Best Tent Camping: Oregon. Becky Ohlsen
CATEGORIES
This guidebook’s author personally experienced dozens of campgrounds and campsites to select the top 50 locations in this state. Within that universe of 50 sites, the author then ranked each one in the six categories described below. As a tough grader, the author awarded few five-star ratings, but each campground in this guidebook is superlative in its own way. For example, a site may be rated only one star in one category but perhaps five stars in another category. This rating system allows you to choose your destination based on the attributes that are most important to you:
| The site is ideal in that category. | ||
| The site is exemplary in that category. | ||
| The site is very good in that category. | ||
| The site is above average in that category. | ||
| The site is acceptable in that category. |
BEAUTY
Beauty, of course, is in the eye of the beholder, but panoramic views or proximity to a lake or river earn especially high marks. A campground that blends in well with the environment scores well, as do areas with remarkable wildlife or geology. Well-kept vegetation and nicely laid-out sites also up the ratings.
PRIVACY
The number of sites in a campground, the amount of screening between them, and physical distance from one another are decisive factors for the privacy ratings. Other considerations include the presence of nearby trails or day-use areas, and proximity to a town or city that would invite regular day-use traffic and perhaps compromise privacy.
SPACIOUSNESS
The size of the tent spot, its proximity to other tent spots, and whether or not it is defined or bordered from activity areas are the key consideration. The highest ratings go to sites that allow the tent camper to comfortably spread out without overlapping neighboring sites or picnic, cooking, or parking areas.
QUIET
Criteria for this rating include several touchstones: the author’s experience at the site, the nearness of roads, the proximity of towns and cities, the probable number of RVs, the likelihood of noisy all-terrain vehicles or boats, and whether a campground host is available or willing to enforce the quiet hours. Of course, one set of noisy neighbors can deflate a five-star rating into a one-star (or no-star), so the latter criterion—campground enforcement—was particularly important in the author’s evaluation in this category.
SECURITY
How you determine a campground’s security will depend on who you view as the greater risk: other people or the wilderness. The more remote the campground, the less likely you are to run into opportunistic crime but the harder it is to get help in case of an accident or dangerous wildlife confrontation. Ratings in this category take into consideration whether there is a campground host or resident park ranger, proximity of other campers’ sites, how much day traffic the campground receives, how close the campground is to a town or city, and whether there is cell phone reception or some type of phone or emergency call button.
CLEANLINESS
A campground’s appearance often depends on who was there right before you and how your visit coincides with the maintenance schedule. In general, higher marks went to those campgrounds with hosts who cleaned up regularly. The rare case of odor-free toilets also gleaned high marks. At unhosted campgrounds, criteria included trash receptacles and evidence that sites were cleared and that signs and buildings were kept repaired. Markdowns for the campground were not given for a single visitor’s garbage left at a site, but old trash in the shrubbery and along trails, indicating infrequent cleaning, did secure low ratings.
THE CAMPGROUND LOCATOR MAP & MAP LEGEND
Use the campground locator map to pinpoint the location of each campground. Each campground’s number follows it throughout this guidebook: from that campground locator map, to the table of contents, and to the profile’s first page. A map legend that details the symbols found on the campground-layout maps appears.
CAMPGROUND-LAYOUT MAPS
Each profile contains a detailed map of campground sites, internal roads, facilities, and other key items.
CAMPGROUND ENTRANCE GPS COORDINATES
All of the profiles in this guidebook include the GPS coordinates for each site entrance. The intersection of the latitude (north) and longitude (west) coordinates orient you at the entrance. Please note that this guidebook uses the degree–decimal minute format for presenting the GPS coordinates. Example:
N44º 43.715' W124º 03.345'
To convert GPS coordinates from degrees, minutes, and seconds to the above degree–decimal minute format, the seconds are divided by 60. For more on GPS technology, visit usgs.gov.
WEATHER
Prevailing conditions year-round (with a few exceptions) in western Oregon are mild and damp: not so much rain as a healthy supply of gray clouds and mist. Areas like the Willamette Valley on the eastern flanks of the Coast Range can get quite hot and steamy, but a short drive up and over the range to the coastal areas and you’ll be reaching for the fleece as the inversion effect creates fog banks and cool breezes. Late summer and early fall are the most dependable seasons for lovely stints of dry, sunny, warm days just about anywhere in western Oregon.
In eastern Oregon, conditions are desert-like, with hot and dry summers. Severe thunderstorms can be the biggest threat to outdoor activity and, in turn, can spark wildfires and flash floods. At higher elevations on both western and eastern mountain slopes, snow is common, even in midsummer. Sudden changes in weather conditions are always a consideration, so pack accordingly.
FIRST AID KIT
A useful first aid kit may contain more items than you might think necessary. These are just the basics. Prepackaged kits in waterproof bags are available. As a preventive measure, always take along sunscreen and insect repellent. Even though quite a few items are listed here, they pack down into a small space:
• Adhesive bandages, such as Band-Aids
• Antibiotic ointment (Neosporin or the generic equivalent)
• Antiseptic or disinfectant, such as Betadine or hydrogen peroxide
• Benadryl or the generic equivalent, diphenhydramine (in case of allergic reactions)
• Butterfly-closure bandages
• Elastic bandages or joint wraps
• Emergency poncho
• Epinephrine in a prefilled syringe (for severe allergic reactions to bee stings, etc.)
• Gauze (one roll and six 4-by-4-inch pads)
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Insect repellent
• LED flashlight or headlamp
• Matches or pocket lighter
• Mirror for signaling passing aircraft
• Moleskin/Spenco 2nd Skin
• Pocketknife or multipurpose tool
• Sunscreen/lip balm
• Waterproof first aid tape
• Whistle (it’s more effective in signaling rescuers than your voice)
FLORA