Best Tent Camping in Oregon

With a strong reputation for adventures in nature, Oregon sits high on many hikers’ and campers’ outdoor bucket lists. And with over 50 percent of state land declared public, camping in Oregon is literally everywhere. To help you get started, here’s some of the best spots to pitch a tent and catch a view!

While the Cascades mountain range used to be a major obstacle for settlers riding the Oregon trail, it has now become an outdoor adventurer’s playground. Mt. Hood, the fourth highest peak in the Cascades and just two hours outside of Portland, is home the most popular park for campers looking for a taste of Oregon’s natural diversity. Aside from the snowy mountain top, the old-growth forests and flowing water features make this a prime location for camping in Oregon. 

Lake lovers might appreciate the serene views of the Wy’east at campsites around Trillium Lake. Waking up to the fog that drifts on the lake and Mt. Hood standing tall behind it is a picture-perfect moment every camper dreams of. Rent yourself a boat, canoe or kayak and spend the day gliding around the 63-acre lake or angling for local trout.

If you’d like to ditch some of the crowds around Mt. Hood while also getting a hike in, make your way through a canopy of old-growth forest on the Old Salmon River Trail. The backwoods sites along the trail offer a natural escape to some of the best camping in Oregon.

If you’re looking for a more active natural beauty, venture about three hours south from Mt. Hood to Silver Falls State Park outside of Salem. People call it the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, and once you visit, you know why. The scenic waterfall hike offers a 360-degree view of a 178-foot cascade (where else can you hike behind a waterfall?) With sites a hike away from the falls, anyone looking for camping in Oregon can’t miss this spot. Throughout your exploration around Oregon, you can find all the best campsites with The Dyrt.

Best Tent Sites in Oregon (504)

    1. Smith Rock State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Terrebonne, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 548-7501

    $8 / night

    "The Climber's Bivouac is a walk-in campground located on a rim next to the Crooked River right in the heart of Smith Rock State Park."

    "Walk-in site (the Bivy) is chill. walk-in, pitch tent, done. Yeah you have a lot of neighbors, but people are nice and the price is right ($8 per night for up to two weeks)."

    2. Deschutes River Campground — The Cove Palisades State Park

    25 Reviews
    Culver, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 546-3412

    "Well I understand why there's a fire ban, but it sure makes bedtime come quickly after dark! Anyway The Cove is as beautiful as always! It's a very well maintained park, very clean."

    "They all have picnic tables & fire rings.

    There's a playground and grassy park area in the middle of the loop, good for kids & lawn games."

    3. Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground

    17 Reviews
    Terrebonne, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "No water or vault toilets, only by the day-use area/trailhead.

    We camped on SW Steelhead Falls Dr."

    "The sites on the West side, nearest the river are "walk in" but if you're able-bodied it's a short distance to lug gear. Nothing difficult or time consuming."

    4. Mount Ashland Campground

    16 Reviews
    Ashland, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 899-1812

    "Shasta in the distance and mountains for days! It’s pretty high up therefore there’s usually really cold wind, keep that in mind for sleeping and fires."

    "I was told by the park ranger they shutting down the upper campground opposite the restrooms and refurbishing the whole campground."

    5. Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    14 Reviews
    Tillamook State Forest, OR
    Website
    +1 (503) 357-2191

    "These sites are beautiful and really meant for tent camping—but you can park an rv in most of the spots.

    There is a vault toilet closer to site 14 but no hookups."

    "Gorgeous spots all over that are accessible in most 4WD/off-road capable vehicles."

    6. Keenig Creek Campground

    13 Reviews
    Timber, OR
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-2545

    $15 / night

    "This is a great site if you like "rustic" (which we do) since the sites are walk in-only. Adorable sites with picnic tables, fire rings and just enough privacy."

    "First of all, it is an easy enough drive from Portland, about an hour or so."

    7. Elliott State Forest Dispersed

    13 Reviews
    North Bend, OR
    Website

    "Nice and close to Bandon. No trouble accessing in our midsize suv. It was muddy at the site, and unfortunately, those before us left a lot of trash. Did my best to clean up when was left behind."

    "You have to drive some winding forest service roads to get to a spot then find one on or near the road but there's a couple good camp spots."

    8. Netarts Bay RV Park & Marina

    10 Reviews
    Netarts, OR
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-7774

    "Fun spot on the Oregon coast.  Very clean.  Loved the spaces, cement pads for your outdoor living.  Good Wi-Fi.  Friendly staff."

    "I enjoyed walking my dogs out to see the birds, crabbers, and seals. I was there in a low season month and it was extremely peaceful."

    9. Jones Creek

    10 Reviews
    Tillamook, OR
    Website
    +1 (503) 842-2545

    $15 - $20 / night

    "I showed up around 3pm on a Friday and was barely able to find a walk-in tent site. All the car-accessible sites were taken and the only reservable site is the group spot."

    "There are many river acess points, the forestry center, walking trails and wildlife all within walking distance. The campsites are on a first come first serve basis and many of them are pretty big."

    10. Forest Road 51 near Beaver Creek

    10 Reviews
    Seal Rock, OR

    "There were others around here and not a huge amount of site options, so be weary of spaces filling up. Lots of forest and greenery surrounding the area!"

    "Tiny bit of trash around but as always leave it better than you found it!"

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Showing results 1-10 of 504 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews in Oregon

7642 Reviews of 504 Oregon Campgrounds



Guide to Oregon

Oregon offers a diverse range of tent camping experiences, from serene lakeside spots to rugged mountain retreats, perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Tent campers should check out Deschutes River Campground — The Cove Palisades State Park

  • Enjoy spacious sites with access to water sports and activities at Deschutes River Campground — The Cove Palisades State Park.
  • The campground features picnic tables and fire pits, making it ideal for evening gatherings under the stars.
  • Located in a beautiful canyon, this campground is a great base for hiking and exploring the surrounding natural beauty.

Local activities for tent campers

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $21