Best Tent Camping near Tillamook, OR

Tent Camping Reviews near Tillamook, OR

947 Reviews of 29 Tillamook Campgrounds

• 

  Savannah S.

  Traveler

  May. 9, 2019

  Trask River County Park

  Private and Peaceful

  Trask River Campground is 20 minutes away from Tillamook. There is not a lot of service around the area going to Tillamook so go straight to Tillamook town center and start your GPS for accurate directions (or until you get good service). You will have no service whatsoever up at the campground but that’s what camping is for, to enjoy your time outdoors! You might as well get all of your needs in town before you head up, Safeway in Tillamook has bundles of wood for $5.99, for two nights we used 4 bundles (they come with fire starter kits).

  There is no showers or sinks but there is multiple “vault” toilets around the campground. For clean water there is multiple pumps around the campsite, bring your own soap.

  Nice swing set and grassy areas for kids or pets to run around. If you’re lucky enough you will wake up to elk grazing in the grassy areas.

  There is a main road in between the campgrounds since sites go from A-C. People fly up and down that road at 50+ MPH so watch your kids and pets.

  Multiple trails and cool things to see around the campground! Enjoy!

  Read More
• 

  Nathan R.

  Traveler

  May. 28, 2018

  Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

  Serenity in Fauna-Great for Groups too!

  I love this campground.

  Specifically, I love site number 10.

  There are 23 sites at this campground, though sites 10-23 are reservable, leaving sites 1-9 ‘first come, first served’. To get to the campground, you’re going to be working on the far left side of the Welcome Center parking lot. They have allotted several parking spots there, as well as a huge parking area for other cars and trailers. Once you park, grab your gear and hike on down that path straight ahead! If you have. A lot of gear they have three carts available to haul everything out in one go.

  The trail to the camp is about 1/4 mile, it’s dirt in some places and gravel in others. The trail is very easy, you go down a ways, and then hit a gradual short climb to the few station. If you haven’t paid online (reserved spot), you will need to fill in the information on one of the provided permits, write down your car infix, put the fee in, and drop it in the box. (Right now the sites are $11/night). Place the white top copy on your dashboard (yes, you have to hike back out there. I know, I know.) OR: You can skip all of that, set up camp in your chosen (non-reserved) spot, and go pay at the welcome center drop box. Saves you a trip.

  When you’re done with all of that and want to find your spot, there are two trails; one on each side of the fee board. The left goes through sites 23 and up. The right side starts with site 1. It's just one gigantic loop so whichever way you choose will lead you to the right spot.

  I was in site 10, and took the left: this ended up being the long yet scenic choice.

  There are communal fire rings in the back section (which is great for groups!). There are no trash cans: pack it in, pack it out. There are pit toilets available: aka, outhouses. The doors lock, there's hand sanitizer provided. Going into the pit toilets, and then coming out really makes you appreciate the fresh air of the great outdoors.

  The tent pads are a typical woodsy mix of pine straw, leaves, and loose gravel. Sleeping pads are a blessing, but so are nicely stacked lead piles in a pinch. Tent stakes require a little oomph, I just use the ball of my shoe to push it into the ground.

  If there's one thing you want to pack, it's bug spray. It's not overly buggy, but the mosquitoes are there, and you don't want them to dampen your experience! Be on the safe side.

  There are no food storage lockers, you cannot leave food out on the tables. You are still in the wilderness, and you are in bear/cougar territory. Hang your bags, or go throw your food back in trunk of your car. Best case scenario is you wake up to some trash pandas ransacking your site if you leave food out.

  Overall, this has become one of my favorite spur-of-the-moment camping spots and I come back twice a week.

  Read More
• 

  Corinna B.

  Legend

  May. 30, 2018

  Elk Creek Campground

  My New Favorite Campground in Oregon. Tent-Only on a Beautiful Creek.

  This is my new absolutely favorite Oregon campground. Located within the Tillamook State Forest, Elk Creek campground has about a dozen or so sites located on a slight incline heading down to where the sweet, beautiful little Elk creek and the larger Wilson River converge. The sites are decent size though not huge, and are surrounded by beautiful trees, ferns and greenery. Some sites have more privacy, and since it is first come-first served, obviously best to get here early or before the weekend to snag a spot (which are only $10/night). We spent most of our time on the Elk Creek side since we have kiddos and the stream was the perfect size for playing and swimming without the stress of a larger river.

  Pros: Beautiful. Fun creek for kids to play in. Great location only 28 miles from Tillamook. Love the sites and price ($10).

  Cons: Walk-in only, which is great if you're in a tent, but out-of-luck if you're in a trailer or RV. Elk Creek is also day-use, so people heading to the creek or river will be walking by your site all day (though not too crowded when we were there).

  Facilities: Two vault bathrooms (decently clean) but no showers. Fire pits. New picnic tables. Hand-pump water.

  Read More
• 

  Stephanie Z.

  Legend

  Jun. 3, 2019

  Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

  Ranger Review: PRIMUS LITE+ Backpacking Stove at Brooke Creek Hike-in

  Campground Review: Brooke Creek Hike-in Camp

  Brooke Creek Hike-in Camp is one of 3 campgrounds within Stub Stewart State Park, and the only one that really feels like you’re actually camping out in the woods – because you are.

  The tent only hike in camp isn’t a long haul from the parking area at the welcome center – it’s about ¼ mile and the trail into the campground is mostly gravel. There are carts available for hike in campers to use at the campground trailhead if needed. Note that if you’re using a cart, that the walk in is uphill.

  The campground area is wooded and each site has a picnic table. There are pit toilets and a water point. There are not fire pits in the sites—the fire pit areas are shared in central places in the campground. Some of the sites have a lot more privacy than others. I was camping in an unusually warm mid-week in May so the campground was mostly empty.

  I chose Site 1 because it had a good place for my hammock. If the campground had been full, I’d have picked a site a lot further in since the first few sites are right along the single trail that all campers/hikers would be using.  Some of the sites can be reserved in advance, and some are always open for walk ups.

  The self-registration is at the campground, NOT at the trailhead, so you’ll have to hike in, register, and then return your camping receipt to your car. If you’re paying with cash, bring your money on the first hike in. You can also pay with your credit card number.

  There are lots of trails directly accessible from the campground including the Banks-Vernonia Bike Trail as well as other hiking, biking and equestrian trails. I had a nice run on the Bumping Knots Loop.

  Product Review: The PRIMUS LITE+ Backpacking Stove

  As a Ranger for The Dyrt I sometimes get to test and evaluate quality products from amazing sponsors. On this camping trip, I tested out the Primus LITE+ backpacking stove. https://primus.us/products/eta-lite-7?variant=38436885010

  I’ve been in the market for a backpacking stove for awhile, looking for a lightweight and simple to setup option, so I was excited to get to test out the Primus LITE+. I opted for the .5L pot because I often camp solo (there is also a PRIMUS LITE XL version with a 1L pot available), Also, you can purchase the XL pot separately as an accessory which will give me more options when camping with a partner.

  Here are my opinions on the PRIMUS LITE+ after using it for one camping trip to make dinner and breakfast:

  PROS:

  Boils Fast: The PRIMUS LITE+ stove is incredible at the most basic things it needs to be good for: boiling water fast! In under 2 minutes start to finish you can assemble the stove and bring your water to a boil. Plus, fast boiling means you aren’t using a lot of fuel.

  Size/Weight: The whole stove system packs into itself and is about the size of a large mug including the fuel canister. I can fit the entire thing into the side pocket of my backpack. With the canister it weighs about a pound.

  Pot Versatility: The pot that comes with the PRIMUS LITE+ locks to the stove giving it a good wind shield, and allowing you to hang the pot to boil if you don’t have even terrain. The XL pot which is sold separately also attached to the same setup.  If you aren’t backpacking and want to use another pan or pot, there are small pegs which screw into the stove top to allow you to use any cooking set up. The pegs are stored in the handle of the stove so you don’t lose them.

  Accessories: I haven’t gotten it yet, but the LITE+ has a coffee press attachment so you can brew a cup straight in the pot. Always a bonus when a simple attachment means one less thing to carry for your perfect camping setup.

  CONS:

  Fuel Canister:  The smaller canisters needed if you want to pack your fuel into the kit  aren’t as readily available at places like Target or Walmart where I can more easily pick up my camping fuel when I’m on the road to camp. If I want to pack it all in to the pot, I’ll need to shop in advance at REI or a specialty outdoor store that carries the smaller canisters.

  Insulation: The insulated sleeve on the pot makes it easy to hold and to drink from, but after just a couple of uses it was already getting pretty dirty with coffee and soup debris. It isn’t as easy to keep clean, and since the handle is actually part of the insulation sleeve, you can’t effectively use the pot without it.

  It’s Small: Being small is one of the benefits of the stove, but the .5L mug/pot is smaller than I anticipated. While it’s perfect for a solo trip, you’ll want the 1L pot if you’re cooking for more than one.

  Overall, Primus LITE+ is a great stove that’s efficient. I’d opt for the bigger size if I were to buy it again, since it would be more versatile with only a little added weight and easier to fit the more readily available fuel cartridge.

  Read More
• 

  Stephanie Z.

  Legend

  Jun. 21, 2019

  Dairy Creek East — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park

  A Pretty Boring Campsite at a Great Park

  The Dairy Creek Campground at Stub Stewart is a two loop campground. The sites are spacious, but there isn't much character.  The East loop is pretty much an open field. The west loop has a few more trees but still not much privacy or space between sites. 

  Dairy Creek is clean and well maintained, and has great access to the trails and disc golf around the park. If you're in an RV this is a good set up. If you're camping with kids, there's a play area here.

  There are a few "walk in" sites where you don't park your car next to your tent, but rather in the parking lot next to the grassy area where the open tent sites are. If you're looking for a better tent camping experience that actually feels like it's in the woods, you're better off going to the hike in campground in the park.

  The loops are big and there is parking near the bathroom. This is great if you don't want to walk a long way, but it's bad if you've got the campsite near the bathroom with all the cars coming and going.

  Read More
• 

  Stephanie Z.

  Legend

  Dec. 1, 2021

  Cape Lookout State Park Campground

  Yurt for late spring, Tent for the Summer

  I camped twice at Cape Lookout this season - in June in a yurt, and in July at the campsite right behind the dune.  

  In June, it was freezing, rainy and windy, and the yurt was fantastic. The most amazing feature of the yurt was the heater. It really kept the place warm, and the yurt was spacious. We were 3 adults, and could easily have slept another one or two. Each yurt has a small patio as well as a fire ring- and inside was electricity and a power outlet. Best of all, you were still just steps away from the sunset on the beach.

  For camping, there are so many different kinds of sites at Cape Lookout - Sites closer to the entrance are very woodsy, the sites closest to the beach frontage (behind the dune) are very very open, and sites along the furthest perimeter are a little more spacious and some have trees (important to note if you want to hand a line or a hammock!)

  We camped at the site right behind the dune where the beach access is. It was a little noisy since everyone passed our site on the way to the beach, but very lovely to be just steps away. Each of the tent sites has a fire ring and picnic table. In both June and July when I visited there was no fire ban.

  Hiking is great in the area. You're also close to Pacific City, Jacobson's Salt, the tunnel at the Oceanside Beach, and Tillamook if you're staying here longer and want to take day trips outside of the State Park.

  Recommend booking early for summer campsites. The yurt I booked in June was available for booking same day.

  Read More
• 

  Aria R.

  Ranger

  Jul. 7, 2017

  Cape Lookout State Park Campground

  Cape Comfy

  In brief: quieter campground, good for families, small groups, dog owners and hikers.

  If you love being lulled to sleep by the sound of waves, this is your spot. The Pacific ocean sang us to sleep each night. 

  But enough poetics, this is one of the comfiest beach access campgrounds within an hour-ish of Portland. Large tent sites leave plenty of room for you to bring a buddy or to pop out extra lawn chairs. 

  When we were there the only showers available were over in the RV area but they were clean, private and warm - car camping jackpot! We saw the park staff cleaning the restroom at regular intervals and there was always toilet paper. Fire rings have grill bars on top for hotdogs and that perfect baked potato.

  There are always lots of dogs here and while the rangers try to get everyone to keep their pups on leash in camp, be prepared for a surprise sniff or two. Plenty of firewood for sale - and the ecological importance of not bringing your own is pretty big unless you live nearby.

  In the summer months expect kids to be riding their bikes and scooting through the park loop Dawn to dusk but at least they are outside! 

  We've been here in the winter months and it is much quieter, if a cloudy day is your thing then that's a good time for you to go as well.

  We always scout out the whole grounds for future trips and take notes on our favorite spots, I'll include some of those below:

  D circle

  55 and 54 spacious private

  42 full shade lots of trees full shade smaller Camp pad

  32 Shady Tree filled has a climbing log. Room for multiple tents privacy longer driveway

  27 much wider cement pad room for at least three tents 26 right next door both pretty open and connected

  67 has hammock trees and room from multiple tents.

  Backside of D loop will be great for summer heat

  Read More
• 

  Brian C.

  Legend

  Jun. 28, 2018

  Elk Creek Campground

  Beautiful Affordable Site on River

  Affordable national forest camp site. Not too many actual camp sites, but very quiet. Wonderful location next to the confluence of Elk Creek and the Wilson River. Vault toilets. Pump water. Walk-in/tents only, so no RVs, but still a nice location.

  A 7-minute drive from the awesome Tillamook Forestr Center, which has really cool exhibits on the area.

• 

  Annie C.

  Legend

  Jun. 25, 2021

  Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area Campground

  Close to the lake and the beach and town

  No lake views here, but there is access down a long point/dock for non motorized(kayaks) boats. The staff was very friendly and helpful and the campground was super clean. Best part was the No Generators rule!!! It is kinda loud as you are really close to the highway and on the edge of a busy town, but if you can get a tent site in the tent only area (towards the back with lots of trees) or a hookup site along the back, it’s not too bad. And you can hear the ocean.