Heather and I go camping a lot. We enjoy campfires, an air mattress, and semi-wilderness, so we’re car campers (we need our cast iron pans, coolers full of beer and ice, and boxes of wine, so backpacking is out of the question).
Upon our return to civilization, one or both of us usually blogs about the trip, so we have a record, of sorts, of each campground, campsite, and campfire cooked meal we experienced. We usually note the weather (e.g. rain) and bugs too. I have collected brief reviews, and our accounts below. Hopefully these records of our experiences can help you find the perfect camping spot this summer!
Henry Rierson Spruce Run Campground, Clatsop County
Spruce Run is in the Coast Range, so it can be wet, especially early in the summer. The campground does not take reservations, so get there early on Fridays. Best campsites are those along the Nehalem River.
Slugs and boxed wine: How I spent my Grand Floral Parade weekend
A Quarter Tank of $4.49 Gas: Chapter Seven
Green Canyon, Mt. Hood National Forest
We lucked out to find the last spot available at Green Canyon on our visit in 2008. Right on the Salmon River, this campground is further off of Highway 26 than most in the area.
A Weekend, A Full Tank Of Gas: Chapter Eight
Camping close to town with no reservations *again*
Panther Creek, Washington
Panther Creek is a gem on the Washington side of the Gorge, not too far past Stevenson, home of Walking Man Brewery! The campground is far off of any highway, and the sites are large. The very friendly camp ranger gave us directions to nearby Panther Creek Falls, which you must see!
Tank Full Of Gas, Chapter Nine: Panther Creek, WA
Jessie M. Honeyman State Park, Central Oregon Coast
One of my favorite campgrounds when I was kid, I was a bit disappointed with Honeyman last summer. Mostly because it’s become almost exclusively an RV campground for ATVers. Beautiful stretch of the coast though, and sand dunes!
Tank Full Of Gas, Chapter Fourteen! Camping On The Coast, Part One
Tank Full Of Gas, Chapter Fourteen! Camping On The Coast, Part 1.5
Tank Full Of Gas, Chapter 14, Part 2: The Last Post On Camping (For Now)
Camp Creek, Mt. Hood National Forest
One of our favorite campground on Mt. Hood. Best and biggest spots are Camp Creek, which drowns out the Highway 26 roar a quarter mile away. Some sites have Civilian Conservation Corps era fireplaces.
Camping close to town: Camp Creek
Dave Goes: Camp Creek Campground, Mt. Hood National Forest
Tank Full of Gas, Chapter 15: Camp Creek, OR
Tank Full Of Gas, Chapter 18: Camp Creek, OR, Again
Moss Creek, Washington
This one disappointed us a little, as only a couple sites are near the creek. Our stay featured dust, mosquitos, and shrill children.
Tank Full Of Gas, Chapter 17: Camping in Moss Creek, WA
Dave gets out of town: Moss Creek, Washington
Silver Falls State Park, Willamette Valley
We made an exploratory day trip to Silver Falls not too long ago. We’re camping there this summer for the first time. Perhaps a little too landscaped for my taste, but some amazing hikes featuring, duh, water falls!
CAN’T. WAIT. TO. CAMP! Friggin yay for camping!
great collection, thanks!
Heather #1 – Yay, only a couple more weeks until our first trip of the summer!
heather #2 – Thanks, I was hoping this would be useful!