If you are coming to visit Mount Hood or hiking the waterfall trails in the Columbia River Gorge, there are many amazing campgrounds at which to stay during your visit. Maybe you prefer a beachside campsite where you can step out of your tent onto the sand. Oregon has many options for outdoor recreation; here are the 5 best places to camp in Oregon this summer.
Mount Hood: Trillium Lake Campground
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If you want to camp with some of the most amazing views of Mount Hood then the Trillium Lake Campground is the place to stay this summer. Mt. Hood is Oregon’s highest point and you can visit the National Historic Landmark, the Timberline Lodge, at the base of Mt. Hood. There are hiking trails in the park and if you plan ahead you can even climb to the summit of Mount Hood. It is a 5,000 foot climb that takes most climbers around 5-7 hours to get to the top and another 3-4 to get back down.
Whether you are an active climber or just take a shorter hike you can head over to the Trillium Lake Campground, just 10 miles away to stay for a few nights. The 63-acre lake is perfect for swimming, boating, paddling and fishing. It is a popular lake for trout fishing! The campsites are equipped for both RV and Tent camping and include a table, fire ring and grill. Some sights even have lake views.
Crater Lake: Mazama Campground
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Crater Lake is a deep blue lake that sits inside a sleeping volcano! It is actually the deepest lake in the United States and was formed 7,700 years ago when an eruption occurred in the Cascade Mountains causing the volcano to collapse. Crater Lake National Park is located around the lake and offers hiking, biking and boat tours. Keep your eyes open for deer, fox and squirrels, and look up to see cooper’s hawk or bald eagles. You might also see little Pika hiding in the crevices of the rocks. The Mazama Campground is one of the best places to camp in Oregon this summer because they are right in the park. The campground offers RV sites with full hookup or just electric as well as tent sites. There are restrooms and a camp store but no showers or laundry for the 2022 season.
Tillicum Beach Camp: Siuslaw National Forest
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For some of the best beach camping, stay at the Tillicum Beach Camp in the Siuslaw National Forest. Many sites are right on the beach! The beach is great for swimming, surfing and exploring tide pools. See if you can find an anemone, ochre sea star or a purple sea urchin. Remember to leave all the tide pool animals in their place. This is also an area known for great whale watching. About 6 miles south of the campground is the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area which is the highest viewpoint of the coast in Oregon reachable by car. There is an amazing overlook, 800 feet above the coast, and 26-miles of trails throughout the park. Definitely a great area to explore while camping right on the beach!
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area/Multnomah Falls: Ainsworth State Park
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One of the most visited places in Oregon is Multnomah Falls. The park has hiking trails where you can see many waterfalls but the main attraction is crossing the Benson Bridge to see the 620 foot Multnomah Falls. The falls make an initial drop, pools and then makes a second drop with multiple viewing areas. Stop by the Multnomah Falls Lodge for a meal at the restaurant or visit the gift shop or snake bar. Check the website about visiting permits, in 2022 they are requiring reservations to visit Multnomah Falls with a Timed Use Permit system.
One of the best places to camp in Oregon near Multnomah Falls is the Ainsworth State Park. The park also gives you access to explore more areas of the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area. The campground has access to the Gorge 400 Trail and the Horsetail Falls trail. Watch for some of the wildlife in the area like red-tailed hawks, elk and deer. There are black bears in the park as well, but it is uncommon to come across them on the more popular trails. The campground offers RV and Tent camping, some with full hookups, a great option to stay right near the falls and the Columbia Gorge.
Portland, OR: Oxbow Regional Park
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If you prefer staying closer to the city so you can enjoy all that Portland has to offer but also spend your evenings camping under the stars then Oxbow Regional Park is a great place to camp. It is right on the Sandy River so you can float the river in a tube, kayak or boat. This area along the river is also a spot where the Salmon come to spawn. The campground has sites that can accommodate RV’s but there are not hookups. There are restrooms, hot showers and each site has a picnic table, fire pit and grill. With its close proximity to downtown Portland this is definitely one of the best places to camp in Oregon this summer!
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