The best camping in Willamette National Forest, OR

Spread out over around 1.6 million acres in the central Cascade Mountain Range, the Willamette National Forest is home to many of Oregon’s popular backpacking and hiking areas, and its proximity to urban hubs such as Portland, Salem, and Eugene attracts day-trippers and weekend campers in summer. It's also a popular spot for nature photography, owing to its massive expanses of old-growth forest, wildflower-strewn meadows, and seven major mountain peaks. About a fifth of the forest is designated wilderness area and can only be explored on foot or by horseback.

• Best for anglers: Breitenbush Campground offers spacious campsites and easy access to trout fishing on the Breitenbush River.  
• Best for quiet camping: Secret Campground has only six sites, making it a good option for getting away from the crowds.
• Best for water lovers: Slide Creek Campground offers easy access to a beach at Cougar Reservoir and is a quick drive from the thermal soaking pools at Terwilliger Hot Springs.

1. Campsites are released at 7am Pacific daily, six months in advance. Popular spots (notably cabins and fire lookouts) can book up almost immediately. If you're after a hot spot, make sure you are up and ready to book as soon as it's made available.
2. Choose less-accessible spots for a better chance at a campsite. First-come, first-served sites near major cities fill up faster than sites that require a longer drive.
3. Consider coming mid-week. Weekend campsites can be challenging to secure, particularly in summer, but if you can come earlier in the week to claim your spot, you’ll have better chances.

The Willamette National Forest can attribute its lush, green appearance to plenty of heavy rainfall, and while weather in late spring can be relatively warm, it’s often too rainy for some people to camp. Higher elevations also get a fair amount of snowfall, and road closures lasting from late autumn until well into spring are not uncommon. July and August are the most popular and crowded months for camping, though September is usually pretty warm and dry, too, but with fewer crowds.

• Download maps for offline use and check for road closures. While snow-related closures are rare in summer, mudslides and planned road maintenance are possible.
• Bring plenty of insect repellant, particularly if you are camping near one of the region’s many lakes or reservoirs. The mosquitos can be brutal.
• Forest fires aren’t uncommon in Oregon, and campfire bans are often seen in summer. In times of extreme danger, cooking stoves that use open flames may be banned.
• Dogs are allowed in Willamette National Forest but must be kept on at least a six-foot leash.