Oregon is known for its forests and wilderness areas with seemingly endless camping options, but there is also some great urban camping in Oregon. Whether you’re looking for amazing food, world-class museums, excellent hiking, or some top-notch shopping, you’re sure to find it in Oregon’s cities.
Not sure where to find Oregon urban camping opportunities? Look no further. Below, we’ve listed the top spots.
Urban RV Parks in Oregon
Columbia River RV Park
Columbia River RV Park is located in northeast Portland, right on the Columbia River, and is only about 6.5 miles from downtown Portland. Full services are available along with Wi-Fi, cable TV, and laundry facilities. To top it all off, the park is pet-friendly and has an off-leash area.
Things to do nearby include:
Jantzen Beach RV Resort
If you want fun things to do without having to drive around, check out Jantzen Beach RV Resort. It’s located eight miles north of Portland on Hayden Island on the Columbia River.
In addition to hookups and free Wi-Fi and cable, the resort offers a basketball court, clubhouse, fitness center, heated pool, playground, and game room with a pool table. It has pull-through sites up to 60 feet long. This is a great location for fishing, kayaking, or catching a river cruise.
If you do choose to leave the campground, you can check out some of the following attractions:
Portland Fairview RV Park
Just eight miles east of downtown Portland, you’ll find Portland Fairview RV Park. This premier park offers landscaped grounds, tall evergreens, and a small brook. A pet-friendly park, it also has a swimming pool, clubhouse, fitness center, and Wi-Fi.
To make a good thing even better, this park is recognized as an ARVC Plan-It Green Friendly Park.
Wondering what else to see and do in the Portland area? Consider the following:
Premier RV Resort, Salem or Eugene
The Salem Premier RV Resort sits conveniently close to Salem’s downtown, making sight seeing a cinch. The list of amenities provided at this resort is long, including a pool and spa, basketball and pickleball courts, ladder ball and horseshoe pits, a golf ball hitting cage, walking trails, a banquet hall, two off-leash dog parks, and a community gas log fire pit. They also have free Wi-Fi and satellite TV as well as a free book and DVD lending library.
Things to do in Salem include:
- Gilbert House Children’s Museum
- Deepwood Museum and Gardens
- Salem’s Riverfront Carousel
- Willamette Heritage Center
- Oregon State Capitol
- Enchanted Forest
There is also a Premier RV Resort in Eugene that is smaller but that still has many upscale amenities.
Things to do in Eugene include:
Armitage Park Campground
Armitage Park Campground is about five miles north of the University of Oregon in Eugene and is located on the scenic McKenzie River. The park covers 57 acres and features the Crilly Nature Trail, a 2-acre off-leash dog park, walking paths, a volleyball court, a horseshoe pit, and a boat ramp. It’s a perfect location if you’re attending an Oregon Ducks football game, checking out the Coburg Antique Festival, or want to ride on the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway that covers over 100 miles.
Other attractions in Eugene include:
- Cascades Raptor Center
- 5th Street Public Market
- Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
- Eugene Science Center
Where to Urban Camp in Oregon
- Portland is easily the best place for Oregon urban camping. Not only will you have access to all kinds of activities in the city, but you’ll also be a short drive away from the beautiful Columbia River Gorge for hiking and other outdoor adventures.
- The city of Salem is just a bit south of Portland and is also a great home base for exploring the area.
- Eugene is another excellent pick. You’re sure to find all kinds of wonderful things to see and do in this lovely city.
- Other cities that present perfect opportunities for Oregon urban camping include Oregon City, Bend, and Medford.
Ease of Urban RV Camping in Oregon
A huge selling point for RVing in Oregon is that, outside of Portland, there’s very little traffic. You might experience slight slowdowns during busy parts of day in Salem or Eugene, but it’s rare for traffic to be stopped. That said, Portland does see a huge amount of traffic, so be prepared for that when driving through the city, especially during rush hour.
Oregon’s weather is unpredictable, and in many places, you can expect to experience all four seasons in a single day. Dressing in layers is key, and in the western half of the state, rain gear is usually a good idea.
Eastern Oregon is sparsely populated. While that’s great for driving, gas, food, and other amenities are few and far between. Be sure to stock up before heading to central or eastern Oregon.
Lastly, we should mention that much of Oregon is mountainous. This means you should expect some steep grades and winding roads. If you aren’t prepared to drive your rig through these types of places, make sure to practice a bit before your big adventure.
With an RV rental, your urban vacation will be a little more comfortable! After you’ve spent a long day exploring the city, you can relax around the fire at your campsite. Then, retire inside to enjoy all the comforts of home onboard your RV. Plan your perfect urban getaway with an RV rental from RVshare.
