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.