Looking for Oregon NFS Campground. . .Or???

[Cudedog]

Hello Ladies!

I am trying to find National Forest Campgrounds in the state of Oregon. I am getting very frustrated, and hopefully someone here can help with a suggestion or two.

I have spent about an hour-and-a-half trying to find Oregon campgrounds, with very little luck. On the NFS website, there is a list of campgrounds. . . but not a map (at least one that I can find) showing where these campgrounds are. Not helpful. Also, I am able to log into my Reserve America account if I use the link from previous reservation confirmations. . . but I can't log into my account directly from campgrounds I click on. The site suggests that I click to change my password - but when I do this, Reserve America says I don't have an account. Anyone else have this problem?

I have had lots of problems with the ReserveAmerica site in the past, and it seems these problems are still ongoing. Frustrating.

Anyway, I know that some of you ladies on here - Cougarfan? - do a lot of camping in Oregon in general, and southern Oregon in particular. Here is the deal: I am tentatively planning a trip to Oregon in the near future, I will be traveling north on 97 (central Oregon) then cutting over to the Portland area at about Mt. Hood. Destination: Mt. St. Helen's.

My needs are pretty basic. I have a DIY camper van, and would like to find places I can dry camp overnight (without hookups - if the weather is not too hot) or places with 20 amp and above (so I can run my ac). Showers would also be nice.

I will be traveling on the "Poverty Plan" so I am trying to keep my costs low.

Suggestions from any and all appreciated.

Thank you.

Anne

[JudyJB]

Have you tried Recreation.gov? Reserve America mostly lists state parks. It will list a few federal facilities but will send you to the recreation site, even though you may not know that is happening. Recreation.gov is the place where most federal facilities are listed.

However, the big problem is that these are not listed if you cannot make reservations there. Check out how RVSUe finds boondocking sites. There are forest service books she uses, but almost never any water or showers there. Take a few extra gallon milk jugs and let them sit in the sun, then pour them over yourself for a woodsy shower!

I just did a "Central Oregon" search on Recreation.gov and found tons of places without hookups that did allow reservations. Cost was $15 per night or less, but more with hookups. You will need to open an account, but it is very much like ReserveAmerica. Also, you might want to just start a new account with Reserve America--new name and new password.

By the way, I will be in Eugene and La Pine, Oregon, the last few days of July.

[bikerchic777]

I haven't been to OR, yet, but it is on my list. I love boondocking, also. I have a couple of different friends, boondocking in OR, now. They are both parking in snow parks. For National Forest maps,
you can contact an OR Ranger Station. That is where I got my maps for the district here, and also where I was, recently in WY. I just saw, yesterday, that they had the one for here at the info booth, here in Keystone. Possibly even the Chamber of Commerce, where you're going, will have them. Anyway, all of the Forest Service and logging roads are on those, as well as actual NF campgrounds. If you want to stay for free, the maps show where open dispersed camping is allowed. No fires are allowed. Wish I could join you! Have fun!

[WickedLady]

http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/pacficnw/mth.htm

[BirdbyBird]

The national forest service parks show up on Allstays or at least they used to....

[Liz]

Organized by state on this web page, but I usually find them on Allstays.
http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/list/nflist.htm

[Liz]

Last year I stayed in several, Indian Ford in the Sisters/Bend area is one I remember.

[Cougarfan]

Hello Ladies!

Anyway, I know that some of you ladies on here - Cougarfan? - do a lot of camping in Oregon in general, and southern Oregon in particular.

Hi Anne,
I'm more of a resort type of camper so I'm not familiar with the NFS campgrounds here in Oregon. It looks like several ladies have chimed in with some good information for you.

Laura

[Cudedog]

Thanks to all who posted.

I think I am leaning towards Allstays, with a few questions. Is the yearly "membership fee" ($32.00) worth it? In looking at Allstays website, it lists campgrounds - but doesn't list the camping fee for the campground. If I buy the Allstays app, will the app then list campground fees, or do I still need to find a campground on Allstays, and then go to the website of that specific campground to find out how much camping there costs?

Also, if I pay the membership fee, can I get the app on both my computer, or just on my phone? And if I change phones, do I need to buy the app (the "membership") again?

Are there any other campground apps that people can recommend?

This is being a lot more difficult than I thought.

I had Passport America for a couple of years, thinking I would be doing a lot camping. I didn't. When I finally took a trip, and stayed at my very first Passport America campground, I had a dreadful - and scary - experience. I am hesitant to go back to PA because of this, but I guess crappy stuff can happen anywhere.

Should I give PA another chance, or just go with Allstays?

Thanks.

Anne

[Cudedog]

Judy, please check your PM's.

Thanks.

Anne

[Liz]

I think the Allstays ap is about $10. I do not pay a membership fee. I use the ap on my iPad or iPhone. You can also go to their website. You set it up for which types of places you want displayed. Mine is set for NF, NP, COE, BLM, county and state parks, private parks, Walmarts, casinos, places that have LP, low clearances, etc. There is no annual fee unless you choose the membership option.

[grammynmaggie]

I just use my passport America last week when Margie and I went to Manatee Hammock County Park here in Florida... I pretty much paid for we stayed 3 nights for half price... I think I'm going to try and make it to Walkabout Campground in Georgia my first night out when I leave Florida and it is a Passport America so it will have already paid for itself and I just haven't even hardly been out yet...

[WickedLady]

I use PA all the time. No problems anywhere I have stayed.