Best Tent Camping near Willamette National Forest

Tent Camping Reviews near Willamette National Forest

1435 Reviews of 77 Willamette National Forest Campgrounds

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  liz H.

  Traveler

  Jul. 22, 2022

  Rujada Campground

  Excellent Vintage Camp

  I had a great experience here The campground was clean, the leave no trace policy is followed here. Quiet hours are 10pm - 6am, it was quiet even during the non-quit hours. Very private. There are running water spigots strategically placed throughout the camp, each water station has a waste water dump, and trash can. There are flush toilets with running, a sink and trash can. The garbage was picked up daily. Each site was a tent pad, fire pit and large table. Each site was very private, I couldn't see the other campers unless they were passing by our site. There is no internet, no electricity, and no showers, bring your own. The only negative was the mosquitos - easily resolved with a netted day tent or pop-up with mesh. Laying Creek sounds heavenly all throughout the camp, the trails are great to walk, and you will eventually wander to a swimming hole. Beautiful campground, with a great history going back to 1933. Highly recommend!

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  Kelly N.

  Ranger

  Sep. 25, 2018

  Yukwah Campground

  ADA access camping sites and great day use area

  Yukwah campground is found along hwy 22 East of Salem along the Willamette National Forest in Linn County. Most of the sites along this stretch are first come, first serve walk up sites - but you can reserve by connecting with Linn County Parks and Rec (see photo for info) for $18/night plus $5 additional vehicle fee and reservation fee. This campground has ada access camp sites and tent sites. Most of the RV sites along the Willamette National Forest can be used for tent camping. The day use area at this site is great for swimming, fishing, and possibly a small hike. I advise camping near the day use area (#3) if you have a large family or kids for larger sites and easy access. Yukwah is near wagon wheel bridge with access to trails for those wanting to hike while camping. Vault toilets are available (bring soap) - there are no showers or additional amenities. There is access to potable water at this location.

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  Kelly N.

  Ranger

  Sep. 30, 2018

  Whispering Falls Campground

  Camp above the Santiam riverbank

  Camp above the Santiam riverbank and enjoy a night of peace and rest listening to the water flow. This site has access to vault toilets, potable water. The sites are large enough for rv or tent sites with vehicle pull through. The sites have enough old forest growth to provide privacy for the family. If you camp near the river you cannot hear the road, even though you are only a skip away. I do not recommend camping in the sites near the road if you have kids/pets with you or if you are a light sleeper. The roads are paved which can be great for family cars or for little ones wanting to ride their bike or scooter around camp. The site that we stopped at would have been great for fishing trout or salmon. Don’t forget your fishing license!

  You can reserve this site through Linn County Parks & Rec: 1-877-444-6777 - And like most sites in the Willamette National Forest dogs are allowed as long as they are on leashes and check out time is 1pm.

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• 

  Mavrick S.

  Traveler

  Oct. 5, 2019

  Scott Lake Campground

  Stunning!

  So when I first found this campground I wasn't sure what to expect being as reviews and info were sparse so I'll do me best to sum it up. Things to know that arent stated. It is free may require NW forest pass. It's a drive, hike, bike and walk in. I didn't see any spots big enough for RV but there is space to park that isn't officially a site.

  Location: Beautiful sits about 5,000 feet right off McKenzie Pass Road (closed from November to June)

  Sites: I saw 6 drive in with fire ring, picnic table also 2 vault toilets.... There's more walk/ hike in but we had to much gear to do that.

  Directions: Very easy to find spots all along lake and Google maps took us right to spots.

  Activities: Great! Had a kayak/boat launch also had the Scott Mountain TH right there within 1/4 walking distance on dirt road. It seems that a forest fire was pretty recent ontop but the grounds seemed kind of untouched

  Warnings: This was my first time up this pass. Elevation is very high which means incremental weather. Aka woke up in October with snow which happened to us.

  Overall 5 stars must visit. We will be coming back next year when less snow and road reopens

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  Rick L.

  Traveler

  Feb. 13, 2018

  Odell Lake Lodge & Resort Campground

  Cold Spring and a Great Hike

  I've been to Odell twice but always seem to pick a weekend with weather that makes you want to stay in your sleeping bag!

  The campsites at Odell are a little on the smaller side and may not have the trees your looking for to hang a hammock. Not that you should if you're camping any time earlier than July!

  The southeast side of Odell can be subject to cold winds coming off the lake, so be sure to keep that rain fly up on your tent and a fleece handy. If you're feeling a little too chilly, the resort keeps a fire burning in the den.

  There are plenty of snowshoe trails around Odell as well as some hiking trails in the Diamond Peak wilderness that also connect to the PCT. The trail we took did give us a bit of elevation gain and later some nice views of the smaller peaks in the area.

  If you're planning to camp here, bring warm clothing and rain gear! It may be a bit chilly, but the nice hikes in the area make it all the more worth it to get up and get moving.

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• 

  Karma S.

  Traveler

  Aug. 19, 2018

  Crane Prairie Campground

  beautiful views! dispersed camping

  beautiful views of the cascade mountains, gorgeous reservoir. free camping. dispersed, first come first serve. no amenities. LEAVE NO TRACE!!!!

  road is a bit rough but I made it in with a Honda Accord though I wouldn’t recommend for low clearance vehicles.

  fire rings available during burn seasons. plenty of fire wood. please do not burn during no burn/dry seasons. the forest is very dry!

  bring plenty of water during the summer it’s very hot and dry. you can probably drink the reservoir water if you bring a good filter.

• 

  Kelly N.

  Ranger

  Oct. 1, 2018

  Riverside at Detroit Campground

  Should be called “Roadside” instead of Riverside

  Don’t be alarmed, this campground sits along HWY 22 AND along the Santiam River in the Willamette National Forest. Despite the road noise, if you can grab a campsite along the water you will feel at peace with the whispering waters and tucked away in the old growth forest that surrounds you. This site has a feature that many others do not, which is a little roundabout at the end of the site. The pathways are paved which makes this site great for families with kids who may want to ride their bikes or scooters while not in the water fishing/playing/swimming. Potable water is available as well as vault toilets. (Bring soap!) There are no showers at this location. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash.

  This site is both walk-up and reservable through Linn County Parks & Rec. See more info here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4224

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  Sean R.

  Scout

  Apr. 1, 2015

  Longbow Organization Group Camp

  Longbow Organization Campground

  Great spot for a family reunion or other group campout. This campground is full of history and beauty as it is situated right on the banks of the South Santiam River in the Willamette National Forest only 1 hour East of I-5 in Oregon.

  Longbow Organization Camp was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The historic campground provides a covered cooking area with a fireplace and six sleep shelters that face the beautiful South Santiam River. The shelters are Adirondack cabins with fireplaces in front of each one and complete with 3 sets of bunks in each one.

  FACILITIES: shelter with kitchen and dining area, amphitheater, 6 sleeping shelters, BBQ for cooking, vault toilets, hand pump, NO electricity

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  Brian C.

  Legend

  Oct. 31, 2019

  Marion Forks Campground

  Shaded and on a creek

  Deep in the Willamette National Forest but right off Highway 22, this secluded campground has nice campsites that are fenced with a wooden corral.

  Loads of shade as it’s right in the forest. You can heat the river and there are short hikes next to the creek side. The camp site is just behind a fish hatchery which is pretty cool to check out with the kids.

  Water on site. Vault toilets. Very affordable for tent and RV.