L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park's pet-friendly campgrounds offer diverse accommodation options for visitors with dogs. Dairy Creek West and East both welcome pets at their tent, RV, and cabin sites with full hookups available. Gales Creek Campground in Tillamook State Forest also permits pets throughout its tent and RV areas, though with more limited amenities and seasonal operation from May to September. Most campsites feature picnic tables and fire rings, with shared facilities including toilets and trash disposal. The hike-in tent areas at Brooke Creek provide a more secluded experience for campers with pets, offering wheel barrows to help transport gear along the quarter-mile trail. These walk-in sites include communal fire pits that create natural gathering spots for fellow pet owners.
Dogs must remain leashed throughout most campground areas at all times. Several miles of pet-accessible trails connect to L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park, including connections to the paved Banks-Vernonia State Trail for walking dogs on maintained pathways. Campers report that the park's off-leash dog area provides a convenient space for pets to exercise freely. For those seeking more remote options with pets, Tillamook State Forest offers free dispersed camping where dogs are welcome, though these sites lack facilities and drinking water. Weather conditions can significantly impact camping experiences year-round, with many visitors encountering rain even during summer months. The proximity to Portland makes these pet-friendly campgrounds popular weekend destinations, requiring advance reservations during peak season to secure spots, particularly for the more private, shaded sites numbered below 40.
$24 - $39 / night
"Most of the time we have the dog park to ourselves 😍"
"We are from Portland and this is a short drive from home. Sites here are spacious and have picnic tables and firepits."
"Just off highway 6 (between Portland and Tillamook) is a series of lovely campgrounds in the Tillamook State Forest."
"The fees were $10 to drive in and $5 to walk in. We parked outside the gate and walked to a campground."
"Hwy. 6 is a twisting, overmodest bounty of recreational options leading to the Oregon coast, which is entirely public."
"Off busy Highway 6 on the way to Tillamook and the Oregon coast, Elk Creek Campground is a sweet getaway from a lot of busier campgrounds and destinations in this region of Oregon (i.e., an hour from Portland"
$39 / night
"When we came back from the shower my wife and I observed a dark shadow darting from the table around the back corner of the tent. Figured it was a raccoon or something."
"Lots to do with the Banks / Vernonia trail running through the camp that has over 15 miles of paved walking / biking trails."
$15 / night
"First of all, it is an easy enough drive from Portland, about an hour or so."
"Nice access to water. At night you can see headlights in the distance and hear cars all day but once traffic dies down it isn’t so bad."
"Very quiet & can hear some noise in the distance from time to time, but was pleasantly surprised by the peace & quiet I got up here."
"Gorgeous spots all over that are accessible in most 4WD/off-road capable vehicles."
$33 - $39 / night
"One of our favorite Oregon SPs. In the middle of a mountainous forest with lots of hiking, paved path & mtb biking, disc golf, horse trails and more."
"Dairy Creek is clean and well maintained, and has great access to the trails and disc golf around the park. If you're in an RV this is a good set up."
$45 / night
"The pond area is beautiful with all the statues found around it. Highly recommend and we plan to visit again :)"
$25 - $69 / night
"We liked the location and the access to the beaches, however it was very crowded. We have dogs, but walking them was a bit difficult."
"We definitely didn't try to interact with them, but they were comfortable to roam right around our site which was a really magical experience
- Nehalem Bay is such a beautiful area and the State Park"
$15 - $20 / night
"The toilets are clean and conveniently located. Overnight was 20 bucks and well worth it. There are several trails accessible with varying degrees of difficulty."
"Five miles off highway 26 and not too far from Portland. Campground split into two parts on both sides of the road. No reservations. First-come, first served. Spots for RVs and tents."
ScoutThis campground is constantly crowded. I've been through here while hiking the Gales Creek trail on occasion. I camped there after a 11.5 mile hike from Timber. There was only 1 walk in tent site available. (Others who had driven in were taking up the other walk-in sites) There is a water pump, but I highly recommend filtering/boiling the water. It smells bad. The camp site was clean at least.
LegendNice RV park, close enough to Portland to work for us. We don’t have a tow car so we relied on public transportation to get to downtown, which was great (though it is a 1 mile walk to the bus stop). There are many long-termers here, but due to their 10 or 15 year RV rule, all the RVs here were really nice and fancy. There’s a little area with a free table, a book exchange, some workout equipment, a kitchen, laundry, and showers. The laundry room had a designated pet washer and dryer, which I always love, so we washed all of our dog bedding here. Showers were really really nice, super hot, good pressure, clean, free. Staff was nice as well. Free wifi that worked pretty well. There’s a small neighborhood dog park right across the street.
GuideMost of the time we have the dog park to ourselves 😍
GuideWe stayed here for about 5 days while we tested out our new trailer prior to a longer cross country trip. We are from Portland and this is a short drive from home.
Sites here are spacious and have picnic tables and firepits. We had room for our 28 foot trailer plus 2 pickups (extra charge for extra vehicle though).
Shower facilities were ok - typical campground facilities in my opinion, but at least it was an actual toilet and hot water in the showers.
Not a ton of privacy at each site, but got some shade during each day and plenty of space to stretch out and cook/eat outside or just sit and chill.
There are miles of hiking trails that are family friendly and the dog park has one of the best views I've ever seen from a dog park.
The camp host we met was super friendly and very helpful. They sell firewood and ice every evening.
GuideAbsolutely love the cabins at this place! We live 30 minutes away so it’s the perfect quick get away. Our dog LOVES the dog park too. Amazing views
ScoutMy absolute favorite place to camp in Oregon!!!! Always clean, quite, peaceful, and just perfect!!!! The fishing is always great and when the onshore flow comes over the trees, it's nothing short of a miracle and magic.
GuideThis park has breathtaking views and a nice dog park. Most of the time I have the place to myself
GuideWe liked the location and the access to the beaches, however it was very crowded. We have dogs, but walking them was a bit difficult. There were so many pets and people it was hard to enjoy our walks.
Legend[ PROS ]
We came during offseason (November) and camped at this State Park for 3 nights. Man, it was so amazing. It was super quiet and empty so we felt like we had the entire park to ourselves.
A family of deer visited us every single morning/night during our stay. We definitely didn't try to interact with them, but they were comfortable to roam right around our site which was a really magical experience
Nehalem Bay is such a beautiful area and the State Park is nestled in lots of beautiful, lush greenery. There are lots of birds, plants, and other wildlife to observe. We loved hearing coyotes yapping in evenings from the campground.
It's very peaceful and serene here. It's right by the beach and an easy walk to the coast. We also got to visit Manzanita for a little day trip and had lunch out there. Such a cute little coastal town worth checking out.
Free hot showers and really nice restrooms. I'm starting to realize that Oregon State Parks are SOOO much superior to California State Parks. The amenities at all the Oregon campgrounds I've visited are wonderful. We definitely got spoiled by camping in Oregon that it will be hard going back home to California
Very close to stores, restaurants, and gas stations if you need to pick up supplies.
[ CONS ]
Dispersed camping options near Timber, Oregon offer a quieter alternative to established campgrounds. Located in the Coast Range at approximately 700 feet elevation, this region experiences moderate rainfall even during summer months. Free camping sites throughout Tillamook State Forest provide pet owners with off-grid alternatives where leash rules are often more relaxed than at developed campgrounds.
River swimming access: At Elk Creek Campground, campers can enjoy the confluence of Elk Creek and Wilson River. "Gorgeous, shady, Elk Creek itself winds around the campsites spooning it and provides ample swimming and fishing spots," notes reviewer Aria R. The stream is "perfect size for playing and swimming without the stress of a larger river" according to Corinna B.
Mountain biking trails: Dairy Creek East — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park offers extensive trail networks. "Wonderful access to biking (paved or dirt)," says Ryan W. The park features connections to the paved Banks-Vernonia State Trail plus numerous mountain biking single-track options throughout its 1,800 acres.
Stargazing opportunities: Higher elevation sites in Tillamook State Forest offer optimal night sky viewing. "The top of the park shows a vast section of sky which is perfect for meteor shower watching," reports Jeff H. about Hares Canyon Horse Camp. Local astronomy groups frequently host organized viewing events during meteor showers and other astronomical phenomena.
Privacy between sites: At Keenig Creek Campground, "The campsites are dispersed nicely and are clean and flat. The trails between the sites are well maintained to drag a cooler to your site," according to trena E. This walk-in campground features sites that are "cozy" with enough space that "from the site we were in (K6) we could see no other campsites and could barely hear anyone else."
Clear water features: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities. "The river was an excellent location to play in and in some spots we were able to swim," says Jessica K. about Elk Creek. Another camper mentions the "beyond perfect swimming hole" at Keenig Creek that's "plenty deep enough to jump off the rock formation next to it."
Pet-friendly environment: Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping welcomes dogs with minimal restrictions. "I setup camp at one of the spots here 3 nights in a row & had no visitors the entire time! Very quiet... I had my 3 dogs with me," reports Michael P. These free sites require no permits and have no established leash regulations.
Rain preparation essential: Weather can change quickly year-round. One camper at L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park notes, "My husband and I have stayed here twice and both times it has rained. Which is fine but we find it very humorous (and actually really enjoy camping in the rain)." Waterproof shelter and rain gear are necessary even during summer months.
Road conditions vary: Access to dispersed sites requires navigation skills. "Watch your GPS and use some dead reckoning with the topographic map. There is a little side road that gets a bit narrow and then opens into a beautiful spot," advises Seth M. Many forest roads narrow significantly and may become rutted after rainfall.
Limited services: Most campgrounds have basic amenities only. At Gales Creek, "The bathrooms are nothing fancy, and there's no showers, but the price is also right ($15)," says Corinna B. Dispersed sites have no facilities whatsoever—plan accordingly for waste disposal and water needs.
Kid-friendly water areas: Henry Rierson Spruce Run Campground offers gentle water features. "The river is a blast to float and the kids have to disconnect from all devices (no service)," notes Bekki M. Another camper mentions "There's also a smaller creek that runs through the campground that feeds into the larger, wade-able river."
Bike riding loops: Several campgrounds feature paved paths for younger riders. "Good paved loop for kids to ride bikes," reports Annie B. about L.L. Stub Stewart State Park. The connected Banks-Vernonia State Trail provides a safe, vehicle-free riding experience for families with children of all ages.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids can observe various wildlife at less developed sites. At Healing Ponds Farm Retreat, one visitor enjoyed "seeing the baby bunnies, cows, goats, chickens, and turkeys! My partner, myself, and teen had so much fun visiting them all." Wildlife sightings at Tillamook Forest sites commonly include deer, elk, and numerous bird species.
Site selection strategy: At L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park, "I really appreciated other Dyrt reviews that said the shadier, more private sites are numbered below 40. We were in 38," shares Annie B. Most RV sites are pull-through with variable levels of privacy depending on loop selection.
Full hookup availability: Gales Creek Campground offers limited RV accommodations. "Spaces are fairly small so no campers over 25ft I'm guessing," warns Patrick S. Larger rigs should prioritize reservations at L.L. Stub Stewart where "Our spot was very spacious as the length was 45 feet deep on asphalt."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. "We got 3 bars LTE on Verizon," reports MickandKarla W., while other areas have "no ATT/ Verizon service" according to Amy & Stu B. at Tillamook State Forest dispersed sites. Download offline maps before arrival for navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Timber, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Timber, OR is Dairy Creek West — L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Timber, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 183 dog-friendly camping locations near Timber, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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