Camping near West Linn, Oregon offers access to the confluence of the Clackamas and Willamette Rivers, with elevations ranging from 50 to 500 feet throughout the region. West Linn sits within the temperate Willamette Valley, receiving an average of 42 inches of rainfall annually with summer temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F. Most campsites in the area require reservations 6-9 months in advance for summer weekends.
What to do
Hiking forest trails: At Oxbow Regional Park, you'll find miles of shaded forest paths through old-growth areas. "The park's 1,200 acres of ancient forest are crisscrossed with hiking trails and provide habitat for elk, deer, and osprey," notes Emille R. The park's trail system includes both riverside paths and forest routes ranging from 1-5 miles.
Disc golf courses: Milo McIver State Park Campground features two 18-hole disc golf courses (or a single 27-hole layout during non-tournament times). "Milo McIver may be best known for its twin 18 hole disc golf courses... Home of the annual Beaver State Fling, a PDGA sanctioned National Tour event," says Steve C. Equipment rentals aren't available on-site, so bring your own discs.
River activities: The Clackamas River at Barton County Park offers popular floating routes during summer months. "One of my favorite things to do when the weather warms up is to float. I enjoy the Clackamas River. We sometimes start at Barton Park after lunch," writes Rebekah H. The park has designated boat launch areas with parking fees of $5-7 depending on the season.
What campers like
River access points: Campers consistently rate waterfront sites highest. "The river is right there, bike trails, grass area, walk to town, everything," explains Mike M. about Clackamette RV Park. Many campers appreciate the specific location at "the confluence of the Clackamas and Willamette river's" which Pepper V. notes is "incredibly serene nonetheless" despite its urban location.
Historical elements: Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground offers unique historical attractions. "Old little pioneer town. Has yurts and lots of hiking. Pet-friendly," reports Derek B. Another camper mentions "The farmhouse fascinated my boys... they got to water the garden with a water pump and buckets!" These historical features provide educational opportunities not found at other area campgrounds.
Family-friendly amenities: Parents appreciate the developed play areas at county parks. "The play area/park is one of my kids favorite. Lots of area to play. Volleyball, gagaball, playground," states Bekki M. about Barton County Park. Campgrounds with defined activity areas for children remain consistently booked throughout summer months, especially those with water features.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds. "Barely got 1 bar of 4g at the welcome center. There's a guest wifi in the parking lot there too but it's 2 miles further to the camp ground and texts hardly go through," reports Zach S. about Oxbow Regional Park. Plan accordingly if you need reliable internet or phone service.
Train and traffic noise: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation. Columbia River RV Park receives noise from "under the pathway for the airport," though Brian C. notes it's "not horrible." At Pheasant Ridge RV Resort, campers report it "feels nice and safe and still manages to remain amazingly quiet considering the location and rigs comings & goings!"
Bathroom facilities vary: Shower availability differs between parks. Columbia River RV Park receives praise for "very very nice, super hot, good pressure, clean, free" showers from Laura M. Meanwhile, at Barton Park, "The showers don't stay on very long so it's hard to wash your hair," according to Bekki M. Consider bringing quarters for pay showers at some locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campsites near play structures. "The kids enjoyed the playground and biking around the loop," writes Lanae about Barton Park. At Milo McIver, Melissa L. shares they "made s'mores and sang campfire songs together in the evening after our day of hiking to the horse camp and up to the bat haven (a nice long nature walk for the kids)."
Swimming spots: Barton County Park Campground provides popular river access. "Great place to put into the river to float or kayak. lots of parking. also a campground. perfect for a close weekend getaway," says Caty M. The park has designated swimming areas with gradual entry points suitable for children of various ages.
Public transportation access: Some campgrounds can be reached without a car. Rachel K. shares, "We live car-free but we still really enjoy camping, so we searched for a place we could go camping without a car. Barton Park was by far the winner! We were able to take a city bus there and walk the 3/4 mile into the campground." This option works well for families with older children who can handle the walking distance.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Many parks offer water/electric without sewer. At Clackamette RV Park, RVers note "There's a dump station at the entrance that's $10 (pay with credit card), but it's supposed to be free if you're camping here." Laura M. also mentions the campground has both pull-through and back-in sites with electrical and water hookups.
Size restrictions: Some RV parks have age and size limits. "They also have RV age limit of 2010 but they allowed pictures before turning me down. Yay we got approved!" shares Becky S. about Roamers Rest RV Park. Sites at this park are described as "quite tight," making it challenging for larger rigs despite being one of few options near Portland.
Water pressure concerns: RVers report variable utility quality. At Jantzen Beach RV Park, Jennifer H. notes "Water pressure is the lowest we've ever experienced. Not sure what's going on but all of the folks we've talked to are experiencing the same." Consider bringing a water pressure regulator and supplemental water if staying at parks with known issues.
