Tent campsites near Logsden, Oregon offer varying access to the Siuslaw National Forest with terrain ranging from sea level to 4,097 feet at Mary's Peak. Average summer temperatures in the region reach 75-80°F with minimal rainfall between July and August, creating excellent camping conditions. Winter temperatures drop to 45-55°F with significant rainfall, making many forest roads challenging or impassable.
What to do
Mountain biking at Mary's Peak: The trails around Mary's Peak provide challenging terrain for cyclists. "There's also great old growth forest trails. And if you try hard you'll find an amazing waterfall trail about a half mile down the HARLAN Rd. Take a left off the Mary's peak rd about 200 yards before the winter gate," notes camper Ben M.
Fishing the Alsea River: Near Alsea River Getaway, campers can catch salmon directly from their campsite. "On the alsea river bank can fish for salmon from location. Very private and relaxing way to get away from the city," shares Earl.
Wildlife observation at Beaver Creek: The wetland areas near Forest Road 51 provide excellent beaver watching opportunities. "Beaver creek area was really cool, but the main trail was flooded out when I visited. I did see about 5 beavers close to the road though, so that was sweet," explains Dylan B.
What campers like
Seclusion from crowds: Dispersed sites in Suislaw National Forest offer exceptional privacy. "I drove back in a few miles and camped along the road, in some old growth forest. It was dark, and I mean truly dark in there when you shut off your lights off, and silent as a tomb. Huge uncut trees, bad ass country!" reports Paul B.
Weather variability: Mary's Peak campers appreciate the cooler temperatures at higher elevations. "Can get cold at night since it is at a higher altitude and weather changes quickly," warns Sonja O.
Natural surroundings: Campers at Forest Road 51 near Beaver Creek appreciate the dense forest setting. "We found a spot at the end of the road that opened up a little bit more than other sites. There were others around here and not a huge amount of site options, so be weary of spaces filling up. Lots of forest and greenery surrounding the area!" shares Emma T.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many forest service roads require appropriate vehicles. "Need AWD or 4x4. Excellent spot up 2 steep inclines. Some of the most beautiful views. Good fire ring. Do not attempt if wet," advises Connor G. about Suislaw National Forest dispersed camping.
Narrow access roads: Large vehicles may struggle on some routes. "Narrow and unpaved road. Very narrow, My trailer could barely fit through and there was only a three-way intersection inside to make a U-turn, otherwise my trailer wouldn't be able to get out!" cautions Leo Y. about Forest Road 51.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is unreliable in many camping areas. "There is no cell service in camp or along most of the 60-mile C2C (Corvallis to Coast) Trail," reports Michael from Big Elk Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Prepare for wildlife encounters: The dense forest areas contain diverse wildlife. "My Cane Corso bully dog made it much less spooky at night, not many things would want a piece of him," shares Paul B. about camping in Siuslaw National Forest.
Consider campground size: Some campgrounds offer limited spaces, requiring early arrival. "Only about 10 sites here, the camp host was very nice and sold us firewood! Not a very busy campsite but it is pretty!" reports Cat R. about Big Elk Campground.
Explore educational opportunities: Alsea Falls offers nature learning experiences for children. "This was a pretty easy hike to this little falls. The terrain was a little slippery, but then again we went in March. The falls were full from all the rain and the forest was just gorgeous," describes Molly H.
Tips from RVers
Avoid certain campgrounds: Some camping areas near Logsden aren't suitable for RVs. "It's a one lane road with some turnouts. Nice and quiet, but no real level spots," reports Bruce about Forest Road 51.
Consider alternative locations: For better RV access, Netarts Bay RV Park & Marina offers more suitable accommodations. "Flat paved rv sites, can see it getting crowded during peak season. Prices are on the higher end but you get what you pay for as they accommodate for fishing and crabbing," notes C.W.
Length restrictions: Forest roads often have tight turns and limited pull-offs. "I probably wouldn't do this if I had a trailer or an rv, but my toyota Corolla did just fine. The marked coordinates are a little overgrown, but there's a good tent spot a couple hundred feet beforehand," advises Shelby S. about Forest Road 51.
