Home to old-growth forests, volcanoes, miles of Pacific coastline, and frisbee golf, camping in Oregon is as much an experience as walking around downtown Portland. Plenty of campsites abound in the Pacific Northwest, for both tents and RV campers.
With sightings of Sasquatch as common as sightings of the unicycle-riding Scotsman in a Darth Vader helmet, there’s really no question that when it comes to doing anything in Portland…well, there’s the normal way and there’s the Portland way. While out camping, consider adding a few of these hot springs close to Portland to your day’s itinerary.
Enjoy the following tent and RV campgrounds the way they were meant to be enjoyed…with an open mind.
Portland’s Top Tent and RV Campgrounds
Go camping in the woods, but remember to bring a frisbee for a 27-round course of disc golf. Find a quiet park with views of Mount Hood in the distance and then ride your fixed-speed into downtown and find a book at Powell’s. Tear down some dirt trails on a mountain bike and then find the nearest craft brewery and be sure to read the rules about when not to wear clothes.
Here are the best and closest campgrounds to Portland, OR, in order of proximity:
Jantzen Beach RV Resort (8 miles)
Jantzen Beach RV Resort is situated on Hayden Island just north of Portland on the Columbia River. Its unique location makes Jantzen Beach great for hiking in the Columbia River Gorge one day and going wine-tasting the next. Fishing and kayaking are available or get on a bike and ride to downtown Portland to enjoy some shopping a Powell’s Famous Bookstore.
- Closest town: Portland, OR (8 mi)
- Specs: 60 sites, full hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, easy, open year-round.
- Amenities: Potable water, vault & flush toilets, showers, clubhouse, playground, pool, fitness center, wi-fi, arboretum
- Reservations: Yes, at JantzenBeachRV.com
- Address: 1503 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217 (Map)
Columbia River RV Park (8 miles)
As the name suggests, this RV campground is located right on the Columbia River. Views of snow-capped Mount Hood across a farmland valley make it a picturesque place to camp. Only a ten-minute drive from downtown Portland, Columbia River RV park is the perfect place for campers looking for a view with all the urban amenities.
- Closest town: Portland, OR (8 mi)
- Specs: 152 RV sites, no tents, full hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, open year-round, short/long-term stays available
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, showers, swimming pool
- Reservations: Yes, at ColumbiaRiverRV.com
- Address: 10649 NE 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97211(Map)
Portland Fairview RV Park (13 miles)
Only a 20-minute drive east of Portland, this RV park offers a variety of amenities with a nearby lake and river access, and a large number of campsites with full hookups. A dog park and mini-golf course push the convenience of this RV park into the resort category.
- Closest town: Fairview, OR (1 mi)
- Specs: 407 RV sites, no tents, full hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, open year-round, short/long-term stays available
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, showers, laundry, wi-fi, pool, fitness center, clubhouse, mini golf, dog park
- Reservations: Yes, at RVOntheGo.com
- Address: 21401 NE Sandy Blvd UNIT 137, Fairview, OR 97024 (Map)
Sandy Riverfront RV Resort (17 miles)
Located directly on the beautiful Sandy River, this RV resort is a gem that welcomes caravans and tent campers alike. Its location is perfect for kayaking and rafting excursions followed by shopping and dinner in downtown Portland. Nearby waterfalls (count 6) encourage enjoyment of the nature trails in the Sandy River Gorge.
- Closest town: Troutdale, OR (1 mi)
- Specs: 153 tent/RV sites, full hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, open year-round
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, showers, fire pits, river access
- Reservations: Yes, at SandyRV.com
- Address: 1097 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR 97060 (Map)
Reeder Beach RV Park (18 miles)
Located on Sauvies Island, Reeder Beach RV Park & Camp Store is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Portland. This little spot offers fresh produce and chicken eggs, seasonally. It’s a privately owned little campground with views of snow-capped peaks in the distance over the Columbia River. With Vancouver Lake nearby, watersports are popular pastimes here.
- Closest town: Portland, OR (18 mi)
- Specs: 30 tent/RV sites, full hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, easy, open year-round.
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, showers, fire pits, river access, beach access, seasonal fare
- Reservations: Yes, at ReederBeach.com
- Address: 26048 NW Reeder Rd, Portland, OR 97231 (Map)
Barton Park Campground (20 miles)
About halfway between Portland and Mount Hood is Barton Park Campground. Directly on the Clackamas River, this natural gem offers immediate access for kayakers and rafters. Picnic areas, nature trails, and day hikes make Barton Campground an ideal destination for an outdoor family vacation.
- Closest town: Boring, OR (4 mi)
- Specs: 112 tent/RV sites, partial hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, easy, open year-round.
- Amenities: Potable water, vault toilets, fire ring, picnic tables, RV dump stations
- Reservations: Yes, at Clackamas.us
- Address: 19093-19299 SE Barton Park Rd, Boring, OR 97009(Map)
Mountaindale Sun Resort (23 miles)
This clothing-optional resort offers tent and RV campsites with short and long-term stays. While clothing is not a requirement, no clothing can be, with guests needing to be in the buff for pool and spa dips. Because of its unique policies, children under eighteen require parental-consent forms. All things said the community is welcoming and the campground is in a beautiful location that truly encourages freedom.
- Closest town: Mountaindale, OR (2 mi)
- Specs: 37 tent/RV sites, full hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, open year-round, short/long-term stays available
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, showers, pool, barbecue, grill, picnic tables, disc golf, member events
- Reservations: Yes, at MountaindaleSun.com
- Address: 27100 NW Dairy Creek Road, North Plains, OR 97133 (Map)
Milo McIver State Park (24 miles)
Right on the Clackamas River, this trailer and tent campground is perfect for fishermen and kayakers alike. Only half an hour south of Portland, Milo McIver State Park welcomes active campers who enjoy the outdoors, disc golf, nature trails, and getting out on the water. Campers who prefer a more leisurely stay can take a tour of the nearby fish hatchery and enjoy nature views.
- Closest town: Estacada, OR (3 mi)
- Specs: 9 tent sites/ 44 RV sites, hiker/biker/group sites, standard hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, easy, open March 12th through October 31st.
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, showers, RV dump station, hiking trails, disc golf
- Reservations: Yes, at OregonStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com
- Address: Entrance Road, Estacada, OR 97023 (Map)
Big Fir Campground & RV Park (24 miles)
Big camping spaces, tall trees, and a full list of amenities make Big Fir Campground & RV Park a desirable destination for those who want to get away from the city for the night. While internet and cable are offered, they can be spotty here. This is a great place to stop over for a night on your way north towards the top campgrounds in Seattle.
Closest town: Cherry Grove, OR (2 mi)
Specs: 37 tent/RV sites, pets welcome, usage heavy, open year-round.
Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, showers, barbecue, grill, picnic tables, wifi, cable
Reservations: Yes, at passport-america.com
Address: 5515 NE 259th St, Ridgefield, WA 98642 (Map)
Oxbow Regional Park & Camp Store (24 miles)
Located in the Sandy River Gorge, Oxbow Regional Park is terrific for watersports, including a popular spot for a float or paddle adventure. Main attractions here also include outdoor learning with classes about mushroom and plant identification. Because it’s a pristine wildlife area, pets are not allowed, but wildlife viewing is excellent.
- Closest town: Gresham, OR (8 mi)
- Specs: 86 tent/RV sites, standard nonelectric, no pets, usage heavy, open year-round
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, showers, fire pits
- Reservations: Yes, at OregonMetro.gov
- Address: 3010 SE Oxbow Pkwy, Gresham, OR 97080 (Map)
Promontory Park Campground (33 miles)
Just a short drive south of Portland, campers and travel trailers can stop in at Promontory Park Campground on the way into Mt. Hood National Forest. Located on the North Fork Reservoir, this campground is near nature trails, fishing, waterfalls, and standup paddle boarding, with rentals available.
- Closest town: Cazadero, OR (4 mi)
- Specs: 42 tent/RV sites, dome yurt/cabin rentals, standard non-electric, pets welcome, usage heavy, open March-October
- Amenities: Potable water, flush toilets, fire ring, picnic tables, fish-cleaning station, cooking facilities, RV dump stations, boating, swimming, kayaking, marina, kids’ fishing pond, picnic shelters
- Reservations: Yes, at Clackamas.us
- Address: 40600 OR-224, Estacada, OR 97023 (Map)
L.L. Stub Steward State Park (33 miles)
This 1800-acre park is filled with nature hiking and mountain biking trails. A night here puts campers halfway between Portland and the beautiful Oregon Coast, a view passers-through can’t (or really shouldn’t) miss. Come to L.L. Stub Steward State Park to camp year-round.
Closest town: Buxton, OR (6 mi)
Specs: 149 tent/RV sites, some walk-in sites, cabins, yurt rentals, group and equestrian campsites, full hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, open year-round
Amenities: Potable water, vault & flush toilets, showers, disc golf, hiking, historical site
Reservations: Yes, at OregonStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com
Address: OR-47, Buxton, OR 97109 (Map)
Gales Creek Campground (38 miles)
Gales Creek Campground is tucked away in the Tualatin Valley about 40 minutes west of Portland. Campers here are right in Tillamook State Forest where new and old-growth groves can be explored. The Oregon Coast is in one direction, Portland in the other, and wineries and natural beauty are everywhere in between.
- Closest town: Gales Creek, OR (10 mi)
- Specs: 19 tent/RV sites, no hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, open year-round
- Amenities: Camping, potable water, vault toilets, fire pits, picnic table, river access, beach access
- Reservations: No, first-come, first-serve
- Address: Plantation Road, Gales Creek, OR 97117 (Map)
Dougan Creek Campground (41 miles)
While it’s a bit of a jaunt from Portland to Dougan Creek, this campground offers isolation, nature, and swimming holes for those high-heat summer days. Its rural location in Mount St. Helens natural area and lack of reservation availability makes Dougan Creek a neat little spot for a last-minute camping getaway. With only seven sites and a vehicle curfew of 8am-8pm, getting a site here can be tricky.
- Closest town: Mt. Pleasant, OR (18 mi)
- Specs: 7 tent/RV sites, no hookups, pets welcome, usage heavy, open year-round
- Amenities: Camping, no potable water, vault toilets, fire pits, river access, waterfall viewing
- Reservations: No, first-come, first-serve
- Address: 82 Dougan Falls Ln, Washougal, WA 98671 (Map)
Sunset Falls Campground (46 miles)
While this campground is a bit of a drive from Portland, it features a few things that are desirable in regard to scenery and availability. During the summer season, 40% of the sites at Sunset Falls Campground are first-come-first-serve. So here in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, your chances of grabbing a last-minute site are higher. The views here are spectacular, the forest is magical, and the water is cold and clear.
- Closest town: Yacolt, WA (9 mi)
- Specs: 18 tent/RV sites, (22’ size-restriction), no hookups, pets welcome, usage light, moderate, open year-round, short-term stays only
- Amenities: No water, vault toilets, fire ring, picnic tables
- Reservations: Yes, 60% of sites from June to mid-September are reservable recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777; during the off-season all sites are first-come, first-serve
- Address: 40806 NE Sunset Falls Rd, Yacolt, WA 98675(Map)
Any of the aforementioned campgrounds will be sure to please you on your next Pacific Northwest adventure. Remember to always be prepared for rain and inclement weather when camping around Portland, Oregon.
The Best Camping near Seattle, Washington