Best Campsites in Oregon
We all have different ideas and preferences of what makes a good camping Spot. Does it offer RVs or tent camping? Are the amenities plenty or does it offer bare necessities? Are the campgrounds nestled deep in the woods, next to a beach or on top of a mountain? Whatever preferences tickle your fancy, the state of Oregon has everything to make your camping experience a memorable one. From spectacular viewpoints, scenic attractions and great campgrounds across the Oregon coast accommodate campers while providing unique and enjoyable things to do. Many of the popular campgrounds are state-operated and share similar characteristics such as flushing toilets, hot showers, and hiking/biking sites. Below we have highlighted 15 of the best campgrounds in Oregon for great outdoor adventure.
1. Fort Stevens State Park
Located at 100 Peter Iredale Road, Hammond, Oregon, the Fort Stevens State Park used to be a military space, but the government turned it into one of the biggest campgrounds in Oregon. It features 150 RV spaces and more than 300 tent sites, which require advanced camping reservations, especially during the summer season. The two major campground loops situated at Fort Stevens offer amenities such as running water, flush toilets, and shower houses. It is also home to an amphitheater, which plays educational movies all through the week. The main attractions to the park include the old remains of the Peter Iredale shipwreck, and the Military Museum, which highlights retired barracks, batteries, and bunkers. This state park prohibits vehicles on its grounds.
2. Beverly Beach State Park
Nestled between Newport and Depoe Bay- the two smallest towns in Oregon, Beverly Beach State Park is located on the eastern side of the 101. The state park provides easy beach access under the Spencer Creek Bridge. It features 250 campsites, which spread among shady trees. Almost 50% of the campsites in this state park accommodate tent camping while the rest cater for RVs with electric only options and full hookups. The campground also offers basic camping amenities such as showers and flushing toilets.
3. Crater Lake National Park
This National park offers two campgrounds; the Mazama campground which accommodates tents, RVs, and requires one to make reservations beforehand, and the Lost creek campground which only allows tent camping and is available on a first come first serve basis. Both camps are only open during the summer and provide amazing sites from where you can enjoy activities at the Crater Lake as well as nature and wildlife that dwell in the National park.
4. Harris Beach State Park
Found at the southern end of the Oregon coast, the Harris Beach State Park features more than 150 campsites, designed to accommodate bikers, hikers, RVs, and campers. Each of the vehicle campsites at this campground offer picnic tables, fire rings and paved parking spots. Basic amenities such as restrooms, running water, and shower houses are also available. You can get easy access to the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor located just up the road, through a paved pedestrian walkway with scenic views of the ocean.
5. Tillamook Head Backpackers Camp
Located within Ecola state park, Tillamook Head Backpackers Camp is one of the few free campgrounds in the state of Oregon. It is a favorite camping destination for backpackers because it encompasses an amazing environment with towering old trees, which creates a sense of being one with nature. It features Adirondack shelters and tent spaces, which are available to visitors on a first-come, first-serve basis. The only drawback to the campground is the treacherous 4.5-mile hike to the site and lack of access to clean water. However, it offers amenities such as a communal fire pit, picnic pavilion, and vault toilets.
6. Sunset Bay State Park
As the name suggests, Sunset Bay State Park is the best place to experience the beautiful Oregon sunset. It is neatly nestled in a bay formed by sandstone sea cliffs, which help to keep the waters at the bay nice and warm; perfect for water-based activities As well as protect campers from the sometimes-windy coastal conditions. Sunset Bay offers great sites for tent campers, RVs, cyclists and hikers, and all equipped with basic camping amenities.
- 3 sewn-in room dividers 1, 2, 3 or 4 rooms
- 4 doors provide separate exit/entry to each room 12 windows for great visibility and ventilation
- Floor size: 20 x 20 Center height: 78 Sleeps up to 14 people
- Set up time: 20 minutes 3 room dividers create 4 separate rooms Room dividers can be tied back to make 1 large room
- Fits up to 5 queen air mattresses E-port provides easy access to extension cord Taped fly seams prevent leakage 2-3 season tent
7. Cape Lookout State Park
The Cape Lookout State Park is located at 13000 Whiskey Creek Road, Tillamook, Oregon and is one of the top tourist destinations on the Oregon coast. It is also set at the center of the Three Capes Scenic Route and features over 200 campsites spread out right next to the ocean. Fifty of the available campsites are dedicated to RVs with full hookup sites while the rest are set aside for tent camping, deluxe cabins, and hiker/biker campsites. The state park provides Overnight campers access to amenities such as free restroom facilities and hot showers. The campground’s natural environment provides for great hiking trails from which you can explore the nearby Netarts Spit.
8. Carl G. Washburn Memorial State Park
If you enjoy relaxing on a beach while enjoying the beautiful sunset, consider staying at Carl G. Washburn Memorial State Park. Located on the eastern side of the 100, and set between Yachats and Florence, this state park stretches over 100 acres of land and features 60 campsites- most of which cater to RV hookups, and are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. While at the memorial state park, you will find both paved and unpaved trails, which lead to wildlife viewing areas and the beach. It also offers two reservable yurts, hiking/biking sites from where overnight guests get access to basic camping amenities such as free-running water, flush toilets, and hot showers.
9. Wright’s for Camping
Located at 334 Reservoir Road, Cannon Beach, Wright’s for Camping is one of the oldest family-owned and operated campgrounds in Oregon. Created in 1959, Wrights is a car and tent-only campground that features 22 campsites nestled in a tranquil environment next to shaded surroundings. Visitors to the park have access to free showers, coin-operated laundry, and running water. The main point of attraction at this family-friendly campground is the easy access and proximity to the Cannon Beach, which provides scenic views of the majestic Haystack Rock.
10. Nehalem Bay State Park
The Nehalem Bay State Park is located at 34600 Gary Street, Nehalem, Oregon. It is set on a 4-mile sand spit, which separates Nehalem bay from the ocean. It features more than 260 sites with electrical hookups that cater to tent campers and RVs as well as Yurts, 18 of which are available to rent. Visitors can easily hike from the park through a short sandy trail to a nearby dune from where they can gain access to the beach and ocean. Basic amenities such as showers, restrooms, and running water are also available.
11. Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
The Umpqua Lighthouse State Park is located at Reedsport, Oregon and is one of the smaller campgrounds that don the Oregon coast. It is also located a mile south of Winchester Bay. It features 23 tent sites and 12 RV sites with full hookups on Lake Marie. The state park is also home to a scenic path, which surrounds the lake water and provides access to water-based activities such as fishing swimming and non-motorized boating. The state park also offers registered campers with rustic log cabins, hiking/biking camps as well as yurts all equipped with basic amenities.
12. Rock Creek Campground
Located at 93825 US-101, Florence, Oregon, the National Forest service runs the Rock Creek Campground and provides a shady place to stay adjacent to the ocean. It features half a mile of a paved walking trail, which campers can use to access the beach, as well as trailheads, which campers can use to explore the Rock Creek Wilderness. The 14 available campsites are primitive and offer potable water and vault toilets. The main activities that you can indulge in while at this camp are fishing and bird watching.
13. Lost Lake Campground and Resort
This is one of the most popular campgrounds in Oregon because it is snuggled between the glacial Mount Hood and Lost Lake, which provides amazing views and many activities for everyone to enjoy. The campground features lake access with rentals for kayaks and canoes, hiking and biking trails as well as an old-growth boardwalk. It also provides campsites for groups, families, and individuals as well as to lodge rooms, yurts, and cabins for rent. Here you can go bird watching, fishing or explore the nearby waterfalls.
14. Silver Falls State Park
Silver Falls State Park occupies 900 acres of land on the Oregon coast and features over 35 miles of hiking/biking trails ideal for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. The main point of attraction in this park is the Trail of Ten falls, which passes through many waterfalls, forests to a creek. The campground offers sites for tent camping, a horse campground, group tents, cabins and RVs all equipped with basic amenities.
15. Sparks Lake
Situated in the Deschutes National Forest and close to the scenic Broken Top and North Sisters peaks, the sparks Lake Campground is a great location to stargaze, hike and canoe in the shallow waters of the lake. On most evenings after sunset, you can catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis. It is also the ideal time to go fishing as varieties of trout fish populate the lake.
Conclusion
The state of Oregon has some of the best trails in the country, which are ideal for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking as well as a diverse collection of amazing waterfalls, hot springs, and beaches. This state offers a variety of attractions, amenities, and f outdoor activities guaranteed to provide everyone a great camping experience. We hope the above review of 15 best campsites in Oregon will help you choose the best site to suit you and your family’s needs.
