Best Tent Camping near Scotts Mills, OR

Granted, it's been 90 degrees everyday so anything near water feels incredible. BUT nothing quite as incredible as the ice, rushing Clackamas river!!!!!

We stayed at this park for 3 days and it was such a trip. 2 adults, 2 kids and a pup had plenty of space on a tent site. The bathrooms were great and not to far of a trek, but for convenience they set up and ADA accessible portapotty near the tent camping area. The rangers were kind and helpful, as were the park hosts.

Whether you're going for a full day of floating down the river (rentals offered at one of the boat launch areas) or want to climb your way down to a secluded chunk of river bend and hitch your float to a tree or rock, there is so much this park has to offer!

Yukwah campground is found along hwy 22 East of Salem along the Willamette National Forest in Linn County. Most of the sites along this stretch are first come, first serve walk up sites - but you can reserve by connecting with Linn County Parks and Rec (see photo for info) for $18/night plus $5 additional vehicle fee and reservation fee. This campground has ada access camp sites and tent sites. Most of the RV sites along the Willamette National Forest can be used for tent camping. The day use area at this site is great for swimming, fishing, and possibly a small hike. I advise camping near the day use area (#3) if you have a large family or kids for larger sites and easy access. Yukwah is near wagon wheel bridge with access to trails for those wanting to hike while camping. Vault toilets are available (bring soap) - there are no showers or additional amenities. There is access to potable water at this location.

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.

The campground at Ainsworth State park feels more like an RV parking lot than an exotic Columbia Gorge camping experience. The majority of the camground it rv hookups with just a few walk in tent sites. Yet, while the campground isn't impressive in itself, it is in an amazing location for exploring neighboring Eagle Creek and the rest of the gorge just steps away!

The parking for the tent sites is close to the walk in trail. There are only 6 tent sites and they can be reserved online so it is not easy to roll up to a free spot in hiking season.

The sites themselves are basic and offer much more privacy than your neighbors in the RV section of the park are getting. There is water near the tent site entrance. Toilets are a bit of a walk from the tent sites.

This site does take credit cards for campground registration.

You never see any stinking trailers at this campground. It's perfect for tent camping.

We didn't stay even 24 hours. We only stayed for a place to sleep overnight, but I'm eager to return and stay longer. I was super impressed with the size and location of the tent sites. The tent sites were also secluded and flat. (But a far walk to the bathrooms/showers). There seemed to be a lot of hiking trails. I couldn't check them out because of our schedule, but I would 100% return. We drove to the boat launch area and it was easily accessible.

Not super geared toward tent camping, if you have an RV or trailer it may be better. Super open with sites right on top of one another.

This is Santiam State campground that is for basically tent camping. Water and Pit toilet. Some sights next to Butte Creek. The best part is that you very close to Butte creek water falls.

Beautiful place right next to the lake! Wasn’t a fan of how open the sites are and the noise from the highway. We were tent camping however so your mileage may vary with a camper/trailer set up.

Had a wonderful time tent camping here with our 4 month old baby. Great place to cool off on hot summer days. Love the trail that goes around the lake!

**Might have been affected by fires in September 2020**

Great location for exploring Columbia River waterfall area. Clean and nicely laid out bathrooms and showers. Tent camping experience not great and we were in the tent only section. Road and railway noise. Our site smelled like urine. Lights from the info board and neighboring sites shining into our tent all night long.

Very crowded in summer. Pit toilet. Tent camping. Very steep final approach on dirt road. Very beautiful lake with Salomanders. If your lucky to have the lake to yourself it can be very quiet except for wildlife sounds. It is possible to kayak with easy access

Tent area is separate from RVs and it has lots of privacy. Camp host is very sweet, he brought fire wood to my tent. Nice trails and lake, nice bathroom/shower. It is about 100 yard walk through forested trail to showers and you can't park your car in your tent camp but it is small so the parking is very close. I like how forested the area is.

We tent camped two nights at Silver Falls. Tree lined campgrounds were well maintained. Sites are close together and the grounds are very social (which we like). Ranger led evening program was educational and interactive. The highlight of the trip was the 8+ mile hike to explore 10 different waterfalls. The hike was easy enough for our seven year old to complete, but tough enough to wear us out. We very much enjoyed a swim with other families in one of the final falls. The drive from Portland was gorgeous! It was nice to get a glimpse of rural Oregon.

This is one of the best places in all of Oregon. You can hike all around, swim, and even access the prettiest parts in a wheelchair! Also some campground activities like games and playgrounds. The camping is pretty straightforward and clean. There are “bunk houses” in addition to simple tent sites. There are some campsites next to a creek, if you are lucky! It is pretty crowded, so know what you’re getting into...but it’s worth it for the beauty. Get up before sunrise and get on the trails if you can!!

Silver Falls is awesome to visit and the campground is great if you have the opporunity to stay for a day or two.

Beautifully forested and close to the waterfalls, the campground has all the features you could need.  Tent sites, rv sites, and cabins.  It's very popular and can sometimes be hard to find a reservation.

I camped there in my RV several times and always tried to get slot A13. It’s all the way at the end and has a nice amount of space and only a potential neighbor on one side. I also tent camped and, after scouting the sites, chose C6. That site is a bit small but is away from the rest and above them on the slope so you don’t need your rain fly for privacy.