The Sutherlin area sits in central Douglas County at approximately 500 feet elevation, positioned between the Cascade Mountains and Oregon Coast Range. Campgrounds near Sutherlin provide access to the Umpqua River system with seasonal water recreation opportunities from April through October. Most RV campgrounds in Sutherlin, Oregon and surrounding communities serve as convenient bases for exploring nearby wildlife viewing areas and wineries.
What to do
Fishing access points: At Elkton RV Park, campers have direct access to the Umpqua River. "Great fishing," notes Dan R., who gave the park five stars. The park positions visitors within walking distance to Elkton's small downtown area where supplies can be obtained.
Drive-in movies: From June through September, Hi-Way Haven RV Park shows films on their preserved drive-in theater screen. "They serve free popcorn," reports Andrea P., adding that "if you choose to sit in the nice grassy area (plastic Adirondack chairs provided) for the movie they serve free popcorn. If you can see screen from your site the sound on FM station."
Golf course access: The new Bar Run Golf and RV Resort offers an 18-hole course designed by Dan Hickson adjacent to camping areas. Julie G. shares, "Golfed every day on the most beautiful and challenging 18 hole course. Campground is new with concrete pads. Back-ins have grass, Pull throughs have a turf pad."
River swimming: Multiple parks offer river access for summer swimming. The Umpqua moves slowly in certain sections, making it family-friendly. Mike M. from Umpqua Riverfront notes the "river runs Sloooow" and is a "great place for the kids to swim."
What campers like
Retro theming: Hi-Way Haven RV Park preserves its drive-in theater history through thoughtful design elements. Coleen B. explains, "It's a converted drive-in theater and they've taken the retro theme to heart and run with it." The park maintains this nostalgic atmosphere throughout the grounds.
Riverside relaxation: Several RV parks in the Sutherlin region offer direct river frontage with viewing areas. At Rising River RV Resort, Sunshine G. found "the river is just beautiful, and there's a nice, long, grassy stretch that's good for walking, with benches and a lovely view."
Dog-friendly facilities: Multiple parks offer designated pet areas. Katie E. appreciated that Hi-Way Haven "was a great place to be stuck at for a couple nights! The hosts were so friendly and gave us some good tips for our camper. The park was also very dog friendly and has a couple fenced in areas for off leash puppy time."
Clean amenities: Parks in the region generally maintain high cleanliness standards. According to Roxanna L., Rising River staff were "very kind and welcoming. Helped us back into our site. Sites are large enough to park vehicle next to camper. Picnic area is on cement. Very clean and organized."
What you should know
Limited river swimming access: While river sites are popular, swimming access varies. Lance S. noted at Rising River RV Resort, "The park is in great shape, sites even have some grass. They have a nice small grass dog run, a few trails that go down to the river and it's peaceful down there."
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience significant road noise. Dawn explained that Douglas County Fairgrounds RV Park "is right off a highly traveled hwy without any natural barrier to prevent road noise. The sites are pretty close to one another. Still a good place for the night."
Seasonal operation: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Loon Lake Lodge and RV Resort only operates from April 15 through October 31, limiting winter camping options in the area.
Security measures: Some parks implement nighttime security systems. Carrie noted at Rising River, "the RV park is a gated community that needs a passcode from 6 pm to 8am daily."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation spots: The slow-moving sections of the Umpqua River provide safe swimming for children. At On The River Golf & RV Resort, visitors have access to "miles of walking trails and a river for tubing or fishing off the docks," according to the Brose' Family.
Entertainment options: Families appreciate parks with multiple activity options. At Bar Run, Julie G. described, "The pool is amazing with a lazy river and inner tubes to float on with a large 1-4ft area. Brand new and still under construction. Lifeguards are on duty."
Kid-friendly campsites: Some locations specifically cater to family needs. Katie O. from Loon Lake Lodge shared, "The deluxe yurts made a really easy first camping trip for my husband and kids."
Playground availability: Parents value parks with play structures. Andrea P. mentioned Hi-Way Haven has a "playground" along with other family amenities.
Tips from RVers
Sewer hookup requirements: Different RV campgrounds in the Sutherlin area have specific hookup protocols. Tjitte F. noted at Hi-Way Haven, "Full hook-up. Condition for your sewer connection is that it has to be on a support (Available in the shop)."
Site positioning: Sites vary widely in privacy and spacing. Daric G. from Rising River observed the resort is "too 'packed in' for our tastes. No trees, shrubs or any other barriers to give you the 'camping' feel."
Big rig access: Most parks accommodate larger RVs but with varying site sizes. Scott D. described Rising River as having "sites next to river and some pull through sites. I like staying here on trip down to California."
Wi-Fi limitations: Internet access varies significantly by location. Carrie noted at Rising River, "WiFi drops often and can't be used for streaming. No troubles with ATT cellular service."
