Camping near Sherwood offers varied terrain from riverfront sites to orchards with elevations ranging from 175 to 400 feet. The area experiences moderate year-round temperatures, typically 45-85°F, with summer months seeing less rainfall but occasional extreme heat waves exceeding 90°F. Most campgrounds within 25 miles of Sherwood maintain accessibility from April through October, though several remain open year-round with reduced amenities during winter months.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Milo McIver State Park Campground features competition-quality disc golf that draws serious players. "Milo McIver may be best known for it's twin 18 hole disc golf courses, or single 27 hole layout when tournaments aren't in progress. Home of the annual Beaver State Fling, a PDGA sanctioned National Tour event," notes Steve C.
River activities: The Clackamas River offers multiple access points for water recreation. "Great place to put into the river to float or kayak. lots of parking. also a campground. perfect for a close weekend getaway," writes Caty M. about Barton County Park Campground, which serves as a popular launching spot.
Biking trails: Paved and unpaved trails accommodate riders of various skills. "There is a little everything. GREAT biking trails that are kid friendly. There lots of historical sites around the campground to enjoy as well," shares Scott W. about the network of trails available to cyclists of all ages.
Wine tasting: The Willamette Valley wine region surrounds Sherwood, with vineyard access from several campgrounds. "The location is also pretty accessible to wine country," mentions Stephanie Z., highlighting the proximity to award-winning wineries within 15 minutes of many campsites.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Tranquil Orchards and Wine Tours offers unusual camping among fruit trees. "This orchard is shady and very relaxing, although near a small airport and highway. There are showers and flushing toilets," says Kevin R. about this unique setting just minutes from Sherwood.
Riverside camping: Access to water features prominently in positive reviews. "We love to float the river! The play area/ park is one of my kids favorite. Lots of area to play. Volleyball, gagaball, playground," explains Bekki M. about the recreation options beyond just water access.
Year-round availability: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Sherwood remain open through winter. "Love to stay here when all the other campgrounds close. Nice hiking trails. The rangers are very nice," shares Somer L., noting the extended season availability that's uncommon in the region.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers receive frequent mentions. "The bath house was clean, the water was hot, and they had almost enough towel hooks (can we ever have enough?)," writes Shari G., appreciating practical amenities often overlooked in campground reviews.
What you should know
Summer crowds: Waterfront sites fill quickly during peak season. "Very busy in the summer months. Close to Portland so it gets a lot of day traffic. Access to river so it has summer activities," warns Kathy C. about Clackamette RV Park, which sees heavy use for day visitors.
Bug considerations: Some locations report seasonal insect issues. "Great historic park with no issues with hookups in the RV area. Spring and summer can be a bug challenge so bring lots of insect repellant!" advises C.W., highlighting a practical consideration for warmer months.
Noise factors: Proximity to highways affects some locations. "Located next to I-5 is this very cramped RV park. The place is noisy from all the traffic and your neighbors are on top of you," notes Theo A., candidly describing the trade-off of convenient location versus peaceful surroundings.
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance booking, especially for weekend stays. "I would recommend this place, just make reservations early," suggests Ashley B., sharing advice particularly relevant from spring through fall when demand exceeds capacity.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sun Outdoors Portland South provides excellent recreation facilities. "We loved the indoor swimming pool, laundry room and dog park. It felt like a country club for RV resorts," reports Belinda, whose family appreciated the amenities despite more compact sites.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites offer learning experiences for children. "The farmhouse fascinated my boys... they got to water the garden with a water pump and buckets!" shares Leslie C., describing interactive history lessons available nearby.
Multiple activity options: Versatile recreation prevents boredom during longer stays. "The park offers hiking, cycling paths, huge picnic areas and a disc golf course, in addition to boat landings for a canoe along the Willamette River," mentions Shari G., noting the variety available within a single location.
Weather considerations: Prepare for temperature variations, especially in spring and fall. "Sun Outdoors Portland South maintains designated pet areas with grass for dogs to use on leash," enabling comfortable outdoor time regardless of conditions, according to Hilde H. who rated facilities as "superclean."
Tips from RVers
Urban access: Columbia River RV Park provides convenient Portland proximity. "Nice RV park, close enough to Portland to work for us. We don't have a tow car so we relied on public transportation to get to downtown, which was great (though it is a 1 mile walk to the bus stop)," explains Laura M. about accessibility options.
Site selection: Consider specific needs when choosing locations. "We asked them to move us to the end of a row because our initial spot was so cramped; we barely had room for our table," shares Sarah L., providing practical advice about advocating for better placement.
Pet amenities: Pet-friendly campgrounds near Sherwood often include dedicated facilities. "The laundry room had a designated pet washer and dryer, which I always love, so we washed all of our dog bedding here," notes Laura M., highlighting an uncommon but appreciated feature.
Winter camping: Year-round options exist but with limitations. "We have been staying here full time since October 2021 and will be moving on in about a month or so. Many full timers live here but it's a convenient spot to park for a few days at a time or full time," reports Laurie about extended-season availability.