Best Campgrounds near Mapleton, OR

Camping locations throughout the Siuslaw River valley near Mapleton, Oregon provide a mix of riverside and forested sites ranging from developed campgrounds to primitive options. Archie Knowles Campground, operated by Lane County Parks, features nine sites along Knowles Creek, while Whittaker Creek Recreation Site offers approximately 30 campsites where Whittaker Creek meets the Siuslaw River. The area accommodates tent camping, RVs, and in some locations, cabins and yurts. Most developed campgrounds in the region sit between the coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean, creating easy access to both forest recreation and beach activities.

Seasonal considerations affect campground availability, with many sites open primarily from May through September. Whittaker Creek Recreation Site operates from May 22 to September 8, offering fishing access and creek swimming during warm months. Road conditions vary throughout the region, with some campgrounds accessible via paved roads while others require navigating forest service roads. Cell service remains limited or non-existent in many camping areas, particularly those in canyon bottoms or surrounded by dense forest. Highway noise impacts some locations, especially Archie Knowles Campground. A review noted, "This campground is finally reopened after being closed for a few years. It is a beautiful setting and they have been restoring the riparian zone surrounding the creek/river. Unfortunately, the road is very loud and the main route to the coast from the southern Willamette valley."

Riverfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Mapleton area, with multiple campgrounds offering direct water access. Whittaker Creek provides wading opportunities in a small dammed area suitable for children, while sites near the Siuslaw River support fishing and boating. Trail access varies between campgrounds, with some offering direct connections to hiking routes such as the Whittaker Ridge Old Growth Trail. Several reviews mention privacy differences between sites, with some campgrounds offering dense vegetation between campsites while others have more open layouts. A camper observed about Whittaker Creek, "There are tons of things to do around the campground. From swimming and catching crawdads to hiking the old growth trail there is almost something for everyone." Nearby Sweet Creek Falls trail provides additional recreation opportunities within a short drive of several camping areas.

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Best Camping Sites Near Mapleton, Oregon (176)

    1. Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park Campground

    73 Reviews
    Florence, OR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 997-3851

    $26 - $80 / night

    "We stayed here at the group site and it was great—huge field, winding paths through heavy forest to arrive at a beautiful, sunny lake."

    "Special and unique landscape right in the center of Oregon Dunes. We love it here. Located close to the quant town of Florence. Lots of nearby hikes, beach access, and of course the dunes. Enjoy!"

    2. Sutton Campground

    29 Reviews
    Florence, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 997-2715

    $31 - $220 / night

    "Super pretty spot, tucked right next to a little creek. It felt private without being too far off the path — ideal if you want a bit of peace but still feel like part of the campground."

    "This place is tucked into the woods and our space is yards away from access to a hiking trail that goes to the ocean. Hosts very friendly and helpful. Bathroom very clean."

    3. Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Yachats, OR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 547-3416

    $26 - $67 / night

    "1/2 mile walk to the beach. Clean, safe, and quietWell maintained campgrounds, as are all Oregon parks. Great reservation system. (California in comparison has a terrible website. What’s up CA?)"

    "This Oregon state park is one of the few Oregon state parks who don’t have reservations. It is a first come first come facility."

    4. Thousand Trails South Jetty

    25 Reviews
    Florence, OR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Beautiful park on the Oregon coast just outside of the Oregon Dunes national park. Great people and clean well kept facilities."

    "This is one of our favorite campgrounds, very similar to Thousand Trails Pacific City."

    5. Alder Dune Campground

    22 Reviews
    Florence, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 997-2526

    $31 / night

    "Alder Dune is just a little ways down from the 101 tucked next to Alder Lake. There are beautiful paths that walk around the grounds and lake."

    "Our site was directly across the bathroom, but you cross a little bridge and walk up about 10 steps to the flat tent pad."

    6. Harbor Vista Campground

    19 Reviews
    Florence, OR
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 682-2000

    $35 - $70 / night

    "The park sits up on a bluff overlooking the ocean but most sites are tucked into the tree that provided us with shelter from the wind."

    "-Close to lots of hiking in the area -Working with camp hosts was easy. Money drop box or can use card with host (just call ahead) -Tent spots have room for car next to your area."

    7. Port of Siuslaw Campground & Marina

    16 Reviews
    Florence, OR
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 997-3040

    $35 - $55 / night

    "Parks that are walking distance to shops and restaurants are such a treat.  "

    "The main draw of this campground is its proximity to the cute town of Florence. We don't tow a car, so being able to camp within walking distance of shops and restaurants is always a treat."

    8. Archie Knowles Campground

    8 Reviews
    Mapleton, OR
    3 miles
    Website

    "Host was nice, firewood was available

    About 20 min from Florence, which is on the Oregon Coast. Better spot for fuel and groceries if needed. Cp is just outside of Mapleton, a cute little town."

    "Close to highway, but, it wasn't too loud after dark."

    9. Whittaker Creek Recreation Site

    11 Reviews
    Walton, OR
    10 miles
    Website

    $20 - $40 / night

    "My site was close to the bathroom and my site was right against the creek, which was peaceful. Even though the parking area of my site was small but the rest of it was large-lots of privacy."

    "It was peaceful and located next a wonderful creek and river. The host was very nice as well. I posted up on camp site #1 next to a fish ladder."

    10. Cape Perpetua

    31 Reviews
    Yachats, OR
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 547-4580

    $34 - $190 / night

    "Definitely a popular place, but we managed to snag an amazing site next to a babbling creek, tucked down in trees and secluded from everyone else."

    "The Campground itself is tucked up into a canyon and has a nice stream running past each site.  "

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Recent Reviews near Mapleton, OR

1178 Reviews of 176 Mapleton Campgrounds


  • Crystal J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Doolittle Butte

    A Billion Stars On Clear Nights

    Beautiful stop for dispersed camping someone built benches road is not too rough for most cars but it feels very much like your in the middle of no where but only really about 5 miles off shoestring rd on blm rd lot's of space for big group with multiple cars

  • L
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Harbor Vista Campground

    Great beach access, clean bathrooms/showers, nice camp hosts!

    ***The fog horn runs on the jetty constantly during fog season, sounding a tone every 35 seconds.*** I got used to it but I can see it making the right person go bananas and maybe not be able to stay here.

    I thought the camp hosts were super accommodating, wanting to drive my wood bundle over to my site for me. The single shower was awesome, very clean and spacious. Felt a bit like glamping here, but I did notice the sink waste receptacles were not mapped out in a very accessible way. my neighbor had one but I didn't, and I didn't want to walk into their camp to dump water. 

    I enjoyed the little walk down to a beachy area. Lots of huckleberries all over the campground.

  • L
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Beverly Beach State Park Campground

    Loud, lack of privacy, but great access to the beach

    This is a great campground for families with young kids, but not ideal if you're seeking a quiet escape. I loved the quick walk to the beach and the amazing fossil beds all along the cliffside, that very highly enjoyable. But I found myself pretty irritated back at camp due to how close the sites are to each other and a general lack of etiquette. I didn't see one group of campers in the A loop who didn't have kids, so the vibe was very much that of a playground everywhere including directly in front of my site. A parent played a game with their very loud kid in front of my site that inevitably included throwing a frisbee into the site, and not apologizing for coming into my little area. Basically zero acknowledgement that I existed from any groups around me, I thought it was pretty inconsiderate, but perhaps I was the one out of place. And maybe I got unlucky but that neighbor who came into my site was a gentle parent type who let the kid, probably 7, throw huge temper tantrums without intervention. At one point the kid decided he was annoyed with the sounds of other kids playing down the way so he started screaming to mimic them, which the parent allowed to go on until the kid felt like stopping. I fell asleep to the sound of not one but two separate families playing card games in their tents, sounded like we were all camping together. 

    Despite no fireworks signage everywhere, families were setting them off on the beach…and in general people were extremely loud, hooting and hollering. 

    Bathrooms and showers were gross, I could tell they weren't serviced enough for the huge amount of people using them. 

    Perhaps I was there on an unlucky day, or got a poor site. Perhaps there's better experiences to be had here! But...not coming back unless I really need a place to stay because there's not much option in this area.

  • L
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Umpqua Lighthouse State Park Campground

    Great amenities, gorgeous area - not much privacy

    I was at site 32 - nearby the bathrooms, which were very clean and had a great sink outside which was useful for cleaning camp dishes as I was car camping. I loved the 1 mile loop around the lake, totally covered in huckleberries in August. Lots to pick and plenty unripe for September pickings. Camp host was very friendly. 

    I found my campsite itself to lack privacy, I was very much up my neighbor's butt getting their campfire smoke blowing directly into my site. Not enough shrubbery/trees in my opinion. Across from me was way too much of a view of my other neighbor. And just beside them was a very, very loud family with little kids frequently running past my site. 

    All of this to be expected at a nice campground close to the 101 during the last week of summer before school starts. I would stay here again despite my issues with privacy, maybe another spot would be better.

  • Aaron The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Hult Pond

    Nice pond

    Nice pond to camp near, several campsites to choose from and trails to explore

  • Tim P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Thousand Trails South Jetty

    Road trip 2025

    It was very pretty and the staff was excellent. Always happy to see you. And super helpful.

  • Aaron The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    BLM Kentucky Falls Road

    Good spot

    Good camp location, easy to find. Paved most of the way up.

  • Melissa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Armitage Park & Campground - a Lane County Park

    Beautiful campground crappy host

    Almost every camping space has an electric outlet, water hookup and its own septic hookup if you an rv camper. Tent campers can use the hookups as well if you want to. Sites are clean and well managed and within walking distance to the river. Tho tent camping is aloud the host seems to dislike tent campers and talked to me like I was trash very disrespectful.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Eel Creek Campground

    Quiet beautiful night

    Showed up on a weekday and had a pick of spots, which I then reserved online with spotty but manageable service. I liked how many spots had a fire ring/picnic table then a more secluded spot for a tent. The nearby trail was a somewhat challenging but very wonderful trip to the ocean from the campgrounds.


Guide to Mapleton

Camping options near Mapleton, Oregon span across the Siuslaw River watershed at elevations ranging from sea level to 800 feet. Most campsites in this coastal forest region receive 65-90 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush vegetation but also challenging camping conditions during the winter months. Primitive camping areas typically don't have electrical hookups, though several campgrounds offer water access points.

What to do

Creek swimming: 2 miles from Mapleton, Whittaker Creek Recreation Site offers a small dammed swimming area perfect for families. "There is a small pool, but nice for young children to swim, for adults to float, or just sun on the rocky shore," notes a camper at Whittaker Creek Recreation Site.

Sand dune access: 10-minute walk from camp, Alder Dune Campground provides trails leading directly to Oregon's famous dunes. "The spot was secluded with a trail behind it which led to a lake and a little ways to some beautiful dunes," writes one visitor to Alder Dune Campground.

Crawdad catching: Available in multiple creeks, bringing simple traps or nets can provide hours of entertainment. A camper at Whittaker Creek mentions, "There are tons of things to do around the campground. From swimming and catching crawdads to hiking the old growth trail there is almost something for everyone."

Old growth hiking: Moderate difficulty trails, with elevation gains up to 900 feet in one mile. "The trail gains 900 ft. in a mile, so not the easiest for young kids, but I'm sure some can tackle it," explains a Whittaker Creek visitor about the Whittaker Ridge Old Growth Trail.

What campers like

Private, secluded sites: Many campgrounds offer vegetation buffers between sites. At Alder Dune, "The camping spaces are spread out and isolated by vegetation, providing some privacy. Restrooms are clean and there are plenty of water spigots."

Creek-side camping: Some campsites back directly to water features. At Archie Knowles Campground, "Sites 7 & 8 are 'premium' for an extra two dollars, you have a better view of the creek and can look down stream a ways."

Walking distance to town: Some locations offer convenient access to supplies. The Port of Siuslaw Campground & Marina is particularly noted for this feature: "The main draw of this campground is its proximity to the cute town of Florence. We don't tow a car, so being able to camp within walking distance of shops and restaurants is always a treat."

Easy coastal access: Many sites provide good starting points for beach exploration. "About 20 min from Florence, which is on the Oregon Coast. Better spot for fuel and groceries if needed," reports a camper at Archie Knowles.

What you should know

Road noise impacts: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds more than others. A camper at Archie Knowles noted: "The road is a bit loud but it gets dark here. Tables and a burn pit are available. No hookups."

Seasonal closures are common: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Sutton Campground runs from "May 17 to September 2," while Whittaker Creek operates "May 22 to September 8."

Limited facilities at primitive sites: Most forest service campgrounds offer minimal amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mapleton, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mapleton, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 176 campgrounds and RV parks near Mapleton, OR and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mapleton, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mapleton, OR is Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 73 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mapleton, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Mapleton, OR.

What parks are near Mapleton, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Mapleton, OR that allow camping, notably Fern Ridge Lake and Siuslaw National Forest.