1.
Family Camping Fun
Let the Kids Run Wild!
According to The US Fish & Wildlife’s “Let’s Go Outside” campaign, children who feel connected to nature have better physical, mental and emotional health. So what’s stopping you from getting the kids outside with nature?
1. You’re not outdoorsy?
Doesn’t matter. You can sign your kids up (age 6 to 12) for the Oregon State Park Junior Ranger Program. Most Park Ranger-led activities and crafts take place in Oregon’s state parks throughout the summer, after Memorial Day.
Please visit www.jrbeaver.org for more information.
2. You’re not close to a park or forest?
Come visit us in Oregon! We’ve got parks, beaches, campgrounds, mountains, gardens and forests coming out of our ears.
3. You have physical conditions that keep you from being active?
In Oregon, you can drive your car straight to a number of parks, campsites, viewpoints—even waterfalls. Stop by Horsetail Falls, Ecola State Park, Unity Lake Recreation Site (2 ADA accessible cabins) and more!
2.
Lake Owyhee State Park
This spring and summer, spend the night in a tepee in Eastern Oregon’s Lake Owyhee (rhymes with “Hawaii”) State Park. This vast area is best described by its high-desert vistas, stunning rock formations and by its wildlife: bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, bald eagles, lizards—even wild horses. The park has two campgrounds on the east side of the 53-mile-long lake. McCormack is slightly bigger (and the one with the tepees you can rent), with 31 electric and tent sites, showers, a boat ramp and more. Indian Creek campground has 27 electric sites, a boat ramp and supplies including fuel and ice. While you’re there, go fishing for bass, crappie, trout and perch. Or, explore the surrounding terrain on foot – there are plenty of great hiking opportunities.
Information for all Eastern Oregon Campgrounds
3.
Riverside Campground
Riverside Campground is small in scale, with just 16 tent-only sites dotting the banks of the beautiful Metolius River in Central Oregon. This is one of the area’s most famous fly fishing streams, attracting anglers from all over the world with its clear, cold and bubbling waters – and, of course, with its beautiful stands of lodgepole pines and abundant wildlife along the shores.
Carve out some time to eat at the famous Kokanee Café in Camp Sherman, which sits near the headwaters of the Metolius.
Information for all Central Oregon Campgrounds
4.
Thielsen View Campground
At the foot of Mt. Bailey on the western shore of Diamond Lake is a beautiful place to pitch at tent. Here, Thielsen View Campground (it has gorgeous views of Mt. Thielsen) offers 60 campsites, a number of great hiking trails, a boat ramp and a well-stocked lake, which makes this spot a favorite among anglers. With two other campgrounds on the east side of Diamond Lake, there’s plenty of room to go around. If you have time, Crater Lake is just 30 miles to the south.
Information for all Southern Oregon Campgrounds
5.
Wallowa Lake State Park Campground
You could bunk at Wallowa Lake all summer, enjoying the stunning views of the 9,000-foot snow-capped mountains (known as the “Oregon Alps”), the endless activities (hiking, swimming, boating, wildlife viewing, horseback riding) and vastness of this Northeast Oregon area near the town of Joseph. This is a bustling campground with 89 tent campsites, one cabin, two yurts and 121 RV sites with full utility hookups. Also, the park has showers, laundry facilities, boat moorage and an evening program area.
Information for all Eastern Oregon Campgrounds
6.
The Economics of Camping
If you’re a first-time camper, you may need to splurge a little upfront for a tent, sleeping bag, cooler and other essential supplies. But once you’ve got those in the garage, camping is a great and inexpensive way to see Oregon with rates starting at just $4 a night. You may view a list of current prices at www.oregonstateparks.org