How to Make Oregon Camping Reservations

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An overview of Crater Lake which is a great place to camp in Oregon once you get reservations.

Looking to enjoy views of the coast, a dense forest, or a mountain lake? If so, you might want to consider snagging a campsite in Oregon. Today we will help you learn all you need to know about making Oregon camping reservations. Let’s dive in!

Mt Hood in Oregon glows in the sunset colors with the Columbia River and forest land below.

Where Is the Best Camping in Oregon? 

The vast difference in terrains makes camping in Oregon incredibly special. This unique state offers multiple camping settings to accommodate an array of campers. You’ll find campsites in forests, national parks, state parks, and even oceanside.

If you prefer camping in the forest, you’re in luck! Oregon has 11 different national forests that allow camping. Some of these national forests even have cabins for rent.

Oregon is also home to Crater Lake National Park. This national park has two established campgrounds with a combined 230 sites. You can camp at many of the sites with a tent or an RV. However, due to the weather conditions, the campgrounds only open during the summer months.

With such an incredible national park, you may forget that Oregon has 256 state parks, 53 of which offer camping. Whether you want to rent a cabin or yurt or use a tent or RV, you can find an Oregon State Park to meet your needs.

Camping along the Oregon coast provides some incredible views. If you find a spot to camp along the 362-mile coastline, you’ll fall asleep to the sounds of crashing waves. We can’t think of a better way to drift to sleep after a day of hiking and adventuring.

Camping on the Oregon Coast

The 53 state parks that allow camping differ from private campgrounds. Many of the parks in Oregon close during the winter months or resort to first-come, first-serve booking. Oregon state parks have also experienced a massive increase in guests in recent years.

To capitalize on the explosive growth, Oregon raised the price of camping to non-residents by up to 30%. Tent sites formerly $19 are now $23, and RV sites once $33 are now $42.

While many enjoy camping in Oregon’s state parks, you have many other options. You can find an incredible amount of private campgrounds listed on RV Trip Wizard. These sites will often face fewer seasonal closures and vary in price. In addition, these independently owned campgrounds will have separate reservation systems and policies from those within the state parks.

Using Reserve America Oregon for Oregon State Park Camping Reservations

Many states use Reserve America for campsite reservations. You can use this website to find and secure an Oregon State Park camping reservation. Even if you don’t know where you’d like to stay, the website can assist you with finding a campsite within the state parks.

This intuitive system makes reserving a campsite a breeze. By inputting the dates, length of stay, and what type of site you’re looking for, you’ll quickly see all the state parks with availability matching your criteria. If you can’t find an opening, it will provide alternatives for you to consider.

A great camping spot beneath a mountain in Central Oregon and near a river for fishing.

Making Oregon Camping Reservations for Private Campgrounds

Reserve America only searches state parks, not private campgrounds. You’ll have to call or visit the individual website for reservation information at private campgrounds.

You can search for sites using a resource like RV Trip Wizard or Allstays. However, you may not enjoy the painstaking process of visiting each campground website to check availability. Some campgrounds don’t have an online presence and will require you to call in to check for reservations.

If you are a Thousand Trails member then the Oregon coast is a great place to use your membership. There are 4 resorts spaced down the entire coast.

It’s clear to see that using Reserve America for camping in Oregon makes booking a site easier. You can search and book a site for your next adventure in a matter of minutes.

How to Make Oregon Camping Reservations for State Forest Camping

Oregon has plenty of places to camp, including state forests. If you want to camp here, you’ll need to make your reservation using Recreation.gov. This site is another powerful resource to help you select the perfect spot for your next adventure. The system works similarly to Reserve America for the state parks.

You can quickly and easily search for campgrounds. The site will only show results that have availability and meet your requested criteria. This resource can assist you whether you want a campground based on price or cell phone coverage.

The Oregon Coast rumbles with beautiful waves crashing against the rocky cliffs and trees down to the coast line.

How Far Out Should You Make Oregon Camping Reservations?

During the summer of 2020, Oregon State Parks experienced enormous growth in camping. Unfortunately, this growth made reserving campsites wildly unpredictable and inconsistent.

We suggest that you make your reservations as quickly as possible if you want to camp in Oregon anytime soon. You can delay if you have flexible dates, but you won’t want to wait if you plan to camp on a holiday weekend.

Because the camping season is so short in Oregon, you’ll find that many campgrounds fill up fast, especially on the weekends. However, if you want a specific campground or campsite, don’t wait any longer! The less flexibility you have, the earlier you’ll want to book.

Camping in Oregon’s incredible landscapes allows you to experience all the beauty this state offers. If you’ve never visited or made an Oregon camping reservation, what’s left to consider? What’s your favorite place to camp in Oregon?

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2 comments
  1. I suggest making reservations before you come to Oregon, especially if you want/need hookups. I looked for a site on the coast mid-week & could only find 2-3 dry camping sites. Commercial campgrounds along the coast tend to run $50 & up. It is a beautiful state with beaches & mountains or high desert all within a few hours drive.

  2. As a native Oregonian who has RV’d for over 40+ years lets keep our little gems to the few who will not trash or abuse the land or trespass . We not only have the Coast but East of the Cascades is entirely different climate & terrain. Off season at the Coast is the best time to avoid crowds and getting spots isn’t that difficult. Fall is wonderful.

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