The camping landscape near Gladstone, Oregon includes several established campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground, located in St. Paul, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts. Milo McIver State Park Campground in Estacada provides seasonal camping from March through October with tent and RV sites plus yurts. Both locations feature electric hookups, showers, and toilets. Other nearby options include Barton County Park Campground in Boring and Oxbow Regional Park in Gresham, which accommodate tent and RV camping with varying amenities and seasonal availability.
Many campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during summer months when sites fill quickly. Most developed campgrounds offer water and electric hookups, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Barton County Park prohibits alcohol, while most other campgrounds allow it. Weather conditions remain mild year-round, though winter camping may experience significant rainfall. Cell service is generally available at campgrounds closer to Portland, but may be limited in more remote areas. Accessibility varies by location, with some campgrounds offering ADA facilities. According to one visitor at Clackamette RV Park, "RV only campsite near Oregon City. Campsite is right at the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers. Self-contained RV sites very close to the water with bathroom facilities available in the daytime."
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront locations, particularly those along the Clackamas and Willamette Rivers. Milo McIver State Park receives consistent praise for its natural setting and wildlife viewing opportunities. A review noted, "Amazing spot—gorgeous, full of wildlife, and lots of wonderful trails close by. There's a wildlife viewing area close by. We saw so many elk, water birds, and at least 5 bald eagles." Most campgrounds in the area feature fire rings and picnic tables at individual sites. Several RV parks cater specifically to motorhomes and travel trailers, including Clackamette RV Park, Sun Outdoors Portland South, and Portland Fairview RV Park. These locations typically offer full hookups but may have more limited privacy between sites compared to state park campgrounds. Gladstone's central location provides campers with convenient access to multiple campsites within a 30-minute drive, making it an ideal base for exploring Oregon's diverse camping options.
$22 - $152 / 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 great place to visit for camping, biking, and especially if you're excited about Oregon history."
$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."
$25 - $59 / 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."
"Clackamette RV Park is well located in the heart of Oregon City, offering easy access to the river, nearby bike paths, and the town itself."
"Simple RV park with access to everything. The river is right there, bike trails, grass area, walk to town, everything."
$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."
"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."
$30 - $150 / night
"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."
"Great location—right by the river. We arrived late in the evening, and the staff met us and showed us to our room, which was especially helpful in the dark."
"A well cared for location. I think we got the last space! It’s a busy place. A bit of a head scratcher on what brings people here. Certainly located in and around a number of destinations."
$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."
"Jantzen Beach RV Park feels like a real-world stop straight out of a Subway Surfers World Tour—a lively, convenient, and colorful place where travelers pause, recharge, and enjoy the surroundings before"
"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."
GuideThis is a nice campground, lots of trees, clean restrooms. We visited Mt Hood and got snow. We also did the Historic Highway 30 and saw all the waterfalls. Stop in at Gorges Brewery, nice beer, I loved the Stout. The staff at the campground were so helpful, letting us know the “must sees”, I would stay again. If you don’t like train sounds, you will need to find a place away from the river.
ScoutLovely park tucked away just far enough it's like you're miles away but you're just a turn away from town and a stones throw from the highway quiet clean and just big enough to never get lost.
TravelerNot too busy this time of year, but a great find!
GuideThis is the cleanest campground that I have ever visited. Came here to visit family, I would stay again. Sites are close together, but good space with well maintained grass.
GuideGreat location here in the gorge for hiking biking river access here at the park direct access to the bike trail. large sites, showers and bathrooms hiking trails in the park as well.
TravelerEasy to access off the road to Trillium Lake. Can be quite crowded depending on the time of year
ScoutI recently stayed at Reeder Beach RV Park& Country Store, and honestly, it’s one of those places that gives you a mix of peace and practicality. The biggest highlight is definitely the location—right along the Columbia River. Waking up to ships slowly passing by while you sip your morning coffee is a vibe you don’t get everywhere. The campground itself is quiet, clean, and feels like a small escape from city life, even though Portland is just a short drive away. Facilities are decent for an RV spot—full hookups, picnic tables, and a small country store for essentials. It’s not super luxury, but that’s kind of the charm. It feels simple and real. One thing to note: bring your own drinking water just to be safe, as some reviews mention water quality concerns. Now here’s something interesting—while the place is all about disconnecting, I still had decent signal. So during downtime, I ended up chilling by the river and trying out a few modded games I had downloaded earlier(yeah, from Happy Mod 😄). It’s actually the perfect combo: nature outside, entertainment when you need it. Final thoughts: If you’re looking for a peaceful riverside stay that’s close to the city but feels far away, this place is worth it. Just come prepared, keep it simple, and enjoy the balance between offline vibes and a little digital fun.
RangerPeaceful riverside spot with a solid balance of privacy and access. Sites sit right along the Molalla River, giving you constant water sound, easy access for wading/swimming, and good wildlife activity. The layout is spread out enough that you’re not stacked on top of other campers, especially in the more tucked-away spots. 
Amenities are basic—no hookups—but you get essentials like toilets, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings. This keeps it feeling more off-grid without being roughing-it level.
LegendThere are 31 dispersed sites along Timothy Lake. All are First come/First serve. You need to fill out a permit and leave it on a post at the site.
Most of the sites are free. The ones at meditation point cost $10--but that fee was waived in 2025 because the bathrooms were out of order. Not sure what will be in the future.
There's a parking lot less than a mile walk in and it costs either $10 to park there or free with one of the approved passes. America the Beautiful or NW Forest Pass.
Make sure you camp in a designated spot. Great views of the lake. Swimming. Boating. Fishing. Hiking. Back packing.
Can be busy--especially on summer weekends.
Campsites near Gladstone, Oregon offer year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation along the area's major waterways. The region sits at the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers, creating diverse camping environments within a 30-mile radius of the city. Most campgrounds in the area are situated between 200-500 feet elevation, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows rarely dropping below freezing.
Disc golf adventures: Milo McIver State Park provides two competition-quality disc golf courses that attract both casual players and professionals. "Home of the annual Beaver State Fling, a PDGA sanctioned National Tour event, Milo McIver is an excellent host for the international players that come to the Pacific Northwest for a chance to win the tournament," notes Steve C.
River activities: The Clackamas River offers prime access points for rafting, tubing and kayaking at multiple campgrounds. Barton Park is particularly popular for river recreation. "One of my favorite things to do when the weather warms up is to float. I enjoy the Clackamas River. We sometimes start at Barton Park after lunch. It's lovely all around!" writes Rebekah H.
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds feature developed trail systems suitable for various activity levels. Oxbow Regional Park provides extensive nature trails rather than challenging hikes. "I was able to hike the area and enjoy a serene weekend in nature. Clean campsite with the basic amenities, conveniently only a 30-minute drive from Portland (but doesn't feel like you're near the city at all when you're there)," shares Krupa at Oxbow.
Historic exploration: At Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground, visitors appreciate the area's pioneer history. "Old little pioneer town. Has yurts and lots of hiking. Pet-friendly," says Derek B. The park offers opportunities to connect with Oregon's early settlement days through preserved structures and interpretive areas.
Family-friendly amenities: Multiple camping options near Gladstone feature playgrounds and recreational facilities. One visitor at Oxbow Regional Park notes, "The recent upgrades to playgrounds are awesome for the kids and the new welcome center makes check in a breeze." Finn M. also mentions that the outer loop sites are "quiet, spacious and wooded."
Cycling opportunities: The flat terrain around several campgrounds provides excellent biking opportunities. "Champoeg State Park is on the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, and a great place to camp if you want to do a long biking getaway," reports Stephanie Z. at Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground.
Seasonal camping limitations: Several campgrounds only operate during specific months. Milo McIver State Park is open from "March 15 to October 31" according to its listing, while Barton Park operates from "May 1 to October 31." Winter camping options are more limited but include Oxbow Regional Park and Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground.
No alcohol policies: Several county parks prohibit alcohol consumption. "Barton Campground has everything you need for a good trip. We stayed in site 91. We had power and water hook ups. The bathrooms in our loop were nice and clean," notes Lanae, but campers should be aware that alcohol is not permitted at this location.
Variable campsite spacing: Site privacy varies significantly between locations. At Sun Outdoors Portland South, "the spaces are very tight. A deluxe parking lot with trees, level spots but very busy. There is absolutely no privacy," according to Theo A. Contrast this with Milo McIver, where "the tent sites were also secluded and flat" according to Lindsey T.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature recently upgraded playground facilities. At Barton Park, one camper reports, "We love to float the river! The play area/park is one of my kids favorite. Lots of area to play. Volleyball, gagaball, playground." The recreational amenities make this park particularly appealing for families with children of various ages.
Multi-generational activities: Barton County Park Campground offers diverse recreation options that appeal across age ranges. "We camped here the first weekend in June with two other families, all with toddlers around the same age. The kids enjoyed the two playgrounds, wading in the river, and walking some nature trails. The park also offers horseshoe pits, volleyball courts and a boat ramp," notes Reid B.
Yurt options: For families new to camping or traveling with young children, several campgrounds offer yurt accommodations. "We've been here 3 times, once for tent camping and twice in a yurt. The yurts are heated, and a couple of them are pet friendly, which is great for us! There is a small table in each yurt," reports Lana N., making this an excellent option for families wanting more protection from the elements.
Hookup variations: RV sites near Gladstone feature varying levels of hookups and services. At Columbia River RV Park, "There is free Wi-Fi, cable, trash service, and water. The park has two off-leash dog areas, two shower facilities, a community kitchen, a rec room that you can use for gatherings," notes C H., making it suitable for extended stays.
Urban accessibility: Several RV parks offer convenient access to Portland metropolitan amenities. "About as close-in Portland as you can get for an RV (not trailer) park, this place is on the North side of town right next to the river," notes Corinna B. about Columbia River RV Park, providing an urban camping option with river access.
Age restrictions: Some RV parks enforce restrictions on older vehicles. "They also have RV age limit of 2010 but they allowed pictures before turning me down. Yay we got approved!" reports Becky S. at Roamers Rest RV Park. This policy helps maintain the overall appearance of the park but may limit options for those with older RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Gladstone, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Gladstone, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 320 campgrounds and RV parks near Gladstone, OR and 44 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Gladstone, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gladstone, OR is Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 69 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gladstone, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 44 free dispersed camping spots near Gladstone, OR.
What parks are near Gladstone, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Gladstone, OR that allow camping, notably Mt. Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
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