If you want to sign up for a solid camping adventure, consider the Government Island State Recreation Area’s campground. It’s a state park in Portland with lots of features such as camping, picnicking, fishing, and many more.

What’s great about this campground is that it’s open for 24 hours, so you can schedule a trip any time of the year, whichever suits you. Just take note that getting there takes a boat ride and a little bit of patience as it can definitely take a while. 

Actually, there are no designated campsites in the area, so it really is a kind of just-pitch-a-tent-on-the-shoreline camping. Plus, it’s a first come, first served place, so you better get ready for the crowd (although, crowds come by season).

Speaking of the camping area on the island, amenities there include pit toilets and picnic tables (with barbecue grills), which is something that can come in handy. However, aside from those, there are no other amenities, so pack and plan accordingly.

Obviously, the views on the island are fascinating since there are a lot of natural areas: Jewett Lake, Lemon Island, McGuire Island, etc. Unfortunately, some of the poor feedback the camping ground received refers to inconsistent access to firewood.

On a much brighter side, there are really plenty of activities to do in the park (boating, fishing, wildlife watching, etc.). And, camping there is totally free, however, a special use permit is required if you are going to hold special events and activities in the area.

The campground located at Jantzen Beach RV Park in the heart of Multnomah County is another place for you (and your friends) to camp. This isn’t the usual camping with tents, here, camping means renting RVs.

First things first, the rate of rent is not that pricey, at least in our opinion. You can actually save more money if you stay for a longer time than daily, since the monthly rate is $550 and the weekly rate is $300, compared to the daily rate of $55 (you do the math).

Aside from the attractions, you’re surely in for plenty of amenities. While camping, you can have fun in their basketball court, gaming room, playgrounds, clubhouse, heated pool, and fitness center – plus the place is pet-friendly!

Now, what really won our favor is the fact that they’re nestled alongside the stunning Columbia River, hence the many attractions and natural activities to do. There are mountain views in the distance, and you can also go kayaking, fishing, or take a riverboat cruise along the river.

The only downside to this place (based on the reviews) is the minor inconsistencies in the customer service they received. Other than that, the place could definitely satisfy your dream of an adventure camp if you’re more on the adventurous side.

Plus, we’ve heard that this RV park has on-site security, so there’s nothing much to worry about your safety (please still practice safety habits though!). And the campground itself is just 15 minutes from the heart of bike-friendly downtown Portland.

Because of the green spaces that surround it, Mt. Tabor Park is yet another great place to go camping. More specifically, this park has a program that is open for nature day camp for children (5 to 12 years old), perfect if you want your kids to experience such an adventure.

Before we get to the said program, adults can obviously enjoy a free day camp in this park. Thanks to the picnic site in the area that is available for reservation, you can camp for a day as you enjoy touring Mt. Tabor Park.

Now, what’s good about them is their yearly nature day camp for kids (every June, July, and August). However, this isn’t free at all and is in fact quite costly, with $182 being the cheapest price for a three-day week camp.

On top of this activity, the park also hosts special events (seasonally), like their annual fall Mt. Tabor Work Party. So, aside from the summit, reservoirs, and trails to see/hike, your day camping could also be much more productive.

Well, not everything is perfect here, for example, the parking policy, which causes inconvenience to others. The park is closed to motor vehicles all day Wednesday, and from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM all other days. 

On a positive note, the park has an off-leash play area for dogs, but we’ve heard of some minor incidents regarding dogs being leashed in areas they’re not supposed to (red flag, indeed). Also, take note that pets are not allowed within Mt. Tabor Amphitheater on days of concerts.

Finally, if you get tired of day camping in this park, there are actually many campgrounds available near it where you can camp for the night. But, we recommend you don’t leave Mt. Tabor Park without having experienced hiking the trail up the mountain!

Although Trillium Lake is over an hour’s drive from Portland, it’s worth the extra mileage if you go there for their campground. The place has breathtaking views of Mt. Hood from every vantage point, making it perfect for sightseeing.

First things first, the campground offers dozens of single and double sites for tent and RV camping, each equipped with a table and a campfire ring with a grill. However, and this really sucks, there are no power or water hookups at each site.

The good thing is, this campground has a lot of access to other things, making them slightly redeemable with the lack of water and electricity. This includes vault toilets and drinking water, a picnic shelter, a reservable parking area, and an amphitheater. 

On top of it all, there are plenty of recreational activities to do, such as boating, swimming, fishing, etc. Well, it’s a lake campground, so you’ll definitely enjoy a couple of water activities, although you can also go hiking, biking, and visiting historical sites.

There’s just this tiny hiccup – reviews mostly state that this campground is usually super crowded. However, if you like large crowds of people when trying to enjoy nature, then you might want to check it out after all.

Another downside is that everything you do here comes with a price, but it’s not that costly, so it’s quite alright for our standards. There’s actually a 50% discount for single-site camping with any of these passes: interagency senior, interagency access, golden age, or golden access.

Just southwest of Portland and along the Willamette River is yet another campground we suggest. It’s in the Champoeg State Heritage Area, which we know you’ll love since it is a rare combination of history, nature, and recreation.

The campground primarily caters to RVs, though a few tent sites and yurts are available, so it’s really convenient to choose whatever you want. Besides tent and RV sites, you can also find the usual thing in a camping area here which are the picnic sites.

When it comes to attractions, they can surely deliver with the green spaces that surround the area. Plus, which holds a precious thing for us, visitors can learn more about the region and its history through the Champoeg Visitor Center and the Pioneer Memorial Building.

On another positive side, reservations for full hook-up sites here are kind of affordable, ranging from $30 to $33 per night. But if that’s actually not cheap enough for you, you can reserve a tent site for only $19 a night.

As for their pet policy, dogs are very much welcome at Champoeg. However, you must make sure they’re on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times, except while in the off-leash dog park, of course.

All things considered, this place could really be your dream camping spot with numerous amenities, affordable accommodation, and great attractions. It’s just that you have to be ready for unexpected circumstances, like, for example, a group of homeless RVers.