Camping is a perfect lifestyle if you like nature, exploring new locations, and having unforgettable experiences.
With all the many national parks, forests, and reserves available to visit, the United States is perhaps the ideal choice for camping, because each state has its own climatic, landscape, and natural features.
Among the best places that are worth visiting is the state of Oregon. The terrain is almost entirely forested, ranging from rugged coastlines to arid mountain deserts, all of which provide a pleasing visual experience, making Oregon one of America’s most beautiful landscapes, well worth camping to enjoy its natural diversity. Besides Oregon, you can also drive further south to stay at one of the best camping places in California.
Oregon’s popular state parks and forests will bring you closer to nature and offer a variety of campsites. You can choose from primitive camping spots along mountain streams to stylish glamping in the heart of the state. Whatever your type of camping, you’re sure to find a great place to camp in the Pacific Northwest!
Crater Lake National Park
Located in Southern Oregon, Crater Lake is one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. This lake is nearly 2,000 feet deep, making it the deepest in the United States.
Apart from this, this place is also truly picturesque due to the beautiful blue shades of the water as well as the snow-capped peaks.
By camping here, you can stay close to Crater Lake and immerse yourself in the magnificent wildlife that surrounds it. There are several ways to camp in a national park. You can stay at a specialized campground or, if you’re an experienced traveler, set up a tent in a wilderness remote area (the main thing is to get permission in advance). There is also an RV campground available here with over 200 sites, which is open from June to September.
The Vintages Trailer Resort
If glamping is your thing, the Willamette Valley is the perfect destination. At The Vintage Trailer Resort, you can spend a weekend enjoying tastings at many Oregon wineries.
About 40 restored camping trailers are available to visitors, thanks to which The Vintage Trailer Resort can even be called a museum for camping trailers. Moreover, about 20 models have unique styles. These restored trailers are equipped with everything you may need, allowing you to travel and focus on the dozens of family-owned wineries located just minutes away.
The Vintage Trailer Resort also operates the adjacent Willamette Wine Country RV Park, where RV owners can book longer stays (30 days or more).
Park At The River
Northeast Oregon, home to many charming small towns and secluded landscapes, receives relatively few tourists. The Wallowa Mountains are even called the Oregon Alps.
Here you can have a pleasant experience enjoying the surroundings, which include mountain lakes, stunning scenery, and outdoor activities. Park at the River is a private campground located next to the glacial Wallowa Lake with the tramway that leads to the summit of Mount Howard.
Open from late April to mid-October, the campground has approximately 50 fully equipped sites along the Wallowa River where you can set up your camp. The campground is minutes away from hiking trails in the National Forest, lakeside beaches, and the enclave of Joseph.
Fort Stevens State Park
Fort Stevens State Park is the perfect place to explore the maritime history of the Oregon Coast. At low tide, the ribs of the Peter Iredale, the most famous shipwreck in the Pacific Northwest, can be seen on the beach.
Fort Stevens has another feature that is prized among visitors – its size. At more than 4,000 acres, the State Park is one of the largest public campgrounds in the United States. There are hundreds of campsites available for you to book, where you can pitch your tent regardless of the season as it is a year-round spot.
The park maintains a cool coastal atmosphere. You can hike along the beach, go boating, or visit the fort, which dates back to the Civil War. If you want more civilization, the nearby Victorian town of Astoria has galleries, pubs, and a world-famous maritime museum that reveals the region’s maritime history.
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park
Jesse M. Memorial State Park is home to the largest sand dunes in Oregon. By visiting this campsite, you can seclude yourself in a corner of the largest coastal dunes in North America. Just south of Florence, there is a campground with over a hundred campsites, 10 yurts, and about 50 full RV hookup spots available for year-round camping. It’s the perfect place to explore the Central Oregon coast. Kayakers and surfers can enjoy sunny days on the park’s two lakes, while hikers can explore the nearby trails.
In the summer, those who like a more active pastime can take a ride on a dune buggy to make their camping experience even more memorable!
Viento State Park
The Columbia River is one of the national scenic areas. Here you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of many waterfalls cascading from basalt cliffs, towering spires, and evergreen forests. A landscape that in many ways resembles Tolkien’s worlds.
By pitching a tent on the banks of the Viento River (camping is available from mid-March to October), you’ll find yourself in the heart of all this natural beauty. Located a few miles from the Hood River, the park’s main attraction is its access to nearby trails and waterfalls. There are about 80 spots, including RV campsites.
Viento State Park is the ideal option for vacationers looking to stay by the river. There are also many scenic hiking opportunities nearby. The park is home to the trailhead for the Columbia River State Highway Trail, popular with many enthusiasts and cyclists.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
