Best Tent Camping in Oregon
Tent camping in Oregon spans around 500 total campgrounds from coastal walk-in sites to high-elevation mountain retreats, with options ranging from developed state parks to primitive tent areas. Smith Rock State Park Campground anchors the central Oregon desert with its $8-per-night Climber's Bivouac walk-in sites along the Crooked River, while coastal destinations like Netarts Bay and Tillamook State Forest provide tent-friendly spots near the Pacific. Mountain locations such as Mount Ashland Campground and East Lake Campground offer cooler temperatures and alpine settings, though campers note significant temperature drops at higher elevations.
Walk-in tent sites dominate many Oregon campgrounds, particularly at locations like Keenig Creek Campground and Jones Creek, where campers appreciate the privacy but mention the need to carry gear short distances from parking areas. Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground provides riverside tent spots with easy trail access, though facilities remain basic with vault toilets at the day-use area only. Deschutes River Campground at The Cove Palisades State Park offers more developed amenities with picnic tables, fire rings, and a central playground area, making it popular for families despite fire restrictions during dry periods.
Dispersed tent camping opportunities exist throughout Tillamook State Forest and Elliott State Forest, where sites accommodate tents in scenic forest settings accessed via forest service roads. These primitive areas require self-sufficiency planning, as campers consistently mention limited facilities and the need to pack out all waste. Rujada Campground represents Oregon's vintage camping heritage with tent pads, strategic water spigots, and maintained privacy between sites, though mosquitoes become problematic during summer months near water sources.
Tent camping costs range from free tent sites to $21 per night at developed campgrounds, with many popular destinations operating on first-come, first-served basis. Campers planning summer visits should arrive early, particularly at riverside locations like Jones Creek where accessible sites fill by Friday afternoon. Mountain campgrounds like East Lake close seasonally due to elevation, typically shutting down by late September when nighttime temperatures drop below freezing.
