Camping near Lyons with wildlife watching
Stock up for supplies or take in waterfront views in this Santiam River City.
98% (4532 reviews)
- Lyons
98% (4532 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Lyons
Dog-friendly getaways
Star Hosts in Lyons
12 top campgrounds near Lyons with wildlife watching
98%
(875)
Molalla Ripple
11 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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from
$25
/ night
98%
(213)
The Falls at Elk Prairie
3 sites · Tents40 acres · Molalla, OR
Learn more about this land:
Centrally located in the Foothills of the Cascade Mountain Range between Portland and Salem, The Falls at Elk Prairie is a small, private, "ADULT ONLY" Campground that has newly opened in the fall of 2021. Please review the Rules to make sure they can be adhered to. Dogs are not allowed. This isolated and remote Campground will provide the quiet, peaceful and semi private camping experience you're looking for. Currently there are three camp Sites located at the base of a forty foot Waterfall flowing into a damned Pond/ swimming Hole. Each Site has it's own primitive picnic Table, seating and fire Ring. The rest Room is conveniently located nearby for Privacy. The camp Sites are accessible by a short Walk, taking only a few Minutes. Enjoy a variety of Activities all close by, such as hiking, mountain Biking, swimming, fishing and nature watching. The Molalla River Corridor, Table Rock Wilderness Area and Silver Falls State Park are all close by.
Toilets
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from
$50
/ night
97%
(351)
Historic, Quiet Organic Farm
7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents21 acres · Salem, OR
GeerCrest Farm occupies Kalapuya land, settled by the Geer family in 1847, and is still owned and stewarded by the family. The house Ralph and Mary Geer built in 1851 stands and is one of the oldest in Oregon to remain in the same family.
GeerCrest Farm and Historical Society manages the front portion of the land and has provided farm-life experiences for all ages since 2007, along with day and overnight experiences for individuals and families. Along with its history, the valley view, small creek and pond, farm animal, and diverse wildlife at GeerCrest is a truly unique experience. On the 20 acre property, we offer two tent camp sites, a tree house, as well as two woodland lodgings.
Our peaceful, small farm offers a reflective immersion in nature and history among the occasional chatter of chickens and baaas of sheep. The scenery from all corners of the farm is incredible - a favorite is the westward view of the valley pasture at sunset -- called "Homer's View" after famous political cartoonist and Geer descendant, Homer Davenport. No matter which camping site you choose, the sounds of the creek, pond frogs, or conversing owls are sure to lull you to sleep.
Please say hello to our flock of chickens, barn cats (they may say hello first) and small but mighty herd of sheep. Explore the Heritage Grove of historic trees, the Memorial apple orchard and pear glade with varieties cerca 1840s, indulge your senses in our medicinal herb garden, ponder the historic 1854 black cottonwood tree and chat with our farm family while they water the veggie gardens, if you so wish! Your experience will certainly be unique to the season.
GeerCrest Farm is truly an off-the-beaten-path gem.
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from
$35
/ night
92%
(44)
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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$15
/ night
99%
(563)
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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from
$40
/ night
98%
(384)
Grace Acres Scenic RV Camping
6 sites · RVs19 acres · Mount Angel, OR
Grace Acres Scenic RV Camping
provides rentable 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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from
$30
/ night
98%
(520)
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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from
$40
/ night
100%
(209)
Zen Acres
8 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Estacada, OR
We purchased this slice of paradise in 2003 as a place to relax, recharge, and someday build our dream home. It started as nothing more than a gravel road leading to a small clearing with an old bus and a couple decks. Our children have grown up out here learning a deep respect for nature and the real (non digital) world. Now empty nesters, we live on site. Part of our retirement planning is to spend next several years developing the lower portion of the property (approx. 15 acres) into a campground and retreat for our guests, as well as our own family, friends, and grandchildren.
The campground area (currently) consists of a handful of primitive campsites, and a group area. We are working steadily on improvements, including adding more sites, improving the roadways, and upgrading the common areas. In all we will likely have 12-15 total designated camping areas (including a group area or two, as well as a couple hike to secluded locations).
For much more details regarding our philosophy, history, and future plans please visit our website at www.zen-acres.com. There is also a lot of additional information listed on the individual campsite descriptions.
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from
$50
/ night
99%
(63)
Miranda's Farm and Recreation
4 sites · Lodging5 acres · Molalla, OR
We are thrilled to welcome guests from around the world to Miranda’s farm and Recreation. It’s just the kind of place that we want to stay if we were visiting the Portland-Molalla area! We enjoy meeting interesting, creative, and passionate people from near and far and sharing our camping ideas off the grid. You are relaxed and welcoming. Staying on our private resort farm is like staying with friends or family.
Me and my husband, Sotero, are from different continents. We met in Portland, Oregon, over 25 years ago. Being able to communicate in five languages gave us the opportunity to interact with people from various cultures, try new foods, and learn about new history and experiences. We love seeing the world, with our favorite destinations being Mexico, Dubai, and Canada. Also, we love camping and decided to create a little private camping ground and farm lodge for people who wish to camp without huge expense. We try hard to make each guest’s stay wonderfully memorable.
Owner will be close by to answer any questions but gives you a space and privacy. Please text your time off arrival, make sure we open gates.
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$125
/ night
98%
(994)
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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$47
/ night
100%
(148)
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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$40
/ night
97%
(437)
Camp Cedar Creek
25 sites · RVs, Tents37 acres · Sandy, OR
***PLEASE CLICK "SHOW MORE" AND READ EVERYTHING BEFORE BOOKING OR ASKING QUESTIONS. TLDR -- we are an AWD/4WD required, pack out what you pack in (no trash service), dog friendly (unleashed dogs are allowed) property***
Hi! We're Lauren and Jeremy (and Juno).
We met through a van life community, and fell in love on the road, camping at different national parks and Hipcamp sites from Jeremy's RAV4 (our first month dating was spent traveling up and down the west coast). We are now the proud new owners of Camp Cedar Creek, an incredible 37-acre property that was built from the hands of the owner before us over the last 40 years. We're so honored to carry on his vision of this magical place, and share it 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 stroll down Cedar Creek, sit and read by one of the seven 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!
Learn more about this 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 7 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, 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, and the 37 acres sprinkled with trails and ponds offer exploration and a sense of wonder we hope you'll enjoy. Please note: we have a vanlife community that utilizes the barn up on the hill (check out kift.com if you're a nomad or vanlifer looking for an awesome community on the road) and we also live up on the hill in the house next to the barn.
NON-NEGOTIABLE RULES:
PACK OUT WHAT YOU PACK IN, aka leave no trace - our most important campsite policy. We have no garbage cans or trash services. The trash you create will be your responsibility to take with you when you leave. And please don't place it at our neighbors house (yes, this has happened). If you leave your trash for us to clean up, we will charge a $100 cleaning fee.
4WD REQUIRED. Due to the traffic we've experienced recently, the steep gravel roads can be tough for some cars and rigs (particularly on the way out) so for everyone's safety, we are restricting access to only vehicles equipped to handle the terrain. We're sorry for the inconvenience. If you've been here before and know you can get by with your car, feel free to book again, but please do not message us asking us to advise on the vehicle you have. If we have to dig you out, we will charge a $200 fee.
DOG FRIENDLY. We are as dog friendly as it gets here. Unleashed dogs are allowed on this property. 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 campsite for you. Of course, we expect all dog owners to keep an eye on their pets so they don't disturb other campers.
NO FIREARMS, FIREWORKS OR ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE USE. This is not a late night party campsite. This property is best in the daylight and we encourage campers who want to take full advantage and will abide by the quiet hours.
QUIET HOURS: 11pm-8am. While our individual sites are quite private we ask that you still keep the noise to a minimum between 11pm and 8am. We live onsite and will enforce these if we have to (please don't make us).
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.
BATHROOMS. We have one porta-potty onsite during the summer season (late May through September). It's serviced every week.
Pets
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from
$45
/ night
Under $50
Available this weekend
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Camping near Lyons with wildlife watching guide
Overview
Just across the river from the North Santiam State Recreation Area, Lyons is a good spot for picking up supplies before heading east along the Santiam Highway or north up to the Silverton area. Here you'll find supermarkets, a hardware store, an auto parts supplier, and even a few small restaurants. While most people just stop here en route to more woodsy terrain, the town itself offers a few spots to get close to nature as well, including the John Neal Memorial Park on the Santiam River, the pond-facing Lyons City Park, and nearby Shellburg Falls.
Where to go
Along the Santiam River
Lyons offers easy access to outdoor recreation and camping along the Santiam River, which attracts anglers with its variety of salmon and trout species. Popular spots in the area include the North Santiam Recreation Area, Buell-Miller County Park, and the Santiam State Forest.
Detroit Lake and Around
The Santiam River spills out into the Detroit Reservoir, a massive lake that’s popular with water-sports enthusiasts and campers alike. The area around the reservoir is full of campsites and trails, most within the Mount Hood National Forest, and is home to the Breitenbush Hot Springs retreat center.
The Silverton Area
The area just north of Lyons, near the small city of Silverton, is full of places to explore, including the Oregon Gardens and Silver Falls State Park, known for its dense collection of waterfalls. The Bavarian-inspired town of Mount Angel is also nearby; come in mid-September to experience its annual Oktoberfest celebrations
When to go
Lyons is in the Willamette Valley, which has a relatively mild climate, with hot and somewhat dry summers and cool (but not cold temperatures) and plenty of rainfall the rest of the year. Summers here get busy, owing largely to the area’s close proximity to the densely populated Interstate-5 corridor, but things start to get quieter after Labor Day, when kids go back to school, particularly on weekdays.
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