It’s finally that time of the year. You know, when the sun is out for more than two or three days at a time and it’s not exceedingly cold at night. Sure, it’s not going to be consistently warm until mid-July and there’s always a chance of rain — you’re in Oregon, after all. But there’s no better time to go camping in the great Beaver State. From the coast to the mountains and everything in between, we’ve got you covered. Here are the state’s four best areas and campsites for getting a few friends together, pitching a tent or two and roasting marshmallows until the wee hours of the morning.
Central Oregon
There’s probably no better place to camp in Oregon than the area surrounding Bend and Sunriver. Deschutes County is rife with camping and hiking spots — probably more than any other place in the state.
There are two different routes to take when it comes to visiting the area. You can find a nice campground along one of the many streams or rivers that populate the area — Allen Springs campgrounds along the Metolius River have some of the nicest hiking sights. Or you can ditch the ruggedness and rent a house in Sunriver with a few friends. Either way, you’ll be close to two of the greatest assets Central Oregon has to offer: Bend and Black Butte.
A trip to Bend is every craft beer enthusiast’s dream. The Deschutes Brewery offers plenty of opportunities to taste some of Oregon’s best brews. Black Butte is the only place where you can see most of the state’s mountains from one place, from Mount Jefferson to the Three Sisters.
Renting grounds at Camp Sherman is usually the way to go. It’s centrally located between Black Butte and Bend. Unfortunately, camping sites there tend to fill up quick and most are booked for Memorial Day weekend. There’s a Kampgrounds of America campground in Culver, which is about an hour’s drive from Black Butte. Reservations at the KOA site are usually available up until two or three days before most major holiday weekends.
Reservations will run about $18-$40 a night.
Coast
If you grew up in Oregon, you know there’s a reason why your friends seldom say you should head to “the beach.” Sure, the Beaver State has its fair share of long stretches of sandy bliss, but it’s hardly the beach our friends from Santa Cruz and San Diego are used to. Nope, out here we call it the coast — and there are few places to camp and hike that offer the same perks as a night or two on its various sites.
First off, head west from Eugene. Once you hit Florence, keep going. Newport is where it’s at. There’s a KOA campground just south of it in Waldport. This site is centrally located — you’ll be within a two-hour drive of most every coastal town and hiking area that’s worth visiting on the Oregon Coast. Sure, you won’t be anywhere near Coos Bay’s dunes or Seaside’s historic promenade, but you want maximum potential here.
Camp out in Waldport and you’ll be about an hour away from Lincoln City. The Agnes Creek open space trail is a nice, easy walk and the Siletz Bay opening is perfect for a bit of relaxation. It’s also where the world’s shortest river meets the ocean. Don’t underestimate how accomplished you’ll feel when you walk from the ocean to Devil’s Lake.
Another 30 minutes north and you’ll find yourself in Pacific City. Your friends from the Portland area will surely tell you all about it — this is where one of the tallest single sand dunes in Oregon is found. The hikes in the area are also superb.
Between Lincoln and Pacific cities is a little burg known as Neskowin. It also offers some of the best coastal hiking you can find.
Reservations for campgrounds in this area also range from $18-$40 a night.
Tillamook State Forest: Eagle Creek
Just down the road from the better known Gales Creek campground, Eagle Creek is one of the better campgrounds in the Tillamook National Forest. It’s just under an hour outside of Portland, but the tranquil creek and secluded campsites make you feel as though the busy city is much further away.
Unlike the nearby Gales Creek, Eagle Creek is pretty untouched. It’s small and relatively unfrequented, but if you are a beginning explorer or are in the mood for daydreaming uninterrupted by the water, you have come to the right place. The creek is relatively shallow, but a few decent swimming holes can be found with a little searching.
Campsites are only $10 a night and are all walk-in. As with most Oregon camping, the weather can be temperamental, so pack a tarp along with your tent. But don’t worry too much if you forget something — there’s a general store only a few miles down the road.
Mount Hood National Forest: Lost Lake
Though there’s at least 19 different Lost Lakes in Oregon, this one just north of Mount Hood is the most well-known — and for good reason. The lake is gorgeous, bordered by a pine forest and with a view of Mount Hood so spectacular you’ll feel like you can practically reach out and touch the snowy peaks.
Located just shy of two hours from Portland, the lake is just “lost” enough that you’ll feel like you can enjoy nature in seclusion but not so unknown that you will feel cut off from society — and cell service can be found just outside the park.
Though it’s one of the deepest lakes in Mount Hood National Forest at a depth of 167 feet, you can wade out a fair distance before the drop off, making it great for goofing around in the water as long as you don’t stray too far from shore.
If you want to explore further out onto the water, a variety of canoes, rowboats and paddle boats are available for day use. Walk-in campsites are available just off the lake’s shore and a few minutes walk from the day use area and boat rental. You also have the option of renting a rustic cabin or yurt (i.e. there’s no plumbing).
Campsites run from $25 to $30, while cabins run from $60 to $190 and yurts $50 to $70. Get there early if you are planning on camping or make a reservation online at lostlakeresort.org.
