Oregon has some of the most diverse landscapes in the country.
On one end you have the jagged coast with sweeping sand dunes and plunging cliffs; on the other, you have the high desert—with mountains, rivers, farmland, and rain forests in between.
The camping opportunities in Oregon are endless, and with a temperate climate across much of the state, you’ll find abundant camping and outdoor opportunities year round. Here we’ve curated a list of campsites that illustrate how drastically the scenery and topography changes from one region to the next—and how much fun you can have in each.
Image from Dyrt user Melissa L.
Climb the Desert at Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park is a climber’s paradise and a hiker’s dream. The campground is surrounded by thousands of climbing routes and miles of trails. This high desert hot spot is marked by red rock formations that soar above your head. Even if you don’t enjoy the thrill of climbing these faces yourself, you’ll inevitably find yourself gazing skywards, watching the pros scale massive walls.
The campsites at Smith Rock State Park offer a communal atmosphere. Set up your tent anywhere in the field, and once you’re settled, make new friends at the communal cooking area.
Image from Dyrt user Lisa H.
Relax in a Rainforest at Cape Perpetua Campground
Moss drips from the branches of Sitka Spruce trees in Siuslaw National Forest. The rainforest surrounding Cape Perpetua Campground is like a mosaic of every shade of green you can imagine. The old growth trees are stunning, but for even more visual delight, head to the Cape Perpetua lookout for the longest view of the Oregon Coast.
Image from Dyrt user Kayko S.
Marvel at the Bluest Crater at Lost Creek Campground
A bright blue pool of water has formed in the mouth of a collapsed volcano. It might sound like something out of a story book, but Crater Lake is very real. You’ll just have to see it in person to really understand the raw beauty of this national park.
Crater Lake attracts large crowds. But you can escape them at Lost Creek Campground, where only 16 primitive sites will make you feel like you have the lake (almost) all to yourself. Hike the perimeter of the lake or take a boat ride to the middle, to experience different angles of this natural treasure.
Image from Dyrt user Natasha R.
Watch for Whales at Tillicum Beach
The main draw to Tillicum Beach Campground is, of course, the seaside camping. The sites are spacious and campers enjoy being lulled to sleep by the breaking waves. During the day you can enjoy long walks on the beach, surfing, swimming and building the world’s best sand castle. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a whale off the coast, especially if you’re camping during their migration seasons, from mid-December through January, or from March to June.
Image from Dyrt user Stephanie L.
Explore Where the River Meets the Sea at Fort Stevens State Park
The largest river in the Pacific Northwest opens its mouth in Astoria, Oregon. Fort Stevens State Park, which stood as an active military defense fort from the Civil War through World War II, is now a peaceful place to experience two major geographic markers of the state. From the Fort Stevens campground, you can enjoy long sandy beaches, forested campsites, and the skeleton of a ship that ran ashore in 1906. Fort Stevens can act as your home base to so much sea-shaped history: learn about Oregon-based movies at the Oregon Film Museum or the stories of the most dangerous sea passage in the world at the Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
Ride the Sand Waves at Spinreel Sand Camping
Water isn’t the only thing you can surf in Oregon. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area offers wind-shaped hills of soft sand that are perfect for sliding down on a sled or sandboard. Not only can you access the largest sand riding area in the Oregon dunes from here, you can also sleep right on the sand. Don’t bother with an air mattress—the soft ground is just right.
Once you discover the sheer variety of the state of Oregon, you’ll want to keep exploring. These campgrounds are only a glimpse of the many adventures to be had here.