Lucy's wondering what your favorite family- and toddler-friendly campgrounds are:
Does anyone have any favorite Oregon or Washington campgrounds that have particularly interesting terrain for little explorers (we have a three-year old)? We love Battleground Lake in Washington, but are looking to explore coast or mountain options. This is the first summer since having our child that we feel ready to have some outdoor overnight adventures!
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We like Champoeg, Milo McIver, Beverly Beach, and if you'd like you can log onto this site and click on Find a Park and select the things that you want (playground, swimming, etc.) http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PARKS/index.shtml
Posted by: Emily | May 01, 2006 at 09:01 AM
You may want to pick up a book called "Camping Oregon." It has listings with information about each park/campground and notes on how kid-friendly it is, and it's all organized by region.
We like Timothy Lake a lot. We've had to change where we camp since having a child since running water and bathrooms are almost a must now.
Posted by: Andy | May 01, 2006 at 09:50 AM
If you're up for a drive and a ferry trip (which kids LOVE)I highly recommend the San Juan Islands, especially Orcas Island's Moran State Park. It's big, so easier to get a reservation (though do book in advance), has a playground, lots of easy hiking (as well as advanced hiking), a lake, nice facilities and lots to do in town. We started going 9 years ago and transitioned just fine to family camping.
I also like Beverly Beach, and I heard they put up some kind of wall so it's not as noisy--it's right next to the highway. I've not camped at Timothy Lake with kids but only at the sites where you have to hike in or boat in quite a ways, and they don't have running water at those sites. I believe they have family camping sites, though.
Posted by: Kat | May 03, 2006 at 07:14 AM
Our first car camping trip with Mila was to Trillium Lake in the Mt. Hood area when she was 3 months old. We have gone back every summer since. It is very family-friendly.
It sports a level hike around the lake and the roads in the campground are paved - nice for first time bikers and strollers. The lake is safe for swimming and you are able to fish there. No motor boats are allowed on the Lake so it is quieter than other lakes in the Mt. Hood area.
We bring a kayak and enjoy floating on the water and taking in the wonderful views of Mt. Hood. Sites may be reserved in advance:http://www.reserveusa.com/jsp/commonpage.jsp?goto=/nrrs/or/tril/newindex.html
For Oregon coastal camping, we love the walk-in campground at Oswald West. Pleasant sites, great beach access, and numerous trails to enjoy. It is first come, first serve and very popular in the height of the summer. We have had good luck there in May or on summer weekdays but it is good to have a back-up plan. Website: http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_195.php
Good back-up camping for Oswald West or just good camping in the coastal area near Portland: Nehalem Falls (lovely falls), Nehalem Bay State Park (bring your kayak or canoe!), or camping at Jones Creek along the Wilson River in the Tillamook Forest (lots of blackberry picking in the area and near the just opened Tillamook Forest Center). Websites for these campgrounds:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/TSF/nehalem.shtml
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_201.php
http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/TSF/jonescreek.shtml
Enjoy!
Tony
Posted by: Tony | May 03, 2006 at 08:32 AM
You should check out the site portlandhikers.com, they highlight a 'family friendly' hike or backback every week.
Beyond that,
we've done Lost Lake on the north side of Mt Hood...like Trillium - no motor boats, but it also has canoe rentals and a camp store. Very nice for families.
We'd also recommend Camp Cushman near the Olympic Nat'l Park (have no fear it is only 2 1/2 hours from here)
We love the Oswald West campground too, but you should know it's about a mile from where you park the car to the tent sites. That doesn't bother us because we pack accordingly, but someone who needs to make a lot of trips would tire of it soon!
Posted by: Jeff Statt | August 01, 2006 at 04:05 AM
A friend just went to Indian Henry in Mt. Hood Forest (http://www.reserveusa.com/jsp/commonpage.jsp?goto=/nrrs/or/indh/newindex.html). It's a large campground (86 sites) and my friend swears it feels very serene and family-friendly. Sites near Wine Creek are great for kids that want to play by the mild water. It goes on our 'must-see' list!
We were at Ft. Stevens over the weekend and there is much to do there. There's the beach, a lake, then trails and trails for biking all around this former military fort.
Posted by: olivia | August 01, 2006 at 07:52 AM
We love Fort Stevens. I've been going there since I was a kid and Olivia is right - there's so much to do for families and it's really beautiful.
Posted by: Marlynn | August 01, 2006 at 08:43 AM
If you live in Portland then Battleground S.P. in Washington is close by, and really fun.
They have "cabins" rv sites, tent sites, and reasonably close "back-pack" sites that are far enough from the parking area to feel like backpacking, but close enough that it's not a hassle for the wee ones.
It also has nice hiking and biking trails, a no-motor-boat lake, a play structure, and picnicing facilities (i.e. a canopy.)
We had the good intentions of going once a month, it's so close...but here the summer's nearly over....
Posted by: another sara | August 01, 2006 at 09:14 AM
We just returned from camping at Oxbow Regional Park. Like Battleground SP, it is an easy drive from Portland (about 30 minutes) and is very family friendly.
Oxbow has play structures, miles of trails open to hiking and biking, a boat ramp, and beach access. However, the beach is a river not a lake. Extra caution when swimming, wading, paddling, etc. is recommended due to currrents.
An couple of unique additional features: 1) educuational kid-friendly programs in the campground ampitheater on Friday and Saturday nights, and 2) flush toilets and showers (bring quarters for the showers). More info on Oxbow can be found at this link:
http://www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?ArticleID=150
Note: No pets are allowed at Oxbow or any Metro facility.
Posted by: Milagros | August 01, 2006 at 09:56 AM
All -- I am looking for suggestions on family-friendly campsites in the nearby Gorge areas. We are hoping to find a site that doesn't require a hefty hike in, and something closeby to a gentle climb to some panaromic spots. Anyone have suggestions?
Posted by: olivia | October 02, 2006 at 10:17 PM
Olivia,
For car camping right in the Gorge, Ainsworth State Park is still open. They have some walk-in tent sites:
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_146.php
All of the forest service campgrounds right in the Gorge closed on October 1.
Most backpacking in the Gorge - such as on the Eagle Creek Trail which rocks - requires a pretty good hike in, so that might not be a great option for you.
A couple of camping options near but not right in the Gorge are Lost Lake:
http://lostlakeresort.org/
and Oxbow Regional Park:
http://www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?articleid=150
Jon Maus and I took our girls (Mila and Eleni) camping at Oxbow last weekend.
We had the place to ourselves and everyone had a fantastic time hiking and playing near the river. Wildlife sightings included deer, a heron and a bald eagle. Be sure to bring firewood with you and cold weather gear because the temp drops significantly at night.
After we left camp there, we spent the day exploring the Gorge - viewing the waterfalls and checking out the salmon and other fish at the Bonneville fish hatchery. If you make it to Bonneville, there is a very kid-friendly hike off of the same exit that I highly recommend - Wahclella Falls.
Have a great time!
Tony
Posted by: Tony at Milagros | October 03, 2006 at 04:35 AM
Last weekend, we packed up the bikes and gear and another family brought a canoe out to Ft. Stevens. We had a great time biking around and the kids love paddling on the lake. It's a fun place, and the beach on the northern tip (near South Jetty) where the Columbia River meets the ocean was so desolate and lovely. We felt like we were the only ones there.
Some great photos of the biking families here! http://bikeportland.org/photos/tags/fort%20stevens/
Posted by: olivia | July 10, 2007 at 11:21 AM
I love Timothy Lake on Mt Hood. Taking my two year old with me in July. I prefer the running water and bathrooms. There is also Silver Falls down in Salem. They have wonderful trails around several waterfalls as well. You can even rent cabins if you so desire. Timothy Lake is fun because there is a wonderful lake to play in though.
Posted by: Amelia | June 24, 2008 at 09:09 AM
I highly recommend car camping at Metzler County Park in Estacada- especially midweek during the summer! We were just there and had the place practically to ourselves. Location is great- only a 45 minute drive from Portland! We camped with our 3 year old and it was wonderful. We camped along a calm creek where he could dip his feet and play around without worry among the rocks and water. Upstream is a small swimming hole that sounds inviting on super hot days. The campsites are spacious and woodsy, many have short trails leading to the creek. We loved it here because we felt we were able to "get away", yet within walking distance is a playstructure, picnic tables, open field and a child friendly almost half mile hiking trail! Check it out!
Posted by: Grace Aguilar | June 27, 2008 at 10:47 PM
I couldn't find the best place to post this question: Does anyone recommend a 2 day backcountry (relative) backpacking experience with a 3 year old within Oregon/Washington? Any alpine areas you've been to? We've heard Goat Rocks, some places in the North Cascades, Mt. Jefferson area but would love to hear from others who have taken their under 5 year old with them. Ideally, it would be a 2-5 mile hike round trip where there would be ample opportunity to set up camp and stop along the way.
Where would you go?
What are some considerations?
What gear/toddler stuff to bring?
Thanks for any info!
Posted by: Gmom | July 10, 2008 at 07:59 AM
Has anyone ever had an issue with a ranger actually counting the number in your campsite? We want to camp with friends, but we would be 1 child over the limit of 6. Are they strict about this? Do they even care? Any insight would be appreciated.
Posted by: kathy | July 21, 2008 at 07:50 PM
The one time we were reprimanded for being over the limit was when we had too many vehicles and we audibly had too many adults. I think they c/would be flexible iwth one child over the limit. It's a different story when you exceed the car or adult count.
Posted by: olivia | July 22, 2008 at 07:37 AM
Just did a camping trip to Champoeg. It rocked! Did a quick post on the experience here:
http://milagrosboutique.com/2008/10/01/late-season-camping-trip/
The cabins and yurts are well located as are the few tent sites. As for other sites, Loop A looks a lot better because it has more mature trees. Loop B is pretty exposed and would be very hot on a sunny day.
Ciao!
Tony
Posted by: Milagros | October 01, 2008 at 02:46 PM
I would like to take my kids camping. They both have autism ages 9 and 11. I am looking for a cabin or yert I could lock to help prevent them from running off.
Posted by: Christine Turenne | May 01, 2010 at 03:02 PM
The cabins at Champoeg park are really nice and the campground has great trails for walking or scooters or riding bikes. And it's just south of Wilsonville so a short car ride from Portland.
Posted by: cc | May 01, 2010 at 07:52 PM
I have a six year old with autism and we found a cabin a couple of years ago that was perfect for our son. It is on Lake Cushman which is about a two hour drive from Portland. The cabin comes with a canoe and life jackets, there is a playground that you can canoe or walk to within 5 min. Here is the webpage, http://cushmancabin.com. In addition there is an autism camp this summer in Aug. that is for autistic families, the webpage: http://kindtree.org/retreat.html.
One last option that I know of is family camp at Camp Tamarack outside sisters Oregon. We have not gone but I know of several families with autistic children that have and have said it is great. They have canoeing, horseback riding, ect.
Hope this helps.
Posted by: Lisa | May 03, 2010 at 10:55 AM
I have stayed at Wishbone Campground for few days which is just across the bridge from Hood River and even it is inexpensive. The set up on the high point gives you a beautiful view.
Posted by: oregon boat rental | June 23, 2010 at 12:37 AM
Excellent at from an early age you educate their children to love nature. these kids also lean to respect their environment, and grow to be more independent and less spoiled
Posted by: sourceoutdoor | October 15, 2010 at 06:21 AM
Oregon State Parks has a program called Let's Go Camping for novice campers. The cost is only $20 per family for a weekend in the summer and they provide tents, sleeping bags and mattress pads if needed at no charge. Though the season is over for 2011, the 2012 schedule and registrations should open in January. You can find their link on oregonstateparks.org. Campers are in a group with volunteers available to assist and ranger-led activities fill the weekend. Camping fun.
Posted by: Jimmy Childs | August 26, 2011 at 11:47 AM