The best camping in Oxbow Regional Park, OR

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Tube the Sandy River, see spawning salmon, and hike an old-growth forest in Portland’s backyard.  

Camper favorites near Oxbow Regional Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Cold Springs Farm

92%
(19)
1.9mi from Oxbow Regional Park · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Corbett, OR
First thing everyone should know is that we are under the landing approach to PDX. Some planes are quiet, and some are not. My wife, our farm pals, and I are used to it but, we want you to be aware. So, our property: coming in at roughly under 30 acres, Cold Springs Farm, established in 1885 and sits nestled in its own little valley. The farm's name is inspired by spring feeds a small pond at the Northeast Corner (near the Alder Site) that has crawdads, Mallards and Blue Heron. Of course, there are also curious Raccoons and Possums about. A canyon running the north of the property in known for its wildlife population including bear, deer and elk. Wherever you camp, you may hear someone moving through the forest at night. Although we are a short 30-minutes to Portland, our private farm is free from unwanted lights and traffic (save the intermittent air traffic), when the skies are clear, starwatchers who bring their telescopes have many vantage points from which they can indulge their hobby! Our wide-open field is great for kite flying, frisbee, doggie frolics, and it's also a great place to practice your drone piloting skills. Mid-July through early October you have access to pick as many blackberries as you want and they are delicious. Cold Springs Farm is also a sanctuary. Our current residents include our Kunekune Pigs: Chris P Bacon, Wilbur, Piggit, Hamish McBiscuit and Rowdy. The resident goats include Dolly, Freddy McNubbins, Princess Daisy, Mikey, Mildred, Marvin, Daphne, Booger, Cyra-Nose, and Delilah our big, gentle goat. Rounding out the bunch are our farm dogs, Oscar Braveheart, Hoppin' Howie and Lulu-bear our rescue Pyrenees and resident sweetheart. We look forward to welcoming to our Columbia River Gorge farm and introducing you to what our beautiful area has to offer. We are just minutes from many of the gorge waterfall hikes including the historic Multnomah falls and Vista House sitting on Crown Point. One of Oregon's favorite summer concert venues, McMenamins Edgefield, is a short 10 miles. And we have economy spots specifically for Mcmenamin Concert goers. Contact us for details. Concerts, wine tasting, and hiking within a short distance of the campsite, plus goat and pig cuddles (should you want them).
Pets
Campfires
from 
$53
 / night

Crown Point Hipcamp

92%
(131)
2.8mi from Oxbow Regional Park · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Corbett, OR
Crown Point Camp is the perfect gorge base camp on the Western edge of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, a Gateway to hiking, biking, kayaking, windsurfing and many other Adventures! Our camp is right off the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway just minutes away from Portland Women's Forum and Crown Point, the Jewel of the Columbia. Our facilities include an outdoor shower, a solar-powered composting toilet, fresh water, fire pits, and plenty of flat ground surrounded by trees for excellent camping! Please read this whole message so you are not surprised when you get here! Note: The use of the sauna, hot tub, and composting toilet are only for Glamp bookings! The campsites and tipi use the port-a-potty and have the use of an on-demand outdoor shower, which is free of charge. Our home and farm is on two acres. Your tent site, is all in our ample acreage. Although pets are welcome, we expect them to be well-behaved around our two cats, our own big sweetie of a pup, Frejya, our two crazy goats Cupcake and Muffin, and our free-ranging chickens. Expect to hear some animal noises here on the farm. Our property literally borders the scenic highway. Because we are so close, you can hear the sunset-view-seeking drivers, motorcycle riders, and yes, racers who come out this way for a spin on one of the most scenic highways in the world. Traffic quiets down after dark and mornings are quite 'chill'. If you like what you are reading, please feel free to book with us and take off for your bike journey or hiking adventure from here. Wahclella Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Eagle Creek, and Multnomah Falls are among our favorites. Larch Mt, trails are always great for mushroom hunting or bird watching. Rick and Ellen are your hosts. We love welcoming fellow travelers!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$40
 / night

Airstream Near the Gorge, Edgefield

100%
(22)
2.8mi from Oxbow Regional Park · 2 sites · RVs, Lodging · Troutdale, OR
Welcome to a serene Airstream retreat designed to provide you with a peaceful and scenic escape at the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge. This location is perfect for exploring the Gorge waterfalls while being just 15 minutes from the city and PDX, and just minutes from McMenamin’s Edgefield. The airstream sits on the back half of our 3 acres in a park-like setting, surrounded by a field of Douglas Firs and fruit trees.. Everyone who steps foot on our property falls in love. Relax in the Adirondack chairs under the awning or out by the fire ball. You can explore the 3 acre park like property...jump on the trampoline; swing in tree swing, relax in the double hammock, play some corn hole, eat at the picnic table and look for fish in the small pond. ⭑Master Bedroom:⭑ ✔ Comfortable Queen Bed ⭑Living Space:⭑ ✔ Entertainment options including a TV to watch basic cable or Netflix ✔ Couch that turns into a double bed for extra guests ✔ Dedicated workspace with Wi-Fi for remote work ⭑Kitchen and Dining Area:⭑ ✔ Fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, coffee maker, and all necessary dishes and silverware ✔ Stocked with condiments and coffee (just ask for anything) ✔ Space to cook your own meals and enjoy them in comfort ⭑Bathrooms:⭑ ✔ Bathroom and Shower with soap, shampoo; conditioner ⭑Outdoor Space:⭑ ✔ 3-acre park-like setting with 150’ tall (6’ diameter) Douglas Fir trees, fruit trees, and fish pond to explore ✔ Covered awning with Adirondack chairs with stunning valley views ✔ Fire ball and BBQ grill (on request) for outdoor dining and relaxation (fire restrictions may apply) ✔ Tree Swing, Hammock, Trampoline for children, Outdoor Toys like ladder ball or corn hole (on request) ⭑Additional Amenities:⭑ ✔ Free parking on premises ✔ Self check-in for your convenience ⭑Safety and Security:⭑ ✔ Fire extinguisher and first aid kit for your peace of mind ⭑Entertainment and Connectivity:⭑ ✔ Children’s books and toys for family-friendly stays (on request) ✔ High-speed Wi-Fi for streaming and work ⭑Additional Perks:⭑ ✔ Host available for local tips, airport rides, rides to Edgefield concerts, and guided trips to nearby waterfalls
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
from 
$40
 / night

Sweet Relief

100%
(238)
6.7mi from Oxbow Regional Park · 1 site · Lodging · Damascus, OR
Close to Portland but far from the hustle.  The forested 20 acre property slopes South, making it ideal to keep our solar powered cabins and wifi fully charged.Water, outdoor shower and composting outhouse are never more than a five minute walk on our groomed trails.    In early spring you may see taps on some of the beautiful Maple trees.  .  (Why buy Maple Syrup from the store when you can spend days of hard work laboring to make your own!)Summer Brings the berries, Eat the Blueberries and Blackberries to your hearts content.  Find refuge from the summers heat by relaxing by the year round spring fed brook or maybe take a nap on a hammock.Chilly fall evenings can still warm your heart by relaxing in the the Greenhouse or near the campfire.  We are exited to share our little slice of heaven with you, and our extensive personal knowledge of Oregon's hiking and recreational opportunities.
Pets
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Toilets
from 
$175
 / night

The Back 40 (full hookups)

98%
(43)
7.9mi from Oxbow Regional Park · 1 site · RV · Gresham, OR
The RV site backs up to Southwest Community Park, 41.9 acres, an undeveloped nature park in the Southwest Gresham Neighborhood (East Portland). The Park is partially wooded and slopes east towards 19 acres of Fairview Creek Headwaters. Views include Grant and Jenne Buttes and Mt. St. Helens. The Park contains a large Western Red Cedar/Mixed Tree Grove and a Douglas Fir Grove, both of which are identified on the City’s significant tree list. The Park provides valuable wildlife and fish habitat, and will be preserved, protected and enhanced as part of the City’s conservation effort. Learn more about this land: This is a great neighborhood spot to park with full amenities just outside of Portland, while having immediate access to 40 wooded acres with walking path and .7 mi to the Springwater Trail for biking/running. 25 mins to downtown Portland; Easy day trips that are ~30 minutes drive to Waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge (Bridal Veil, Multnomah Falls) or under an hour to Mt. Hood for time in the snow!  Fenced in backyard for any of your 4-legged friends to stretch. Gas fire pit, gas grill and patio table + lounge chairs are all open for sharing. Our previous homeowner had a trailer and set up this nice pad with built in hookups. We have grandparents with a 27' RV that come visit a few weekends a year, but we would love to share this corner of the woods with others looking for an accessible home base to access Portland/Mt. Hood/Gorge +.  Note: Our driveway entry is steep, but navigable. We limit the trailer/RV length to 27' in order to avoid bottoming out. Novice trailer drivers may want to avoid.  For quick bearings if you are booking while on the road, we are located just off 26 (Powell), 5 miles from I-205 or 11 miles from I-5 via the Ross Island Bridge. If you are traveling along I-84, we are 4 miles south from the exit.
Pets
Potable water
Cooking equipment
from 
$50
 / night

Rhoda's Joy

99%
(244)
9.1mi from Oxbow Regional Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Washougal, WA
This property was once part of a 200 acre cattle ranch turned into a Christian community. The families shared meals, home-schooled their children and had a home-based church. They raised their own food in a 3 acre garden and orchard along with chickens and cows for milk, meet and eggs. Two of the original families still own some of the acres although the community was dissolved and much of the property sold to other people. Learn more about this land: We love sharing our beautiful land with those that love nature. The sunsets, the peace and the birdsong are the best.  Pets are welcome and you can walk through the forest with them on dirt pathways or keep them in your campsite. Please keep pets out of our area, as our dog is very protective and has been known to have scuffles with other animals approaching. Grassy areas are available to set up tents or have picnics. There are firepits for when the burn ban is not on (a wheelbarrow full of wood for $5). The campsites are large and spaced quite far from each other.  Please stay on gravel roadways with all motor vehicles.  There are two outhouses for tents campers. There is one non-potable water spigot by the log outhouse. There is no electricity on the property.  For your own safety and peace of mind, please keep all food in bear safe containers or locked in your cars. If you forget anything, the Washougal River Mercantile is two miles away where you can buy gas and groceries.  Local hiking trails on the Columbia Gorge:  Cape Horn Trail just 3 miles from our property and Beacon Rock/Hamilton Mountain trail is a 15 minute drive.   We can give you directions to our favorite swimming hole for cooling down on hot summer days in the Washougal river. (Discovery Pass required at the river) parking spot. Buy those at the Mercantile as well)
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$26
 / night

Pendarvis Farm

100%
(39)
10mi from Oxbow Regional Park · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Happy Valley, OR
Year round, close in to Portland, 80 private acres of field and forest, with 3+miles of trails. Nearby restaurants and urban amenities for your convenience, with all that the beautiful Pacific Northwest has to offer. In the rainy season, parking is limited to our hard surface areas: the court, our small orchard, or across the road for larger camping rigs. We can accommodate campers of all sizes. Although our drivable surfaces for vehicles are closer to the road, you will have access to enjoy our private trails and property. Hike-in camping is also available. In the dry season we allow driving up the property for a more secluded experience. Camping is leave no trace. We have view of Mt Hood. We host weddings, and we host Pickathon music festival. We book for private events, so please reach out prior to booking to ensure we can accommodate you. And, if you know someone planning a wedding, tell them about us!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$50
 / night

Mt Hood Vanlife Oasis w/ Coworking!

100%
(44)
11mi from Oxbow Regional Park · 9 sites · RVs · Sandy, OR
Whether you're a mountain or snow sports enthusiast, a digital nomad, or vanlifer exploring the best of Oregon, you won't want to miss a visit here at our Mt Hood Vanlife Oasis. We are conveniently located right off the 26 just outside of downtown Sandy, directly in between Portland and the peak of Mt Hood. Situated on a hill overlooking forested land with a creek and ponds, "The Blue Barn" at Camp Cedar Creek not only offers vanlifers a safe place to park and beautiful view, but a large communal space with all the amenities. Designed specifically for digital nomads and vehicle dwellers, the Blue Barn has a dedicated co-working space, communal kitchen, two bathrooms with showers, laundry, fire pits, games and more! Note: these sites are for vehicle campers ONLY. No tents allowed. If you have a tent setup, please take a look at our Camp Cedar Creek listing for available tent campsites.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night

Camp Cedar Creek ⛺️🌲🚐

98%
(677)
11mi from Oxbow Regional Park · 37 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night

The best camping in Oxbow Regional Park, OR guide

Overview

About

Just 35 minutes from downtown Portland, Oxbow Regional Park puts campers in an old-growth forest on the banks of the glacier-fed Sandy River for a true PNW nature experience. Here you can hike 12 miles of trails, fish or float the Sandy River, or pitch a tent under giant fir trees at the park’s campground. Chinook salmon come to spawn each fall, and in summer, Oxbow is a popular launch site for floating the Sandy River. The park also makes a great basecamp for the nearby Columbia River Gorge’s scenic drives and waterfall hikes.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • All Oxbow Regional Park campsites can be reserved 9 months in advance. No walk-in sites are available.
  • Reserve Oxbow campsites online or by calling (503) 823-2525.
  • Book well in advance for the summer season when this park fills up with tubers and families.

When to go

Oxbow Regional Park is open year-round, and summertime is by far the most popular time to visit. When temperatures get relatively warm, Portlanders flock to the park to tube the Sandy River. Spring can also be a rewarding season to camp at Oxbow, with wildflowers out and many waterfalls flowing at full strength. Fall is a peaceful time with smaller crowds, colorful leaves, and spawning salmon in the river. Rain is possible nearly year-round.

Know before you go

  • Nearby Troutdale has outdoor stores with tubing and fishing supplies, plus a variety of markets and restaurants to outfit your trip.
  • From Mid-September to Mid-November, fishing is prohibited at Oxbow so that Chinook salmon can spawn. You can view these spawning salmon from the park’s riverside trails.
  • Many Oxbow Regional Park visitors launch kayaks, rafts, or inner tubes for floats down the Sandy River to the Dabney State Recreation Area or Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site. Water levels, water strength, and water temperatures vary dramatically even by week, so check with park rangers by calling (503) 663-4708 for current conditions before entering the water.
  • To explore the greater Columbia River Gorge, pick up the Historic Columbia River Highway just south of Oxbow and travel east to highlights like the Vista House at Crown Point, Bridal Veil Falls, and Multnomah Falls.
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