Among our region's most popular park destinations, Barton Park is a recreational gem located on the Clackamas River. This one of a kind park features camping, hiking, multiple day use and event amenities, and a variety of river recreation opportunities.

112 campsites; 103 with water and electric hookups
Up to 8 people and 2 domestic pets allowed per site

Barton County Park Campground

Barton Park is a county park basically at the entrance of the Mt. Hood National Forest. As it has easy access to the Clackamas River, it is insanely popular for tubers and kayakers as a spot to put-in. A short drive to Barton Mercantile and gasoline for supplies, so you’re not too isolated, unlike the national forest sports, where once you go in, you’re in. Numerous campsites available, the majority of which have water and electric hookups for RVs plus a handful of “primitive” tent-only sites. Nice river views.

River campground close to Portland

We visited this campground on the offseason. Despite the campgrounds and picnic areas being closed, everything was pristine, even the bathrooms which were well-stocked with soap and paper products. 

The river is quick moving and quite lovely. There were a few fisherman there on the cloudy, cool day we visited. The campgrounds had fun amenities like outdoor movie screening areas. The kids enjoyed the amazing playgrounds that they claimed gave them “tons of playful ideas.” The campsites ranged from shaded with tall trees for tents and small RVs, to open and landscaped sites near a man-made pond for larger RVs with pull through needs.

The campground is clearly well-cared for and we imagine that it would be a pleasant place to stay.

An offseason day-use visit

One of the reasons I really like Barton Park is because it is pretty close to my hometown, Portland. It is about 45 minutes from my place, which makes escaping the city a great place. Barton Park is quiet, yet it can get a little busy. Barton Park can be used for both multiple night stays, or day use. I think a lot of people just come to the park for the day, which does make it a little crowded during the day. The day use fee is $5, and you can also reserve covered picnic tables (not sure the price, but you could probably look that up online). When my family and I came, there were a few birthday parties going on under the covered areas. There is also volleyball courts, as well as horseshoe pits. I think both are first come first serve. One nice thing about this park is that it sits next to the Clackamas River. Great for boating, fishing, and other water activities. There was really only 1 hike nearby, which to me was the downfall about this campground and why I gave it 4 stars. I thought there was going to be more hikes nearby, but there wasn't. There was a trail that was about 1.5 miles long. They have 112 campsites ($21 a night- a little spendy), and they have 103 sites with water and electrical hookups ($26 a night). The cost per night could detour people from coming and staying here. I know of a few campgrounds nearby that only cost $5-$10 a night. Overall, I really like this place and would definitely come back someday.

Near River, Quiet 

Very clean campsites.  Sites are very close together but they have tried to make some more secluded. Close to the river and a good area to launch from for a day of rafting. 

Barton overnight.

A quick 35 minute drive from Portland, Barton Park is an easy destination for family-friendly camping. 

  

We camped here the first weekend in June with two other families, all with toddlers around the same age. The kids enjoyed the two playgrounds, wading in the river, and walking some nature trails. The park also offers horseshoe pits, volleyball courts and a boat ramp.

  

Our sites, 34 and 35, were joined together with a small path that let us use them more as a group site. Each was just large enough to accommodate two 4+ person tents with plenty of room left around the fire.

  

In the tent/rv loop, sites 1-30 are all in the open along the grass with no separation between them. Sites 31-59 are set back into the woods with a bit more privacy and separation— they're still pretty close together, but the woods and plantings help a lot.  

  

All in all, it's a nice little county park. There are no sweeping vistas or old-growth forests to explore, but it's a simple spot to relax for the weekend.

Easy Family Camping

Nice campground but Can be very busy, and the park people harass you if you go in and out off the park alot.

Nice place

The Ranger who oversees this place ruined my experience. She came after it got dark to tell me, despite there being no posted rules to the contrary, I couldn't use my hammock. So I had to redo my setup where I had to contend with a soaked mud pit.

There were other sites that had hammocks up and they remained up even in the next morning. I have no idea why I was singled out, but I got real "We dun want your kind here." vibes.

Avoid this place.

Do not camp here

We are full-timers in a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow. We were in site 60 for 5 days in late May. The CG is very clean and well maintained, except for the encroaching and low hanging branches that could use some trimming near the check-in shack on the drive in. The East CG has very recently been repaved. The CG varied from nearly empty mid-week to completely full over the holiday weekend. There are a few short trails around the CG if you search for them. Although, fairly convenient to the Portland area, It is a little pricey for 50A/Water only hookups.

  

AT&amp;T coverage was good, ranging from 1-3 bars of 5G, with speeds up to 31 MB/s. Site 60 had access all 3 western DISH satellites. Starlink had speeds between 2 and 14 MB/s. We didn’t try any OTA channels with our fixed omni antenna.