Near Mapleton, Oregon, camping opportunities range from established RV sites with full hookups to waterfront locations along the Siuslaw River. Located about 40 miles west of Eugene at 30 feet above sea level, Mapleton receives approximately 80 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush vegetation surrounding most camping areas. Weather patterns typically include morning coastal fog that burns off by midday during summer months.
What to do
River fishing access: Elkton RV Park provides direct river access for anglers. "Great fishing," notes Dan R., who visited the riverfront camping area. The park sits directly on the Umpqua River, allowing campers to fish within walking distance from their sites.
Crabbing opportunities: At Salmon Harbor Marina, campsites position you near prime crabbing locations. "Great park, sites close to crabbing pier, easy access to boat ramp for those who bring one," reports trisha Y., who enjoyed the park's proximity to seafood harvesting.
Beach exploration: Camp near the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area where you'll find extensive beach access. "If you head South you can walk down to the jetty and a section of sand dunes," notes Kelly about Heceta Beach RV Park, mentioning the "10 minute walk" to reach the "very expansive" beach area.
Tidepooling spots: Marine life viewing at low tide draws many campers to coastal locations. "Amazing tidepooling 5 minutes up Hwy 101 at Bob Creek," shares Mari H. about staying at Sea Perch RV Resort, where ocean access combines with proximity to natural features like Thor's Well and Cape Perpetua.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain well-kept restrooms and shower areas. At Sea Perch RV Resort, visitors appreciate the "immaculate showers" and note there's a "nice club house with... viewing room to watch the sea," according to Pilar F.
Marina proximity: Campsites near fishing harbors offer both scenic views and practical advantages. "Located in a fishing village. If you choose a water view location on the front, you will love it. Short walk to pizza, fish, and shops," explains April K. about Winchester Bay RV Resort.
Walking distance to towns: Several camping options place you within walking distance of local shops and amenities. The Port of Siuslaw Campground positions campers where "Old Town is just a two-minute walk, with lots of restaurants, shops, and galleries. There is also a Safeway just a 15-minute walk away," according to franki A.
Privacy features: Site design varies considerably between parks, with some offering more seclusion than others. Kelly noted that Heceta Beach RV Park has "Each site has a small picnic table and fire ring" and provides "Fairly quiet aside from some periodic road noise, overall peaceful setting."
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: RV sites near Mapleton vary significantly in how close they position campers to neighbors. "The sites are very tight. We had few neighbors the first night but when our neighbors arrived we lost our view and did listen to them all night by the fire," reports Gail S. about Darlings Marina & RV Resort.
Weather-related flooding: Seasonal rain can impact lower-elevation sites in the region. "The Oregon Coast had had a ton of rain in the last few weeks, so parts of the campground were under water," explains David & Sue C. about Thousand Trails South Jetty, advising visitors to "look at the entire campground before you pick your spot" to find drier options.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds feature complex layouts that can be difficult for newcomers to navigate. Emily L. describes Thousand Trails South Jetty as having a "Kinda confusing map/layout," while noting they "were able to find a spot easily" despite this challenge.
Lighting conditions: Nighttime arrival can present challenges at some locations. Ashton B. mentions that at Heceta Beach RV Park, "Lighting isn't great on the roads, so pulling in at night and trying to see the small street signs was a challenge."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds provide dedicated facilities for younger visitors. Neil B. appreciates that at Thousand Trails Whalers Rest, "So many good areas for kids to play and the staff really does a great job planning activities for the whole family."
Beach access considerations: When camping with children, consider the distance to water access. Nicole R. mentions that at Thousand Trails Whalers Rest, "Kids enjoyed playing on the playground and walking to beach from trail," highlighting the convenience of having recreation options within walking distance.
Recreation amenities: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment options for days when you don't leave the property. Josh K. notes that "Whalers has some great amenities. The pool, mini golf, play ground and other fun games," though he cautions about site quality and size at this location.
Pet-friendly options: Many families camp with dogs, and Winchester Bay RV Resort accommodates this need with "Lots of grassy areas for dogs," according to April K., making it easier to exercise pets while staying at the campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When securing an RV site, consider location-specific factors beyond just size. David & Sue C. learned at South Jetty to check the entire campground before settling: "We took a walk around the campground and found the high-side of the campground, much bigger, much drier sites. We made a dash for the trailer to get everything packed back in so we could move!"
Big rig compatibility: Larger RVs require careful consideration of site dimensions and access. At Maple Lane RV Park & Marina, the park features big-rig friendly pull-through RV pads that accommodate both motorhomes and travel trailers, with Montana O. noting, "The camp host and manager have been courteous and kind always," for those needing assistance with parking.
Leveling considerations: Site surface affects setup ease for RVers. Ella T. appreciated that at Thousand Trails Whalers Rest, "We stayed on the south side with concrete pads that were nestled in between trees. We were here during significant rainfall and appreciated not being in mud."
Internet connectivity: Remote work campers should note connection quality. Richard B. reports that at Thousand Trails Whalers Rest, despite being "Heavily treed," they were "able to get good Starlink reception with download speed around 200 Mbps."
