Glamping and camping options near Pleasant Hill, Oregon center around the scenic Willamette Valley, situated at approximately 500 feet elevation with a moderate climate that supports Douglas fir forests and riparian zones along the area's many waterways. The region experiences mild temperatures during summer camping season, with daytime highs typically reaching 75-85°F and nighttime lows dropping to 50-60°F. Water recreation forms a central part of the camping experience with several reservoirs and creeks offering swimming and fishing.
What to do
Hiking trails to waterfalls: Several campgrounds near Pleasant Hill serve as excellent basecamps for waterfall exploration. From Rujada Campground, visitors can access "Pinard, Moon, and Spirit falls...Each are around 2 easy hiking miles and worth hitting, you can easily do all three in one day." According to one camper, these falls are "some of the better, lesser known falls in Oregon."
River and lake access: Baker Bay Campgrounds & Marina provides direct water access where "you can see the lake from your site" and "leave your kayaks on the shore and just hop right in and paddle if you wanted," as described by a reviewer. The campground includes "a boat launch and boat rentals" plus "several huge inflatable water structures in the bay which kids can play on for a fee."
Swimming holes: Rujada Campground offers creek access where "Laying Creek sounds heavenly all throughout the camp, the trails are great to walk, and you will eventually wander to a swimming hole." Another camper noted there's "access to a nice swimming hole next to the campground," though they caution "getting to it was not easy especially with small kiddos."
Dam tours: During summer months, educational opportunities exist near Schwarz Campground where "the Army Corp of Engineer Rangers give a tour of the Dorena Dam every Saturday. I highly recommend going if you can!"
What campers like
Private campsites: Many Pleasant Hill area glamping and camping locations offer secluded sites. At Rujada Campground, "Each site was very private, I couldn't see the other campers unless they were passing by our site." A different visitor mentioned, "The sites are mostly private, though some of them are really close together (ideal if you're camping as a group!)."
Riverside locations: Casey's Riverside RV Resort receives consistent praise for its waterfront positioning. Visitors appreciate that "the river runs right next to the campground with part of the sites right along it." Another reviewer notes, "The two rivers converge right at site 52… so lovely."
Swimming opportunities: Big Pool Campground earns high marks for its water access: "Being right on the water truly can't be beat!" One camper stated, "We have been here a few times and absolutely love the location. It's usually not one of the busier ones out this stretch of road, and is close enough to Fall Creek to reasonably run in for supplies."
Natural surroundings: The forested setting enhances the glamping experience at locations like Royal Heart Hill, which one camper described as having "a nice hiking trail down to a pond with cute signage to lead the way." Visitors appreciate the variety of terrain and ecosystems available within short distances of most camping areas.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Some facilities operate within restricted timeframes. Schwarz Campground is open only "April 24 to September 28," while Big Pool Campground has an even shorter season from "April 27 to September 16." Plan accordingly when scheduling your glamping trip near Pleasant Hill.
Bathroom facilities vary: At Rujada Campground, "There are flush toilets with running [water], a sink and trash can. The garbage was picked up daily." However, not all campgrounds offer the same level of amenities—Big Pool Campground lacks toilets entirely, requiring campers to bring portable solutions or practice leave-no-trace techniques.
Noise considerations: Location can impact noise levels at campgrounds. For Eugene Kamping World RV Park, multiple reviewers mention issues with "people playing loud music throughout the night. Screaming kids and adults all night." Similarly, at Schwarz Campground, "because there is no power in the sites people were running generators for hours, even the tent campers."
Occupancy patterns: The Willamettans offers a unique camping experience but requires awareness that "this is a nudist community and campground" with "a hot tub, heated pool, lodge, RV hook ups, tent spaces, and rental cabins." Potential visitors should understand the expectations and community norms before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Baker Bay Campgrounds has "a large play structure" alongside "horseshoes, and a sand volleyball pit" making it "great site for families with kids." The additional green space offers room for games and activities away from campsites.
Private vs. public spaces: Site selection matters for family comfort. At Baker Bay, one camper shared: "I will never stay at site 32 again. Many visitors to this site felt that because we were right next to the trail head...they could just walk directly though our site." Choose locations away from high-traffic areas when camping with children.
Water play options: When glamping near Pleasant Hill with families, prioritize waterfront access. At Baker Bay, "There are several huge inflatable water structures in the bay which kids can play on for a fee," providing additional entertainment beyond swimming.
Trail difficulty assessments: Rujada Campground features "a nice playground" and the Swordfern trail which starts at the day use area. One reviewer noted it as "an easy to moderate 2 or so miles, that I feel is family and dog friendly, as the grounds allows pets."
Tips from RVers
Site layouts: At Premier RV Resort at Eugene, "The roads are paved, majority of sites are pull through, photos on Dyrt are accurate. We had a 30 amp site and all of the utilities were well maintained and arranged well. Water pressure was good."
Hookup options: Casey's Riverside RV Resort offers "Great paved large riverfront views spaces...Have nice fire pit area for groups and can have gas firepits at your camp spot." A reviewer highlights that "pull through site 52 with FHUs" was "plenty long" for their setup.
Noise considerations: For RVers at Premier RV Resort, "there is a lot of road noise from I-5" though "the road noise was much less annoying than we anticipated and we slept well." Site selection can mitigate noise issues, as "the road noise varies a lot though so ask for a site close to the office or in the older section."
