Camping near Detroit Lake State Recreation Area

94% (23 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Detroit Lake State Recreation Area adventure.

Escape to the mountains, forest, and lake all in one park.

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Stay at a public campground in Detroit Lake State Recreation Area

94%

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Detroit Lake Campground

25 sites · RVs, Tents In Detroit Lake State Recreation Area

Top-rated campgrounds near Detroit Lake State Recreation Area

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Action Sports Roamer Sites

28 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents28 acres · Sandy, OR

Attention... Skiers/Snowboarders, MTB'ers, Hikers, Skaters, Adventurers, all outdoor enthusiast. Our outdoor sauna is open and ready for you to heal all your mountain soreness. The year 1989 birthed the renowned Windells Camp and High Cascade Snowboard Camps at Mt. Hood, Oregon. What resulted today is a 28-acre action sports mecca that serves as the pathway for nearly every action sports professional and these special Roamer Sites give you a sampling of that experience. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Hood and its year round lift-accessible snow, these adventure rigs sites for #vanlife, roamer trucks, and nimble RVs place you on the campus of one of the world's premiere destinations for actions sports. We also offer glamping tents. With Sandy Ridge mountain bike trails within a mile, and over 40,000 sf of skateboard park, there is something for everyone. Your Roamer Site one of 18 featuring a communal campfire and picnic tables. From 5-7pm M-F and 7-10AM Sat/Sun you'll have access to our private indoor and outdoor skateboard parks, mountain bike trails, and fitness center. Want coaching and more? We have that! (additional fee and reservation apply). Guests love it here "Great camp setup with RV sites and tent Glamping site in nice big canvas tents. I had a quick in and out one night stay and enjoy the big trees and peace and quiet. Located next to an actions sports camp, and the hills which allow for lots of hiking and relaxing"

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Mt. Hood Enchanted Forest

4 sites · Lodging, Tents17 acres · Sandy, OR

The property is 17 acres of enchanted forestland with 300ft of Sandy River frontage. Both sides of the river are part of the Enchanted Forest There are a few walking paths and plenty of room to roam. Bring your paddle board or kayak to enjoy the river (Dependent on river level/current strength) The property is located within 2 miles from the Sandy Ridge Mountain bike trails and Barlow Wayside hiking trails. It's approximately 20 minutes to Government camp, ~ 35 minutes to Timberline for skiing and biking and an additional ~ 15 minutes to Mt. Hood Meadows. Approximately 50 min to PDX airport, and 1 hour to downtown Portland.

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(1031)

Molalla Ripple

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents25 acres · Mulino, OR

Welcome to Molalla Ripple! Enjoy the sound of the Molalla River rolling over the rocks. Wake up to birds chirping and tall trees swaying in the breeze. The campsites are sixty feet apart for privacy and one path leads to the river with two private beach areas to relax. NOTE, Please use the clean bathrooms provided. DO NOT USE THE WOODS or camp site as your bathroom room. Thank you, let's keep things clean and safe for others to enjoy! Jsm Ranch started in 2004 when we moved from Oregon City. This once was a working farm with two chicken barns and a meat locker barn. All had been fallen into disrepair before taking owner ship. In 2007 we planted 200 tree's and 100 shrubs to build a new fish and wildlife habitat along Woodcock Creek. We then focused on building fence along the Molalla River to protect water quality. From there, we started raising Black Angus in 2008 after spending four years cleaning up the fields to make it safe for animals. We strive to be good stewards with our land as we continue to work with Clackamas Soil and Water to make better working lands. You're only minutes away from the town of Molalla to grab a bite, groceries or other camp items. Also have Molalla Rodeo just 3 minutes away on July 1-4th. You won't be disappointed for a great breakfast at Tammy D's (Mulino, OR), sandwiches at Humble Pig or pizza at Bear Creek Pizza & Pub.

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Lake Labish Farm

14 sites · RVs, Tents72 acres · Keizer, OR

Convenient rest area less than one mile off of I-5 near Keizer Station. Pull off the freeway, park your truck, trailer or RV and get some rest. This land is an active farming operation that has been going on, since 1850s. Make sure to catch the sunset or sunrise with an almost unobstructed view. We are located less than a two-minute drive from Keizer station for all your shopping needs including: Target, Lowes, Starbucks, In-N-Out, Chick-fil-A, McDonalds, a gas station and many more.

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(133)

Camp Colton

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents85 acres · Colton, OR

One of rural Oregon's hidden gems, Camp Colton is a retreat and event center tucked away on 85 acres of forest about an hour Southeast of Portland. Enjoy hiking our trails, walking our creeks and swimming or canoeing in our creek-fed pond. This is a truly special setting to unplug and relax. Our listings offer something for everyone, including tent camping, RV sites, a tiny house, forest yurt and a cottage that sleeps up to six! All of our listings are pet friendly and allow campfires (burn ban permitting). Amenities for each listing vary from bare-bones to full kitchen and bath, so be sure to read each description carefully and choose according to your needs. ****PLEASE NOTE: IN ADDITION TO OUR ACCOMMODATIONS, WE ARE A WEDDING AND EVENT VENUE, SO YOU MAY HEAR MUSIC AND JOYFUL VOICES ACROSS THE CREEK LATE INTO THE EVENING DURING OUR PEAK SEASON (ROUGHLY MAY 1 - OCTOBER 31). If you prefer only to stay when there is no event on our large site, please inquire before requesting to book. Our guests love staying with us! Check out these comments from past guests: "This place was absolutely amazing! We cannot wait to come back!" "The host thought of everything - every little touch and comfort to make it feel so cozy and glamping-perfect." "The fire pit and chairs outside were excellent, and the stove inside kept it so cozy and warm in there. Plenty of firewood, lighter, blankets, water & lights - we wanted for nothing!" "It felt very remote and we could hear the water all night, but it’s actually not remote and so we appreciated that the camp was gated at night." "Such a great place!! We are going to recommend it to all our friends and can’t wait to get back. Thanks to Neal for being an excellent host when we arrived!!"

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Cedar Root at Highland Butte

4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Beavercreek, OR

Cedar Root Woods is hidden just outside of Portland on 20 acres of forests, trails, spring-fed pond and a wood fired sauna. Your host Brad who lives nearby in a Timberframe home built from the trees on the land. 2 tents and two RV camping areas allow plenty of private space for you or your family.

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Ruah Ranch

4 sites · RVs, Tents120 acres · Sublimity, OR

Ruah Ranch is situated on an old donation land claim and was also the site of nomadic Native American tribes. Abundant wildlife graces our acres as well as the beautiful Thoroughbred horses we raise. You'll likely be serenaded by coyotes in the evenings and may catch sight of them during the day. Three different species of raptors frequent the skies above the ranch and beavers have established outposts along the stream. Beautiful thoroughbred horses will greet you every morning from their nearby pasture while you enjoy your coffee in the shade of the trellised Wisteria. Silver Falls State Park is a short drive away where you can enjoy hiking and biking and even guided horseback rides. The Oregon Gardens are just a bit further north on the outskirts of Silverton and many wineries dot the landscape all around. If you like horses we’ll be happy to give you a tour of the ranch and introduce you to the resident equines, many of which have horse racing royalty up close in their lineage.

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Down on the Farm

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents4 acres · Sandy, OR

Once covered in old growth fir, this family farmland has raised potatoes, raspberries, nursery stock and housed 4 generations who absolutely love living the country life. Because neighboring farmers kept the land in near original condition, my wife and I enjoy the same panoramic splendor today that Pops had in the 1960's when he built this house. Folks who visit our campsite cannot believe they are less than an hour from 2.5 million people. Get out and get away for a little campfire therapy under the stars. Refresh your mind, body and spirit with clean air, a secluded setting and the peaceful view of prime Oregon farmland stretching toward the rugged foothills of the Cascade Range. Learn more about this land: Surrounded by trees with seasonal creek this quiet private campsite offers a spectacular unobstructed Mt. Hood view. Relax in your RV and watch the sunrise over Mount Hood or enjoy a crisp clear morning walk along the creek side trail. Sleep under the stars with the sounds of crickets and the distant coyote. Wake to the site of quail, heron or hawk and the occasional deer. This is a rare find away from everybody yet close to everything! Minutes to Mount Hood Recreation Area, Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls, Barton Park, Dodge Park, Clackamas River Basin, Golf Courses, Bike and HikingTrails, Outlet Stores and Joe's Donuts.

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Grace Acres Scenic RV Camping

6 sites · RVs19 acres · Mount Angel, OR

Grace Acres Scenic RV Camping provides rentable gravel sites to campers seeking a pastoral farm setting for their enjoyable stay in the Willamette Valley. The origin of this business adventure stems from Ed’s passion for plants, animals, and all things farming, to Paula’s passion for hospitality, home decor and all things beautiful, to their entire family’s joy when sharing their lovely property with others. These qualities, as well as impeccable grounds and expansive views of the charming countryside, will no doubt attract and retain happy campers. The location is in farm country at the edge of the Cascade foothills between Mt. Angel and the Marquam area, with expansive views to the east of the Cascade Mountains all the way to the coastal mountains to the west. Magnificent sunrises and glorious sunsets, as well as the beautiful, fertile Willamette Valley countryside, will be appreciated by all Hip campers. As a result of being in farm country, you may hear irrigation guns occasionally operating during the summer. We're 30 minutes from Silver Falls and Champoeg State Park where there's scenic bikeways and trails. A few minutes from the Tulip Festival in the spring.

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Camp Cedar Creek ⛺️🌲🚐

36 sites · RVs, Tents37 acres · Sandy, OR

***PLEASE CLICK "SHOW MORE" AND READ EVERYTHING BEFORE BOOKING OR ASKING QUESTIONS.*** TLDR; WE HAVE TWO SECTIONS OF THIS CAMPGROUND: 1. For creekside campers (campsites named after mushrooms): 4WD/AWD required, pack-in-pack-out, and off-leash dog friendly 2. For vanlifers & digital nomads (spots are numbered): vans/vehicles only (2WD okay), on-leash dog friendly, with access to hilltop barn with communal kitchen, flush toilets + showers, coworking space + wifi, laundry, and gym/game area The creek section from Candy Cap to Turkey Tail and the hiking trails are accessible to all hipcampers. Creekside campers can also get access the barn with a Blue Barn pass ($15/person). You can add the Blue Barn Pass to your reservation or come check it out and add it during your stay. MORE ABOUT THE LAND: Located right off Hwy 26, directly in between the city of Portland and the peak of Mt. Hood, you'll find the most peaceful corner of the Pacific Northwest for you to pitch your tent or park your van. We are conveniently located just 6 minutes from downtown Sandy, known for its food trucks, outdoor gear shops, and the famous Joe's Donuts. Though we are right off a busy highway, we're in a valley so all you'll hear are the tranquil sounds of Cedar Creek's flowing waters and the chirping birds who live in the cedars overhead. The small clearings throughout the property provide natural privacy for our campers, while the barn provides amenities making it difficult to leave. We're so honored to share this magical place with as many people exploring the Pacific Northwest as we can. We hope your stay here will bring you a deep sense of peace, inspire creativity, give you whatever it is you're in need of at this moment in time. Take a dip in Cedar Creek, sit and read by one of the ponds, get your heart pumping on the hilly trails on the north side of the property, pick as many blackberries as you can find if in season. We can't wait to host you! NON-NEGOTIABLE RULES: PACK IN PACK OUT: We do not have trash or recycling bins down in the creekside campground so please keep your waste contained and take it with you when you leave. Please do not throw any trash in the porta-potties. 4WD/AWD REQUIRED PAST THE BARN: The steep gravel roads can be tough for some cars and rigs (particularly on the way out) and consequently, can cause a lot of damage to our roads. So for everyone's safety, we have restricted access to only vehicles with 4WD or AWD only. Please do not message us asking us to advise on the vehicle you have. If someone in your party has a 2WD vehicle, they can park up in the entry lot and get shuttled down to the campsites in a 4WD vehicle. If we see a 2WD vehicle in the campground, we will ask you to leave and if we have to dig you out, we will charge a $200 fee. Thank you for respecting our policies and helping us maintain our space. DOG FRIENDLY: We are as dog friendly as it gets here. Unleashed dogs are allowed on this property down by the creek (on-leash required in and around the barn). If you have a fear of dogs, or have dogs that are not friendly with other people or fellow dogs, this probably isn't the right campground for you. Of course, we expect all dog owners to keep an eye on their pets so they don't disturb other campers or ingest anything they're not supposed to. QUIET HOURS: 10pm-9am. We ask that guests keep the noise (loud music and loud conversations) to a minimum between 10pm and 9am. We live onsite and will enforce these if we have to (please don't make us). NO FIREARMS, FIREWORKS OR ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE USE. This is not a late night party campsite. This property is best enjoyed in the daylight and we encourage campers who want to take full advantage of the scenery, will abide by the quiet hours, and maintain a safe space for all. OTHER INFO: CELL SERVICE: There is an AT&T tower on our property so that gets the best service by far. Verizon is pretty good. T-mobile does not get reception here. There is high-speed internet up at the barn that is accessible with a Blue Barn Pass.

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Carsners Tree Farm (CTF)

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Lebanon, OR

Come and enjoy an 8 acre tree farm located near Lebanon, Oregon. We purchased this property in 2019. This is a tree farm with 800+ planted Christmas trees. We put in campsites, a cabin, a barn loft, and a fire pit. We offer these to guests when not being used by our family and friends. Wildlife includes deer, turkey, and quail & 3 active beehives. Guests are welcome to fresh eggs from the chicken coop. We are fully fenced and gated for your family and pets protection. South Santiam River is less than 1 mile for fishing, kayaking, or rafting. Foster reservoir is 30 minutes away and Green Peter Reservoir is 45 minutes away for boating, swimming, and fishing. There is a loop exercise trail that circles the property and offers 30-degree climbs. You can also play games inside or basketball outside.We thought it would be great to have family gatherings and get togethers here and think of this as our slice of heaven, and hope others enjoy it as well.

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Marmot House Old Growth Forest

15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents13 acres · Sandy, OR

Marmot House is a lush 13 acres of mostly old growth forest in the foothills of Mt. Hood, right on the Historic Oregon Trail. It is close to hiking, biking, and forested waterfalls a short drive away. We have beautiful short hikes on trails in our forest on the property. World class windsurfing 30 miles away in Hood River, as well as more amazing waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge. The Sandy River recreation area is just up the road from us and we are 10 mins. from The Sandy Ridge Trail with its 17 miles of mountain bike trails. Each campsite is tucked in the woods and has access our communal fire pit at our gathering space. Our well water tastes amazing! The is not a developed campground, it is our home. We see ourselves as stewards of this hidden forest gem and welcome people to enjoy its beauty. We are avid campers and recently spend 9 months in our teardrop trailer off grid on public lands. Living here we are family of four plus one who all work from home, Arehn a spiritual life coach, who loves to cook, Jim a software engineer and disc golfer, sons Ian, software engineer and writer and Sam, Environmental Science major and elite level Ultimate frisbee player. Tom Brown III (T3), Nature Educator and professional Photographer, lives in a separate apartment on the property.

The best camping near Detroit Lake State Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

It’s all about the views at Detroit Lake State Recreation Area. Perched on the glittering shores of Detroit Lake, the forested peaks of the Cascade Mountains stretch out all the way to the snow-capped peak of Mt. Jefferson on the horizon. Whether you’re coming to cruise the lake, fish for rainbow trout and catfish, cool off at the swimming areas, or enjoy water skiing and other water sports, the lakeside spot is the perfect camping getaway. There’s just one campground within the Recreation Area, but it has everything you might need, including full hookups, tent sites, and three mini-cabins.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve all RV sites, tent sites, and cabins at Detroit Lake State Recreation Area Campground online via the Reserve America website.
Online reservations can be made up to nine months in advance.
With 300 campsites available, there’s plenty of space, but lake-view campsites, boat moorings, and cabins can book up fast over summer and holiday weekends, so reserve as soon as possible.

When to go

Summer is the best time to camp by the lake, and April through September is peak season. However, be sure to check the water levels prior to arrival as they can be unpredictable, and the lake sometimes dries up during late summer. The campground stays open year-round, although some sites are closed during low season.

Know before you go

Detroit Lake State Recreation Area is located within the Willamette National Forest, 90 miles southeast of Portland or about a 1-hour 40-minute drive.
Day passes and/or camping reservations are required for all vehicles entering the recreation area, and booking fees also apply.
Blue-green algae, which is toxic to humans and dogs, can bloom at Detroit Lake, so follow park guidance on swimming and water sports.
You can bring your own boat or watercraft to Detroit Lake, and there are both reservable and non-reservable moorings available, as well as two boat ramps.
Facilities at Detroit Lake include a Visitor Centre with a gift shop and general store, volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, a playground, and a fishing dock. The closest dump station is in Salem, 51 miles away. Generators are not permitted.
There are accessible restrooms and campsites at Detroit Lake Recreation Area.