Champoeg Campground Review – Group Campsites, Tent, Yurt, Cabin, RV Camping

Three group tent campsites and one group RV campsite is available.

For our family reunion, we chose the Group RV Loop, which turned out be an ideal space for us.

Group RV Site: Review and Amenities

The site accommodates up to 100 people and 20 vehicles, with lots of space for tent camping in the wide open field surrounded by trees.

While a lot of the area gets direct sun throughout the day, there are good spaces for at least 5 or 6 tents that remain shaded for a majority of the day.

We only had about 15 people camping overnight at a time but were able to welcome family living nearby who could drop by for a meal or spend the day with us.

This loop has flat, paved parking for 16-20 vehicles, with 5 electric hook-ups for RVs and motorhomes. Unlike the individual RV sites at Champoeg, there is no direct water or sewer hookup. However, it’s still a great option for a communal RV and tent camping experience.

We even had a couple electric vehicles make use of the hook ups, including an EV towing a teardrop trailer and a Tesla that arrived alongside the delivery of an Outdoorsy trailer rental with solar panels.

Some of the best benefits of this particular group site are the amenities you don’t find elsewhere in the park.

For example, the RV group site has its own enclosed, covered meeting hall with folding tables and chairs to seat 40 or 50 people. The hall has ceiling fans, electric plugs, trash cans, a cork notice board, and two sinks. 

There are picnic tables and BBQs outside the meeting hall, though there was a fire ban in late summer so we couldn’t actually use outdoor grills unless they were gas with an on/off switch.

In the same structure, across a covered hallway, are men’s and women’s bathrooms for exclusive use of the group RV campsite. The women’s bathroom has two stalls and a sink with soap provided.

We emptied the trash and recycle bin from our meeting hall once during the week and at check out. It is a short drive to the RV dump station and trash area.

Rangers came once a day to check that we had enough toilet paper and paper towels and emptied trash from the bathrooms at the end of the week. They also make sure that cars parked on site have a pass – 10 overnight passes were given to us when we arrived, included in the rental, and any additional vehicle fees can be paid at kiosks nearby.

Other amenities for the group RV site include horse shoe pits with horse shoes provided, many more picnic benches, and a volleyball court.

Since the volleyball area is closest to the main road, we found that other campers used it occasionally. People also walk around the loop driveway or go through the field to get to the bike trail since there’s just one small sign that says “Group Site – Do not disturb”, which is easy to miss.

Apart from the site not always being as private as we expected, the only other down sides were universal to this region in late July and early August: lots of yellow jackets and no fires allowed. We brought in several bee traps, which helped, but we ended up eating indoors to avoid being pestered by yellow jackets.

It was sad not to make campfires, but fire bans are becoming very common throughout the Northwest when the rain stops and risk of wildfires increase. We got creative and carefully roasted s’mores over small gas burners.

The group RV site is located between the two main camping loops for individual sites. This means it’s in close proximity to both shower areas. It’s also right next to the little amphitheater that’s used for Ranger programs, the great playground, and bike trails, so it’s a great spot for kids.

Group Tent Sites

There are other group campsites at Champoeg that are more primitive in terms of amenities and primarily for tent camping. We did see a group who brought both trailers and tents to the group tent site, but they were boondocking (without hook ups).

Each group tent site accommodates up to 25 people and six vehicles. Operating from May through October, these sites feature picnic tables, a spacious group fire pit, and even an electric outlet.

Vault toilets are located nearby, while flush toilets and showers can be found in other parts of the park.

One of the main hiking trails goes through a group tent area, so we were able to check in out. While the location just above the river is pretty cool, the area does get some foot traffic from hikers and the vault toilets were quite stinky, even from far away.

Other Camping Options in Champoeg: Tents, Yurts, Cabins, RV Hook Up Sites

We saw campers of all shapes and sizes at Champoeg. There is an A loop and B loop with campground hosts who rotate duty in case you need something or want to purchase firewood or ice.

Each loop has its own bathroom with well maintained flush toilets and hot water shower in private rooms. Not a bad shower experience for a campground, in my opinion.

At the time of this writing, prices are as follows:
Full hook-up sites – $30 – $33 per night
Standard sites (electric and water hook-ups) – $28 – $31
Tent sites – $21
Yurts – $48 – $58
Cabin – $48 – $58
Hike/Bike – $7 per person

Champoeg Tent Sites

We’ve camped as a couple with our tent here once. It was early June and though it wasn’t still raining that day, parts of the ground were still a little mush from previous rains.

The tent-only sites are in a small area off the B loop. It has its own small parking lot and then there’s a short walk to the site with a picnic bench and campfire pit at each one.

Of course, you can also tent camp at the other sites with hook ups. It just costs a little more and you could be surrounded by trailers and motorhomes.

Standard and Full Hook Up Sites for RVs

B Loop has spacious sites with some trees between them for a little bit of a privacy. Full hook up sites are available for electric, water, and sewer.

Standard sites have electricity and water. There is a dump station for black and grey water tanks, along with trash compactor and recycling, near the entrance to the campsites.

Yurts and Cabins at Champoeg

While we haven’t stayed in them yet, the yurts and cabins seem like a great way to do some glamping. You don’t have to set up a tent or tow a trailer, it’s already there for you.

There are six of each type and they’re located together in a little pod next to one of the campsite loops. Each unit can accommodate up to 5 people. Visitors bring their own bedding and must do any cooking outside. Restrooms and showers are shared with the other campers.

Yurts do close seasonally.

Things to Do at Champoeg State Park

Champoeg State Heritage Area offers an array of attractions and activities to suit every visitor’s interests:

Biking Trails

A 4-mile bicycle trail winds its way from the Riverside Day-use Area to the historic Butteville Store. You can also bike through the park and up to the Visitor Center.

For avid cyclists, try the rolling hills just outside the park for views of vineyards and hazelnut farms.

Wildlife Watching

There are diverse species of birds that call this area home as well as squirrels, deer, and even coyotes. We enjoyed many deer sightings and sometimes heard howling coyotes at night.

We came across some wildlife scat as well, which told us that – like ourselves – much of the wildlife seemed to be enjoying the plethora of blackberries across the park.

Historic Sites

The Champoeg Visitor Center, which features captivating historic exhibits and a museum store, is worth a quick tour. Outside is a heritage garden with native plants and items that early settlers grew.

You can explore the Pioneer Memorial Building Pavilion and Monument, the Manson Barn and Farmstead, and the next door Newell Pioneer Village (entrance paid separately). You’ll notice sign posts through the fields near the river that indicate where the former town’s streets used to be. A tree nearby shows the water level of the flood that wiped out the townsite.

Ranger talks are also a great way to learn about the area’s history while you’re camping. Below is an example of the official program you can take advantage of during summer months.

Butteville

The Butteville Store in historic Butteville neighbors the park and is accessible via bike path or car. In addition to homemade ice cream treats and museum-like displays, the store hosts evening dinners and live music on select days.

Frisbee Golf

Champoeg has an extensive 18-hole disc golf course among the oak trees.

Tips and Things to Know about Champoeg State Park Camping

Champoeg Park camping is popular in the summer and on weekends, so it’s important to understand Champoeg State Park reservations system for the campground.

See: Champoeg State Park Campground Map and Reservations Site

When we booked a tent site reservation, it wasn’t exactly last minute but we were able to find a week day opening in early June about a week or so in advance. Much of the park was booked up already.

To reserve the group RV site, it took some persistence.

Reservations open up online six months in advance. However, it’s not always as simple as booking exactly 6 months before the date you want.

Although I would have preferred to start our reservation on a Thursday to book a long weekend, the group RV site was so popular, I couldn’t afford to wait for a Thursday to come around. Someone else could grab that weekend if they booked their reservation starting on Wednesday (or Tuesday or Monday), since reservations come available 6 months in advance on a rolling basis.

I ended up grabbing a Sunday start and reserving an entire week. I had to be sure that someone from our party would be on site every night, otherwise we’d potentially forfeit the site according to the cancelation policies.

Also note: it’s costly to shorten reservations that are more than 5 days long, though you can cancel at least a month in advance to get a refund.

Planning Your Visit to Champoeg Campground

• Location: 7679 Champoeg Road NE, St. Paul, OR. Off Hwy. 219.
• Season: The campground is open year-round
• Reservations: Make reservations from 1 day up to 6 months in advance of your arrival date. Required for cabins and yurts, recommended for campsites. $8 online reservation fee.
• Fees: Accommodations prices range from $21 for tent sites to $58 for yurts and cabins.
• Check-in and Check-out: Check-in is at 4 PM, and check-out is at 1 PM.
• Learn more: Champoeg State Historic Area – (503) 678-1251 or stateparks.oregon.gov

Conclusion: Champoeg Campsite Review

We hope our review of Champoeg group RV site and other campground options has been helpful to you.

Oregon has many beautiful camping options, and I’d say Champoeg is a great one for entry level campers and those looking for convenience from Portland, Salem, or other parts of the Willamette Valley.

The campground is well maintained, has great things to do on site as well as nearby, and has everything you need to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.