Champoeg State Park: Camping, hiking, disc golf + more near Portland, OR

Less than an hour south of Portland, you can travel more than 150 years into the past. Champoeg State Park preserves Oregon pioneer history—while adding a ton of fun, modern activities. From camping and yurts to biking and disc golf, Champoeg State Park is one of our go-to sites in the Willamette Valley.

This site is important to Oregon’s history. As you’ll read below, Champoeg Park is where pioneers voted to form a provisional government in 1843.

Champoeg State Park sits on land that belongs to the Kalapuya tribe. This prairie was used for hunting, fishing and gathering other foods, such as camas flower bulbs.

Whether you’re a history buff or just want to hang out outside, you’ll love exploring Champoeg State Park in Oregon.

Champoeg State Park sits on Native land. Pioneers settled on land stewarded by, and displaced, people of the Kalapuya tribe.

Before you go any farther, though, you need an answer to a question you’re likely wondering: How do you pronounce Champoeg? It sounds like “shampoo-ee.” Easy enough!

Champoeg State Park Camping

The Champoeg campground is less than an hour’s drive south of Portland and a half-hour north of Salem, OR, which makes this site a wonderful spot for families: You won’t have to drive far to camp, and if anything goes wrong, you can get home easily.

Not that you’ll want to leave early.

The Champoeg campground has 80 campsites, including 24 full-hookup sites for RVs. The park is also home to three group sites, though double-check that current guidelines allow these. (Group campsites haven’t always been open during the pandemic.)

Campsites are divided between two loops. A Loop is open seasonally, from April through October. B Loop is open year-round. Both loops have bathrooms with running water and flushing toilets, showers and firewood for sale.

Camping at Champoeg is definitely most popular during the summer months. As you can see from the yellow-leafed oak trees, though, fall can be a wonderful time for a shoulder season visit.

Champoeg State Park Yurts

Champoeg Park includes 6 yurts, 3 of which are pet-friendly. Reservations for the yurts go quickly, so book as far in advance as you can. (Reservations usually open 6 months in advance. So if you wanted to reserve a yurt for a July stay, you could make a reservation beginning in January.)

The Champoeg State Park yurts are standard among Oregon state parks. They come equipped with a bunk bed and a futon that folds down into a bed. Yurts also include a table and 2 chairs, a porch and a locking door.

Yurts are ideal for shoulder season camping because if the weather is crummy, you can hang out (and stay dry) inside! Champoeg State Park yurts have electricity, so you’ll have lights, heat and electrical outlets to charge your devices.

Yurts here cost between $48-58 per night. One yurt (A) is ADA accessible.

Champoeg State Park Cabins

Champoeg State Park cabins seem right at home: This park in an historic site in Oregon, so log cabins fit right in.

Unlike the homes built here in the 1800s (and that were swept away by a 1861 flood), though, these cabins have heat and electric. They’re still pretty rustic—you’ll need to use the nearby restrooms and showers—but they’re very comfortable.

You’ll need to bring everything besides furniture. The cabin includes a futon, a bunk bed, a table and four chairs. Pack bedding, cooking items and anything else you’ll need.

Up to 5 people can stay in each cabin.

Cabins here cost between $43-58 nightly. All cabins are ADA accessible.

Champoeg Disc Golf

Disc golf regulars affectionately call this 18-hole disc golf course “the Poo” because of how you pronounce “Champoeg.” There’s nothing crappy about the course, though! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Hubs comes here often to play disc golf. The course is largely flat and doesn’t have too many obstacles, save the enormous oak trees that grow in the grasslands. The course is popular among serious disc golfers, casual players and families. When you play, please observe disc golf courtesy rules:

• Don’t skip around holes
• If you’re a big or slow group, allow smaller, faster groups to play through
• Pay attention to your surroundings so you don’t hit someone or get hit by a flying disc

Willamette River at Champoeg Park, Oregon

The Willamette River flows south-to-north throughout this part of the state. You can catch it in Eugene, Salem, Portland and, yes, Champoeg Park.

There is a dock in the park; however, it’s not meant to launch kayaks, SUPs or other craft. This small dock is perfect for relaxing and watching the river float by.

Remember: It is not safe to swim in the river at Champoeg Park. The current is dangerous in this part of the river.

Oregon Historical Sites

The pioneer town that once set on this land is long-gone, but you can still learn about Oregon’s early history at Champoeg State Park. The park itself is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Champoeg visitor center is a good place to start. Its exhibits include information on the settlement as well as the land’s original inhabitants, the Kalapuya tribe.

Right behind the visitor center, you can imagine what pioneer-era life was like, thanks to the Mason Barn and Farmstead. The garden grows heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables, including ones the pioneers would have relied on.

The Pioneer Memorial is nearby, along the bank of the Willamette River. This memorial records the names of the men who voted in favor of making Oregon a state. (Women weren’t allowed to vote, so they’re all men’s names.)

Finally, a very short distance from the park, you can visit the Newell Pioneer Village. The preserved and reconstructed buildings, including a log cabin, show 19th century life here. Tours are offered seasonally, March through October, for between $3 and $6. Members of the military can tour the historic buildings for free.

More Fun Things to Do At Champoeg State Park

Biking: A paved, 4-mile path crosses Champoeg State Park. It begins at the day use area and ends at the Historic Butteville Store, which is open seasonally.

Hiking: A family-friendly, 1-mile trail hugs the riverbank and takes you past the historic townsite.

Fishing: You can fish from the boat dock along the Willamette River. You’ll need a fishing license.

Historic snacks: Walk, bike or drive the several miles to the nearby Butteville Store. From what I have researched, it is the longest continually open store in Oregon! Buy ice cream, homemade pies or another treat.

Playground: Between A and B loops, find an extra-big campground kids love. It doesn’t have the traditional swings and playground equipment, but it invites kids to use their imagination in rock caves, fallen log obstacles and quiet hidey holes.

What else do you need to know?

Keep these things in mind while you visit Champoeg State Park, between Portland and Salem, OR:

• Dogs are allowed but must be kept on-leash.
• There are no swimming holes or access. The river current is swift, and banks are steep. Do not swim here.
• Drones and metal detectors are not allowed.
• Firewood and ice are available for sale.
• Visit Champoeg for day use for $5 per car per day.