Paying Camping Fees

Camping in the Tillamook State Forest this summer? Don't forget to bring cash or checks to pay your camping fees. Due to our remote locations, we do not have the ability to accept credit cards for payment.

Camping Fees

Campgrounds: $20.00/drive-in sites   $15.00/walk-in sites

Designated Campsites:  $5.00 per night, per vehicle

Please use US Dollars only.

Lake Tahoe Closure Summer 2019

Access to the Lake Tahoe Recreation Site in the Tillamook State Forest will be closed starting May 28 to ensure public safety during construction and logging operations.

The area will be closed through the summer of 2019 and affects all day use and weekend activities, including fishing, boating and hiking access to Lake Tahoe as well as two campsites in the South Fork Trask River Dispersed Campsites area. The road into the Lake Tahoe Recreation Site will be closed. 

The South Fork Trask Road will be open but the public should use caution, as the road will be busy with log hauling.

Activities taking place in the area during summer 2019 include logging operations and developing a heliport. The heliport will allow use of the lake as a dip site for fire protection.

“Temporarily closing Lake Tahoe to recreational use is a necessary step to ensure public safety,” Tillamook District Forester Kate Skinner said. “We are encouraging users of the Tillamook State Forest to find alternate recreation areas this summer, and visiting the recreation page on the ODF website is a great way to find additional places to get out in the forest.”

For more information on recreation or local forest road closures, visit the Oregon Department of Forestry’s website at Oregon.gov/odf or contact the nearest ODF district office.

TSF Trip Planner: Changes in the Routine

New Public Use Rules and A Fee Increase

When you pack your bags and head out to any of Oregon's State Forests for your next adventure, you'll find a few changes to the information regarding fees and forest rules posted at your favorite forest destination.

Stay Limits

The stay limits on Oregon State Forests have changed.  Visitors can now enjoy camping within the following time allotments:

• 14 days in a 35 day period
• A maximum of 42 days in a consecutive 12 month period

This stay limit applies across the forest to the dispersed sites, designated campsites and developed campgrounds.

Fee Increase

Campsite fees have increased to include two vehicles in the base fee:

• Drive-In Campsite:  $20 per night for up to 2 vehicles
• Walk-In Tent Site:   $15 per night for up to 2 vehicles

Group campsite, designated camping area and extra vehicle fees remain the same:

• Group Campsite:   $50 per night
• Extra Vehicle Fee:  $5 per vehicle per night
• Designated Camping Area Fee:    $5 per vehicle per night

Fees are Being Charged at More Sites

Camping fees will start being charged on May 25, 2018 at the following designated camping areas:

• Morrison Eddy  $15 per night for up to 2 vehicles
• Cedar Creek:   $5 per vehicle per night
• North Fork:     $5 per vehicle per night

Occupancy Limits

Occupancy Limits for most developed campgrounds will be a maximum of 8 people, 2 tents and 2 vehicles per campsite unless otherwise posted.  Check the information boards and picnic tables in your favorite campground to see what number of people, tents and vehicles is approved for your favorite campsite.

You can check out the rest of the Oregon Department of Forestry Recreation Rules on the Secretary of State's website.

University Falls Road Upgrades Complete

University Falls Road improvements have been completed.  University Falls Road access is now open to University Falls Trailhead and Stagecoach Horse Camp.

A new fish passage culvert Was installed on University Falls Road at the water crossing just past the University Falls Trailhead as you head in to Stagecoach Horse Camp.  (Having entered the forest at milepost 33 from Highway 6.)  

As always, ODF encourages folks to scout the alternate routes to Stagecoach without a trailer before making the attempt to drive in on any route aside from the traditional entry of Beaver Dam Road to University Falls Road to the Powerline access.

Off to a Late Start - Browns Camp Trip Planner

If you are planning to visit Browns Camp (the campground) this spring, please note that while the trails in the area are open, the campground will be opening later than usual this year.  Just like the trails, the campground was hit hard by the winter weather and the snow has just melted back enough for Recreation Staff to be able to get through all of the facility to do a damage assessment and start to write the spring maintenance project plans.  

If the mild weather holds, we should be able to finish the work needed for us to swing the gate open on Friday, April 21^st.  Confirmation of the opening date will be posted on this blog by mid-April.

In the meantime, for the most up-to-date information about campgrounds, roads and trails, keep your eye on the TSF blog , on the OHV Trails Report and on the Forest Roads Report.

See you in the woods!

2016 Campground Closure Dates

Take Only Pictures, Leave Only Footprints

You wouldn't want that mess in your yard, would you?

Have you ever shown up to your favorite spot in the forest to find piles of garbage, old campfire pits and tiny bits of toilet paper snagged in the brush?  If it can ruin your visit, just think what it does to the environment you've come out to enjoy.

Even a little bit of garbage can hurt the ecosystem, injure or kill wildlife and increase the chances of natural areas being closed to public use.  One person can make a difference in everyone's forest experience. You can help by working with  the Oregon Department of Forestry to keep forests and streams clean by being good stewards of the land practicing Leave No Trace land use principles during your visit.

• Pack it in. Pack it out. Please deposit trash in the nearest garbage can or dumpster. If the trash garbage can or dumpster is full or one is not available, please take your trash home. Trash left behind in a site, even if bagged, is attractive to animals who will tear open the bags and spread the garbage around the area.

• Please use restrooms where provided. If no restroom is available bury your waste with soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. Do not deposit human waste within 100 feet of any campsite, trail or body of water.

 

• Do not camp within 25 horizontal feet of the high water mark of any river, stream, creek, lake or pond. Enjoy the rivers and streams but remember that in low water seasons, you are playing on the rocks and riverbeds that the fish depend on for habitat. Let's keep the streams clean.

Thank-you for helping to make sure that Oregon's public forests are safe and beautiful places for everyone to enjoy!

FEE INCREASES AND NEW CAMPING RULES

Fees aren't the only things changing in 2016. Oregon Department of Forestry has also updated its administrative rules. The new rules have been put in place to create a more enjoyable experience for all visitors to our campgrounds while protecting our natural resources. We look forward to seeing you in the forest!

State Forest Camping Fees Raised

Fees for camping in State Forests have been raised for the first time since the adoption of the initial Oregon Department of Forestry Recreation Rules in 1995.  While an average 50% increase may sound drastic, in reality State Forest Campgrounds remain the most economical choice for those looking to stretch their camping dollars the furthest.

When the campgrounds in the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam Forests open for the 2016 camping season the new fees will be: