Oregon’s Top Ten Campgrounds

Cape Blanco State Park [1]: A beautiful and often blustery campground at the state’s westernmost point, just north of Port Orford [2] and Humbug Mountain [3]. Campground trails lead down to the beach and to the nearby lighthouse.

Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park [4]: On the central coast between Florence [5] and Yachats [6]. Pile your gear into a wheelbarrow (provided) and trundle it to one of the great walk-in campsites. After pitching the tent, take a hike along the Hobbit Trail [7].

Paradise Campground [8]: About 50 miles east of Eugene [9] on the McKenzie River, with access to the 26.5-mile McKenzie River National Recreation Trail [10] and the nearby commercially developed but still appealing Belknap Lodge and Hot Springs [11].

Cleator Bend Campground [12]: Nine miles north of Detroit on the Breitenbush River just a short distance from Breitenbush Hot Springs [12].

Metolius River recreation area [13]: Any of the many campgrounds here, especially those downstream from Camp Sherman, offer a chance to linger by central Oregon’s most magical river. Bring water or a filter.

Devils Lake [14]: 29 miles from Bend [15] along the Cascade Lakes Highway [16]. The prime lakeside campsites are set away from the parking area, so you’ll have to schlep your gear. Across the highway is the climber’s trail for South Sister.

Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge: Northeast of Lakeview in southeastern Oregon. The hot springs campground is four miles south of the refuge headquarters. The long drive to this remote spot is worth it! Soak the drive away in the hot springs, and explore the area on foot or by mountain bike.

Page Springs Campground: Four miles from Frenchglen up the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Get up early to check out the birds on a hike along the Donner und Blitzen River.

Strawberry Campground: 11 miles south of Prairie City in northeastern Oregon. It’s a 1.25-mile hike from the campground to the lake.

Grande Ronde Lake Campground: About a mile past Anthony Lakes Ski Area outside of Baker City. Grande Ronde Lake, a small lake in a meadow of tiny streams, is the headwaters of the Grande Ronde River; hiking trails into the Elkhorn Mountains start nearby.