| One of the great things about planning an Oregon | | | | hundreds of private campgrounds throughout all |
| camping trip is the number of options visitors | | | | areas of Oregon. Some cater to families with |
| have, both in things to do and see and in where | | | | children and offer playgrounds, activities, and |
| to stay. With nearly 100 state and federal Oregon | | | | other kid-friendly features. Others are more basic |
| campgrounds and even more privately owned | | | | or focus on nature and peaceful settings. No |
| facilities, the challenge won't be finding Oregon | | | | matter what your areas of interest and your |
| campgrounds, it will be deciding which ones to | | | | camping style, you can likely find a private |
| choose. | | | | campground to fit your needs. Begin by |
| When to Go | | | | contacting visitor information offices or city |
| For most people, work and school schedules | | | | chambers of commerce in the area of the state |
| often help determine when they can take an | | | | you plan to visit. |
| Oregon vacation. Those with kids typically have to | | | | Oregon state park camping: The number of state |
| wait for the summer months if they want to visit | | | | parks, scenic sites and recreation areas in Oregon |
| for more than a few days. For most this works | | | | is simply amazing. While some of these are day |
| out great because Oregon weather is at its | | | | use only facilities, many provide overnight camping |
| warmest, and it is the peak of the travel season | | | | with both tent and RV sites. Often, these Oregon |
| so all the Oregon campgrounds and attractions | | | | state park camping sites are located in some of |
| are open. Reservations are recommended during | | | | the state's most beautiful scenery, and fees are |
| the summer months as many of the most | | | | typically comparable or less than those at |
| popular campgrounds tend to fill up fast. | | | | privately owned campgrounds. |
| Many festivals are held in the summer, wild and | | | | For a truly unique experience, some Oregon state |
| cultivated flowers are in bloom, and there is even | | | | park camping areas offer camping in tepees, |
| a resident group of whales along the coast for | | | | yurts and covered wagons. Visit the Oregon |
| those that want to experience Oregon's | | | | Parks and Recreation Department's state parks |
| legendary whale watching. | | | | website at to find Oregon camping sites in the |
| Whale watching is at its peak in March, making | | | | area you plan to visit. When you get to the park, |
| spring an ideal time to visit Oregon, especially the | | | | don't forget to stop and get your permit or park |
| coastal area. Snowmelt also increases the water | | | | pass. |
| levels in rivers, creating churning rapids just | | | | Oregon beach camping: Oregon is one of only two |
| waiting to be kayaked or rafted. | | | | states in the U.S. whose beaches are all |
| Autumn is a good time to visit if you plan to fish | | | | considered public land. The beaches are managed |
| Oregon coastal rivers and streams. Steelhead and | | | | by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, |
| salmon enter these waters to spawn beginning in | | | | and many offer camping facilities. With the stars |
| September and continuing into late fall. Forest | | | | overhead and the sound of the surf providing |
| Service offices provide information on fishing | | | | background music, Oregon beach camping can be |
| conditions in their areas, as do websites for the | | | | one of the most memorable ways to experience |
| local communities. | | | | the beauty of the Oregon coast. Note: it is illegal |
| Fall is also a good time to visit one of Oregon's | | | | to camp on the beach in unauthorized areas, and |
| vineyards. The Willamette Valley, slightly inland | | | | anyone setting up camp without permission can |
| from Oregon's northwest coast, is known as wine | | | | be asked to leave. |
| country, and there are numerous wineries that | | | | What to Bring When Camping in Oregon |
| offer tours and tastings. | | | | In addition to the standard food, water, clothing, |
| In addition to fishing and wine tasting, the fall | | | | first aid items and camping equipment, it is |
| foliage is in full color and the Oregon camping sites | | | | advisable to also include: |
| are typically less crowded than in summer | | | | • a hat |
| months. Contact the Oregon Fall Foliage Hotline at | | | | • sweatshirts and jackets for layering |
| 1-800-547-5445 to find peak color times for the | | | | • a plastic garbage bag, to use as a rain |
| areas you plan to visit. | | | | poncho just in case |
| Winter is the perfect time to visit Oregon if you | | | | • a map of the area |
| like skiing, snowboarding, and other snow activities. | | | | • a flashlight |
| In the winter months, average inland daytime | | | | • bug repellent |
| temperatures are often in the 40s. A second | | | | • a pocket mirror (for signaling if you get |
| whale migration in December through January | | | | lost) |
| makes a winter trip to the Oregon coast | | | | • a whistle |
| appealing as well. The ocean climate helps keep | | | | Check all your equipment before you leave to |
| temperatures relatively mild, and winter camping | | | | make sure it works properly and is in good |
| in Oregon can be cozy and comfortable with | | | | condition. Many Oregon campgrounds are in |
| proper clothing and camping equipment. Even in | | | | remote locations where it can be difficult to find |
| mid January, temperatures often reach into the | | | | replacement batteries or lantern fuel in the middle |
| 50s in the coastal areas. | | | | of the night. For this reason, it is also helpful to |
| Many of the state park campgrounds remain | | | | know some basic first aid and wilderness survival |
| open year round although running water may not | | | | information. |
| be available. Fewer families come to Oregon in the | | | | Other Considerations |
| winter months, so if you like quiet getaways, this | | | | Weather conditions, construction and repairs, and |
| may be the best time to visit Oregon. | | | | standard regulations can impact campground |
| Choosing Oregon Camping Sites | | | | activities and services. For example, some Oregon |
| City living: Portland, Eugene and several other | | | | campgrounds prohibit alcohol. Open campfires may |
| larger cities in Oregon have numerous campsites | | | | be restricted at certain times of the year. |
| close to town for those that want to be close to | | | | Buildings and natural areas may be closed. Pets |
| the action but still enjoy the fun of RV travel or | | | | may not be allowed or allowed only in certain |
| tenting it. Even Oregon's more populated areas | | | | areas of the campground. It is a good idea to |
| are surrounded by forests, mountains, and | | | | contact your chosen campsite or visit their |
| waterways, so finding a natural setting is not | | | | website to learn about rules, regulations, and |
| difficult. | | | | current conditions. |
| Private campgrounds in Oregon: There are | | | | |