G
Glen B.
Ranger
RangerWhite River West Sno-Park
Dodging wildfires
Just made it here after an intimidating drive (see video) and it sure paid off. Asphalt and filthy vault toilets kept it away from a 5
Top-Rated Oregon Campgrounds: Coast, Forest & High Desert
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Oregon features a comprehensive network of state park, national forest, and private campgrounds that accommodate various camping preferences. From oceanfront campgrounds along the Oregon coast to remote high desert campsites in the east, Oregon camping spans tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals across more than 2,000 locations statewide. Fort Stevens State Park and Cape Lookout State Park offer year-round camping options along the picturesque Oregon coast, providing facilities for tent campers, RV travelers, and cabin enthusiasts. Mazama Village Campground at Crater Lake National Park serves visitors looking to experience this iconic natural landmark, while inland locations like Tumalo State Park near Bend provide access to high desert landscapes. Most established campgrounds maintain amenities such as drinking water, fire rings, and toilet facilities, with many also offering electric hookups for RVs.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended for developed campgrounds, particularly during summer months when popular sites fill quickly. Most Oregon state parks accept reservations up to six months in advance. "Lots of open camping spots that you can drive into without even leaving asphalt. Short distance from Timothy lake. There are established fire rings and some debris from other campers," noted one visitor about dispersed camping options. Weather conditions vary dramatically across the state, with coastal areas experiencing milder temperatures but frequent precipitation, while high desert and mountain regions can have significant temperature swings between day and night. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with several high-elevation sites closed during winter months due to snow conditions and limited access.
The Oregon coast features numerous highly-rated campgrounds where visitors can enjoy oceanfront views and beach access. Beverly Beach and South Beach State Parks near Newport provide convenient bases for exploring coastal attractions while offering full-service campground amenities. In central Oregon, campers appreciate the proximity to outdoor recreation, with one reviewer describing Tumalo State Park as "great for kids with a river on site nearby." Eastern Oregon offers more remote camping experiences with fewer crowds but more primitive facilities. Oregon's diverse camping landscape includes over 2,000 campsites throughout the state, from stunning oceanfront campsites with Pacific views to secluded forest campgrounds surrounded by ancient trees, making it a premier destination for camping enthusiasts seeking outdoor adventures in the Pacific Northwest. Public lands throughout the state provide dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking solitude, though these areas typically lack amenities found at developed campgrounds. Fire restrictions frequently affect camping activities during dry summer months, particularly in eastern and central regions where wildfire risk is highest.
Best Camping Sites in Oregon (2,117)
1. Fort Stevens State Park Campground
156 ReviewsHammond, ORWebsite+1 (503) 861-3170$17 - $162 / night
"Compared to many places this is still a five star campground, but I like others in Oregon better. This one can get quite crowded and tends to be a little more loud and rainy."
"Also there are many hiking paths, the beach and near by towns to explore like Astoria, OR."
2. Cape Lookout State Park Campground
115 ReviewsNetarts, ORWebsite+1 (503) 842-4981$32 - $154 / night
"Steps to the beach? ✅ In the forest? ✅ Access to amazing hiking? ✅ Private? ✅ We love Cape Lookout for all the diverse scenery it has to offer."
"* Steps away from a beautiful, expansive beach
- Do the Cape Lookout peninsula hike! Gorgeous views without great effort."
3. Beverly Beach State Park Campground
116 ReviewsOtter Rock, ORWebsite+1 (541) 265-9278$32 - $130 / night
"Like most Oregon coast campgrounds, the summer months are very busy."
"4 1/2 stars for this sprawling, accessible campground, easy to find and close to so many things Shangra-La-ish about Newport and the Oregon Coast."
4. Harris Beach State Park Campground
114 ReviewsBrookings, ORWebsite+1 (541) 469-2021$31 - $87 / night
"Just outside of Brookings,Oregon on Rt. 101, this well kept campground was a welcome two day layover during the rainy weather that’s typical of the PNW during mid-November."
"This is one of the prettiest State Park campgrounds along Oregons Southern Coast! Just off Hwy 101 and less than a mile north of Brookings, OR."
5. South Beach State Park Campground
95 ReviewsSouth Beach, ORWebsite+1 (541) 867-4715$31 - $133 / night
"Your perfect home-away-from-home to explore all that the central Oregon coast has to offer. Miles of beaches are within walking distance or a short drive."
"Walking distance to the beach. Ranger led activities in the summer."
6. Nehalem Bay State Park Campground
90 ReviewsManzanita, ORWebsite+1 (503) 812-0650$31 - $90 / night
"We definitely didn't try to interact with them, but they were comfortable to roam right around our site which was a really magical experience
- Nehalem Bay is such a beautiful area and the State Park"
"Mostly an RV park tucked into the Nehalem Bay peninsula, this does offer a couple dog friendly yurts and some very friendly camp hosts."
7. Tumalo State Park Campground
85 ReviewsBend, ORWebsite+1 (541) 382-3586$32 - $128 / night
"This is one of our favorite campgrounds in Oregon. We did have a harder time backing in our 35ft trailer due to the more narrow road but over all wasn’t that bad."
"Very solid, typical Oregon state campground."
8. Mazama Village Campground — Crater Lake National Park
85 ReviewsCrater Lake, ORWebsite+1 (866) 292-6720"Because mosquitos swarm near big lakes) This is one of my favorite campgrounds in Oregon for families and groups."
"Besides being the only National Park in the state of Oregon, Crater Lake is an amazing stop along the PCT."
9. Silver Falls State Park Campground
79 ReviewsMehama, ORWebsite+1 (503) 873-8681$28 - $92 / night
"If you want to camp in Oregon this is the place to go. There are several waterfalls and hiking trails. You can see wildlife and you can't beat the beauty. You can tent camp and they also have yurts."
"Probably the easiest accessibility to the most awesome waterfalls per few square miles in Oregon. Ample Parking and many different falls and trails to choose from"
10. Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park Campground
73 ReviewsFlorence, ORWebsite+1 (541) 997-3851$32 - $128 / 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!"
Recent Camping Photos in Oregon
2428 Photos of 2117 Oregon Campgrounds
Recent Reviews in Oregon
10000 Reviews of 2117 Oregon Campgrounds
- Christina F.Ranger
Nehalem Bay State Park Campground
Great vibe!
This was our next to last stop on the way home from Beverly Beach. Two campgrounds about the same size, could not be more different! The spaces at Nehalem Bay are still close, but not as close as Beverly Beach. There were kids, but just not as many running about. The vibe was so laid back here. We lucked out with a semi-private site. We had the site that was next to the road going to the horse camp area so there were some trees on that side and behind us, though you could still see a little bit of one or two horse sites. And I could hear the horses every once in awhile, which I found very comforting. The ocean is just over the dune and there are a couple different trails to get over to it. The beach itself is lovely with soft sand and very little seaweed or anything that comes in with the tide, the only issue is that it is windy. It's not too bad at night, but during the day, it is rough. We tried to take our kiddo out to play in the sand and it just sucked. Good spot for wind surfing or paragliding though as we saw several people doing this down the beach a little ways. One thing we would have liked to do, but could not convince our kiddo, there is a 2 mile loop trail around the airstrip (oh yeah, there's an airstrip here too on the bay side of the park where people can fly in and camp) and trails down on the jetty from the day use area. There is also a horseback riding outfit down there that operates seasonally. There is a playground, but it's not a traditional type of playground with swings and slides, at least not in our group of loops. It wasn't the best for little kiddos. We did not explore loops A,B, and C so not sure if that playground was the same. Lastly, the dump station: there are two lanes here, which is great. Nobody was at the dump station when we pulled in, so no waiting. This park is also partaking in the pilot program where you scan the qr code and pay $10 to dump tanks. I had Verizon connectivity at this park so there was no issue there, but someone a scribbled across the qr code at the dump station my husband pulled into so I had to go to the other lane to scan that qr code. Not a big deal, but it's just a different type issue. Once I scanned the qr code, it took me to the site and I didn't have any problems paying.
- Christina F.Ranger
Beverly Beach State Park Campground
It was ok.
Everybody raves about this campground, but we found it just ok. This is a HUGE campground situated along the Oregon coast and Hwy 101. Actually, you walk under Hwy 101 to get out to the beach. There are 8 loops (A-H), that are a mix of yurts, standard tents sites, FHU (full hook-ups) and PHU (partial hook-ups) sites. Loops A, B, and groups sites are the closest to the beach, but also closest to the road noise from Hwy 101. The campground is nice, but there is not much privacy or space as sites are packed in close together. We lucked out in that our site, F14, was around a bend in the road and surrounded by shrubs. This was not the norm though from what I saw during our daily walks. As other reviewers mentioned, this is a very family friendly campground. There were tons of kids on bikes and scooters going to and fro. This caused a little bit of an issue when we arrived and were prepping to back our 32ft 5th wheel into our spot. I had to give a yell at some kids who kept riding their bikes behind our trailer as my husband was trying to maneuver the trailer. Not cool and not very good campground etiquette. I will say this though, when quiet hours rolled around, I didn't hear a peep out of anyone near us. A couple more things...I had no Verizon connectivity what-so-ever until I got to the beach. If you are in loops C-H, the beach is definitely not "steps" away. It was quite a walk from F loop and even farther if you camp at the back of H and G loops. Lastly, the dump station (sigh). There is one lane in the dump station. For such a huge campground that has only 53 full hook-up sites out of 257 campsites, one lane is not enough. We waited in the dump station line for 45-50 minutes before we could dump our tanks. Another issue is the pilot program that Oregon state parks is doing at some of their parks. The fee for the dump station is $10 for everyone unless you had a FHU site. There is a qr code that you're supposed to be able to scan and pay. Well, I still didn't have service at the dump station and my husband doesn't have a smart phone. I had to walk over and pay at the ranger station. We had an issue at another park as well, but that will be in the review for that park.
Another little note: we saw some dead birds on the beach. I reported this to the ranger station and she told me that unfortunately this is a normal occurance in August. The name escapes me at the moment, but this type of bird nests in the rocks and when a predator comes, they fling themselves off the rocks. So it is a normal thing in August, but just beware for when you go out on the beach.
- JJhamee S.
ScoutTopsy Campground
Cute campground
Campground was cute , perfect lil spot with the basics. Water was out and needed work done so we weren’t able to use the one located at the RV campsites. Our spot was close to the bathrooms and water pump. Cute outlook spot , a few dog poop station with bags. Very well maintained by camp host MJ she was super friendly and helpful. Definitely would come back
Carol U.ScoutLog House RV Park and Campground
Rustic, quiet and spacious
We love this campground! Small, quiet and rustic. Each pull through has it's own little red rail fence, grassy area with picnic table and fire ring. Spacious sites with a separate trash can for each site. We had the option of parking either direction for views of mountains. The host is the owner and very nice and helpful. This is a campground where one can truly relax. Despite the smoke, this place is a winner for my husband, cat and dog and myself. I highly recommend this campground!
Jim N.ScoutElliott State Forest Dispersed
Very remote
After a good climb in the van, we found a great pull off the two-track about 400 yards before the road forks near the top. Secluded, safe and all the berries you can eat!!!
Matthew G.
TravelerBeaver Falls Trailhead - Overnight
Good stop for 1 night
Large road side pull off parking area. Plenty of space for truck and trailer length too. It was great in the van. Minimal road traffic on a week night. Sounds of a waterfall here are pleasant.
- mmitzi M.
GuideSouth Beach State Park Campground
Large, More Adults, Clean, Walking Distance to Ocean Beach
Near Newport Oregon, this state run place is clean, even with lots of people, it was quiet. Lots of shade trees and even tho the wind was howling on the beach, it was just breezy on camp.
Smaller spots but with room between them so you don’t feel cramped while you camp!Grounds are spread out so again, lower letters are closer to ocean paths.
Clean bathrooms with decent showers. - mmitzi M.Guide
Lincoln City KOA
Good things and Bad things
First off the cost. And then all the people. Again, it’s summer so expected. But noisy. Just fyi.
Surrounded by forest and homes and near Devils Lake, it’s still quiet at night. Close to town, far enough to be wild. Choice of RV spots, tents and cabins. I stayed in a cabin and it was fun. I used a personal bathroom device because the bathrooms were too far for this old gal at night. But they were clean and showers hot!!
Guide to Oregon
Camping in Oregon offers a fantastic way to connect with nature, whether you're pitching a tent by a lake or parking your RV in a scenic spot. With stunning landscapes and a variety of campgrounds, there's something for everyone.
What to do
- Hiking and Exploring: Many campgrounds are near beautiful trails. For example, at Paulina Lake Campground, you can hike around the lake and visit nearby hot springs. One camper mentioned, “The lake is great for fishing, hiking, and has amazing hot springs on one side.”
- Water Activities: If you love water sports, check out Crooked River Campground. It’s perfect for boating and fishing. A reviewer said, “Fishing is fantastic here, and you can rent a boat from the marina.”
- Wildlife Watching: Campgrounds like Prineville Reservoir Campground offer great opportunities to see deer and other wildlife. One visitor noted, “We have deer and squirrels and lizards every day.”
What campers like
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Tumalo State Park Campground, one reviewer said, “The bathrooms were clean and awesome.”
- Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds have a welcoming vibe. A camper at Smith Rock State Park Campground mentioned, “It gives off a nice outdoorsy kind of communal vibe but it’s still private.”
- Scenic Views: Campers love the breathtaking scenery. At Skull Hollow Campground, a visitor said, “We had beautiful sunsets each night.”
What you should know
- Crowded in Peak Season: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially in summer. A reviewer at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver noted, “It was a kind of a maze, lots of different areas and lots of curves.”
- Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups or water. For instance, Smith Rock State Park Campground has no electric hookups or water hookups. A camper mentioned, “You park in a central area and walk to the camp area.”
- Wildlife Rules: Some campgrounds have strict rules about pets. At Tumalo State Park Campground, a visitor said, “The upper loop is geared more towards families with children and retired folks who are looking to camp surrounded by other people.”
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. Crooked River Campground has a playground and a fenced dog park. A family camper said, “Cove Palisades state park is pretty rad, especially if you’ve got a family!”
- Plan Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. One family at Paulina Lake Campground enjoyed, “We always bring tow lines for our younger kids when they tire out of paddling their kayaks.”
- Pack Snacks: Keep everyone happy with plenty of snacks. A camper at Prineville Reservoir Campground mentioned, “The campground is beautiful, we have deer and squirrels and lizards every day.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Thousand Trails Bend-Sunriver said, “The sites are heavily treed with exceptional spacing between.”
- Look for Full Hookups: If you need amenities, choose campgrounds that offer them. At Prineville Reservoir Campground, a camper noted, “The roads are paved, and the sites are as well with fire pits and picnic tables.”
- Be Prepared for Limited Connectivity: Many campgrounds have poor cell service. A visitor at Crooked River Campground warned, “There is NO CONNECTIVITY! Even with our Wii-Boost and 20-foot antenna, there was nothing.”
Camping in Oregon is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but knowing what to expect can make your trip even better!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Oregon for first-time visitors?
What are the best campgrounds in Oregon for first-time visitors?
Silver Falls State Park Campground is ideal for first-timers with multiple waterfalls, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The park offers both tent sites and yurts, making it accessible for various camping styles. For coastal exploration, South Beach State Park Campground provides miles of beaches within walking distance and serves as a perfect base to explore central Oregon coast attractions including the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Hatfield Marine Science Center, and Newport Harbor. Both parks feature well-maintained facilities and are beginner-friendly with ranger-led activities available during summer months.
Are there free camping options available in Oregon?
Are there free camping options available in Oregon?
Yes, Oregon offers several free camping options, particularly on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest lands. Macks Canyon Recreation Site along the Lower Deschutes River provides free camping with basic amenities. The area includes several other campgrounds like Twin Springs, Jones Canyon, and Rattlesnake Canyon. For budget-conscious campers, Indian Ford Campground near Sisters offers economical sites with decent spacing and nice tree cover. Additionally, dispersed camping is permitted in many Oregon national forests, typically allowing stays up to 14 days. These areas generally lack facilities, so campers should be prepared with water, waste disposal plans, and practice Leave No Trace principles.
What camping amenities can I expect at most Oregon state parks?
What camping amenities can I expect at most Oregon state parks?
Oregon state parks typically offer well-maintained restrooms with flush toilets, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings at individual sites. Many parks provide electrical hookups for RVs, with some offering full hookups including water and sewer connections. Fort Stevens State Park Campground features reservable sites, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Several parks like Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park Campground offer additional amenities such as hot showers, dump stations, interpretive programs, and hiking trails. Most state parks have camp hosts who provide information and assistance, and many larger parks offer yurts or cabins for those seeking alternative accommodations to traditional tent or RV camping.
When is the best time of year to go camping in Oregon?
When is the best time of year to go camping in Oregon?
Summer (June-August) offers the most reliable weather for Oregon camping, with warm temperatures and minimal rainfall. However, fall (September-October) provides fewer crowds and beautiful foliage. Nehalem Bay State Park Campground is excellent during the off-season (November), offering peaceful, uncrowded experiences with wildlife sightings like deer visiting campsites. Spring can be wonderful at Valley of the Rogue State Park Campground, with full hookups for RVs and riverside hiking paths, though prepare for variable weather. For high-elevation sites, the season is typically limited to late June through September due to snow conditions.
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