Tent camping opportunities near Shedd, Oregon extend from the dense forests of the Cascade foothills to the open valleys of the Willamette Basin. The region sits at elevations ranging from 300 to 4,000 feet with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Narrow forest service roads throughout the area lead to numerous dispersed sites that don't require reservations but have limited cell service coverage.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 1-2 mile hikes from Alsea Falls Recreation Site lead to multiple cascades. "This is a cozy little BLM managed campground with 16 total sites... The main falls is only about a 1/2 mile from the campground, but if you venture further; about 2 moderate miles, you find 'Green peak falls' which for my money is a way better experience," notes camper Tj B.
Mountain hiking: Views across valleys at Marys Peak Campground offer clear-day visibility of both mountains and coastline. "On a clear day you can see snow cap mountains and the ocean in July," confirms camper G. Allen H. The campground contains a modest 7 sites adjacent to trailheads.
Fishing: Stocked reservoirs for trout provide reliable catches even for beginners. "No motorized boats. Dispersed camping. Excellent hidden creek water. Nature trails. Canoe. Kayak. Fish," explains David B. about Hult Reservoir, where non-motorized craft access offers quieter fishing conditions.
What campers like
Fire rings and covered sites: Protection during rainy seasons matters at many forest campgrounds. "Sites are decent size and they have life jackets for little ones," reports Jessie S. about Cascara Campground, where developed sites with fire pits cost $19-21 per night.
Small campgrounds: Few neighbors and minimal noise draw campers seeking quiet. "Only about 10 sites here, the camp host was very nice and sold us firewood! Not a very busy campsite but it is pretty!" writes Cat R. about Big Elk Campground, where sites cost $10 for individual camping.
Forest road pull-offs: Multiple small spots along roads create impromptu camping areas. "We found a spot at the end of the road that opened up a little bit more than other sites. There were others around here and not a huge amount of site options, so be weary of spaces filling up," advises Emma T. Forest Road 51 offers several pull-offs suited for 1-2 vehicles, with the third spot noted as most spacious.
What you should know
Limited site availability: Small campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. "I was lucky to snag a site at 1 pm on a July weekday, so I imagine it would be difficult later in the day or on a weekend," warns Meredith L. about Alsea Falls, suggesting early arrival even midweek.
Road conditions: Forest access varies significantly by vehicle type. "I probably wouldn't do this if I had a trailer or an rv, but my toyota Corolla did just fine," explains Shelby S. about Forest Road 51 near Beaver Creek, highlighting that many tent camping areas near Shedd remain accessible to standard passenger vehicles.
Water sources: Plan accordingly as water access varies widely. "There is no water anywhere nearby. Also encountered a massive amount of horse flies and normal black flies, which swarmed me every time I tried to cook," notes Meredith L. about Marys Peak Campground, pointing to the need for adequate water supplies and insect protection.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming spots: Reservoirs with designated swim areas provide safer water access for children. "There's a dock and swimming area, as you can imagine it was packed with kids. We chose to go down the road and explore other watering holes," suggests Justin S. at Cascara Campground, indicating both official and unofficial swim options exist.
Group sites: Accommodations for larger parties make family camping easier. "This is a fine campground, just remember that there is no water anywhere nearby," cautions Meredith L., highlighting the importance of water planning for family outings to Marys Peak.
Nature exploration: Short trails accessible to children of varying ages occur throughout the region. "The smell of the trees in the summer is my favorite part. Lots of great trails to hike," shares Eric M. about Whispering Pine Horse Camp, where the scent of pines creates memorable sensory experiences for young campers.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most tent-focused campgrounds restrict larger vehicles. "Sites are few and are pretty small so if you have a larger rig you might want to pass on this one," advises Kelli B. about Alsea Falls, which better accommodates tent campers than RVs.
Turn-around space: Forest roads often lack sufficient width for larger vehicles. "Narrow and unpaved road. Vert narrow, My trailer could barely fit through and there was only a three-way intersection inside to make a U-turn, otherwise my trailer wouldn't be able to get out!" warns Leo Y. about Forest Road 51, emphasizing the practical challenges for RVs accessing the best tent camping near Shedd, Oregon.
Alternative camping: Established campgrounds offer better RV options. "Came here with family and friends, and we were all able to fit into one spot! We had two tents and a travel trailer between us," reports Justin S. about Cascara Campground, showing that some sites can accommodate mixed camping setups.
