Best Tent Camping near Mehama, OR

If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Mehama, look no further. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Mehama, OR (58)

    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Molalla River Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Molalla River Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Molalla River Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Molalla River Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Molalla River Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from BLM Molalla River Recreation Area

    1. BLM Molalla River Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    18 Photos
    112 Saves
    Molalla, Oregon

    Overview

    No cash, check, or cards are accepted on site. Make a reservations online or use the mobile app. Three Bears campsites are only available by making a reservation. Reserve a campsite on recreation.gov or Recreation.gov Mobile App prior to entering the Molalla River Recreation Corridor. There is no cell reception in the drainage.__ Situated in a picturesque grove of western red cedar 4 miles south of Glen Avon Bridge, the site has 15 tent campsites, each equipped with a tent pad, metal fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. The campground also has vault toilets and access to a beautiful cobble beach and swimming hole.

    Recreation

    Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)

    Facilities

    Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)

    Natural Features

    Molalla Wild and Scenic River and forested environment.

    contact_info

    For facility specific information, please call (503) 375-5646.

    Nearby Attractions

    Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla Wild and Scenic River which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing. The Molalla is one of the few undammed tributaries of the Willamette River and cuts a picturesque gorge on its way to the valley floor. Table Rock Wilderness is further up the canyon and accessible through three trailheads.

    Charges & Cancellations

    Standard fees apply and are non-refundable. Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Trash

    $30 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    Camper-submitted photo from Quartzville Recreation Corridor
    • No image available

      3. Santiam State Forest Rock Creek Campsites

      1 Review
      17 Saves
      Gates, Oregon
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • ADA Access
      • Tents
      • Standard (Tent/RV)
      • Trash

      $15 - $20 / night

      • No image available
        Camper-submitted photo from Elk Lake Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Elk Lake Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Elk Lake Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Elk Lake Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Elk Lake Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Elk Lake Campground

        5. Elk Lake Campground

        4 Reviews
        20 Photos
        97 Saves
        Detroit, Oregon

        This 17 site tent-only campground, located adjacent to the Bull of the Woods and Opal Creek Wildernesses, is full of beauty in the summer. Wildflowers are a beautiful sight in the campground's meadows around July.__ Swim or paddle in the quiet waters of the non-motorized lake, go for a great hike with views of multiple Cascade peaks, or just kick back and relax in the campground.

        • Tents
        • Toilets
        • Alcohol
        Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Grove Recreation Site
        Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Grove Recreation Site
        Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Grove Recreation Site
        Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Grove Recreation Site

        6. Cedar Grove Recreation Site

        2 Reviews
        4 Photos
        33 Saves
        Scotts Mills, Oregon

        Overview

        No cash, check, or cards are accepted on site. Make a reservations online or use the mobile app. Cedar Grove campsites are only available by making a reservation. Reserve a campsite on recreation.gov or Recreation.gov Mobile App prior to entering the Molalla River Recreation Corridor. There is no cell reception in the drainage.__ Situated in a picturesque grove of western red cedar 6 miles south of Glen Avon Bridge, the site has 10 tent campsites, each equipped with a tent pad, metal fire ring, BBQ grill, and picnic table. The campground also has vault toilets and river access.

        Recreation

        Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)

        Facilities

        Camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and biking on nearby trails (Hardy Creek TH closest)

        Natural Features

        Molalla Wild and Scenic River and forested environment.

        Nearby Attractions

        Enjoy a scenic drive along the Molalla Wild and Scenic River which offers easy river access and opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping, whitewater boating and fishing. The Molalla is one of the few undammed tributaries of the Willamette River and cuts a picturesque gorge on its way to the valley floor. Table Rock Wilderness is further up the canyon and accessible through three trailheads.

        Charges & Cancellations

        Standard processing fees apply and are non-refundable. Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.

        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Reservable
        • Tents
        • Trash
        • Drinking Water

        $30 / night

        Camper-submitted photo from Marion Forks Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Marion Forks Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Marion Forks Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Marion Forks Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Marion Forks Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Marion Forks Campground

        7. Marion Forks Campground

        10 Reviews
        39 Photos
        18 Saves
        Idanha, Oregon

        Adjacent to the Marion Forks Fish Hatchery, Marion Forks Campground is a great 15 site (one pull through) campground tucked away from Highway 22 and a quiet place to relax. Enjoy a 1/4 mile leisurely stroll along Marion Creek on a paved loop path through the picnic area and fish hatchery and learn about spring Chinook salmon and the history of the area. Nearby, on Forest Service Road 2255, you can find the little used trail (#3431) to Independence Rock for a short hike. If you drive further up to the end of Road 2255, you'll reach the trailhead to Marion Lake (Trail #3436) leading to the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.

        • Tents
        • Trash
        Camper-submitted photo from Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp — Willamette Mission State Park
        Camper-submitted photo from Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp — Willamette Mission State Park
        Camper-submitted photo from Santiam State Forest Rhody Lake Recreation Area
        Camper-submitted photo from Santiam State Forest Rhody Lake Recreation Area
        Camper-submitted photo from Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

        10. Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20)

        3 Reviews
        1 Photo
        5 Saves
        Sweet Home, Oregon

        Sweet Home Ranger District (US Highway 20) A group of people hike along Browder Ridge with mountains in the distanceSweet Home Ranger District is in the middle part of the Willamette National Forest. This area is accessible from the west via Highway 20 from Albany, OR, or from the east on Highway 20 from Sisters. Let the Sweet Home Ranger District give you a taste of the sweet life! You’ll find mountain biking adventures, incredible wildflower hikes, swimming areas to keep cool on a hot summer day, and much more. Guided Hikes Sweet Home Nature and Heritage Tours offer incredible opportunities to learn about the plants, animals, geology and cultural history of the Sweet Home area, located on the edges of the Willamette Valley and within the spectacular Cascade Mountains. Camping Keep cool on a warm summer day at one of the popular campground and swimming areas such as Fernview Campground, House Rock Campground, or Trout Creek Campground. Hiking If you like wildflowers take a hike in the Old Cascade Crest Trail Area or the Tombstone Pass Trail Area (especially Iron Mountain Trail). The Hackleman Old Growth Trail is a short 1/4 mile hike, but offers spectacular sightings of old growth trees and views of the South Santiam River. Wildflowers cover a rock face on the Iron Mountain Trail Other Recreation Grab your bike and get your legs and heart pumping on the Santiam Wagon Road Trail Area and Iron Mountain. Uncover the past at Longbow Organization Camp.

        • Phone Service
        • Tents
        • Toilets
      Show More
      Showing results 1-10 of 58 campgrounds

      Recent Tent Reviews in Mehama

      898 Reviews of 58 Mehama Campgrounds


      • Jeff K.
        Camper-submitted photo from Silver Falls State Park Campground
        Nov. 16, 2024

        Silver Falls State Park Campground

        Magical!

        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.  The cabins are small but comfortable with heat, lights, and beds.  Covered porch is nice to sit and listen to the rain.

      • MThe Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Timothy Lake Meditation Point
        Oct. 17, 2024

        Timothy Lake Meditation Point

        The Best of Timothy Lake

        Short walk, or 7 miles in, start on west shoreline trail 528 on the NW parking lot past the day use area. Great mostly flat trail for backpacking or cart camping along the west shoreline of Timothy Lake in the Mt Hood National Forest. Sites are well marked and $10 per night fee. Northwest Forest Parking Pass required for overnight parking.

      • Emma R.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from John Neal Memorial Park
        Oct. 1, 2024

        John Neal Memorial Park

        As of Oct 2024 - still shut

        As of Oct 2024 - still shut With gate and padlock, shut to even get into but there is a park nearby to use the restrooms if needed but no camping

      • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Humbug Campground
        Oct. 1, 2024

        Humbug Campground

        Love it here

        Humbug is one of our favorite campgrounds. We love the easy access to the beach and the beautiful hikes.  Showers are hot and free, rangers are always friendly.

        Cell service is pretty iffy here, but we manage to make it work with the cell booster.

        There's a dump station and water fill, trash and recycling, water spigots throughout campground, and firewood for sale.

        Tent sites in Oregon don't currently have the 25% non-resident surcharge (though I've heard that's changing soon) and there are plenty of non-hookup/tent sites that will fit RVs. There are also FHU and pull through sites.

      • Douglas H.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from River Bend County Park
        Sep. 21, 2024

        River Bend County Park

        Quiet Mid-September

        Beautiful early fall days at River Bend.

        Midweek, Sunday - Thursday the campground was maybe 25% filled. It was quiet! Leaves were beginning to turn colors, needles from pine tree were falling like rain.

        The Santiam river is low at this time and was great for wading into, swimming if like cold river.

        Kayaking the river - I dropped in at Cascadia - beautiful float back to River Bend - had to traverse quite a bit due to low water levels / avoiding the small waterfalls (5-10ft drops).

      • Charles W.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Cascadia State Park Campground
        Sep. 12, 2024

        Cascadia State Park Campground

        Beautiful Park on the Santiam River

        We stayed at what is now Cascadia County Park (per signage at the park) at the beginning of September. Monday and Tuesday night there were only a couple of other campers in the park. Needless to say it was very quiet. 

        Our first day we noticed a man without a shirt sitting, leaning against the bathroom exterior wall for a least an hour or so. Later that day we saw a couple who appeared to be homeless using the shower on the premises. Neither of these people caused any problems nor interacted with any camper as far as I could tell. Near the entrance at the picnic area there is a sign warning visitors to lock their cars.

        This is a beautiful park, densely forested, bordered by the Santiam River. We stayed in one of the pull though sites, number 4. It was more private than most sites. We were happy to stay here to escape the smoke in Central Oregon were we live. We had reservations at Little Crater Campground, but choose not to stay there as the there were fires nearby and the area had an Evacuation Advisory - Level one and there is only one way out of the area.

      • M
        Camper-submitted photo from Maxwell Sno-Park
        Sep. 12, 2024

        Maxwell Sno-Park

        review

        Our friends had very positive reviews about this park, so we definitely want to visit it soon. I think it will be a great getaway. The only thing I wanted to mention is that the provided map in PDF format didn’t open on my PC for some reason. But I was able to convert it online, and the issue was resolved. Using https://pdfguru.com/html-to-pdf, you can convert HTML to PDF, vice versa, and into many other formats. So I find this editor to be a great service if you need to work with PDF files. It might be useful to someone else, just like it was for me.

      • Reeta H.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Fir Ridge Campgrounds
        Sep. 11, 2024

        Fir Ridge Campgrounds

        Not a place

        I dove thru. Told not welcome. 2+ year wait list to live there. Asked if I could just pay to park somewhere safely in there as a single woman, in her 40's, just to stay in my car and watch TV on my own cell service in my car? I was told no. I told them I didn't want to live there tonight, I was looking into rv living and feeling out what the lifestyle is about. Currently just a "leave no trace overnight sleep".

        Nope.

        Met a couple residents and park attendant/host and this is NOT A PLACE TO STAY.

        Looks like some kind of laundry area and possibly 1 shower stall. CHeesy (some kind of 1/4 height saloon town cutouts) hostile, rude, unfriendly, and discriminating. Best to move straight past it.

      • Reeta H.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Fir Ridge Campgrounds
        Sep. 11, 2024

        Fir Ridge Campgrounds

        No

        No. 100% no. Just want to make sure people know NOT to go there like I did. THE WORST experience I have had ever in all of my exploring!

      • SThe Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Molalla Ripple
        Aug. 26, 2024

        Molalla Ripple

        Space was overbooked

        Jim did a great job of communicating and was attentive to all the campers, but they ended up overbooked so we were moved away from the river and into an open field. With no hookups and lacking riverfront, the night seemed over-priced. With van life on site and a full campground, it didn’t have the quiet feel we expected.

      • CJ S.
        Camper-submitted photo from Meditation Point Campground
        Aug. 22, 2024

        Meditation Point Campground

        Beautiful, Private, Remote

        Stayed just one night in site 1, which was the only one available. It’s very private being far from the trail and has good access to the shore but is very shady at all times, although also sheltered from the wind. There was a fire ring (although no fires allowed) and a table. Several viable tent spots on the site. The toilets were closed and, unfortunately, previous campers weren’t so great at “leave no trace” because we found a bunch of dog and human feces around.

      • Yoram A.
        Camper-submitted photo from Whitcomb Creek County Park
        Aug. 22, 2024

        Whitcomb Creek County Park

        WIll not come back

        Web site claims "Drinking Water" is available. However, the water coming out of the tap was brown, probably full of rust and minerals. The host told us not to drink the water, only use for toilet flushing and maybe shower. The county claims it is safe, I don't believe them.

      • Gary D.
        Camper-submitted photo from Paradise In Oregon
        Aug. 15, 2024

        Paradise In Oregon

        Outstanding old growth & river campground

        Ice cold McKenzie River water to watch & listen, lull you to sleep, with old growth forest & trails to walk/bike.

        It's a few miles from Tamolitch, Clear Lake, Blue River Reservoir and a lot of trails.

        This campground is quiet, has no electricity or showers (fine by me) and is just pristine. The fires didn't touch it, the river is beautiful and it's well-maintained.

        Verizon & AT&T had 2 bars LTE - enough to text, call & upload photos.

      • JThe Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Hoodview Campground
        Aug. 4, 2024

        Hoodview Campground

        Superb spot

        This is the most well-maintained National Forest campground I’ve ever been to. Even the pit toilets were immaculate! The sites are large and private-feeling, and every site is right near the lake. Some sites are a little close to the main road, but it’s not a heavily travelled road. We were close to it but it was barely noticeable. Definitely on my favorites list now!

      • LAUREN B.
        Camper-submitted photo from Big Lake
        Jul. 30, 2024

        Big Lake

        Stunning Views, Close Sites

        The Views surpass anything negative I could say. The location is ideal, we escaped the summer heat, at our site it was about 15 degrees cooler than Sisters temps. The Host who was a Forest Service Employee was wonderful, sites are fairly close together, I would bring a large sheet potentially next time to keep from looking straight into neighbors camps. The bugs were bad in the evening at the water, but not terrible during the day. Bring lots of big spray. The lake is serene, even with boater activity there was plenty of room for my kids to very safely swim. They do not sell firewood at the campground so if you are visiting when fires are allowed bring your own wood. We will for sure return!

      • I
        Camper-submitted photo from Hoodview Campground
        Jul. 24, 2024

        Hoodview Campground

        Clean bathroom

        Este lugar esta bonito y los baños están limpios a pesar que son de litrinas fuimos un fin de semana y todos estaba tranquilo el lago trasparente este lugar si lo recomiendo 100%.

      • Gina K.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Detroit Lake State Recreation Area
        Jul. 20, 2024

        Detroit Lake State Recreation Area

        Do Not Book H27

        If you’re camping during the summer, this is the WORST campsite we have ever encountered. There is no shade or breeze, and directly next to the main road to Sisters/Bend with significant road noise. We booked two nights and ended up just leaving because of the unreasonable noise and heat.

      • Jeff K.
        Camper-submitted photo from Trout Creek
        Jul. 19, 2024

        Trout Creek

        Quite spaces

        Nice swimming/wading area. Fairly private sites. Beautiful backdrop. No hiking options directly out of campground. Peaceful while we were there, but no camp host if there were an issue.

      • Kat R.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Foster Lake RV Resort
        Jul. 16, 2024

        Foster Lake RV Resort

        Foster lake RV

        It's really a beautiful area a nice place to stay people are awesome really pretty the got everything,


      Drive Time


      Guide to Mehama

      Tent camping near Mehama, Oregon offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the region. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you'll find the perfect spot to set up your tent and unwind.

      Tips for tent camping near Mehama

      • The BLM Molalla River Recreation Area is a great choice for families, featuring a peaceful environment and access to swimming and fishing in the Molalla River.
      • If you're looking for a more rugged experience, consider the Quartzville Recreation Corridor, where you can enjoy dispersed camping and explore the beautiful river while fishing or hiking.
      • For a quieter retreat, the Cedar Grove Recreation Site offers a serene atmosphere with stunning river views and nearby hiking trails.

      Tent campers appreciate these amenities

      Tent campers should check out these activities

      • The Tumble Lake area is perfect for those who enjoy backpacking, offering a short hike with beautiful views and the chance to swim in the lake.
      • Fishing enthusiasts will love the opportunities at the Quartzville Recreation Corridor, where you can catch trout and even try your luck at finding gold in the nearby streams.
      • For a unique experience, visit the Detroit Ranger District (US Highway 22) to explore the stunning Detroit Lake, which is great for kayaking and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mehama, OR?

        According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mehama, OR is BLM Molalla River Recreation Area with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.

      • What is the best site to find tent camping near Mehama, OR?

        TheDyrt.com has all 58 tent camping locations near Mehama, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.