Lebanon area campgrounds range from riverside sites along the South Santiam to farm settings and golf course RV spots. The region maintains mild temperatures from April through October with daytime highs of 65-85°F, while winter camping requires preparation for frequent rainfall. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 300-500 feet, providing access to both valley and foothills recreation.
What to do
Disc golf access: River Bend County Park offers an on-site disc golf course through wooded areas. "Nice campground with toilets and showers, close to South Santiam river. Great place to come for the Oregon Jamboree," notes Cindy U., adding that the campground's dense tree coverage in loops A-B-C provides natural shade for summer play.
Waterfall exploration: McDowell Creek Falls provides hiking options near Lebanon-area campgrounds. "Campgrounds were fairly nice and had a woodsy feel. Nearby hiking includes McDowell creek falls where there are a couple of medium grade hiking trails that can be muddy," shares Kassidy D. from Waterloo County Park.
Hiking opportunities: Silver Falls State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems. "What can I say? Silver Falls is a magical place and everyone should experience it. You can just get lost in the beauty of it all," says Jeff K., though he recommends bringing "wet weather gear, and good, sturdy hiking shoes for slippery terrain" due to consistent moisture around the falls.
What campers like
River access: River Bend County Park provides direct South Santiam River frontage. "The main attraction here is the South Santiam River, which in October is stunning. Would love to visit in the summer when can actually take a dip," writes Kathy B. about River Bend County Park, adding that "It's a great place to come and sit and meditate, watch the birds, just relax."
Site spacing: Waterloo County Park offers 120 sites with mixed privacy levels. "The sites are spaced out nicely and the park is very quiet," notes Kevin H., who appreciated that the park includes "a 'waste water' (gray water) disposal every few sites where you can pour any gray water" in addition to the main dump station.
Pet-friendly amenities: Most Lebanon campgrounds welcome pets with varying accommodations. "Dogs are allowed, but no pet area to run loose" at Mallard Creek Golf and RV Resort, according to Cindy U., though nearby Waterloo Park offers more pet exercise areas. The golf resort provides cement tables at each site along with cable hookups.
What you should know
Security considerations: Some Lebanon area campgrounds have reported varying security issues. "I would recommend locking everything up though, just my personal tip," advises Cococounty L., who otherwise describes Waterloo Park as offering "Year round fun" with "great fishing" along the river.
Shower facilities: Campground shower quality varies throughout the region. At Knox Butte RV Park, Robert R. found that "The showers were clean and had good water pressure," while noting the campground had "nice clean picnic tables, and plenty of green lush grass" — important for campers with pets.
Site selection: Many campgrounds offer varied site types for different preferences. River Bend County Park features "level sites with water and electric. Dump station on site. The sites are private with picnic tables and fire pits," according to Kathy B., who also mentioned that "the creekside cabins... look super cute" for those seeking alternative accommodations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Riverside parks typically offer play areas for children. "This would be a nice place to take the kids, there is a small playground and a field. Lots of nice trees and a trail," reports Cassie B. about River Bend County Park.
Swimming safety: River currents require caution with children. "Current is swift... swimmers seem to get in trouble every year here," warns Len S. from Waterloo County Park, suggesting parents supervise water activities closely, especially during spring runoff.
Community spaces: Some campgrounds offer communal areas for family activities. At Carsner Tree Farm, Amy R. enjoyed that they "had free rein of the barn area" and found that "The hosts were super welcoming and accommodating, had a campfire going when we arrived, and even had fresh coffee brewed in the morning!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality: Full-service sites vary in electrical capacity. At Gills Landing RV Park, James and Susan K. found "20 full hookup sites with locked safe restrooms/coin showers," noting that the "Camp host greets upon arrival and provides area maps and complimentary tokens for showers."
Internet connectivity: Reliable WiFi can be found at select locations. At Albany-Corvallis KOA, Jill R. discovered "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," calling it "the first time in 10+ years of RVing that I've had really good wifi at a park."
Leveling requirements: Site surfaces vary between campgrounds. At Knox Butte RV Park, "Everything is paved" according to Robert R., while other nearby parks may require additional leveling equipment for comfortable setup.
