5 replies to this topic

[clikrf8]

Has anyone camped near Estacada, OR on SR214? I checked a few campgrounds on USFS site and found 2: Roaring River and Lazy Bend that were not all reserved out and avoided the big RVs with 16' limit. They would be half off with our Senior National Parks Pass (about $8 or $9 a night) but maybe we could find something cheaper and more secluded rather than be right off the highway. Or, maybe we should try further north? We like photogenic places, quiet, rivers, woods, meadows, etc. Or, maybe we should just leave it to serendipity.

[UglyScout]

I've camped at or near every campground on the Clackamas River and they are totally hit or miss.

I camped at Lazy Bend in the fall. It is right on the highway - but right on the river. Almost all the 'official' campgrounds are squeezed in between the river and the road. On a weekday once the sun goes down, very few people are on the road, but on the weekends it can be kind of loud.

In the summer the sites can get pretty noisy with kids, party people, river people, boaters, beer drinkers, etc.

Before I had a wife that needed a 'real' bathroom when she goes camping I prefered to drive up the river - turn off somewhere and find an old logging landing to camp at. No people, no noise, but no services.

Here is a place I used to camp at (I think.... hard to tell from a google map):

My link

Good luck and have fun!! The Clackamas River is a great place. When I lived on the west side of Portland I was there all the time. But living on the east side now, it is almost fatser to go to the beach -- so we go to the beach

[clikrf8]

I'm a wife and don't really need a real bathroom. I like your idea and it makes better sense. While it is nice to meet other folks, we like our camping quiet and dark. It looks like we could probably find similar places along 214. Serendipity may lead us to the perfect spot. Thanks for the feedback. I knew someone would have some info.

[BSS]

A fellow I met while out wandering told me about a spot out that way called Bagby Hot Springs. Ever been there?

[UglyScout]

A fellow I met while out wandering told me about a spot out that way called Bagby Hot Springs. Ever been there?

Yes - but I haven't been up there in about 3 years. And I have never camped there - the campground is about a mile hike from the parking lot - or you can drive a few miles and camp, but no camping is allowed in the parking lot.

If you go - do it on a week day or when there is snow. Otherwise it can be packed and not very enjoyable. And be ready to see naked people, and it is never the people you want to see naked if you had your hopes up...

And lock the crap out of your stuff. Since the parking lot is a mile from the hot springs it has become a popular car break-in place. Dirty criminals are ruining everything!!!

Very rustic, can be dirty if the wrong people have been there recently, but it is pretty cool. They have 4-5 private 2+/- person tubs and 1 large 6+/- person open tub. And plenty of hot water to go around.

[home skillet]

Try checking out the recently updated Oregon map on Camping-USA:

Home Skillet