It’s getting warm and sunny, and that means it’s the peak season for outdoor adventures. One simple way to explore the most scenic parts of our state: car camping. At its simplest, you can just throw a tent (or even just some warm blankets) in the back of your vehicle and be on your way.
“ It's so easy and accessible,” says Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding. “And it doesn't have to be athletic. You can use car camping as the foundation of all kinds of different experiences to have in the outdoors.”
Easy Adventures
The most hassle-free way to get outdoors is simply booking yourself a camping spot at a state park. “There's so many great ones on the coast,” says Emily. “The state park website's pretty nice. You can poke around and find something that interests you.”
Here are a couple of Emily’s picks for state parks with campsites:
Taking the Toyota to the desert in Malheur. (Norther Emily)
More Challenging Adventures
If you're feeling more ambitious, you can try dispersed camping in a national forest wilderness area. Look for old logging roads with spurs. They generally have a clearing at the end that was used for loading — which makes for a good spot for camping.
“ I feel like you kind of miss out on the more wilderness part of that experience” — at state parks, says Emily.
One recommended spot:
- Badger Creek Wilderness at Mt. Hood
One thing to get before you try exploring the back roads:
Plus, Norther Emily has many more car-camping tips.
