Cabins near Portland offer year-round accommodations within the temperate rainforest climate of the Pacific Northwest. Located in the foothills of Mt. Hood to the east and the Columbia River Gorge to the north, these cabins typically sit at elevations between 400-1,200 feet. Winter temperatures range from 30-45°F, while summer temperatures average 65-85°F with occasional heat waves pushing into the 90s.
What to do
Trail access: At Mt Hood Village Resort, cabins provide direct access to numerous hiking opportunities. "The main attraction of this place is the nearby recreation. There is a path that leads to the Wildwood recreation area and within the RV park itself there is access to the Salmon River for fishing/swimming," explains a visitor.
Volcanic lake swimming: The cabins at Battle Ground Lake State Park offer swimming in a rare volcanic crater lake. "They have a cool volcanic lake with a swimming area and great fishing. Its like a mini crater lake. I mean mini like pond size," notes one camper. The lake features a designated swimming area with a small sand beach for children.
Biking opportunities: Cabin accommodations provide quick access to both paved and off-road biking. "Right across Hwy 26 is some of the best Mountain Biking in the country at the Sandy Ridge Trail System. Using this RV park as a jumping off point, there are endless hiking trails and lakes to paddle and explore in the Mt Hood wilderness," describes a Mt Hood Village visitor.
What campers like
Quick access to nature: Government Island State Recreation Area cabins provide isolation while remaining close to the city. "We love camping on the island, as you can only get to it via boat so it is not overly populated. There are no fire pits but you can burn. No potable water, so bring your own," advises a regular visitor.
Salmon viewing: Cabins near Mt Hood provide unique wildlife viewing opportunities. "Wildwood recreation site boasts an underwater salmon viewing area as well naturalist inspired boardwalks and walking paths. Go salmon!" shares an enthusiastic camper from Mt Hood Village Resort.
Urban cabin options: For those wanting a cabin experience without leaving the city, Tiny Digs Hotel of Tiny Houses offers miniature cabin accommodations. "Cute and small, lots of little amenities for cooking, bathroom etc. Stopped for a night during our camping trip so we could still have service for the night to conduct emergency business back home!" explains a recent guest.
What you should know
Cell service varies: Connectivity changes dramatically between cabin locations. "Barely got 1 bar of 4g at the welcome center. There's a guest wifi in the parking lot there too but it's 2 miles further to the camp ground and texts hardly go through," notes a visitor to Oxbow Regional Park.
Accessibility considerations: Some cabin sites require physical effort to access. "The outer loop sites are quiet, spacious and wooded. They are also very close to a trailhead to nice hikes and the beach. The recent upgrades to playgrounds are awesome for the kids and the new welcome center makes check in a breeze," describes an Oxbow visitor.
Seasonal availability: Most cabin reservations fill quickly during summer months, particularly Thursday through Sunday. Winter reservations typically require less advance planning, with many locations offering last-minute availability except during holiday weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible activities: Champoeg State Heritage Area provides multiple family-friendly options. "Champoeg has a little everything. GREAT biking trails that are kid friendly. There lots of historical sites around the campground to enjoy as well. Loop B is highly our favorite because it is smaller and more private and close to the river. We'll go back year after year. Our kids had a blast!"
Child-friendly amenities: Cabins near Portland offer varying levels of kid-focused facilities. "This was the first place we ever took our toddler son camping. We chose it because it was close enough to Portland (home) that if we had to bail for some reason, it would be easy. Medium-sized spots, but plenty of trees and brush. Nice playground. And a nice river/swimming spot made for a lovely first camping experience," shares a parent about Oxbow Regional Park.
Historical experiences: Several cabin locations provide educational opportunities for children. "Old little pioneer town. Has yurts and lots of hiking. Pet-friendly," notes a visitor about Champoeg State Heritage Area, where interpretive programs regularly occur during summer months.
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing: L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park offers flexible check-in for cabin users. "Showed up in the dark & rain, no reservations in February. Lots of room at each site, very clean, nice bathrooms, quiet. Easy onsite reservation/payment," notes one camper about the experience.
Site selection: Choosing the right cabin location matters significantly. "The water and sewer hookups were in the middle of the site, with electric being at the back of the pad. The water pressure was not very good at around 35 psi. We had a clear shot to the north sky for Starlink, but it's doubtful we'd get a southern sky shot from this site due to the mature trees," explains an RVer at L.L. Stub Stewart.
Supply accessibility: Most cabin locations offer some shopping within a reasonable distance. "If you need actual supplies, head up the road a bit to the local Thriftway, a local grocery store," advises a Mt Hood Village Resort visitor describing the nearby options for food and supplies.
