How much does camping cost at Roaring River?

Camping fees at Roaring River range from $19.5-$21.5/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Roaring River first-come first-served or reservation?

Roaring River accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Roaring River before I book?

Yes! Roaring River has 5 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Roaring River?

Roaring River is open Currently closed due to the 2020 Riverside Wildfire.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Roaring River?

Roaring River does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Roaring River have?

Roaring River has 12 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Roaring River?

Pets are not allowed at Roaring River. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Roaring River?

Roaring River offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Roaring River?

Popular activities at Roaring River include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Roaring River

Q: Can I have a campfire at Roaring River?

Fire policies at Roaring River: Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.03

18 reviews

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,000 ft

Price

$19.5 - $21.5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Currently closed due...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Mount Hood Recreation Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,000 ft

Price

$19.5 - $21.5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Currently closed due...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Mount Hood Recreation Official Website

Get Directions

Roaring River

$19.50 - $21.50 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $19.50 (+$2.00 holiday); TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $19.50 (+$2.00 holiday). Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

503-630-5721clm@clm-services.com

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Roaring River

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Roaring River

Nearby places

Estacada (20 miles, approximately 30 minutes driving)

Weather at Roaring River

Current alerts(3)

Click here for more information on Mt. Hood National Forest
In accordance with standard industry practices, Mount Hood Recreation will be assessing a $8 additional vehicle fee on the second vehicle in each single family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicle in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to…
Off-road vehicle use is prohibited within the campground

Best Time to Camp at Roaring River

Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, driest weather and the best river conditions for swimming, boating, and easy trail access — expect daytime highs around 70–85°F and cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Water activities (whitewater boating, fishing, and rafting) and longer daylight make July–August peak for recreation, while trails through the mossy Douglas-fir forest are at their most inviting. Note: Roaring River Campground is currently closed due to the 2020 Riverside Wildfire — check USFS/BLM or  Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: January, February, March, April

Summer(Jun-Aug)

Not recommended

Campground has been closed since the 2020 Riverside Wildfire; check Forest Service for reopening.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Currently closed due to the 2020 Riverside Wildfire.

About Roaring River

Roaring River sits along its namesake waterway in the foothills of Mt. Hood National Forest, 14 miles east of Estacada. Operated by Mount Hood Recreation, this small campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites beneath a canopy of Douglas-fir, with vault toilets, potable water, and river access for fishing and swimming. Campers enjoy the rustic setting and friendly hosts, though road noise and occasional maintenance issues appear in reviews.

Roaring River Campground offers primarily tent camping sites along with a few RV-accessible spaces, though RVs longer than 16 feet are not recommended due to the rustic nature of the facilities and gravel parking surfaces.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, driest weather and the best river conditions for swimming, boating, and easy trail access — expect daytime highs around 70–85°F and cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Water activities (whitewater boating, fishing, and rafting) and longer daylight make July–August peak for recreation, while trails through the mossy Douglas-fir forest are at their most inviting. Note: Roaring River Campground is currently closed due to the 2020 Riverside Wildfire — check USFS/BLM or  Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: January, February, March, April

Elevation1000 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a steep-walled river canyon where the Clackamas runs clear over gravel bars and pools. Douglas-fir and western hemlock create dense canopy overhead, trunks thick with moss that thrives in the Cascades' wet climate. The forest here is old enough to support spotted owls. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons hunt the river corridor, and the Clackamas itself holds salmon and steelhead runs. A popular swimming spot sits just across the road from the entrance. The terrain is uneven in places, with fallen trees reshaping some sites over time.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodges or additional accommodations are described in the campground details.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural or educational programs are not described in the source materials.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 14 nights during a visit at this campground and within rolling 30 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No specific guest limit information provided.

Groups

Group sites are not available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThe campground includes accessible vault toilets. No additional accessibility features are documented.

Site SizeThe campground is best suited for smaller setups, with RVs larger than 16 feet not recommended. Parking surfaces are gravel.

PrivacySites offer varying levels of privacy. Some are more secluded, particularly sites 3, 4, and 5, which are described as 'park and hike in' spots, providing greater seclusion.

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesReviewers recommend booking sites 3, 4, and 5 for seclusion. Site 4 is noted as particularly good for a park-and-hike experience.

Best CampsitesSites 3, 4, and 5 get the most praise in reviews. They're park-and-hike-in spots set back from the main loop, offering better seclusion and less road noise than sites closer to the highway. If you want quiet, book one of these.

Need help booking Roaring River?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Roaring River Campground is a small, rustic site with basic amenities, situated in the Cascade Range of northern Oregon. The campground offers just over a dozen single-family sites, most suited for tent camping. Drinking water is available via a hand pump, and vault toilets are accessible and reportedly clean. Sites have tables and fire rings with grills. Firewood is available for purchase on-site. Gravel parking and a lack of utility hookups make it less ideal for large RVs. "Great tasting water out of the hand pump," noted one user review.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The Roaring River Campground offers a range of outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, whitewater rafting, hiking, scenic driving, and wildlife viewing. The Clackamas River is a central feature, providing both wild water for rafting and excellent fishing conditions.

Hiking

Fishing

Wildlife viewing

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are not explicitly mentioned. User reviews note instances of leftover garbage at certain sites, indicating potential maintenance issues.

Cell CoverageCell phone reception quality is not documented within the available information.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

18 reviews

Satisfactory

Roaring River is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's picturesque location, clean facilities, and proximity to recreational opportunities. While some reviewers praise the camp host and the availability of clean vault toilets, others note issues with site maintenance, such as leftover garbage and uneven terrain caused by fallen trees.

Review Summaries

Based on 18 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 18 reviews.

Site 13Mentioned
Site 13 was not available for its intended user due to an overlap in reservations.
Site 1Issues noted
Site 1 received criticism for being dirty upon arrival.

What Campers Love

Positive feedback emphasizes clean vault toilets, a friendly camp host, and the rustic charm of the area. Reviews also commend the proximity to the river and its recreational potential, including...

Based on 18 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include uneven terrain in campsites due to fallen trees and maintenance issues like leftover garbage. Some users also mention road noise from the nearby highway.

Based on 18 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend booking secluded spots such as sites 3, 4, and 5 for a quieter experience with greater privacy. They also suggest taking advantage of the swimming spot across the road from the...

Based on 18 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews suggest that summer is the most popular season for visiting, as the river's recreational activities are in full swing. Seasonal challenges like fallen trees and maintenance issues appear to...

Based on 18 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Lil problem... A lot of the sites are wrecked by trees that have fallen." "The swimming hole by the river was cold but wonderful." "Great tasting water out of the hand pump!" "Very nice camping...

Based on 18 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is limited to vault toilets. No further accessibility features are noted, and there are no specific reviews from users with disabilities.

Based on 18 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews specifically address pet policies or experiences of campers with pets.

Based on 18 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want budget-friendly river access for fishing and swimming with basic amenities in a forested setting.

Skip if

You need quiet isolation from road noise or consistently pristine site conditions.

Nearby Campgrounds

Mt. Hood National Forest

Sunstrip is a small Forest Service campground on the Clackamas River in Mt. Hood National Forest, managed by Sunstrip Campground Management. The foothills setting offers direct river access for fishing and wildlife viewing, with primitive sites featuring vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Highway noise is audible, and sites lack privacy screening.