Best Campgrounds in Oregon

Oregon’s diverse landscapes offer some of the most breathtaking camping experiences in the United States. From the rugged Pacific coastline to the towering Cascade Mountains, and from the high desert to lush forests, Oregon’s campgrounds provide access to natural wonders that will leave you in awe. Whether you’re seeking solitude among ancient trees, the sound of crashing waves to lull you to sleep, or stunning mountain views from your tent flap, the Beaver State has a campsite calling your name. Let’s explore the best campgrounds Oregon has to offer, where adventure awaits around every corner.

Crater Lake National Park – Mazama Campground

Number of Campsites: 214
Reservations: Recreation.gov
Address: Crater Lake National Park, Mazama Campground, Crater Lake, OR 97604

Nestled in the shadows of ancient pines and firs, Mazama Campground offers an unparalleled gateway to America’s deepest lake. The campground sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet, providing cool summer nights even when the valleys below swelter in heat. Tall evergreens create natural partitions between most sites, offering a sense of privacy that’s rare in popular national park campgrounds.

As morning light filters through the canopy, you’ll wake to the melodic calls of mountain chickadees and nuthatches. The scent of pine hangs in the crisp morning air, mingling with the smoke of campfires being kindled for breakfast. Just a short drive from your campsite, the rim of Crater Lake awaits with its mesmerizing blue waters that seem to absorb the very sky itself.

The campground provides flush toilets, drinking water, and coin-operated showers—welcome amenities after a day of hiking the park’s numerous trails. In the evening, ranger programs bring the park’s fascinating volcanic history to life, as shadows lengthen and stars begin to appear in the darkening sky.

For the best experience, book a site during the wildflower bloom in July, when the meadows explode in a riot of color, or in early September when summer crowds thin and a peaceful quiet settles over the forest.

Cape Lookout State Park

Number of Campsites: 229 (including yurts)
Reservations: Oregon State Parks Reservation System
Address: 13000 Whiskey Creek Road, Tillamook, OR 97141

Where forest meets sea, Cape Lookout State Park captures the essence of Oregon’s spectacular coastline. The campground is tucked between a dense coastal forest and a stretch of sandy beach that extends for miles in either direction. At night, the distant beam of the Cape Meares lighthouse sweeps across the water, while the rhythmic crash of waves provides nature’s perfect white noise.

Sites here are arranged in loops, with some nestled among shore pines that bend and twist from years of coastal winds. Others sit in grassy clearings where deer often graze in the misty mornings. The campground’s position on a narrow strip of land means you’re never more than a five-minute walk from the beach, where driftwood sculptures emerge from the fog and seabirds patrol the surf line.

Cape Lookout offers modern conveniences including hot showers and flush toilets, but its true luxury is location. Step outside your tent and follow a short trail through wind-sculpted trees to emerge onto a beach where sunsets paint the sky in watercolor hues of orange, pink, and purple. During low tide, tide pools reveal themselves, filled with starfish, sea anemones, and other fascinating marine creatures.

For those seeking extra comfort, the park’s yurts provide a cozy shelter from coastal storms, complete with heating and basic furniture. Fall asleep to the sound of rain pattering on the wooden roof while staying warm and dry.

Smith Rock State Park

Number of Campsites: 60 walk-in bivouac sites
Reservations: First-come, first-served
Address: 9241 NE Crooked River Dr, Terrebonne, OR 97760

Smith Rock stands as an anomaly in Oregon’s landscape—a series of sheer rock spires rising dramatically from the high desert floor, carved by the winding Crooked River. The bivouac camping area offers a rustic, communal experience unlike traditional campgrounds, with sites scattered across a juniper-dotted hillside.

Dawn at Smith Rock is nothing short of magical. As first light touches the tawny rock faces, they glow like molten gold against the brightening sky. The morning air carries the sweet, resinous scent of juniper and sage, while golden eagles sometimes circle on thermal updrafts high above the canyon.

This is a place for the adventurous spirit. With minimal facilities (vault toilets and communal cooking areas but no showers), the bivouac area appeals to rock climbers, hikers, and those seeking immersion in this unique landscape. As darkness falls, the desert night sky reveals itself in all its glory—a canopy of stars undiminished by light pollution stretching from horizon to horizon.

The park itself offers miles of trails that wind along the river, climb to panoramic viewpoints, or lead to secluded corners where desert wildflowers bloom in spring. Mule deer are common sights in the early morning and evening hours, moving silently through the sagebrush as they have for centuries.

Lost Lake Resort and Campground

Number of Campsites: 148
Reservations: Lost Lake Resort
Address: 9000 Lost Lake Rd, Hood River, OR 97031

In the shadow of Mount Hood lies a jewel of the Cascade Range: Lost Lake. The campground here borders a pristine mountain lake that perfectly reflects the snow-capped peak of Oregon’s highest mountain. Dense forests of Douglas fir, western red cedar, and hemlock encircle the shoreline, creating a setting that feels almost too perfect to be real.

Morning mist rises from the lake’s surface as day breaks, creating an ethereal scene that photographers dream about. The glassy water invites kayakers and canoeists, while anglers cast lines for rainbow trout that dart among submerged logs. A 3.2-mile trail loops around the lake, offering ever-changing perspectives of Mount Hood’s reflection.

The campground itself features sites for both tents and RVs, some positioned mere steps from the lakeshore. At night, as temperatures drop in the mountain air, campfires flicker throughout the grounds, casting dancing shadows on tent walls and illuminating friendly faces gathered to share stories of the day’s adventures.

A small store at the resort provides forgotten essentials and ice cream cones—a welcome treat after hiking the nearby trails that climb through old-growth forests carpeted with moss and ferns. In late summer, huckleberries ripen along sunny trail edges, offering sweet rewards for observant hikers.

Beverly Beach State Park

Number of Campsites: 278
Reservations: Oregon State Parks Reservation System
Address: 198 NE 123rd St, Newport, OR 97365

Between Newport and Depoe Bay, Beverly Beach State Park offers a coastal camping experience that combines forest tranquility with seaside adventure. The campground is nestled in a lush coastal forest, where sites are tucked among moss-draped shore pines and spruce trees. A wooden walkway tunnels beneath Highway 101, emerging onto one of Oregon’s most expansive beaches.

The sound of the surf forms a constant backdrop here, sometimes a gentle murmur and other times a thunderous roar after winter storms. Morning fog often shrouds the campground in mystery, as droplets cling to spider webs and tent flies. By mid-day, sunshine frequently breaks through, dappling the forest floor and warming the wide sandy beach.

Beverly Beach is famous for its fossil hunting opportunities—agates and fossilized shells can be found along the shoreline, especially after winter storms have churned the sand. The beach stretches for miles in either direction, with dramatic headlands bookending the vista. To the north, Yaquina Head Lighthouse stands sentinel on its rocky promontory.

The campground offers hot showers, flush toilets, and electrical hookups at many sites. A large, open field in the center provides space for frisbee games or stargazing on clear nights when the ocean breeze keeps coastal clouds at bay.

Wallowa Lake State Park

Number of Campsites: 210
Reservations: Oregon State Parks Reservation System
Address: 72214 Marina Ln, Joseph, OR 97846

Often called “Oregon’s Alps,” the Wallowa Mountains create a stunning backdrop for this lakeside campground in the state’s northeastern corner. The deep blue waters of Wallowa Lake reflect snow-capped peaks that rise dramatically from the valley floor, creating postcard-perfect views from nearly every campsite.

The campground spreads across a flat area at the lake’s south end, with sites arranged in loops among ponderosa pines that fill the air with their vanilla-like scent on warm days. Early mornings bring a special magic, as mist hovers over the glassy lake surface and the peaks catch first light, glowing pink and gold against the brightening sky.

By day, the lake beckons with opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. A small marina rents watercraft, from kayaks to motorboats. For the adventurous, a gondola at nearby Wallowa Lake Village ascends to the summit of Mount Howard, offering eagle’s-eye views of the lake and surrounding wilderness.

Wildlife sightings are common here—osprey dive for fish in the clear waters, while deer wander through the campground in the quiet evening hours. As night falls, the lack of light pollution reveals a glittering canopy of stars, seemingly close enough to touch in the thin mountain air.

Silver Falls State Park

Number of Campsites: 105
Reservations: Oregon State Parks Reservation System
Address: 20024 Silver Falls Highway SE, Sublimity, OR 97385

Known as the “crown jewel” of Oregon’s state park system, Silver Falls offers a camping experience that combines comfort with access to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest. The campground sits in a dense forest of Douglas fir and western hemlock, where sites are spacious and well-maintained.

What makes this park truly special is the Trail of Ten Falls—a 7.2-mile loop that passes behind four thundering waterfalls, including the 177-foot South Falls where you can feel the spray on your face as you stand in the cavern behind the curtain of water. In spring, this trail explodes with wildflowers, while autumn transforms the canyon with vibrant yellows and reds.

The campground itself features hot showers, flush toilets, and a central gathering area where ranger programs educate visitors about the area’s natural and cultural history. Morning fog frequently settles in the deep ravines, creating an atmosphere that feels almost primeval as sun rays filter through the mist and tall trees.

At night, the dense canopy blocks most star views, but creates a cozy atmosphere as campfires cast warm light on surrounding tree trunks. The distant sound of waterfalls provides a soothing soundtrack that lulls campers to sleep after days spent exploring the park’s 35 miles of backcountry trails.

Trillium Lake Campground

Number of Campsites: 63
Reservations: Recreation.gov
Address: NF-2656, Government Camp, OR 97028

If you’ve ever seen a picture of Mount Hood reflected in a perfect mirror of water, chances are it was taken at Trillium Lake. This campground, situated at 3,600 feet elevation in the Mount Hood National Forest, offers what many consider the definitive view of Oregon’s iconic peak.

The lake itself is actually a reservoir created in 1960, but nothing about it feels artificial. A fringe of evergreens surrounds the water, leading the eye up to subalpine meadows and finally to the glaciers and rocky summit of Mount Hood itself. The campground circles part of the shoreline, with many sites offering glimpses of this spectacular vista.

Early mornings are particularly magical here. Before the day’s breeze ripples the water, the lake becomes a perfect mirror, doubling the majesty of the mountain in its reflection. A 2-mile flat trail loops around the entire lake, offering constantly changing perspectives that inspire photographers and painters alike.

Summer days at Trillium are filled with the gentle splash of paddles as canoeists glide across the water, the excited shouts of children catching their first fish, and the buzz of hummingbirds visiting wildflowers that dot the shoreline. As evening approaches and the light softens, Mount Hood often takes on an alpenglow—a pinkish hue that slowly deepens to purple as the sun sets.

Despite its popularity, the campground maintains a peaceful atmosphere, with sites spaced well among the trees. At night, temperatures drop quickly at this elevation, making campfires not just atmospheric but welcome sources of warmth as stars emerge above the mountain silhouette.

Final Thoughts About Camping in Oregon

Oregon’s campgrounds offer windows into some of North America’s most diverse and spectacular landscapes. From the thundering Pacific coastline to the quiet mountain lakes of the Cascades, from the sagebrush-scented high desert to moss-draped ancient forests, each camping destination provides its own unique experience and connection to the natural world.

The best times to camp in Oregon depend on your destination. Coastal campgrounds can be enjoyed year-round, though summer brings the driest weather. Mountain campgrounds typically open from late spring through early fall, with July and August offering the most reliable weather. Desert camping is best in spring and fall, when temperatures are moderate and wildflowers may bloom.

No matter which Oregon campground you choose, you’ll be participating in a tradition that stretches back generations—finding restoration and wonder in some of America’s most beautiful wild places. Pack your tent, gather your camping gear, and prepare to create memories that will call you back to Oregon’s spectacular outdoor spaces year after year.