RV parks near Lake Oswego, Oregon are generally situated between the foothills of Mount Hood and the Willamette Valley, with elevations ranging from 100 to 500 feet above sea level. While summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with minimal rainfall, winter camping requires preparation for frequent precipitation and occasional snow at higher elevation parks. Most parks offer walking paths connecting to regional trail systems, with varying distances to local shopping and dining options.
What to do
River access for fishing and swimming: Sandy Riverfront RV Resort sits directly on the Sandy River with swimming opportunities just steps from your site. "It's right on the Sandy River where you can enjoy the beautiful views and swim (very carefully...bring life-vests to be safe) and next to Glenn Otto Park (just across the street)," notes a reviewer at Sandy Riverfront RV Resort.
Shopping at outlet malls: Portland-Woodburn RV Park provides walkable access to the Woodburn Premium Outlets. "The park sits right behind the Woodburn Outlet Mall with own private entrance. Off I-5 and convenient shopping for groceries or gas nearby," explains a long-term camper who appreciates the "terrific staff" and "neat and clean" grounds at the park.
Mountain recreation and hiking: Access Mount Hood recreation areas from camping bases closer to the mountain. "The main attraction of this place is the nearby recreation. There is a path that leads to the Wildwood recreation area and within the RV park itself there is access to the Salmon River for fishing/swimming," mentions a visitor to Mt Hood Village Resort.
What campers like
Quiet settings despite urban proximity: Despite being close to Portland, some parks maintain relatively peaceful environments. "Even though it's just off a semi-major street, it's set back enough and surrounded by trees to be more quiet," notes a visitor to Portland Fairview RV Park.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many parks in the area prioritize cleanliness and good maintenance. "The front office was clean and the manager nice. While there's definitely some long-term and month-to-month spots, most RVs aren't spilling over with 'extras' like some places," reports one camper at Portland Fairview RV Park.
Convenient location for exploring: RV parks provide strategic access to both urban and natural attractions. "We enjoyed the fact it was close to the highway that takes you east towards quite a few sights and Hood River," states a reviewer about proximity to Columbia River Gorge destinations from a nearby park.
What you should know
Train noise at riverfront locations: Some parks near rivers often have train tracks nearby. "Train bridge across from the park so there is train noise," warns a camper at Sandy Riverfront RV Resort, while another mentions, "You do hear noises from the distant freeway and airport. There is a train bridge visible from the park, which is both entertaining and a bit noisy at times."
Space limitations for large vehicles: Site dimensions vary significantly between parks, with some better suited for smaller RVs. "We unfortunately didn't get a pull-through site even though quite a few were available. The spaces are pre-assigned but very tight. I'll need to disconnect the toad and perform multiple back and forths to exit," explains a camper at Woodburn I-5 RV Park.
Water pressure concerns: Some parks experience infrastructure challenges. "Water pressure is the lowest we've ever experienced. Not sure what's going on but all of the folks we've talked to are experiencing the same," reports a camper at Jantzen Beach RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for parks with multiple pools: Certain parks offer swimming options that appeal to families. "My kiddos absolutely loved the three pools, playground, and basketball hoops. Plenty to check out and explore for them even if this was not your typical 'campground' experience," shares a parent who visited Jantzen Beach RV Park with children.
Consider day-use park access: Some RV parks connect directly to public recreation areas. "This is one of those interesting RV parks/campgrounds that's attached to a city park and to boat ramps/fishing, so you have a lot of day use activity going on," explains a visitor to Clackamette RV Park.
Seek organized children's activities: During peak seasons, some parks offer structured recreation. "Good family camping spot. Pros - there is a playground, swimming pool, small store, cafe, bathrooms with showers (and warm water) and activities during the day for kids," notes a family who camped at Mt Hood Village Resort.
Tips from RVers
Age restrictions on RVs: Some parks limit stays based on RV manufacturing date. "They also have RV age limit of 2010 but they allowed pictures before turning me down. Yay we got approved!" shares a camper at Roamers Rest RV Park.
After-hours arrival procedures: Parks handle late check-ins differently. "We rolled in after hours, office closed but they are so organized, available spots are clearly indicated with specific instructions," explains an RVer who appreciated the well-organized system at Sandy Riverfront RV Resort.
Access to local transit: Some parks offer convenient public transportation connections. "We don't have a tow car so we relied on public transportation to get to downtown, which was great (though it is a 1 mile walk to the bus stop)," advises a camper at Columbia River RV Park who successfully used transit to access Portland attractions.
