Camping in Oregon – Your Ultimate Guide

Camping is one of the best ways to explore Oregon! Stay among old-growth forests, along the beautiful coast, or on a peaceful lakeshore with views of Mount Hood. There are so many one-of-a-kind campsites to choose from.

I’ve camped in Oregon several times in both a motorhome and a tent. You’ll find my top 10 favorite places to camp in this guide, plus helpful tips on camping etiquette. Make sure to also bookmark my list of the best hikes in Oregon so you can add some trails to your itinerary, too. 

Now, let’s dive in. Here are some of the best places for camping in Oregon!

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10 Best Places to Go Camping in Oregon

Mazama Campground

A national park campground with views of Oregon’s deepest lake.

🗺️ Distance from Klamath Falls: 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Mazama Campground Website | ⛺ Reservations: first-come, first-serve in June; online reservations July-September | 🚰 Amenities: restrooms, potable water, gas station, food storage lockers, dump station

Mazama Campground is the best place to stay when visiting Oregon’s sole national park. Tucked deep in the forest just past the park’s south entrance, Mazama Campground is perfect for tent campers or RV visitors who want quick access to some of the park’s best trails.

Due to heavy snowfall in the winter and spring, the campground is only open from May to September each year. It typically fills to its 214-site capacity quickly. Be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time if visiting after June.

Fort Stevens State Park

One of my favorite camp spots along the Oregon coast.

🗺️ Distance from Astoria: 18 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | ⛺ Fort Stevens State Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: full hookups, pets allowed, flush toilets, hot showers, dump station, boat ramp, disc golf, playgrounds

Most people who visit Astoria can’t help but fall in love with this part of the Oregon coast. There’s a reason coming here is one of the best things to do in Oregon! Reserve a spot at Fort Stevens State Park Campground to be close to this charming seaside town.

The campground at this state park is one of the largest in the state and there’s a lot to do here, too. Walking the trails, wildlife viewing, and fishing are all popular. I recommend hiking to the South Jetty Observation Tower to see where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.

Fort Stevens State Park Campground has room for everyone with 174 full hook-up sites, 302 electrical sites with water, tent sites, and cabins.

Cannon Beach RV Resort

A campground on the beach with excellent amenities.

🗺️ Distance from Portland: 1 ½ hours | 📍 Google Maps | ⛺ Cannon Beach RV Resort Website | Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: full hookups, indoor pool & spa, WiFi, convenience store, game room, laundry, gas, propane

Cannon Beach is not only one of the best day trips from Portland, but it also has one of the most recognizable landmarks on the coast: Haystack Rock. Book an overnight campsite at Cannon Beach RV Resort, then walk to the beach to catch the sunset and see this magnificent natural wonder.

The Cannon Beach RV Resort campsites are surrounded by trees and walking distance to the beach. Nearby attractions like the art galleries of downtown Cannon Beach and activities like horseback riding on the beach also contribute to the campground’s charm.

Thousand Trails Seaside

One of the most complete campgrounds on the coast has every offered amenity imaginable.

🗺️ Distance from Cannon Beach: 20 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | ⛺ Thousand Trails Seaside Website | Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: clubhouse, pool & spa, WiFi, laundry, volleyball, pets allowed, hot showers

Seaside is one of my favorite places to spend the Fourth of July along the Pacific Coast Highway. I usually drive my motorhome from my home base in California to Thousand Trails Seaside to participate in the beach fireworks spectacular.

Thousand Trails Seaside is one of the best RV chains for families with children. The number of entertaining activities at Thousand Trails will keep your little ones occupied all day. From volleyball to horseshoes, a swimming pool, pickleball, basketball, and tennis courts, this campground has it all.

Salmon River Old Trail

Primitive backcountry spots right along a river rich with salmon.

🗺️ Distance from Mount Hood: 40 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | ⛺ Salmon River Old Trail Website | Reservations: first-come, first-serve | 🚰 Amenities: none

The area around the Salmon River Old Trail is one of my favorite places for backcountry camping in Oregon. Hikers can choose from more than 15 backcountry campsites along the river for a quieter camping experience.

Campers who prefer to stay at an established campground near both Mount Hood and the Salmon River can opt to stay at the nearby Green Canyon Campground. Although this site has a $25 nightly camping fee, it’s situated right on the river and provides perfect access to salmon fishing.

👉 Pro Tip: The Green Canyon Campground offers a 50% discount to Interagency Senior, Interagency Access, Golden Age, or Golden Access pass holders.

Hoodview Campground, Timothy Lake

A lakeside campground with views of Oregon’s highest mountain.

🗺️ Distance from Mount Hood: 50 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | ⛺ Hoodview Campground Website | Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: fire rings, vault toilets, water, boat ramp, camp host, pets allowed

Stay at Hoodview Campground is to be on the shores of Timothy Lake with the glaciated Mount Hood looming in the distance. Abundant fishing spots and hiking trails are in the area surrounding the campground. There’s also an on-site boat launch.

The Hoodview Campground is one of my favorite places to stay near Mount Hood without the tourist crowds. There are plenty of tent camping and primitive RV sites, many of which sit right on the scenic lake and can be easily reserved online.

Silver Falls State Park Campground

A coveted campground in a popular state park known for its many waterfalls.

🗺️ Distance from Salem: 35 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | ⛺ Silver Falls State Park Campground Website | Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: flush toilets, showers, pet-friendly, electrical sites, tent sites, cabins

The waterfall-intensive Silver Falls State Park Campground is the ideal spot to camp in the summer. You’ll find plenty of waterfalls dispersed throughout the state park, particularly along the Trail of Ten Falls, one of the top hikes near Portland.

Escape the heat of the summer with a hike behind one of four waterfalls in the state park. The Silver Falls State Park Campground has tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and even a designated horse camp. Firewood bundles are for sale at the campground for $7, and ice is available for $3.

Umpqua Lighthouse State Park

A campground situated on the best waters for crabbing and fishing in Oregon.

🗺️ Distance from Eugene: 1 hour, 40 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | ⛺ Umpqua Lighthouse State Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: shower, flush toilets, cabins, yurts, full hookups, bike sites, RV sites, tent sites

The Umpqua Lighthouse State Park Campground is a prime spot for crabbing and fishing. The campground is on the shores of Lake Marie, so campers can relax lakeside with a good book or go for a short hike to the lighthouse.

The quiet campground offers both RV and tent sites, as well as cabin and yurt options for campers who prefer glamping to a more primitive experience. The beach is only a short 5-minute drive from the campground, so don’t forget to bring your bathing suit!

Cold Water Cove Campground

A Willamette Forest campground with fewer crowds and great views.

🗺️ Distance from Sisters: 40 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | ⛺ Cold Water Cove Campground Website | Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: picnic table, fire rings, vault toilets, drinking water

Camp in the Willamette National Forest at Cold Water Cove Campground. Most of the 34 campsites are nestled between the trees with coveted views of the turquoise Clear Lake. As a result, wildlife and nature photography is popular here. On clear days, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the Three Sisters Mountains and Mount Washington.

Prineville Reservoir State Park

A central Oregon campground with the darkest views for night sky photography.

🗺️ Distance from Bend: 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | ⛺ Prineville Reservoir State Park Website | Reservations: online reservations | 🚰 Amenities: pet-friendly, boat ramp, showers, picnic tables, hiking trails, flush restrooms

The Prineville Reservoir State Park is one of the best campgrounds near Bend, Oregon. The scenic Ochoco Mountain range sets the backdrop at this campground right along the Prineville Reservoir. 

Stargazing is one of the top activities at this campground, given that it’s within a designated International Dark Sky Park. My favorite place to relax at the state park and work remotely is at the picnic tables right on the water.

Tips for Camping in Oregon

Pack It Out

Keep wild spaces wild by packing out everything you brought into your campground. This includes food, trash, clothing items, broken chairs, and all other material items. Not only is trash harmful to wildlife populations, but it also disrupts the experience for other campers. Leave your campsite in a better state than you found it.

Check Fire Regulations Beforehand

Camping and campfires go hand-in-hand, but only if they’re allowed at your campground. Check fire regulations before you purchase firewood. Campfires are typically banned in Oregon’s national forest campgrounds during the summer due to more frequent wildfire occurrences over the past years.

Store Food in a Bear Box

Avoid an encounter with a black bear by storing all camp food in a bear box. Most campsites have bear boxes on-site, especially in national forest areas or places the black bears frequent.

In case your campsite doesn’t provide a bear box, it’s always a good rule of thumb to carry your own with you, just in case. I bring the BearVault canister with me whenever I hike or camp in bear areas.

👉 Read Next: Best Hiking Trails in Oregon

Consider Boondocking

When staying in established campgrounds, you can easily utilize shower or picnic facilities. But you can save money camping if you choose to boondock instead. Boondocking, or staying on free public land, is popular among van lifers and other “rubber trampers.”

Download the app iOverlander for the most up-to-date information on Oregon boondocking sites. This app is a true campervan lifesaver. 

Don’t Forget the Essentials

Be sure to bring the camping essentials with you on your next adventure in Oregon. Some items you don’t want to forget next time you go camping are a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, water, camp food, stove, and a headlamp.

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Thanks for reading my complete guide to Oregon camping! Drop a comment below on which campsite is your favorite and don’t forget to check out our Oregon packing list, which includes several items you’ll find useful for camping as well.