Best Campgrounds near Salem, OR

Campgrounds surrounding Salem, Oregon provide a mix of developed facilities and outdoor experiences within a short drive of the city. Silver Falls State Park Campground, located about 25 miles east of Salem, offers tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations in a forested setting. Closer to the city center, multiple RV resorts including Hee Hee Illahee RV Resort and Premier RV Resort provide full-service options with amenities like showers, electric hookups, and sewer connections. The region includes both year-round campgrounds and seasonal operations, with several facilities accommodating tent campers alongside RV travelers.

Most developed campgrounds near Salem require reservations, particularly during summer months when demand peaks. "Very nice park with friendly staff. The spaces are a bit too close for me, no shade," noted one visitor about Premier RV Resort, highlighting a common theme among Salem-area camping facilities. Road access to most campgrounds is straightforward with paved routes suitable for standard vehicles. Weather considerations include wet winters and springs typical of the Willamette Valley, with summer offering the most reliable dry camping conditions. Several campgrounds provide year-round operations, though winter camping may involve navigating occasionally muddy conditions. Cell service is generally available throughout the area, with better connectivity at campgrounds closer to the city.

Salem-area camping experiences vary widely from basic tent sites to full amenity RV parks with swimming pools and hot tubs. Campers report mixed experiences with privacy and site spacing at RV-focused facilities. As one reviewer mentioned about Hee Hee Illahee RV Resort, "Appreciate the amenities of small gym, hot tub, and showers. Excited for the outdoor pool to open. Staff is friendly and grounds are well maintained." The proximity to urban conveniences represents a significant draw for many visitors, with several reviewers noting the convenience of nearby shopping. Silver Falls State Park receives consistently higher ratings for nature experiences, while in-town RV parks score well for cleanliness and facilities. Mixed-use campgrounds offering tent sites alongside RV hookups provide the most flexible options for different camping styles, though availability can be limited during peak summer weekends.

Best Camping Sites Near Salem, Oregon (206)

    1. Silver Falls State Park Campground

    77 Reviews
    Mehama, OR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 873-8681

    $22 - $64 / 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"

    2. Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground

    75 Reviews
    Donald, OR
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 678-1251

    $22 - $152 / night

    "Fun place to visit if you live in Yamhill County (or even Salem/Keizer area). Especially when you want something close by and need to get out and explore!"

    "This park has a great interpretive center, rangers, and trails. This is one of the closer State parks to the Salem-Keizer area. Worth the drive."

    3. Hee Hee Illahee RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Keizer, OR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 463-6641

    $45 / night

    "The best in Salem, very clean."

    "Right off I5 in Salem, OR, a snap to get to and back on to the freeway. "

    4. Premier RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Salem, OR
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 364-7714

    "Last summer I rented a yurt at Premier RV Resorts, Salem OR, and I can’t wait to stay there again! Registration was quick and easy. Plenty of parking. An amazing gift shop and small store."

    "Also, our slides extended well past the concrete pad on both sides, leaving very little room to get around our RV."

    5. Emerald Valley RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Jefferson, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 363-0701

    "Some road noise since it’s close to the highway."

    6. Polk County Fairgrounds

    6 Reviews
    Rickreall, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 623-3048

    "So much better than those CGs next to highways and RRs"

    "Dump station nearby. We were visiting relatives in this area, so really only need a safe place to park the rig. This worked out fine."

    7. Willamette Mission State Park Horse Camp — Willamette Mission State Park

    6 Reviews
    Keizer, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 393-1172

    $20 / night

    "The campsites are horse friendly and the trails are absolutely gorgeous- it felt like being out in the wild."

    8. Silver Spur RV Park & Resort

    7 Reviews
    Silverton, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 873-2020

    "I ended up here last minute due to weather on the Oregon coast. I’m in a 40’ coach. It’s a very well kept RV park, a lot of long term residents were here."

    "It’s clean, very well maintained and close to the many wonderful sights in the area. We would definitely stay here again!"

    9. Salem Campground and RVs

    4 Reviews
    Salem, OR
    2 miles
    +1 (503) 581-6736

    "Salem campgrounds came a long way it's a nicer place to stay now the Management's great is pet friendly he has showers it's a pretty good size Park and it's right close to the city"

    10. Salem RV park

    3 Reviews
    Keizer, OR
    4 miles
    +1 (503) 364-5490

    "I’ve camped at Salem RV Park twice now and love it! Stayed in a tent site w electricity and hooked up my little lights for ambience."

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Recent Reviews near Salem, OR

1121 Reviews of 206 Salem Campgrounds


  • Barbara H.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Cedar Grove Recreation Site

    Great bday 2025

    Friends took me here for few nights for my bday. Clean camp ground,quiet,not very big here n ur vehicle not prkd at ur site but really enjoyed staying here. Water wz to low to fish nearby but had fun looking for rocks. Will go again next yr.

  • Jami C.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Knox Butte RV Park

    Great stop

    I absolutely loved this place, the staff are beyond exceptional... Well Wanda and her son wes.... There was a crusty woman working the office one day. The showers are amazing and the bathrooms are super clean! The laundry rooms are great! Very clean and all in great working order! They even have it piped in at every site u can have a garden hose hooked up to wash off your car or RV! I can't say enough good things about this place!

  • Jami C.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Emerald Valley RV Park

    Great stop

    Good stop, showers and bathrooms are clean, A LOT of people live here.... Manager is new and does not really know what's going on, I was told there is a lot of police activity there... Saw a few homeless people and cars with tow tags on em. Otherwise it's clean and safe

  • Jami C.
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Albany-Corvallis KOA

    Awesome

    This place is awesome! They have everything!! The only thing we don't like is the showers, they are dirty and there is absolutely no water pressure at all!! But we will just shower in the 5th wheel! Other then that this place is great!

  • Vinny A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Silver Falls State Park Campground

    Silver Falls Campground

    Very nice campground. Spots have a paved driveway and all seem to be relatively level. Private free hot showers! Right next to the ten falls trail loop.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Waterloo County Park

    Cute county park

    Sites were really easy to get into. River was pretty and plenty of kids playing.

  • Susan M.
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Phoenix RV Park

    Nope

    We stayed here for 11 months. We had a problem with our fridge overheating and the compressor being noisy when the afternoon sun hit the front side. We built an insulated box to solve the problem. Painted it. It wasn't an eyesore. We didn't have more than 5 personal items in our lot. Manager made us take it down. Said there would be a spot in September that she could move us to. Was unwilling to switch around someone who wasn't coming in for 2 months. When September hit, nothing happened. She never did move us. But she did move her RV to the prime spot, facing the way that we needed, up front when it came open. Lots of spots with so much junk under their RVs. We had a whitewater raft under ours and were told that we couldn't have it under there. Instead of paying a ridiculous price for a storage unit, we sold it. We already had one in the RV. Head management was coming through in a couple of weeks and she had to make the place look like she actually enforced the rules? Their sprinkler system quit working. The maintenance person put the sprinkler on the grass on the side of us. My window was wide open. Soaked my couch, left a water stain all across the blinds(RV was 9 months old) and the water stained a handmade quilt on the back of my couch. When I called the office the manager told me to stop yelling at her. I guess a loud voice was yelling? The guy said he didn't see that my window was open, yet I saw it was as I drove up. The manager also charged my debit card for our last couple of days/electricity without my permission. When I called to confront her about it, she hung up on me. I had to call my bank to get my card cancelled but the charge went through. Even though she sent me an email saying I was refunded. I am now trying to deal with the head office about her. Rent also going up to$830 a month. For a parking spot and water. No internet. Lots of sirens. Heard gunfire a lot. Not a great part of town. Lots of homeless people, garbage because it's near the can redemption center.


Guide to Salem

Camping near Salem, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking the Trail of Ten Falls: This trail takes you past ten stunning waterfalls. It's a highlight for many visitors, with one camper noting, "The highlight for us is the Trail of Ten Falls... The entire trail is just over seven miles but there are shorter loop options."
  • Exploring Silver Falls State Park: This park is a favorite for its lush trees and well-maintained trails. One happy camper shared, "The big trees are perfect shade and beautiful. The roads are perfect for biking and there’s a bike trail in the campground that leads you straight to the park."
  • Fishing and Swimming: Many campgrounds near Salem, like Waterloo County Park, offer access to rivers for fishing and swimming. A visitor mentioned, "It’s dog friendly with a dog park. During the week is better just because of younger groups who like loud music and some late nights."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept bathrooms and showers. One reviewer at Silver Falls State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms and showers are clean and well taken care of."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have attentive staff. A visitor at Champoeg State Heritage Area noted, "The park rangers are quite attentive and friendly."
  • Spacious Campsites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. A review for Olde Stone Village highlighted, "This is probably the cleanest park we have been to... The spots were spacious and a lot were pull through."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially during peak times. A camper at Albany-Corvallis KOA mentioned, "One of the showers in the ladies bathroom didn't seem to get hot, but the one in the middle did, so we weren't out a shower."
  • Limited River Access: Not all campsites have direct access to the river. A visitor at John Neal Memorial Park said, "The river access is limited if you’re not staying directly on the river."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Waterloo County Park shared, "We had someone get into our truck and steal some money out during the night... Just use caution."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. A parent at Fishermens Bend mentioned, "This campground is perfect for young families... the bathrooms were nice, paved 'roads,' short trails, easy river access, and lots to do."
  • Plan for Noise: Expect some noise from other families. A reviewer at Silver Falls State Park Campground noted, "Campsites can be decently close to one another, so not secluded but that wasn’t an issue for me."
  • Pack Games and Activities: Bring along games to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Champoeg State Heritage Area enjoyed the frisbee golf and other outdoor activities.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some sites can be snug. A reviewer at Pheasant Ridge RV Resort said, "The only downside is that the standard sites are small and very close to neighbors."
  • Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds with good facilities. A camper at Clackamette RV Park mentioned, "Just a gravel parking lot with hookups. But conveniently located right off of 205 and close to a lot of amenities."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Check the forecast before you go. A visitor at Albany-Corvallis KOA noted, "The bathrooms were clean but showers are small with a small attached dressing area."

Camping near Salem, Oregon, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find waterfront camping near Salem, Oregon?

Several excellent waterfront camping options exist near Salem. John Neal Memorial Park offers scenic riverbank views with large trees providing shade along the water. The park has a quaint, small-town atmosphere perfect for families. About an hour from Salem, Cove Creek Campground sits above Detroit Lake with both walk-up and reservable sites. For those willing to venture a bit further, Hebo Lake Campground provides peaceful lakeside camping with excellent fishing opportunities. During summer months, these waterfront sites fill quickly, so arriving early or making reservations when possible is recommended.

What are the best campgrounds near Salem, Oregon for tent camping?

Silver Falls State Park Campground is a premier tent camping destination just 25 minutes outside Salem, offering several waterfalls, extensive hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The park features dedicated tent sites in a beautiful forested setting. Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground is another excellent option close to Salem with pet-friendly policies and great nature walks. For tent campers seeking an urban option, Salem RV Park surprisingly offers tent sites with electricity for those wanting basic amenities while still enjoying outdoor sleeping. Most of these campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restroom facilities.

Are there any campgrounds near Salem with bathroom facilities?

Yes, many campgrounds near Salem offer quality bathroom facilities. Fishermens Bend features very nice bathrooms with full showers, flush toilets, and convenient sink dump sites near all campsites. Smith Creek Village at Silver Falls State Park provides clean, easily navigable facilities just 25 minutes from Salem. Salem RV Park maintains clean bathrooms and even offers a small market at check-in for essentials. Willamette Mission State Park also provides bathroom facilities for campers. Most developed campgrounds in the area include at minimum vault toilets, while many offer flush toilets and shower facilities, particularly at state parks and private RV parks.

What camping options are available in Salem for last-minute trips?

For last-minute camping in Salem, several options exist with varying availability. Salem Campground and RVs provides a convenient in-town option with good management and pet-friendly policies. Though close to I-5, it offers basic amenities including showers. Portland-Woodburn RV Park is another viable option for spontaneous trips, offering amenities like on-site laundry, pool, and full bathrooms. First-come, first-served campgrounds like Cove Creek near Detroit Lake may have availability during weekdays or shoulder seasons. For the best chance at securing last-minute accommodations, call ahead to check availability, arrive early in the day, and consider non-peak times like weekdays or spring/fall seasons.