Best Tent Camping near Moro, OR

Tent campsites near Moro, Oregon range from established sites to primitive areas along the Deschutes River. Macks Canyon Recreation Site offers tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables, while Cloud Cap Saddle Campground provides a more remote experience on the eastern slopes of Mount Hood. Bonney Crossing Campground features seven primitive tent sites situated along Badger Creek in Mount Hood National Forest.

Most tent campgrounds in the area have basic amenities including vault toilets, but potable water is rarely available. Campers should bring their own drinking water and supplies for primitive camping. Access roads vary significantly in quality, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles. A visitor commented, "The drive up to Cloud Cap is not super peaceful but once you get there it's pretty great. The road gets a bit rough with limited places to pull over to pass oncoming vehicles." Fire restrictions are common during summer months, particularly in the drier eastern areas near the Deschutes River where campfires may be prohibited from late spring through fall.

The tent camping experience in this region offers exceptional solitude and natural settings. Sites along the Deschutes River provide access to fishing and rafting, while forest campgrounds connect to hiking trails. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, many tent campsites remain uncrowded even during peak season. Badger Lake Campground connects to backpacking trails described as "fairly easy to backpack on with lots of great sites to camp." Primitive tent sites at Hike-in from Lower Deschutes State Recreation Area require more effort to access but reward campers with greater privacy. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with strong winds common in canyon areas, particularly in the evening hours. Most tent sites are seasonal, typically open from May through October, with higher elevation campgrounds having shorter seasons due to snow.

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Best Tent Sites Near Moro, Oregon (27)

    1. Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area

    4 Reviews
    Moro, OR
    7 miles
    Website

    "We stayed in the big open field next to it.

    I don’t think this is technically an “official” campsite but it has a lovely composting toilet that smells like fresh cedar."

    "Bike-packing Campground Review:

    The lower Deschutes River from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River, goes about 100 river miles along the water and was designated an Oregon Scenic Waterway in 1970."

    2. Macks Canyon Recreation Site

    4 Reviews
    Moro, OR
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    $8 - $35 / night

    "We went during weather transition from rain to clear. The result, high winds in the canyon. This only lasted the one night. Fantastic weather the rest of the time. A slight bit of small trash around."

    "We were so glad we kept driving down this road until the very end."

    3. Carbon Farm Yard

    1 Review
    Dufur, OR
    24 miles
    Website

    $55 / night

    "Carbon Farm is private camping on a farm a few miles outside of Dufur on the east side of Mt Hood National Forest."

    4. Oak Springs Campground

    1 Review
    Maupin, OR
    25 miles
    Website

    "Awesome spot on the river, clean spots, with fire rings and picnic tables. Spots are located all along the BLM road and are marked. Easy access to the river for fishing."

    5. Bonney Crossing

    5 Reviews
    Tygh Valley, OR
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 467-2291

    $16 / night

    "Campground Review

    An open, relatively unused campground next to a sleep-calling stream right in between the last forested part of Mt."

    "The campsites are all well spaced out parallel to a nice clean looking river. We stayed in the off-season, so that is probably why it was empty."

    6. Pebble Ford Campground

    4 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 467-2291

    "Not too far from Meadows and Parkdale ... and even not to far for an overnight or weekend away from Portland.

    The first come sites are just off of Forest Road 44 >> Dufur Valley Road."

    "Very quiet and even has a few dispersed camp spots outside the main area. Had some deer walk right through our camp spot while we sat by the fire."

    7. Badger Lake Campground

    5 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 467-2291

    $10 / night

    "This is a fairly easy trail to backpack on with lots of great sites to camp. If you’re hiking up to the lake you might want to make it a two day trip to really enjoy it."

    "The drive up the the lake is not super peaceful but once you get there it's pretty great."

    8. Leidl South Campground

    2 Reviews
    Klickitat, WA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (360) 696-6211

    "There aren't any designated spots campsites, but there are a number of fire rings and it's pretty easy to segregate yourself from other campers. The site was clean and the pit toilet wasn't too bad."

    "You can pretty much camp wherever you can drive to. Lots of spots right next to the river."

    9. Little Badger Campground

    1 Review
    Tygh Valley, OR
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 467-2291

    $10 / night

    10. Cloud Cap Saddle

    4 Reviews
    Government Camp, OR
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 352-6002

    "It's a long drive up a very bumpy dirt road to get here, so make sure you have 4-wheel drive and a high clearance vehicle."

    "Do the timberline trail and this will be a stop!"

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Showing results 1-10 of 27 campgrounds

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Tent Camping Reviews near Moro, OR

527 Reviews of 27 Moro Campgrounds


  • T
    Aug. 5, 2020

    Lone Tree Campground — Cottonwood Canyon State Park

    Hot, dusty, dry and windy

    This campground in along the John Day River with access to the river from the campground but no water views.  Most sites have a pergola over the picnic table for shade and a sturdy wooden fence, I assume for wind protection.  The sites are nicely spaced but the wind, blowing dust and heat made it pretty uncomfortable to be outside. The river here is broad and shallow so not deep enough for watercraft.  The water was pretty warm.  There are several hiking trails along the river.

  • Ashley B.
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Brooks Memorial State Park Campground

    Small State Park off Hwy 97

    This review is for the main campground, there is another group/horse campground across the highway that I did not stay in. The small campground is right off Highway 97. The first part of the campground is where the hook ups, large RV's, small trailers and tent campers are located. The spaces are very close together with very few trees separating spaces. Some spots looked barely big enough for a 2 person tent. In this same area is the only flush toilets/showers (Coin operated). Continuing past this main area and over a small hill is where the tent camping/sheep herders tents are located. Since it was located away from the main camping area it was quiet with regards to hearing fellow campers, the downside is the spaces are closer to the Highway. Day and night, semis speed past the state park on either a downhill straight away or an uphill straight away, regardless it sounds like a freight train or military landing pad all night/day long. It was so loud you had to stop talking until the semi passed. The space I was in was so small my 3 person tent only fit if one side was touching the fire ring. Luckily there was a fire ban so no fire to melt my tent. The space also had full view of the pit toilet, since it was the only toilet on that side, I saw everyone come and go. It was also super close to one of the sheep herders tent site. There were 2 sheep herder tents sites. The spots looked large and the tents looked like they would sleep at least 4-5 people. The other tent sites where much larger, but still all the sites could hear the highway. Note, be careful about leaving food out, zipping your tent up, leaving car doors open. The mice were pretty bad and came out at night driving my dog crazy. There were a bunch of trails that ran through out the park that provided a nice alternative to get to the other side of the park or climb to the top of the hill near the power lines. The camp host was also a very nice gentleman who suggested activities in the near by area. I was exploring the area cause it's new to me, but I wont return cause it's not my type of camping.

  • Ariel & John  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 5, 2020

    Bear Hollow County Park

    Meh

    We were the only ones camping here for a night in October 2020. Sites are OK, some pull-throughs, some tent sites, too. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table. Pit toilets were dirty. Good location outside Fossil but kind of expensive at $20 for no hookups and dirty toilets, plus it’s right next to road so there’s some road noise.

  • Angela  A.
    Jul. 8, 2019

    Memaloose State Park Campground

    A nice place to rest off the freeway.

    Connected to a rest area. $19 camping no hookups. Water, pad, picnic table, and fire ring in site. Free showers. Clean bathrooms. Freeway noise not bad.

  • D
    Apr. 2, 2021

    Giles French Park Primitive Camping

    Great Views, Few Amenities, Good Fishing

    Giles French Park  (GFP) is one of two adjacent free camping / bookdocking sites owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) along the Columbia River near the town of Rufus, Oregon.  I was there on opening day, 2021.  I didn't see any tents.  I also didn't see any signs saying tents aren't permitted.  I saw several motorhomes and travel trailers parked far apart.  I think the Native American fishermen dropped off some of the trailers to stay in when the spring salmon run begins.  There's a 7-day stay limit.  No open fires (campfires) are permitted.  I assume this is is because of the frequently gusty wind conditions.  I used a butane camp stove.  There's no television reception unless you have a satellite dish.  Cell service is good on both Verizon and AT&T.  The water is unsafe to drink unless it is boiled first for five minutes.  (I have no idea why.  Don't the dam employees have potable water?). There's exactly one flush toilet (for men anyway.) It's in the restrooms nearest to the dam.  This restroom is in poor condition.  The stall door lock is broken.  The urinal is out of service.  The lavatory drain is clogged.  (You get the picture.  If not, look at my pictures.)  All the other restrooms have vault toilets and no running water.  The restrooms are spaced very far apart.  The only trash dumpster is near the vault toilet that serves the boat ramp parking lot.  No camping is permitted near the restrooms.  Keep all this in mind when you select your site.  There are only a few picnic tables.  Most are situated where there's not much of a view.  The best views are in the third parking lot away from the dam, where the Native Americans have several closely spaced fishing scaffolds.  That was where I parked.  I had one neighbor on April 1-2, 2021.  A couple of non-Native American anglers showed up at the crack of dawn.  They didn't have any success as far as I could tell.  But, the spring salmon run had not started yet.  Similar to an island if you didn't bring it, it isn't at GFP.  There are no amenities other than the mentioned restrooms and non-potable water.  The views are spectacular, especially at sunset.  GFP sits in a canyon with sheer basalt cliffs on either side.  The play of sunlight on the Oregon side at sunset is colorful.  The dam is lit up with red, white and blue lights at night.  Barges sometimes pass through the lock at the north end of the dam.  Trains run along both sides of the Columbia River, BNSF on the Washington side and UP on the Oregon side.  These are noticeable but not particularly noisy since there are no crossings nearby.  I-84 creates more noise than the trains do.  Since the site is free and the amenities are few, it's good for a night or two in my opinion, but not much more.  I rated it low because of the poor condition of the restrooms.  Apparently the Army Corps of Engineers cannot open a stopped drain.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 17, 2023

    Justesen Ranches - Lower Twin Lakes

    Camping in a High Desert Oasis!

    Ashley here with The Dyrt! We want to welcome this property owner to our platform. "Camp beside a private spring fed lake. You’ll have this high desert oasis all to yourselves. This is a leave no trace camp site, pack it in pack it out. Fishing is NOT included in your stay. You can inquire about fly fishing rates." Book your stay today and leave them some love!

  • M
    Aug. 29, 2019

    Lone Tree Campground — Cottonwood Canyon State Park

    Clean, beautiful, quiet, relaxing, family friendly

    First come first serve sites with fire rings. There is overflow camping in the lawn without a fire ring but with a picnic table. Restrooms are very clean and campground is well maintained. Winds can pick up in the canyon so be sure to have strong tent stakes. Right next to the John Day River great walking path along the River. Fenced dog park for your pet and free bicycles for use.

  • S
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Lone Tree Campground — Cottonwood Canyon State Park

    Primitive campsites in a quiet, remote canyon

    Ccottonwood Canyon State Park Campground is a lovely, remote primitive camp experience. For the uninitiated, this means no electric sites, no running water, no flush toilets. Its also a rattlesnake habitat in Eastern Oregon's high desert biome, within 30 miles or so of The Dalles, a city marking the change in the Columbia River Gorge from high desert to wooded mountainsides. This camp ground us located deep in a canyon 15 miles from Wasco, Oregon. Before descending into the canyon, you'll see Eastern Oregon's classic golden wheatfields, then a wind farm, with scores of white windmills. The evening I arrived was the night before a full moon, so the setting sun over the canyon and the waxing moon gave a lovely glow to the sights. Unfortunately, my camera phone and photographer skills are lacking; sorry. If you love truly getting away from it all, as I do, you'll appreciate the absolute peace at Cottonwood Canyon. We arrived at dusk, late in July, and as is typical for the region, it was still 90 degrees. Fortunately, my summer tent is mostly screen, allowing the cool canyon breeze in, and it erects quickly and easily. It was full dark by the time I'd pitched it, and outfitted it with my airbed. Because of all the rattlesnake warning signs, I kept my dog leashed or tied out on a campsite-length cable. We parked across the campground from the pit toilets, which were not lighted, so bring a flashlight, cell phone, or lantern for inside the biffy. If this kind of camping appeals to you, you'll be rewarded with a quiet night of no traffic noise, only the sound of the nearby murmuring creek and the breeze in the trees. The other campers here were very quiet and respectful of the rules. The beautiful moonlight set one side of the canyon aglow and the clear sky was filled with stars. I didn't need my rain fly, so could enjoy finding the constellations as I lay in my tent. In the morning, I awoke just before dawn when my dog sat bolt upright and intently watched with me as an elk cow walked through our campsite. The fee here is $10 a.night, and worth every penny!

    Here is the one caveat: as of this writing, (late July 2018) the loud diesel pickup truck that came through to empty trash bins at 6am was jarring. It was followed by the back-up beeping of heavy machinery by 6:30am, as work on a new building commenced near the campground. This was so unfortunate, and I pity the folks that had hoped to sleep in.

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2021

    Deschutes River State Recreation Area

    Beautiful campground along the Deschutes River in the Columbia Gorge

    We usually cross the Columbia River into Washington state at Biggs Junction, Oregon. We don’t want to stay at Maryhill State Park in Washington as we had stayed there before. We found this campground on our Benchmark Oregon Atlas.

    There are separate areas for RVs who want full hookups and those who don’t plus tenters. We fall in the latter category. Actually, our area was quieter than the full hook up loop which was closer tomI84 and the train tracks.

    We had clean vault toilets, potable water, picnic table and fire ring. There were camp hosts for each loop. They sold firewood and were very helpful. There was a garbage dumpster and several recycling bins. The sites were in a grassy area with heavenly scented locust trees. There were geese with their goslings. There were trails along the Deschutes River but our neighbor camper said she saw several large gopher snakes.

    The only drawback was the goose poop. And, snakes on the trail.

    We would stay here again. B49/$10


Guide to Moro

Tent camping near Moro, Oregon offers an interesting contrast between forested mountain slopes and high desert terrain. Located in Sherman County at approximately 1,800 feet elevation, the region experiences warm, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cool, occasionally snowy winters. Strong winds frequently sweep across the area, particularly in canyon camping areas where evening gusts can reach 20-30 mph without warning.

What to do

Fishing access points: Oak Springs Campground provides premier fishing locations along the Deschutes River. "Awesome spot on the river, clean spots, with fire rings and picnic tables. Spots are located all along the BLM road and are marked. Easy access to the river for fishing," notes a Oak Springs Campground visitor.

Mountain biking trails: Forest roads near Pebble Ford Campground connect to numerous mountain biking routes. A Pebble Ford Campground camper shares, "Near some nice trails and gorgeous mountain views. I'd say 3 1/2 stars as it's sorta near the road, but a super busy road it is not. Bring your mountain bike."

River rafting launches: The Lower Deschutes offers multiple rafting put-in points with riverside camping. "After a full day of rafting, we floated right up to this spot with a biiig group of people. The few designated riverside campsites were already taken, so we opted to walk up into the open field (maybe 150 yards from the water) and make camp," explains a Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area camper.

Badger Creek hiking: The eastern Mount Hood wilderness contains several moderate hiking trails. "This is a fairly easy trail to backpack on with lots of great sites to camp. If you're hiking up to the lake you might want to make it a two day trip to really enjoy it," reports a Badger Lake Campground visitor.

What campers like

Solitude and quiet: Many campsites offer exceptional privacy, particularly on weekdays. At Carbon Farm Yard, a reviewer noted, "The camping area is spacious and quiet. There is tons and tons of land to explore and lots of animals and wildlife to view. Lots of space for kids to run around and safely explore."

Riverside locations: Most popular sites feature proximity to flowing water. A Leidl South Campground visitor explains, "The location on the Klickitat is really pretty. The campground is right along the river facing a really impressive rock wall. You can sleep to the sound of the water."

Dark sky viewing: Limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. "This spot turned out to be one of my favorites. The most beautiful scenery. Night sky was unreal. Feels like no one is around for miles," shares a Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area camper.

Access to water recreation: Campgrounds near lakes and rivers provide multiple water activities. "You'll want a high clearance/4wd vehicle. We took my Honda Element and had to camp in the campground instead of near the lake, which was 1/4 mile from campground. The lake is gorgeous and saw people catching trout. Bring a kayak or SUP to enjoy the lake," reports a Badger Lake Campground visitor.

What you should know

Road conditions: Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles. A Macks Canyon Recreation Site camper warns, "I go off-road a lot. I have never experienced a washboard road as bad as this was for 6-7 miles. I thought the doors were going to blow off the truck. Not an exaggeration. Usually you can adjust speed to plane the wash. Not this time."

Seasonal wind patterns: Evening gusts commonly affect canyon campsites. "The only negative is that it can get super windy. At one point we were frantically trying to get our awning down from the Cricket and things were flying everywhere. The wind lasted about an hour and then things calmed down again," notes a Macks Canyon Recreation Site visitor.

Water availability: Most campgrounds lack potable water sources. "No drinking water or hookups of any kind. No fires. Must bring everything," cautions a Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area camper.

Train noise: Railroad tracks parallel several riverside campgrounds. "Beware of the train that rolls in every 4hrs or so," warns a Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Room for play: Select sites with open space for children's activities. At Carbon Farm Yard, "The camping area is spacious and quiet. There is tons and tons of land to explore and lots of animals and wildlife to view. Lots of space for kids to run around and safely explore."

Creek exploration: Shallow waterways provide natural play areas. A Bonney Crossing camper shares, "Kids loved spending time exploring the creek and cooling off in it. Campsites are first come first serve and only has 7 established sites."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer chances to observe local fauna. "Had some deer walk right through our camp spot while we sat by the fire," reports a Pebble Ford Campground visitor.

Consider wind protection: Select sites with natural windbreaks when possible. "As before the wind kicks up (strong) around 7:30p to 8:30p," notes a Macks Canyon Recreation Site camper.

Tips from RVers

Length restrictions: Most campgrounds accommodate smaller RVs only. "You'll want a high clearance/4wd vehicle. We took my Honda Element and had to camp in the campground instead of near the lake, which was 1/4 mile from campground. Too many big rocks and ruts in the road to attempt," cautions a Badger Lake Campground visitor.

Road clearance issues: Prepare for rough access roads. "Really good spot to get off the grid while still having most amenities. About 20 miles of gravel road will take you here and some small Rockwall to semi-worry about," advises a Macks Canyon Recreation Site visitor.

Limited hookups: No campgrounds offer electrical or water connections. "No cell service👎 Starlink 👍," notes a Macks Canyon Recreation Site camper regarding connectivity options.

Dispersed parking tips: At some riverside locations, parking areas may be unmarked. "Bigger than it looks at first. You can pretty much camp wherever you can drive to. Lots of spots right next to the river," shares a Leidl South Campground visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Moro, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Moro, OR is Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Moro, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.