Indigenous tribes slept under the Oregon stars long before Westerners arrived. Those tribes knew the power of serene solitude, of gazing at the stars, of feeling the ground underneath. Campers can capture those same feelings today by visiting any number of incredible campgrounds throughout Oregon. Below, you’ll find five great campgrounds perfect for families in the state.
Part of the Kampgrounds of America (KOA) network, the Redmond/Central Oregon KOA has a stellar record of customer happiness. KOA has camping down to a science. You always know that you and your family will have the best of the best at any KOA site. Consider camping in an RV, in a cabin, or in a more traditional tent: KOA can do it all. Amenities include amp, Wi-Fi, pool, bike rentals, firewood, and propane. This campground hosts regular activities throughout the summer, including a Glow Light Parade, Ice Cream Social, and Pebble Puppies. Check the website for a full list of amenities and upcoming events.
Lockaby Campground in Estacada, Oregon. offers perfect access to the Clackamas River. Set against the northern Oregon mountains, campers can experience the state’s best whitewater rafting and fishing. The cost is $21 per night and $5 a day per vehicle, with 30 single sites available. Anglers come from all over to fish for steelhead, coho salmon, and chinook in the river.
Cape Lookout State Park offers year-round camping along a sand spit near the ocean. Families will enjoy the eight miles of hiking trails against a forest backdrop and fishing, as well as the beach-side access. Two campsites are available with over 170 tent sites, along with one cabin and nine yurts. Make sure to climb the sand dune at Cape Kiwanda, and stop by the lighthouse near Cape Meares.
Catfish Junction RV Park is a privately-owned campground along Snake River. Enjoy 900 feet next to the river and “some of the best catfishing in Oregon.” The park has two boat ramps and a fish cleaning station, as well as a convenience store with bait and tackle and fishing licenses. Enjoy volleyball, basketball, and horseshoes, as well as weekend campouts, ice cream socials, scavenger hunts, and more regularly-scheduled events. Whether you’re traveling in an RV or pitching a tent, Catfish Junction RV Park is worth considering, especially for families.
The Crystal Crane Hot Springs in Burns, Oregon, brings the European and Japanese tradition of bathing in mineral springs to the United States. From their website: “Dissolved minerals in hot springs are absorbed by the skin. This kind of absorption through the skin is less harmful to the digestive tract and more beneficial than ingesting the equivalent in the form of mineral supplements,” and include calcium, sodium, magnesium, silica, potassium, and iron. When you’re finished soaking for the day, retreat to the campground and choose between dry and tent camping. The tent locations are close to the desert, and all sites are near the restroom, common areas, and camp kitchen. For a relaxing weekend of pampering and camping, Crystal Crane is the place to go.
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