Camping spots near Springfield, Oregon sit where the Willamette Valley meets the Cascade foothills, creating diverse camping environments within a 30-minute drive. Elevation ranges from 450 feet in the valley to 1,200 feet in nearby forest areas, with summer temperatures averaging 5-10°F cooler at higher elevations. During peak season (June-September), weekend campgrounds often reach full capacity by Thursday afternoon.
What to do
Swimming access at reservoir sites: At Cascara Campground, campers can enjoy the swimming dock when water levels permit. "This used to be one of my favorite spots, and it's still a great little campground, but you used to be able to jump off the dock right into the reservoir, and now the level is kept so low that much of the recreation is no longer accessible," notes one camper at Cascara Campground.
Forest road exploration: The roads east of Springfield provide numerous opportunities for day trips. A visitor to Cascara Campground reports, "Found a place to dip into the water, to shoot, and exploring the forest roads was a fun afternoon in general. Lots of places to pull off to chill out."
Off-leash dog areas: Several campgrounds offer designated areas for pets. At Armitage Park, one camper notes, "Perfect place for dog owners as they have the best dog park; it's actually the community dog park, so they're always dogs/people there."
Dock fishing opportunities: Fishing from docks provides convenient access without a boat. Richardson Park offers water access with one visitor stating, "Large, spacious tent sites with fire rings & tons of trees. The hosts are great and deliver firewood to your site."
What campers like
Proximity to amenities: Camping close to urban conveniences allows for resupply runs. "About 40+ spots, fire ring and picnic tables in each. Clean bathrooms. Fee is $19/night (Park Rangers check). It was empty when I went. No problems finding spots," reports a camper at Cascara Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms receive frequent mention in reviews. At Dexter Shores RV Park, one visitor noted, "I had an easy stopover here on the way to Eastern Oregon. I didn't want to use my tanks, so I used their restrooms. They were warm, clean, and well-lit."
Site spacing: Campgrounds with adequate distance between sites earn higher marks. At Premier RV Resort, a camper mentions, "Clean bathrooms, trees between parking spots, and right off I-5. We also appreciated there was an after-hours check-in option for drop-ins like ourselves."
Group accommodations: Several campgrounds offer group sites. A Cascara visitor appreciated "that they have group sites available," which work well for family reunions or multi-family outings.
What you should know
Fire restriction variations: Fire policies differ significantly across the area. At Premier RV Resort, open fires are prohibited, while Armitage Park allows fires in designated rings. Always check current restrictions before arrival.
Parking limitations: Some locations restrict the number of vehicles per site. A Cascara Campground visitor cautioned, "If you have more than 2 vehicles you have to park outside the camp ground and walk back in...I had to park a mile away, and this was after paying the $7 parking fee."
Reservation requirements: Richardson Park fills quickly during summer months. "You definitely need to reserve in advance as the spots get booked quickly," advises one camper.
Highway noise levels: Several campgrounds near I-5 experience traffic noise. A Premier RV Resort visitor noted, "It's near the road and near a TA truck stop, so there's noise from that, but it wasn't obnoxious."
Tips for camping with families
Movie nights: Some county parks offer outdoor entertainment. "Our family loves this campground, especially on the weekends when there are outdoor movies playing for free," shares a Richardson Park visitor.
Swimming areas with safety equipment: Families appreciate water access with safety features. At Cascara Campground, a visitor mentioned, "The camp sites were decent size and they have life jackets for little ones."
Playground access: Richardson Park offers playground equipment for children. "Has a small playground area with a swing set. Lake area is nice to spend the day and picnic," notes one camper.
Reserve early for summer weekends: The Willamettans and other popular spots fill quickly. "They have a hot tub, heated pool, lodge, rv hook ups, tent spaces, and rental cabins. Very nice," reports a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: For larger rigs or those uncomfortable with backing in, seek pull-through sites. At Armitage Park, one RVer notes, "We selected a pull through because we were only doing an overnight. Electricity was solid 30 amps. ATT reception was decent."
Jack pad requirements: Some parks with asphalt pads require jack supports. At Deerwood RV Park, "ALL spots require jack pads. Having not stayed in too many parks with asphalt, this was a surprise for us. They did not mention at checkin, but we got a polite email the next morning."
Road width challenges: Some parks have tight access roads. A Deerwood RV Park visitor cautioned, "Road is narrow and winding, larger rigs have issues with staying on path. Mostly back-in spaces, which combined with the road, makes for interesting times getting your rig settled."
Site length limitations: Check site lengths before booking. The same Deerwood visitor noted, "Spaces are fairly short, especially on Standard sites. We barely fit our 39' Class A and a 2 door Jeep Wrangler."
