Silver Falls State Park Campground offers diverse glamping opportunities near Independence, Oregon, approximately 40 miles away in Sublimity. The park features both standard campsites and cabin accommodations with electricity and heat. Several campgrounds within driving distance of Independence provide glamping alternatives including yurts, cabins, and safari-style accommodations that combine outdoor experiences with modern comforts.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: Silver Falls State Park provides extensive hiking opportunities beyond the famous waterfall circuit. "Probably the easiest accessibility to the most awesome waterfalls per few square miles in Oregon. Ample Parking and many different falls and trails to choose from," notes Jeremy A. at Silver Falls State Park Campground.
Disc golf courses: Waterloo County Park offers recreational activities beyond standard camping. "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!" according to Ally T.
Dog-friendly spaces: Multiple campgrounds accommodate pets with designated areas. Laura M. reports that Silver Falls State Park has "a nice off leash dog area, but it's not fenced in, so heads up on that."
Kayaking options: Rivers Edge RV Park provides water recreation opportunities. Marie E. notes, "The river is crystal clear with a rock bed not dirt and muck... It does look like a stop/launch for kayakers as well so if that's your thing do it."
What campers like
Year-round availability: Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground stays open when other options close. Somer L. says, "Love to stay here when all the other campgrounds close. Nice hiking trails. The rangers are very nice. Beautiful scenery."
Clean restroom facilities: Campers consistently praise bathroom cleanliness. At Silver Falls State Park Campground, Richard H. comments, "Bathrooms and showers are super nice and clean. Roads and campsites are paved and level. Short drive or hike to the falls."
Non-crowded alternatives: Less busy campgrounds provide a quieter glamping experience near Independence. Beverly Beach State Park receives positive reviews for its atmosphere: "Much smaller than South Beach State Park a few miles south, but in my opinion a more relaxed campground," writes Erik C. at Beverly Beach State Park Campground.
Varied accommodation types: From standard tent sites to luxury options, the region offers multiple glamping styles. Kristen W. notes at Beverly Beach State Park Campground: "This place is beautiful. Many if not most of the campsites are nestled between large trees, which gives them some privacy."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Weather affects campground conditions differently throughout the year. At Devil's Lake State Recreation Area, Blake F. warns: "If you plan on booking a trip in the late Fall/winter, be sure to call ahead of your trip. I've been here in the fall when more than half the campsites were flooded or filled with standing water."
Campsite spacing concerns: Some sites offer less privacy than others. At Premier RV Resort, Kimberly E. notes: "Very nice park. The staff was excellent. The spaces are a bit too close for me. No shade."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer months. The Albany-Corvallis KOA receives consistent visitors, with Felix Y. advising: "The campground staff are very organized and efficient."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity creates background noise at certain locations. Annie C. comments about Devil's Lake State Recreation Area: "It is kinda loud as you are really close to the highway and on the edge of a busy town, but if you can get a tent site in the tent only area (towards the back with lots of trees) or a hookup site along the back, it's not too bad."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Waterloo County Park offers kid-friendly amenities. Cococounty L. states: "Great place for kids and adults and pets. Play area, fishing ramp, camp sites and plenty of car or RV parking."
Water safety concerns: Rivers require supervision for younger campers. Len S. cautions about Waterloo County Park: "On the river good fishing... but be aware... current is swift.. swimmers seem to get in trouble every year here."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds feature historical learning experiences. Ashley B. notes about Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground: "Along the way got to see the Champoeg Heritage site with period piece actors, wide open spaces, and the Willamette River."
Weather considerations: Pack appropriate gear for variable conditions. Melissa L. advises at Silver Falls State Park: "BEWARE: It's WET, so bring your wet weather gear, and good, sturdy hiking shoes for slippery terrain."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose specific sites for the best experience at Albany-Corvallis KOA. Ray & Terri F. advise about Premier RV Resort: "We were in site 57 for 4 days in mid September... the sites are fairly short and narrow... our slides extended well past the concrete pad on both sides, leaving very little room to get around our RV."
Utility specifics: Know what connections are available. Kevin H. notes at Waterloo County Park: "Hook-ups for Electric and Water only, but they have a 'waste water' (gray water) disposal every few sites where you can pour any gray water. There is a sewer dump station located in the park."
Connectivity details: Some parks offer better digital access than others. Jill R. shares about the Albany-Corvallis KOA: "The best surprise is wifi that actually works. Enough bandwidth that I actually got connected and was able to download a couple of things and watch a YouTube video on using some new RV gear."
Seasonal planning: Time your visit for the best conditions. George L. reports from Emerald Valley RV Park: "Overall site was clean and well maintained. Sites were level and good WiFi. Bathhouse was clean and modern. Some road noise since it's close to the highway."
