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Oregon is a state of amazing – and varied – beauty, so it’s no surprise that people flock there to camp, overland, and off-road.
Whether you’re in the rainforests of the western part of the state, the deserts of the east, or somewhere in between, there is no shortage of incredible campgrounds in Oregon.
Before you plan your next Oregon camping trip, consult this guide for five of the best places to camp in the Beaver State.
Best Campgrounds in Oregon: Mazama Campground, Crater Lake National Park
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Crater Lake is an impressive sight, to say the least. Its unparalleled beauty is what led it to become one of the nation’s first national parks in 1902.
To take advantage of all the views and recreational opportunities in the area, you want to be close, and you get that at Mazama Campground.
The campground opens in June and stays open through the summer, closing for the year in September.
National Park Service
As one of two primary campgrounds in the park (Lost Creek Campground being the other one), it is a busy campground that requires reservations well in advance. However, it’s still one of the best campgrounds in Oregon.
There are 200 campsites that can accommodate RVs or tents to go along with shower and restroom facilities, potable water, food storage lockers, a gas station, and a general store.
Since it’s a very large and very busy campground, it doesn’t offer you a tranquil and serene camping experience. However, with so many recreational opportunities nearby, it makes a superb base camp for exploring the park.
Tillamook Head Backpackers Camp, Ecola State Park
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On the Pacific Coast of Oregon is a breathtaking locale – Ecola State Park (from which you get a breathtaking view of Cannon Beach, shown above). And there you’ll find a campground specifically for hikers that is completely free of charge.
Located on top of Tillamook Head, this campground offers lots of places to pitch your tent, or if you’re lucky, you might be able to use one of three Adirondack shelters located in the campground (but only if you’re thru-hiking the Oregon Coast Trail).
Since you have to take a steep four-mile hike to get to the campground, it is far less busy than other options on this list of the best campgrounds in Oregon. And while you have to work a little bit to get there, it’s definitely worth the effort.
You’ll find vault toilets, a covered picnic area, and a fire pit for everyone in the campground to use (when fire bans aren’t in effect, of course).
One of the best features of the campground, though, is the proximity of a lookout that gives you an incredible western view of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Head out there at sunset to see the beauty that the Oregon Coast has to offer.
Learn More:
- 4 Less-Traveled National Parks Ideal for Overlanding
- Oregon Overlanding: 5 Places You Don’t Want to Miss
Best Campgrounds in Oregon: Silver Falls State Park Campground
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Just east of Salem in the foothills of the Cascades, you’ll find Silver Falls State Park, the largest state park in Oregon.
There are ample opportunities for recreation here, with hiking, biking, and horseback riding just a few options. There are also incredible old-growth forests and loads of beautiful waterfalls to check out.
Silver Falls State Park Campground is ideally located for exploring the part.
It offers more than 50 RV sites with hookups as well as 45 tent camping sites. Amenities like flushing toilets, potable water, hot showers, and a playground for your kids are included. There’s even a dog park for your four-legged friends.
The campground is open year-round and it does accept reservations, which have to be made at least one day before arrival. You can make reservations up to nine months in advance. It’s a good idea to make reservations as early as possible due to the popularity of the campground.
Like Mazama Campground in Crater Lake National Park, this campground is quite lively, so if you’re looking for a private, quiet camping experience, this might not be it.
However, it’s an excellent place to camp if you want to explore the amazing beauty of the park. That’s why it’s on our list of the best campgrounds in Oregon!
Strawberry Campground, Blue Mountains
“Strawberry Lake, Oregon” by Bonnie Moreland (free images) is marked with CC PDM 1.0
On Oregon’s east side are the Blue Mountains and the Strawberry Mountains Wilderness.
There, you’ll find a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, and photography. The trailhead for the popular Strawberry Basin Trail is nearby, as is Strawberry Lake, shown above.
The Strawberry Campground gives you easy access to all of these activities. The campground features 10 sites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Since it’s tucked away in the wilderness amongst a stand of Ponderosa pine, this is one of the most lightly used campgrounds on this list, even in the summer.
There is a vault toilet onsite and potable water is available during the warmer months.
Best Campgrounds in Oregon: Lost Lake Campground and Resort
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One of the most picturesque campgrounds in all of Oregon is Lost Lake Campground and Resort.
This campground sits below Mount Hood, whose pointed peak is reflected in the waters of the lake and offers some of the best photography opportunities the state has to offer.
In addition to that, the campground provides easy access to hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife watching.
Spots in the campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis, though reservations can be made for the 148 campsites. If you have a camper or RV, there are 40 sites that will fit up to a 40-foot rig, though the sites do not have hookups.
Amenities include vault toilets, picnic tables, and bathrooms, in addition to cabin rentals, a lodge, dining options, and a general store. All the incredible sights and recreational opportunities nearby are a bonus as well.
No matter which of these incredible Oregon campgrounds you choose, you’ll be in for a fun camping trip in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States.