birds, and at least 5 bald eagles." Site privacy varies considerably across campgrounds, with state parks generally offering more spacious and secluded options compared to more densely arranged RV parks. Tent campers will find the most options during summer months, while RV camping remains available year-round at several facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Happy Valley, Oregon (313)

    1. Milo McIver State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Estacada, OR
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 630-7150

    $8 - $78 / night

    "Just 45 minutes outside of Portland, and near the town of Estacada, is Milo McIver State Park, which I consider to be a quintessential Oregon State Park: lots of huge evergreen trees, large campsites,"

    "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."

    2. Oxbow Regional Park

    36 Reviews
    Corbett, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 797-1850

    $25 / night

    "Close proximity to Multonomah Falls. Pros - bathrooms with electric outlets, free showers, deer come close and are fun to watch, quiet & fairly private stay."

    "There is distance between you and other guests but if you want to meet your neighbors you can. They have ADA sites, a lake, play grounds and a welcome center."

    3. Barton County Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Eagle Creek, OR
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 742-4422

    $28 - $81 / night

    "Close to Portland so it gets a lot of day traffic. Access to river so it has summer activities. Sites for large get togethers."

    "The kids enjoyed the playground and biking around the loop. The river access down at the day use was lovely. All the park staff were friendly."

    4. Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground

    72 Reviews
    Donald, OR
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 678-1251

    $24 - $168 / night

    "As I rode up to the site, I noticed right away that it was not tucked far away from the amenities such as restrooms, and showers. It was part of one of the campground loops."

    "Champoeg State Heritage Area is a beautiful and peaceful campground located near Newberg, Oregon."

    5. Jantzen Beach RV Park

    35 Reviews
    Vancouver, OR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 289-7626

    $40 / night

    "Arrived here late for a single night stay on the way to the Oregon Coast. This is a very convenient stopover for those needing a place to stay near Portland."

    "The park's location is very convenient, with easy access to downtown Portland and nearby attractions."

    6. Columbia River RV Park

    27 Reviews
    Vancouver, OR
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 285-1515

    $30 - $150 / night

    "The location couldn’t be more convenient, right near Portland and just steps away from the beautiful Columbia River."

    "One star off for density, you’re right next to each other, and for the very bright street lighting in there. We thought it overkill, but perhaps they have their reasons. Super nice facilities."

    7. Clackamette RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Oregon City, OR
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 496-1201

    "Simple RV park with access to everything. The river is right there, bike trails, grass area, walk to town, everything."

    "Right off the exit of 205, it's very easy to get to, and a beautiful spot where the Clackamas flows into the Willamette."

    8. Portland Fairview RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Fairview, OR
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Most spots were pull-though with decently wide streets to drive in. Even though it's just off a semi-major street, it's set back enough and surrounded by trees to be more quiet."

    9. Sun Outdoors Portland South

    11 Reviews
    Wilsonville, OR
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 532-7829

    "There’s a fenced in dog area and lawn you can walk on leash. The only downside is that the standard sites are small and very close to neighbors."

    "It is located right of the interstate but feels secluded. They have both back in and pull through sites, a little tight with neighbors but I was told it is better than other RV resorts."

    10. Mt Hood Village Resort

    47 Reviews
    Rhododendron, OR
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "There is a playground onsite for those with children and plenty of bike paths and walking paths to keep you busy."

    "We were parked next to the bathroom that was in the area and the facilities were very clean. The river that runs along the property was very beautiful."

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Recent Reviews near Happy Valley, OR

1911 Reviews of 313 Happy Valley Campgrounds


  • Hayden G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Trillium Sno-Park

    Parking lot van camping

    Stayed for 1 night. Access to Redtop meadows trail. Hike the trail access to berries

  • Kathy C.
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Clackamette RV Park

    Great location

    Close to the river, and all the amenities of town.

  • Hayden G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Government Camp Safety Rest Area

    Clean bathrooms

    Big lot. Right next to the US26 so it can be loud but the restrooms were clean and there’s a self serve gas station next door

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Pocket Creek Camping

    Pocket Creek Gem

    We actually left our Casita at the previous campsite to drive around and see if we could find some good gems and we sure did! Our rig mad it up to this flat spot on FR3540 about 2 miles up a nicely paved forest road. Now, there were some potholes but driving slow we were able to easily get our rig plus our Casita to this spot. We backed her up right by a little creek and the grounds seems pretty level for us. It’s quite from traffic and have only see 2 dirt bikes drives by. There are at least 7 van sites on the way up and maybe a site or 2 more (that we saw) where you fit a trailer…we just got lucky no one was here. But again plenty of site for vans or tints off this road.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    White River West Sno-Park

    Lot Spot

    This is an easy camping spot. A huge parking lot where everybody is respectful of each other space. It wasn’t too crowded when we went maybe about six other campers. There is a beautiful river that you can hike to and around and a few other trails here and there. The restrooms were Fairly clean. I would definitely come and stay here again.

  • S. Renae M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Wind Mountain RV Park

    Rustic, clean and safe! Wonderful getaway !

    Got here and loved the place. Some camp spot are pretty close but you have amazing views! Not far from the city.
    I love this place!!

    The camp host Chris is awesome ! Straight forward kinda guy and takes great care of this place!! Will definitely be back!!

  • L
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Reeder Beach RV Park & Country Store

    Quiet spot on the Columbia river

    Nice quiet campground along the Columbia river in Oregon. Minutes from Portland, with lots of fun farm stands and rural experience.

  • L
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Nehalem River Park & Campground

    Great beach access, but prepare yourself for steep dunes - clean campground

    I thought this was a great campground especially for families. There was some noise into the night, to be expected for a campground with so many amenities for kids to enjoy. But I would return because it was so clean and the beach is gorgeous. I wish it was a little more wooded/shrubby between camps, but I didn't feel like I was breathing my neighbor's exhale so that's fine. I saw reviews about the dunes being pretty big to get to the beach and I didn't really believe them until I was heading back into camp at night, yeah that hill is a lot coming back up so beware. I would avoid bringing my grandpa here.


Guide to Happy Valley

Camping near Happy Valley, Oregon centers largely on river access and trail connectivity. Most campsites within 30 minutes sit at elevations between 200-600 feet, providing cooler nights than Portland proper even in summer months. Winter camping options remain limited mostly to RV parks, with seasonal closures affecting tent sites from November through February.

What to do

Disc golf courses: At Milo McIver State Park, visitors can play "two competition quality disc golf courses. That's right, two." The park hosts "the annual Beaver State Fling, a PDGA sanctioned National Tour event," making it "an excellent host for the international players that come to the Pacific Northwest."

Wildlife viewing: Observation opportunities extend beyond typical forest creatures. One camper at Champoeg State Heritage Area noted the historical aspects: "What a find!!! We love it here. The campground is very well laid out and there are plenty of hiking and biking trails right from your campsite." Another visitor highlighted the area's "farmhouse fascinated my boys... they got to water the garden with a water pump and buckets!"

Water activities: The Clackamas River offers excellent paddling options. At Barton County Park, "Great place to put into the river to float or kayak. Lots of parking." Another visitor mentioned, "We love to float the river! The play area/park is one of my kids favorite. Lots of area to play. Volleyball, gagaball, playground."

What campers like

Privacy levels: Site separation varies considerably between parks. At Mt Hood Village Resort, "The full hook up sites are in old growth timber giving each site a feeling of seclusion." This contrasts with other parks where privacy is minimal. One camper noted, "It's more of an RV campground. But, it does have several yurts, and a tent camping area."

Clean facilities: Many campers prioritize well-maintained bathrooms. At Oxbow Regional Park, visitors appreciate "clean campsite with the basic amenities." One camper mentioned "The bathrooms here are great - showers, running water, and flush toilets!" Another noted "Restrooms are well maintained and have excellent showers. No coins needed."

River access: Barton County Park Campground receives praise for being "a hidden gem!" where "the river access down at the day use was lovely." One visitor called it "the gateway to our annual Float With Friends," while another pointed out it's "Close to the river and a good area to launch from for a day of rafting."

What you should know

Seasonal restrictions: Fire bans frequently affect summer camping. At Oxbow Regional Park, a visitor noted: "In my app it said camp fires allowed. And they ARE NOT allowed at this time. The park rangers are super nice and friendly and definitely efficient." Always check current fire restrictions before arrival.

Connectivity issues: Cell service varies dramatically between parks. One camper reported "Barely got 1 bar of 4g at the welcome center. There's a guest wifi in the parking lot there too but it's 2 miles further to the camp ground and texts hardly go through." Another noted "No wifi and we had no phone reception. There are emergency phones installed throughout the park."

Site selection tips: Choose locations strategically to avoid noise. "Road noise can be loud here. Try to get a site as close to the river as you can so you can avoid the highway noise at night." Likewise, "Avoid camping next to the porta potties - we did that one time and a truck at 6:30am came to empty them."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Many parks offer dedicated children's areas. Barton Park offers "Lots of area to play. Volleyball, gagaball, playground." Another camper noted that during their June 2025 stay, "there was a section of the playground marked off with cones and pink tape. Apparently a migratory bird was nesting on the ground so they blocked it off so people wouldn't disturb it."

Educational opportunities: Champoeg State Heritage Area provides historical learning experiences. "Along the way got to see the Champoeg Heritage site with period piece actors, wide open spaces, and the Willamette River." The park combines outdoor recreation with learning: "GREAT biking trails that are kid friendly. There lots of historical sites around the campground to enjoy as well."

Transit-friendly camping: Car-free families have options too. At Barton Park, "We were able to take a city bus there and walk the 3/4 mile into the campground - also the fact that they sell firewood and have a store 3/4 mile away was a big bonus for us." This makes it accessible for families without vehicles.

Tips from RVers

Urban access sites: Clackamette RV Park offers proximity to Portland with natural settings. "Right off the exit of 205, it's very easy to get to, and a beautiful spot where the Clackamas flows into the Willamette. There's gas and dining within walking distance, multiple boat launches, nearby rentals, and lots of wildlife." Another RVer noted it's "Simple RV park with access to everything. The river is right there, bike trails, grass area, walk to town, everything."

Hookup limitations: Some parks offer partial connections only. At Clackamette, you'll find "E/W hookups" but no sewer at individual sites. A camper reported "There's a dump station at the entrance that's $10 (pay with credit card), but it's supposed to be free if you're camping here." Always check specific hookup availability when booking.

Weather preparedness: Temperature variations affect comfort, especially in shoulder seasons. One visitor to Oxbow noted, "It got very cold at night so be prepared." Pack appropriate gear even for seemingly mild weather forecasts, as riverside locations often experience temperature drops after sunset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Reid Park in Happy Valley open for overnight camping?

Reid Park in Happy Valley does not offer overnight camping facilities. The park is a day-use recreational area only. For overnight camping near Happy Valley, consider Oxbow Regional Park, which is just a short drive away and offers reservable sites with water and toilet facilities. Another option is Barton County Park Campground, which provides similar amenities and is also convenient to Happy Valley.

Where are the best campgrounds near Happy Valley, Oregon?

The best campgrounds near Happy Valley include Clackamette RV Park, located in nearby Oregon City at the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers with great fishing access and proximity to urban amenities. For those willing to drive a bit further, Trillium Lake offers gorgeous views of Mt. Hood, shady campsites, and excellent swimming and paddleboarding opportunities. Other solid options include Mt Hood Village Resort for full amenities and Clackamas Lake Campground when other nearby sites are full.

What amenities are available at Happy Valley camping areas?

Camping areas near Happy Valley offer various amenities depending on the location. Silver Falls State Park Campground provides access to hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife viewing, tent sites, and yurts. For RV campers, Jantzen Beach RV Park offers full hookups, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic facilities like restrooms and potable water, while some offer additional amenities such as showers, picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby recreational opportunities including fishing, swimming, and hiking.