Getting away from city life every once in awhile is a must, and these close-in campgrounds allow you to do just that and have a little fun outdoors communing with nature. You don’t have to go far to find a scenic camping wonderland when you live in Portland. Pack your car up with all your amenities and head to one of these pristine locations for your next camping trip.
- Trillium Lake
Jen Steele / Flickr Located in the Mt. Hood National Forest, this is a quiet 57-site campground. Fishing and mountain biking here are great, and reservable sites allow you to plan ahead, a must for this popular spot.
- Lost Lake
Peter Roome / Flickr Situated at 3,000 feet up Mt Hood, this 148-site campground is pristine and peaceful. Rent paddle boards, canoes or a fishing boat to make your stay memorable.
- Beacon Rock State Park
ConwaySuz / Flickr Located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Beacon Rock State Park offers 26 tent sites and features a huge namesake rock with a 1-mile trail that leads to stunning views of the gorge.
- Oxbow Regional Park
J. Maughn / Flickr Situated on the banks of the Sandy River, this park is great for swimming, rafting and kayaking. A total of 67 tent and RV campsites line the park, which is just 25 miles from Portland.
- LL Stub Stewart State Park
wittco.gmbh / Flicker With over 1,800 acres of forest and hills, this park, situated just 34 miles from Portland is a great escape from city life. There are over 50 year-round campsites and just as many seasonally operating ones.
- Champoeg State Heritage Area
Stuart Seeger / Flickr In the Willamette Valley’s wine country, this campground is just 30 miles from the city, and features many scenic walking and biking trails. Stop in for wine tasting at local wineries, and enjoy some of the area’s rich history at the adjoining museum. The park has over 70 sites.
- Silver Falls State Park
Thomas Shahan / Flickr Be sure to take the Trail of Ten Falls for a 7-mile walk through some amazing waterfalls to fully experience this park. As Oregon’s largest state park, this does not disappoint for camping with over 80 sites and 14 cabins.
- Gales Creek Campground
Oregon Department of Forestry / Flickr Located in the Tillamook Forest, this campground on the edge of Gales Creek is a piece of heaven. With just 21 non-reservable campsites, you will be happy to get here early.
- Tollgate Campground
Brett Spangler / Flickr Directly off of Highway 26 on the way to Mt. Hood, this unassuming campground it situated right on the Zigzag River. Hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing opportunities abound in this reservable campground of just 15 sites operated by the Mt. Hood National Forest.
- Camp Creek Campground
Chocopups / Flickr Just a few miles further up Highway 26 is Camp Creek, which offers 25 reservable campsites along the Zigzag River. The night sky in this location is incredible, and is attainable in just a short drive from Portland.
Where do you like to go camping near Portland? Share your favorites in the comments below.
Jen Steele / Flickr
Located in the Mt. Hood National Forest, this is a quiet 57-site campground. Fishing and mountain biking here are great, and reservable sites allow you to plan ahead, a must for this popular spot.
Peter Roome / Flickr
Situated at 3,000 feet up Mt Hood, this 148-site campground is pristine and peaceful. Rent paddle boards, canoes or a fishing boat to make your stay memorable.
ConwaySuz / Flickr
Located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Beacon Rock State Park offers 26 tent sites and features a huge namesake rock with a 1-mile trail that leads to stunning views of the gorge.
J. Maughn / Flickr
Situated on the banks of the Sandy River, this park is great for swimming, rafting and kayaking. A total of 67 tent and RV campsites line the park, which is just 25 miles from Portland.
wittco.gmbh / Flicker
With over 1,800 acres of forest and hills, this park, situated just 34 miles from Portland is a great escape from city life. There are over 50 year-round campsites and just as many seasonally operating ones.
Stuart Seeger / Flickr
In the Willamette Valley’s wine country, this campground is just 30 miles from the city, and features many scenic walking and biking trails. Stop in for wine tasting at local wineries, and enjoy some of the area’s rich history at the adjoining museum. The park has over 70 sites.
Thomas Shahan / Flickr
Be sure to take the Trail of Ten Falls for a 7-mile walk through some amazing waterfalls to fully experience this park. As Oregon’s largest state park, this does not disappoint for camping with over 80 sites and 14 cabins.
Oregon Department of Forestry / Flickr
Located in the Tillamook Forest, this campground on the edge of Gales Creek is a piece of heaven. With just 21 non-reservable campsites, you will be happy to get here early.
Brett Spangler / Flickr
Directly off of Highway 26 on the way to Mt. Hood, this unassuming campground it situated right on the Zigzag River. Hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing opportunities abound in this reservable campground of just 15 sites operated by the Mt. Hood National Forest.
Chocopups / Flickr
Just a few miles further up Highway 26 is Camp Creek, which offers 25 reservable campsites along the Zigzag River. The night sky in this location is incredible, and is attainable in just a short drive from Portland.
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