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Tuck Woodstock
Tuck Woodstock wrote and edited content for Travel Portland from 2014–2020. Read More
Camping Near Portland
These nearby campgrounds make it easy to bask in Oregon’s natural beauty.
Tuck Woodstock
Tuck Woodstock wrote and edited content for Travel Portland from 2014–2020. Read More
Home to more than 275 parks and 14,000 acres (5,666 ha) of green space, Portland offers plenty of natural escapes within city limits. But to truly appreciate the wilds of the Pacific Northwest, spend a memorable night under the stars at any of these scenic campsites, all located within an easy drive from the city.
In addition to classic tent sites, you can find RV hookups, yurts and rustic cabins, at dozens of Oregon State Parks, including several within 100 miles (161 km) of Portland. These modern options, some of which are pet-friendly, most often come complete with locking doors, electrical outlets, heating, wooden floors and windows, without giving up the outdoor fire pit for s’mores and revelry. Check out the following campgrounds, including some state parks, to find your destination of choice for your next night out.
Know Before You Go
Advanced reservations are recommended when offered and can be made for Oregon State Park campgrounds up to six months in advance via Reserve America.
Camping Near the City
Oxbow Regional Park
There’s no better place to play on a hot summer day than the cool, clear waters of the federally designated Wild & Scenic Sandy River. Located 25 miles (40 km) east of downtown Portland, Oxbow Regional Park is an oasis for swimmers, kayakers, rafters and floaters. Reserve one of 74 drive-up campsites or 12 RV sites, all of which are equipped with cooking grills and picnic tables. Time a trip for the fall when the waters are rich with runs of spawning salmon. (Note: dogs and other pets are not allowed at this park, as they can damage the sensitive habitat.)
L.L. Stub Stewart State Park
Nestled in the foothills of the Northern Oregon Coast Range, just 34 miles (55 km) west of Portland, L.L. Stub Stewart State Park provides an easy overnight nature escape. A network of trails leads hikers and bikers through rolling hills, wildflower meadows and forest glens; don’t miss the Banks-Vernonia Trail, a paved 21-mile (34 km) multi-use path featuring gleaming streams and historic wooden bridges. Overnight guests can take their pick of 78 spots ranging from primitive campsites and full RV hook-ups to Mountain Dale Cabin Village, which offers one- and two-room cabins (pictured) with shared access to hot showers and flush toilets.
Champoeg State Park
History, nature and recreation merge seamlessly at Champoeg State Heritage Area. Located 40 minutes south of Portland, the park marks the location where Oregon’s first provisional government formed in 1843. It’s not all facts and dates around here, however, as the site is set on the picturesque banks of the Willamette River with acres of forests, fields and wetlands. Champoeg’s location also means easy access to nearby wineries, where you can stock up on prime bottles to enjoy fireside. Choose between 21 full-hookup sites, 54 electric sites with water, six classic tent sites, six yurts and six cabins.
Milo McIver State Park
Situated along the scenic Clackamas River, Milo McIver State Park delivers gorgeous scenery (pictured) and epic recreation with water activities and a world-class, 27-hole disc golf course. Twenty electrical sites offer year-round camping, while the entire campground, which includes 44 electrical sites and nine classic tent sites, is open seasonally from March through October.
Mount Hood
Trillium Lake
Located 60 miles (97 km) east of Portland in Mt. Hood National Forest, Trillium Lake is a tranquil retreat offering incredible views of the mountain’s snowy summit. The area’s namesake lake is a favorite of local anglers, thanks to a population of hungry trout. Mountain bikers love the single-track Trillium Bike Trail, which gracefully circles the picturesque lake — and also connects thirsty cyclists to pizza and pints in nearby Government Camp. Trillium’s proximity to Portland means campsites go fast, but visitors can reserve one of 57 tent and RV spots online via Recreation.gov to guarantee a perfect weekend.
Credit: Isaac Lane Koval
Lost Lake Resort & Campground
The woodsy, wheelchair-accessible resort, Lost Lake Resort & Campground, encircles a classic alpine lake perched 3,000 feet (914 m) up the flanks of Mount Hood (pictured) and 76 miles (122 km) from Portland. In addition to 148 campsites, Lost Lake’s grounds include comfortable lodge rooms complete with king beds and kitchenettes. Drop into the resort store to rent canoes, fishing boats and stand-up paddleboards, and attend scheduled activities like telescope-assisted stargazing and live music.
Columbia River Gorge
Ainsworth State Park
Tucked away in Cascade Locks, near the Columbia River Gorge’s “Waterfall Corridor,” Ainsworth State Park is a small and somewhat noisy campground in a convenient and beautiful location. The 40 full-hookup and six walk-in tent sites sit near Interstate 84 and a working rail line, so the noise will bother some campers, but the park’s proximity to the many amazing hikes, viewpoints and activities of the area is hard to beat.
Credit: Michael Matti via Flickr
Beacon Rock State Park
A 42-mile (68 km) trip across the Washington state line and to the east brings adventurers to Beacon Rock State Park, a 4,500-acre (1,821 ha) park with 30 campsites in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The park’s signature attraction — the monolithic Beacon Rock — juts 840 feet (256 m) above the river and features a steep, mile-long (1.6 km) trail blasted out of the rock and leading to panoramic views of the gorge.
Oregon Coast
Cape Lookout State Park
Know Before You Go
Cape Lookout State Park will close on Oct. 1, 2025 for park improvements funded by Oregon-issued General Obligation Bonds (GO Bonds). The work is expected to continue through spring/summer 2026.
Situated on a sand spit between the Pacific Ocean and Netarts Bay, Cape Lookout State Park provides unparalleled beach access and ocean views 85 miles (137 km) west of Portland. Hike the 2.4-mile (3.9 km) Cape Trail, which boasts one of the best whale-watching spots on the coast, or follow the 1.8-mile (2.9 km) South Trail down to a secluded stretch of sand set beneath the cape. No tent? No problem — 13 family-friendly yurts (pictured) and six deluxe cabins provide cozy overnight options to complement the 38 full-hookup and 170 classic tent sites.
Fort Stevens State Park
Know Before You Go
Sections of Fort Stevens State Park are currently closed for park improvements through December 2025, including Yurt Village, Campground loops K, L, M, N and O, and the South Lake restroom. All other campsites and day-use areas will remain open.
For 84 years, from the Civil War through World War II, Fort Stevens State Park was an active military base. Today it’s a 4,300-acre (1,740-hectare) park situated two hours northwest of Portland at the mouth of the Columbia River. Its diverse natural habitats and spectacles include forests, wetlands, dunes, a military museum and the haunting Peter Iredale shipwreck (pictured). In the summer, you can also swim in freshwater Coffenbury Lake and tour the WWII gun battery. Explore these sites by foot or bicycle along the park’s hiking trails and paved paths. A total of 15 yurts and 11 deluxe cabins combine with more than 400 full-hookup or electrical campsites to offer comfortable arrangements for anyone seeking time outdoors.
Nehalem Bay State Park
Know Before You Go
Nehalem Bay State Park is currently closed for park improvements through approximately November 2025.
This lovely campground is located on a 4-mile (6.5 km) sand spit between Cannon Beach and Tillamook. From wildlife and frosted pines to undulating beach dunes, there’s plenty to see and do at Nehalem Bay State Park. When not snuggling up in the campground, pass the time crabbing, clam digging and admiring driftwood on sandy strolls. And don’t miss the 1.8 mile-long (3 km) bike path with great views of the bay. Choose from 265 campsites or 18 yurts (pictured) to enjoy your stay.
Beverly Beach State Park
Know Before You Go
Camp loops C, D, E, F, G and H will be closed during the month of June 2025 while crews repave the main campground road. Camp loops A and B will be closed June 15 to June 30, 2025 for the same project. The day-use area will remain open.
Located 2.5 hours southwest of Portland, the forested campground at Beverly Beach State Park is set back from the coastline and sandwiched between Yaquina Head and Otter Rock. Lighthouse viewing, beach combing, whale watching and tide pool exploring are easily accessible from the doorway of your tent or yurt. Head 1.5 miles (2.5 km) north to marvel at Devil’s Punchbowl, a naturally carved bowl in the headland that fills with crashing Pacific Ocean waves. A total of 21 yurts, 53 full-hookup campsites, 76 electrical campsites and 128 classic tent sites are up for grabs.
Find Your Campground
Grab a compass and head in any direction to find camping near Portland.
Outdoor Exploration
These destinations near Portland provide epic outdoor scenery and recreation.
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