30 acres hosted by Bernie & Venus W.
Activities
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Paddling
Natural features
River, stream, or creek
Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
Reviews
65% Recommend20 ratings · 12 reviews
I pulled in late off the hwy last week hoping for an easy stop over. I was planning on staying in Ashland but the smoke was too thick and Roseburg and better air quality. After booking the site I never got instructions of how to access the property. Googles maps told me to park on Riverside Dr and cross through the neighbors backyard.
The only hint as where to enter was from the hosts photos that show some kind of entrance under a bridge. I found the way under the bridge. They’re was a homeless encampment there. I start driving down the road of straight river rocks annd find a torn down gate and pull up to the property.
The campground looked fairly well maintained in the dark. Sites were mowed down but a bit overgrown in some areas. Signs for sites are upside down or busted which made it a little tough to find spots. I drive around and no one is in the campground so I set up my tent at what I believe is my site. Down on the beach there is a ripped open bag of trash and a fire ring. Weird, and kinda eerie. but ok. As I’m brushing my teeth I then hear some rustling in the bushes and turn my light onto a homeless looking man and woman surprised to find me there and lo hoping down off the river bank down. That was it. I had enough. I didn’t feel safe and found another local site a little further off the road and went there. I asked for a refund and still haven’t received it. This place is not worth it. Stay somewhere else.
Bradley M.
7 reviews
Recommends
· July 2024
Tent · Group trip ·
Site 13 - Elk Island Camp Sites
Great spot. But important to note the need for a high clearance vehicle to get access to the island
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Jack R.
2 years on Hipcamp
We were unable to access the campsite, there was no indication we would need an all terrain vehicle to arrive. The “road” was also flooded with water from the creek, and we found ourselves unable to pass. Upon walking to the campsite, we met several groundskeepers who were apologetic, and said they were new and not sure how to assist us, and recommended we contact the owner, Bernie. I and my companion tried contacting him several times to no avail. We left at this point. I filed for a refund, and Bernie did not respond to the 48 hour time frame to provide the refund either. The groundskeepers had also informed us there was an “incident” that happened months prior, that left the campsite unable to provide several of the listed amenities. I had high hopes for this spot, and still want to hold out hope that it is a wonderful spot and that Bernie is as kind other reviewers have said he is, but because I’m completely in the dark in this situation I do not recommend this campsite. It should not be open to the public with the condition it is currently in.
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Jaidin J.
1 year on Hipcamp
Bernie and Venus are excellent hosts after a minor confusion they went far out of there was to insure I had a conformable stay. 100% would stay here again!
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Nic L.
1 year on Hipcamp
Lovely location! So quiet and peaceful, you forget you're near town! Convenient to access. Fun couple days camping along a lovely river. River had shallow areas and was easy and relaxing for kids (& adults) to play in. Great fishing! Definitely recommend for a memorable experience. Thank you!
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Beth P.
1 year on Hipcamp
Not recommend
· April 2023
Avoid this Hipcamp at all costs!
27 ft campervan · With kids ·
Elk Island Camp Sites
I reserved this site through Hip Camp weeks ahead of time. Upon arrival, I found access to the camp blocked by a homeless camp, locked gated, and flooded access road. I attempted to reach out for more information but heard nothing until 1a the next morning. The Host stated they just saw our reservation and that we could camp in the homeless camp area as the access road was flooded. Needless to say, this was not an option, especially since we were traveling with two young children. A refund has been requested but none has been received as of this post.
This was a very poor experience and I would not recommend using this Host or their campsite.
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Chris B.
3 reviews
My pregnant wife and I camped out on elk island for two nights and we had a blast. We came down to roseburg from Beaverton to go to the wildlife safari and wanted to camp close by! The camp site is tucked away just the perfect amount out of the city. The camp host Austin helped us out a ton and was very friendly. We read some reviews that said we would be camping with the homeless and our experience was not like that at all. We felt safe and secure our whole stay! We met Bernie who was there working and he is also a very friendly easy going guy! Thanks you guys we will be back!
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Matthew A.
2 years on Hipcamp
Not recommend
· May 2022
20 ft campervan · Group trip ·
Elk Island Camp Sites
Only camping was under a bridge with the homeless
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Joseph Y.
4 reviews
Passing through Roseburg with our teenager after a rafting trip in Shasta, we came upon this unconventional campsite and decided to give it a shot.
After carefully following the instructions we found the entrance and made our way down to what turned out to be a hidden gem! There were over a dozen sites of all sizes and types, clearly marked and adorned with brand new picnic tables. Some sites are raw land big enough for vans or trucks with trailers, others have small cleared tent sites. From our campsite by the river, we saw a mother deer and two fawns, and were greeted in the morning by Osprey and Stellar Jay’s fishing along the water.
We met Bernie who was out and about doing work to build a toddler friendly swimming site. He told us about the history of the island and his journey to reclaim it to offer it to the public.. I can’t wait to come back (bring tubes/rafts!) and see it as it continues to grow and improve.
I read in another review that the entrance was under a sketchy bridge, don’t let that deter you! While a higher clearance vehicle would be ideal, there’s a natural cobblestone road marked with signage that lead to the meadow and sites so sedan drivers can make it up the hill.
Elk Island was a great place to enjoy nature and extend our camping trip, while being immediately adjacent to stores, restaurants, and the highway when we were ready to get back on the road. I would definitely recommend it to adventurers and hearty family campers looking for a unique place to take a break. We’ll be back!
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Refaela R.
2 reviews
Bernie is amazing, super accommodating and helpful. The property is beautiful and has potential to be in even more amazing. Lots of room and quick access to I5. Would recommend installing a gate to prevent random locals from camping after Bernie has retired from the evening. Rarely have I had such a pleasant host though. The grounds are truly amazing and the hard work Bernie and Venus have put into the property is evident.
Heather B.
3 years on Hipcamp
Camping here is a truly unique experience because you're in the middle of a city yet on wilderness! It's rare to be able to see neon signs AND the milky way at the same time. The hosts are caring and accommodating of your lifestyle, and the island is big enough that there is plenty of space to spread out.
Couple things to be aware of though. First, most of the driving is on river rocks and dirt -- I would not personally want to do it in a vehicle without high clearance. Second, there are unhoused Roseburgians just off the island especially near the bridges. I didn't actually see any but I heard them, and saw bundles of clothes and possibly a tent. And third, you're on an island with basically no help and whoever else booked that night. The night we were there, there was only one other group -- but they were EXTREMELY drunk and shooting off large mortars uncomfortably close to us.
For all these reasons, I think this site would be exceptional for a group camping situation but maybe not the greatest for a solo woman. But still, amazing campsite!!!
Joyce P.
3 reviews
So sketchy. You have to weirdly drive under a bridge to a spot with no arrows or directions where to drive to. We were out of the car for 5 minutes and heard someone walking and incoherently mumbling so we hightailed it out of there. DO NOT STAY.
Ashlie E.
4 reviews
Location
Roseburg, Douglas, Oregon, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Bernie & Venus W.
Joined in May 2021
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.