Top 5: Oregon State Parks for Camping

Five of our favorite Oregon state parks that make for a great place to set up camp.

Crater Lake National Park in Crater Lake, Ore.

Crater Lake is one of the most unique locales in the world, nevermind the state of Oregon. It’s the fifth oldest National Park in the United States, and is best known for encompassing Crater Lake, a remnant of a long-lost active volcano. Reaching a depth of 1,943 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. The park is home to two campgrounds: Mazama and Lost Creek. Mazama is home to 200 campsites, while little Lost Creek has 16 tent-only sites.

Cinder Hill in Bend, Ore.

This campground is located along the pristine shore of the bright blue East Lake and offers a variety of activities like biking, bird watching and canoeing. This park is perfect for anyone looking to spend a long weekend with their toes in the sand and the sun on their face.

Rogue River Gorge © Brandonherring | Dreamstime

Valley of the Rogue State Park in Rogue River, Ore.

Valley of the Rogue is one of the few parks in Oregon open year-round, home to six pet-friendly yurts and more than 85 sites. The greatest perk of this park is it’s central location. Crater Lake National Park, the Oregon Caves National Monument and numerous historic and cultural sites are all within fair distance.

Cascadia State Park in Detroit, Ore.

Head to Cascadia for a break away from the noise and bask in the quiet expanse of forest. Hiking trails lead to beautiful waterfalls and the river that runs through is good for swimming, catching crawdads and fishing.

Cove Creek in Mill City, Ore.

This secluded, lakeside campground tucked into the Willamette National Forest is the largest one sitting along the banks of Detroit Lake. While the summer months are the busiest season, this campground is best enjoyed in September. Afternoons here are well spent fishing, wakeboarding and swimming in Detroit Lake.