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.

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Whistler’s Bend is a county-operated park 20 minutes east of Roseburg, OR. The North Umpqua River makes a horseshoe bend here, encircling the park on three sides.

My kids confirm Whistler’s Bend is an outdoor playground—for all ages. Floating the river, playing the five-star rated disc golf course, or simply relaxing in the quiet campgrounds: You can’t go wrong camping here.

Don’t believe me? Read on for all the campground details, things to do and nearby attractions. I’m certain you won’t be disappointed.

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Camping near Roseburg, Oregon

Roseburg is an hour south of my hometown, Eugene, Oregon, and three hours south of Portland. One thing I love about camping near Roseburg, Oregon is that it’s so much less crowded than other more populous areas of the state.

Case in point: If you go camping near Portland or along the Oregon Coast, you’ll need to work hard to snag a camping spot early. Plus, many campgrounds are busy once you get there.

Not so with Whistler’s Bend.

This campground near Roseburg is off the beaten track. As I said, it’s not a well known camping destination. (It’s most popular with locals and disc golfers, but that’s about it!) So if you’re looking for a laid-back place to go camping near Roseburg, OR, this is it.

Whistler’s Bend Campground

Whistler’s Bend is by far the best of the campgrounds near Roseburg, Oregon. Why?

• Campsites are large. We comfortably fit six tents plus a canopy between two adjacent sites.
• Facilities are clean and up to date. Flushing toilets and hot showers for the win!
• Whistler’s Bend is out of the way. You won’t get a ton of people passing through. Most of the folks in the park are camping there, so there isn’t much day use traffic.
• The campground is fairly remote. A 20-minute drive from I-5, you won’t hear much, if any, traffic noise.
• The natural setting is unbeatable. If you’re into floating rivers, spotting bald eagles dive for fish or watching breathtaking moonrises, Whistler’s Bend campground is for you.

The park also has several group sites.

Fees for campsites start at $25 a night. Checkin is at 2:30 pm. Make reservations for Whistler’s Bend campground here.

When you book your site, you can choose between two sections of the Whistler’s Bend campground. This is important: Book a site in the Lower Loop. This section of the campground is riverside, and the sites are much, much more private.

The Lower Loop of Whistler’s Bend campground includes:

• 26 non-hookup sites
• Flush toilets and restrooms with hot showers
• Vault toilets
• 2 rustic yurts
• Easy access to the North Umpqua River

This area of the campground is partially shaded by enormous oak trees. The shade is so welcome during the hot summer! It’s not unusual for temperatures to reach the 90s here, with occasional jumps into the 100s. You’ll appreciate the trees!

What’s more, this area of the Whistler’s Bend campground is alongside the North Umpqua River. The shore is a few minutes’ walk away, and you can hear the river rushing at night. A boat ramp at the far end of the loop has a wonderful sand beach and a calm swimming hole that’s great for families.

If you’re looking for full hookups, though, choose the Upper Loop.

The wide open loop means you can see clear across the campground, including every tent and RV in between, but it’s your best bet for hookups. The Upper Loop includes:

• 13 full hookup sites
• 16 non-hookup sites
• 1 rustic yurt (this one overlooks the river from atop the cliff—beautiful!)
• Flush toilets and restrooms with hot showers
• Access to the day use area

Campsites include a picnic table and fire ring. Like most, if not all, Oregon campgrounds, pay attention to burn bans. Whistler’s Bend is located in an area that is prone to wildfire, so you may not be able to light campfires, especially in late summer.

Whistler’s Bend Day Use Area

You don’t have to camp at Whistler’s Bend to enjoy this gem. You can also take advantage of the day use area.

Use requires a $4 fee.

The day use area includes many shaded picnic tables, vault toilets (no flushing facilities), a playground, a developed boat ramp and river access.

If you’re doing the long float on the North Umpqua (more on that below!), you’ll jump in the water here. Always remember to wear your life jacket/PFD. Even strong swimmers can drown here.

Campers can take advantage of the Whistler’s Bend day use area, too. If you’re camping in the Lower Loop, drive to the parking lot of the day use area. From there you can walk down to the river.

The riverbank in the day use area is rocky, so step carefully. The rocks get very slippery in the water! You’ll find plenty of room to spread out—no feeling crowded among oodles of people. Calm spots make for great swimming holes. Keep an eye out for crawdads and tadpoles!

Things to Do at Whistler’s Bend

One of the things I most love about Whistler’s Bend: You can spend all your time chilling out—or all your time doing the many, many things to do!

Go disc golfing! Float the river! Fish! Swim! Or just lounge!

No matter how you spend your time at this phenomenal campground, it’ll be time well spent.

Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf

The Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf Course winds through open meadows and oak forest. The hilly 27-hole course isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll get a solid workout going up and down all the elevation. On top of that, the whole course length is nearly 10,000 feet.

Beginners won’t have an easy time at the Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf Course. Even Hubs, who disc golfs nearly every day in the summer, is worn out after a round.

If you do play, enjoy Hole 17, Whistler’s top of the world hole. You’ll throw from a tee pad at the tippy top of a hill. Watch your disc sail farther thank you think is possible!

Bring twice as much water as you think you’ll need when playing Whistler’s Bend Disc Golf Course. The course gets hot, and you’ll be hiking all that elevation while carrying your bag. Secondly, make sure you’ve applied a good layer of poison oak protection. Poison oak loves the climate here, and you’ll pass many bushes. This is what we use and it’s remarkable how well it works:

When you’re done disc golfing, hop in the river. The cool water will feel amazing after you’ve finished the round!

Float the North Umpqua River

If Edie had her way, she’d float the North Umpqua River 20 times every day we camped at Whistler’s Bend.

As it was, we floated “only” three times a day.

I don’t blame her for wanting moremoremore of a good thing, though! Floating down the river is one of the best parts of camping at Whistler’s Bend.

The water isn’t nearly as frigid as many other fast-moving rivers in Oregon. It’s wonderfully refreshing on a hot day.

You have two options for floats: A short one and a longer one.

Short float

For the short float, hike a bit upriver from the boat ramp at the Lower Loop (not the Day Use). You’ll walk over big rocks, so wear sturdy water shoes. (These are the water shoes/aqua socks we buy and love. They come in a ton of styles.) Then hop in the river wherever you like.

You’ll float until you reach the campgrounds in the Lower Loop. Keep an eye out for a giant boulder on river right; that’s the sign you should start swimming left, toward the campgrounds. The rocks are slippery so be careful getting out.

The short float takes about 10 minutes.

Long float

For the long float, walk or drive to the Day Use area. You can jump in the river at the boat ramp, but we like to walk upriver a bit to jump in where the current is swifter.

With the long route, you’ll go through several rapids. These aren’t scary but take you over bouncy waves.

You can take out at the Lower Loop boat ramp, where a swimming hole offers a calm spot to get out easily. You can also continue to float, getting out at the campgrounds.

The long float takes about 25 minutes.

Safety note: Wear a life jacket. Please. Even strong swimmers can have an accident.

You can go on this stretch of the North Umpqua River on a floatie, like a tube or an inflatable kayak. You can also float directly in the water while wearing a life jacket.

More Things to Do Near Whistler’s Bend

You can easily spend all day, every day of your camping trip hanging out at Whistler’s Bend. But if you want to explore the area near the park, there’s plenty for you to do.

Check out these fun things to do near Roseburg, Oregon.

Visit Wildlife Safari

The Whistler’s Bend Campground is a mere half-hour drive from Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. You and your kids will never forget this unique and family-friendly attraction!

At Wildlife Safari, you drive through an enormous park full of animals roaming around you. Wildebeest, giraffes, rhinos and so many more are free to wander, relax in the shade—or walk right up to your car!

In one section of Wildlife Safari, you can even feed animals from the open window of your car. My kids are still talking about this amazing memory!

My full review of Wildlife Safari gives you all the details you need to enjoy this destination near Roseburg, OR.

Toketee Falls and Hot Springs

An hour east of Whistler’s Bend Campground, you’ll find Toketee Falls. This waterfall hike is only a mile long, and the payoff is impressive.

Water cascades over a basalt cliff into a churning pool. The 113-foot-waterfall is one of the most iconic falls in Oregon and well worth the short trip.

The family-friendly hike is well trafficked. Stay on the trail to prevent erosion.

In 2022, follow the nearby trail to Umpqua Hot Springs. (The trail is currently closed because of wildfire damage and concerns over COVID.) Tiered pools, full of naturally hot water, slope down the hillside overlooking the North Umpqua River.

The Umpqua Hot Springs are unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. Know, though, that some people use the hot springs naked, and drug use is not unheard of.

Our Favorite Campground near Roseburg, Oregon

If you’re camping near Roseburg, Oregon, I absolutely recommend Whistler’s Bend campground. It’s close enough to Roseburg to conveniently drive into town for food or ice but far enough off the beaten path that you’ll feel fully immersed in nature.

Not to mention immersed in the North Umpqua River.

So if you’re looking to beat the bustle of everyday life in a gorgeous Oregon campground, Whistler’s Bend is the place. I’ll see you there.

The post Wonderful Whistler’s Bend: Camping near Roseburg, Oregon and Wildlife Safari appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

For good reason! The campground is small but sites are enormous. The Trillium Lake hike, which loops around the lake, is beautiful and easy for kids. The lake is perfect for swimming, stand up paddle boarding, fishing and, if we’re being honest, standing in while drinking a cold beverage.

And have I mentioned the views of Mt. Hood?

Less than 2 hours from Portland, Oregon, you’ll find Trillium Lake. But you’d never know you were near the state’s largest city. Trillium Lake on Mt. Hood is a peaceful, idyllic retreat for camping, hiking, paddling—or simply relaxing and admiring the mountain.

If you haven’t yet visited this Mt. Hood lake, you’re about to add it to your list of outdoors things to do near Portland, OR. And if you’ve just used the Trillium Lake day use area, you’ll want to book a reservation to camp here.

In this post, I’ll cover all the details about enjoying this gorgeous spot, including:

• The Trillium Lake Campground
• The Trillium Lake hike and trail
• Swimming, paddle boarding and fishing
• Trillium Lake Day Use area
• Photographing Mt. Hood
• All the other details, including parking, fees and weather

We’re already planning our next day trip and camping trip at Trillium Lake, Oregon. Can’t wait to see you there!

Trillium Lake Camping

We love camping on Mt. Hood, especially in the middle of summer. The mountain is always cooler, making it a great spot to escape the heat in Portland.

The Trillium Lake Campground is no exception.

This campground is quite small—only 57 sites—so it’s quiet and laid back.

On the glamping – rustic spectrum, Trillium Lake camping is right about in the middle. Campsites are beautifully maintained and roads are paved. On the other hand, there are no flush toilets or showers.

I was actually blown away by our campsite (57). The paved area was big enough to park two cars comfortably. Two leveled, cleared spots made great places to pitch our tent. (Maxine and Edie chose the one we ended up using.)

The best part: An enormous wooded area behind our site was like a playground for my kids! They climbed stumps, scrambled over logs, built fairy houses and explored with flashlights at night.

Pro tip: Bring bug spray and a citronella candle. Mosquitoes will bug you in the summer.

When you pack for your Trillium Lake camping trip, don’t forget the bikes. My kiddos rode their bikes for hours!

From the Trillium Lake campground, you have easy access to the boat ramp, hiking trail and swimming areas.

Trillium Lake Camping at a glance

I always recommend to campers that they find out the essential information before heading to, or even making a reservation at, a new campground.

Here’s what you need to know about Trillium Lake camping.

• Number of sites: 57
• Cost per night: $23 for a single site
• Full hookups for RVs: Not available
• Water: Available, from spigots throughout the campground
• Toilets: Vault toilets
• Shower facilities: Not available
• Trash: Dumpsters available throughout the campground
• Ice for sale on site: No
• Cell phone service: Most areas of Trillium Lake have cell phone service
• Campground amenities: Picnic table, paved parking area, fire ring*
  *Note that the campground may institute a burn ban during wildfire season
• Overflow parking: One car is included in the cost of reserving a campsite. You can keep additional vehicles for $8 per car, per night. Overflow parking is next to the campground boat ramp.

Sometimes people ask me what the best campsites are. I don’t have a favorite for Trillium Lake camping, but I can share more information to help you decide for yourself.

The campsites along the lake are, of course, closer to the water. This is great because you don’t have to carry your paddle board back and forth or pack a huge cooler for a day in the sun. That said, these campsites are also directly next to the Trillium Lake Trail. That means you’ll have less privacy as people hike by your tent.

The campsites on the outer loops are a bit farther from the water. I had no trouble carrying my paddle board from our site (57) to the boat ramp. These campsites also have more woods surrounding them, making for great places for kids to play and adventure.

Trillium Lake Hike

If you ask me, the Trillium Lake hike is one of the most family-friendly hikes on Mt. Hood.

The 2-mile-long Trillium Lake Trail loops around the lake. The trail has essentially zero elevation gain.

Part of the Trillium Lake Trail is packed dirt. It’s well maintained, but you’ll still need to watch for roots so you don’t trip. Other parts are made up of boardwalks.

Note: One section of the trail is in disrepair. The boardwalk at the north tip of the Trillium Lake hike has been damaged, leaving some loose boards. Careful hikers can easily walk this section. Small children should hold hands with a grownup or be carried so they don’t accidentally step through a busted board.

There is no one Trillium Lake trailhead. You can start the hike from any point along the trail. We began our hike at the camping boat dock and hiked counter-clockwise. Honestly, you can do whatever you like! I let my kids choose which way we went.

Mt. Hood wildflowers

In late spring and summer, watch for wildflowers. An abundance of wildflowers bloom on Mt. Hood, adding pops of color all along the Trillium Lake hike. My kids and I have been learning the names of wildflowers, and we spotted some new-to-us ones here!

Keep an eye out for:

• Columbia lily
• Common beargrass
• Western cordilleran bunchberry
• Red baneberry
• Seep monkeyflower
• Wandering daisy
• Cow parsnip

We use the Picture This app to identify flowers and save them so we can remember the names later on.

Water fun at this Mt. Hood lake

When you go to a lake, it makes sense that you want to play in the lake! There are so many things to do in Trillium Lake, especially on a warm summer day.

Can you swim in Trillium Lake?

Yes! Trillium Lake is actually warmer than most lakes on Mt. Hood. I’m proof. I’m generally a giant wuss about swimming in cold water, but even I swam here while camping at Trillium Lake!

The lake’s warmer-than-average temperature is partly because of the shallow water. Trillium Lake is only about 20 feet at its deepest.

My kids were thrilled that the bottom of the lake is mostly sand and not muck. It’s quite comfortable to swim and walk in the lake.

In fact, you can walk yards and yards out, as the slope is incredibly gradual. We love swimming in Trillium Lake!

Trillium Lake paddle boarding

Brief side story: As you might know from following me on Instagram, I learned this year that I had a fracture in my foot. It was a long, drawn-out saga of walking cast and eventually a “peg leg” and back to a walking cast before my foot finally healed (ish).

Our Trillium Lake camping trip was the first time my healed foot and I could finally go paddle boarding!

We pumped up my Body Glove paddle board and walked it from our campsite to the campground boat ramp. Soon enough, I was paddling around Trillium Lake.

As you can see, I had several passengers, too! My kids and a friends’ littles took turns hitching a ride on my paddle board.

Paddle boarding at Trillium Lake is an excellent choice for beginners as well as people who are experienced. The water is calmest first-thing in the morning, as an afternoon breeze picks up in the PM.

Honestly, with these views of Mt. Hood, you can’t go wrong with Trillium Lake paddle boarding.

If you don’t own your own SUP, you can rent one (or other watercraft). Rentals are available on the south side of the lake, within the Trillium Lake day use area. Rental rates:

Fishing at this Mt. Hood lake

Trillium Lake is stocked with rainbow trout, making this a great spot for fishing on Mt. Hood.

Many folks set up in the Trillium Lake day use areas to fish. The best spots for fishing are the wooden platform and the rocky dam area, on the south side of the lake. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong when you fish while gazing at Mt. Hood.

Trillium Lake was created by damming Mud Creek. (Not nearly as pretty a name as Trillium, right?!) Now you can drop a fishing line while relaxing by the rocks. This area of the lake drops deeper, faster than other areas. If you use this part of the Trillium Lake day use area, leave your car in the parking lot here (instead of the parking lot in the main day use area).

Other folks prefer to fish from the middle of the lake itself. You can do like the many osprey do, venturing farther from the shore, where the water is cooler and deeper.

Fish from a canoe, kayak, mini-catamaran or any other non-motorized craft.

The lake is stocked in the spring—typically May—as well as periodically throughout the summer.

Trillium Lake Day Use

Yes, we love to camp at Trillium Lake. That’s not the only way to enjoy this Mt. Hood spot, though! In fact, for years we visited the Trillium Lake day use area and never stayed overnight.

If you park in the main day use area, you’ll be mere feet from the boat ramp and wooden platform. Both of these are available to people staying for the day. (The boat ramp next to the campground is for campers only.)

You’ll also find picnic tables in the shade of trees, ideal for taking a break from the sun.

This is how most people use the Trillium Lake day use area: Find an unclaimed spot along the lake, set up camping chairs, haul over your cooler and hang out for the day. From your spot, you can swim, paddle board or kayak.

Restrooms are available at the day use area. Please make sure to pick up all trash. Maxine, Edie and I filled a bag with litter in mere minutes. It breaks my heart to see so many cigarette butts, food wrappers and fishing line left on the ground.

What is the day use fee?

The Trillium Lake day use fee is $10 per car per day. This fee helps fund upkeep of the recreation area, including paying for rangers.

You can use your NW Forest pass here, but not an Oregon State Park pass.

How to take photos of Mt. Hood

Unsurprisingly, the best times to photograph Mt. Hood from Trillium Lake are early morning and just before sunset.

The mountain’s peak rises above the lake to the north, so you can best see it from the south end of the lake (near the Trillium Lake day use area).

I’ve marked some of the best spots to take photos of Mt. Hood:

The lake is calmest in the morning. If you want to capture the mountain’s reflection without ripples, you’ll need to get up before sunrise to take your photos.

Everything else you need to know

I’m guessing you don’t need to be sold on Trillium Lake at this point. (It kind of sells itself.)

You may still have questions remaining, though. These are the nitty-gritty details on parking, weather, directions and so forth.

Trillium Lake parking

If you’re visiting the Trillium Lake day use area, you have two options for parking. You can leave your car in the main parking lot, which is next to the boat ramp.

You can also drive farther to the dam parking lot. This spot is better if you’re fishing from the south end of the lake, where the water near the shore is deepest.

Trillium Lake parking is included in your day use fee.

What’s the weather like at Trillium Lake?

Like everywhere on Mt. Hood, weather changes drastically depending on the season.

Summer weather tends to be warm and often sunny. When we went camping at Trillium Lake in July, one day was 84 degrees—really warm for this area!

Nights get chilly. Don’t be surprised if temperatures drop into the 40s overnight, so wear layers.

In the winter, snow accumulates at Trillium Lake. This is a popular spot for snowshoeing! If you don’t have your own snowshoes, you can rent them in Government Camp, a 15-minute drive away.

Trillium Lake directions

Trillium Lake is just 15 minutes from Government Camp and about 1 hour 15 minutes from Portland, OR.

From Portland, drive east on Highway 26. You’ll pass through Sandy, Rhododendron and Welches. Shortly after you pass Government Camp, watch for a sign announcing Trillium Lake.

You’ll turn right onto Forest Road 2656.

Please drive carefully on this road. Some turns are blind, and unfortunately many people drive much too fast here.

I totally understand wanting to hurry. But don’t worry: Trillium Lake isn’t going anywhere. This gorgeous Mt. Hood spot will be waiting peacefully for you.

PS – Want to visit another Mt. Hood Lake? Frog Lake is great for camping, swimming and of course checking out the countless tadpoles that hatch here every spring!

Please pin this post for later!

The post Peaceful Trillium Lake camping, hikes and more on Mt. Hood near Portland appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

After all, the whole point of camping is to have fun. And sweating all night instead of sleeping is definitely not fun.

Try out one—or all!—of these camping in the heat hacks. I’m nearly positive you’ll learn something new by reading to the end.

Whenever you’re camping in hot weather, do yourself a favor and stay cool!

How to cool a tent without electricity

In my house, we’re pretty stingy about using the AC. When temperatures soar, though, we’re not opposed to cranking up the air—especially since we have two fluffy senior dogs who don’t do well in the heat.

It goes without saying, though, that we don’t do this while camping in hot weather. Many RVs have air conditioning, but we camp in a tent. That’s why we’ve worked out these ideas on how to cool a tent without electricity.

Sound too good to be true? It’s not! With these camping in the heat hacks, you’ll cool your tent without electricity—and make your hot weather camping much more comfortable.

Set up your tent in the shade

This tip sounds like a “duh” moment, but you’d be surprised by how many tents I see set up in the sun! That’s a big no-no for camping in hot weather.

Tents are basically greenhouses. You’re not trying to grow tropical plants, though! You want to keep your tent as cool as possible.

The very first step is to pick a shady spot. Find a tree and set up your tent in the shade, if possible.

If you have choices of trees, consider which way the sun will be moving. Afternoon sun is hotter than morning sun, so aim to set up your tent where it will be shaded after noon. This will be on the east side of a tree or other barrier.

Block the sun with a sun shade

This next camping in hot weather hack is so effective! Tie up a tarp or a reflective sun shade above your tent. This will block the sun’s rays from heating up your tent like an oven.

Tie corners of the tarp or sun shade to trees so the cover is a foot above the top of your tent. The space will ensure air can circulate between the tarp and your tent.

I recommend a long-lasting, UV-blocking sun shade like this one:

In fact, you should get two. Why? You can use one sun shade above your tent, then stretch out another to create a shady spot to hang out. It’s much nicer to eat at a picnic table that’s shady, and it helps with staying cool while camping!

Face your tent toward the breeze

You know when you’re watching pro golfers and they drop a pinch of grass in the air to see which way the wind is blowing? Channeling your inner PGA pro is optional, but follow their lead. Find out which way the breeze blows, then position your tent accordingly.

Not sure which way the wind is blowing? Use the grass trick, wet a finger with your tongue and hold it up to feel the breeze, or simply look at the weather app on your phone. It usually shows which way the wind is blowing.

You also might be camping in hot weather in a place where the wind typically goes in a given direction. This is especially common near bodies of water. The breeze usually blows inland off the ocean, and it’s common for wind to blow upriver in the afternoon (when weather is hottest).

Position your tent so the widest side with a mesh opening faces the breeze. That will get more air flow into your tent.

Use nature’s air conditioning for hot weather tent camping

You know from experience (or physics class) that hot air rises. You can use the same principle that keeps hot air balloons aloft to cool a tent without electricity or air conditioning.

Now that you’ve positioned your tent’s window, door or mesh wall toward the breeze, create another opening. Ideally this is a window, door or other mesh opening on the opposite side of the tent.

Open this window or door at the top, as high in the tent as you can.

This hack to cool a tent without electricity creates a vacuum or mini-wind tunnel. Cool air is blown in on one side. As the air heats, it is sucked out of the opposite opening.

Use this tip every time you go camping in hot weather!

Use ice + a fan while camping in hot weather

This hot weather tent camping tip does require batteries—but no electrical hookups. Start by buying a small battery-powered fan. I recommend one that’s small enough to easily fit in a tent but big enough to move a decent amount of air, like this one:

Depending on how long you’re camping, you’ll want to bring a small supply of batteries to power your fan.

Next, place a frozen ice pack or frozen jug of water in front and slightly below the fan. As the ice melts, the fan will blow cold air throughout the tent.

This camping in the heat hack has an important caveat, though. Make sure you have enough ice to keep your food cool. If not, obviously don’t take ice to cool a tent without electricity. Instead, you can do this same hack with a bucket of cold water (like from a nearby creek). I don’t recommend that for inside a tent, since it’s so easy to knock it over and soak the inside of your tent. You can do the cold water and fan trick while eating dinner, for example.

If you want to increase your chances of using this hack with ice from your cooler, make sure you read my post on how to properly pack a cooler.

Sleep on a cot

You know how you left a foot of space between the top of your tent and the sun shade? You can use the same air flow principles to sleep more comfortably while camping in hot weather.

Buy a lightweight cot to sleep on inside your tent. When you’re off the ground, air circulates below as well as above you. This keeps you cooler at night!

Some camping cots raise you just a few inches off the ground. That’s good enough to ensure you don’t sleep with a pine cone digging into your spine. It’s not enough for proper air circulation to cool you off, though.

That’s why I recommend a camping cot that keeps you higher off the ground, like this budget-friendly and reliable cot:

Now a cot won’t help you stay cool if you’re using a heavy-duty, freezing temperatures sleeping bag. You can buy hot weather sleeping bags or sleeping bag liners, but honestly you can just bring a sheet and sleep under that.

Remove the rain fly when camping in hot weather

If the weather forecast is dry—no thunderstorms on the horizon—take off your tent’s rain fly. Just as it keeps water out, it traps heat in. That’s not what you want when you’re camping in hot weather!

By taking off the rain fly, you’ll allow the hot air to escape through your tent’s mesh roof. And if you’ve set up a tent or sun shade, you’ll still be protected from any out-of-the-blue rain.

I’m dying to know: What other tips for hot weather tent camping can you offer? Let me know in the comments.

And don’t forget to pin this post for later!

The post 7 Tent Camping in Hot Weather Tips: Staying Cool While Camping Hacks appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

Recently, Maxine, Edie and I stayed at Cape Lookout campgrounds. We were later joined by one of my closest friends and her daughter. The kids built sand castles, rode scooters around the campground and roasted s’mores at this amazingly family friendly camping spot. We moms were happy to chat and “eat” all the sand cupcakes, sand smoothies and sand sandwiches the kids made us.

This state park, next to Netarts and Tillamook, Oregon, is known for more than its beautiful campgrounds. It’s also the landing site of parasailers! You can watch them zoom in for a landing right over your head on the stretch of beach.

Speaking of beaches, Cape Lookout State Park’s 3 miles of beaches stretch wide, ideal for beach combing and playing with kids. You can go whale watching from the beach or up on the cliffs from Cape Lookout Trail.

If you’re into glamping—or doing shoulder season camping with kids in Oregon—you’ll love the yurts and cabins! Both have electricity and covered porches, which is helpful if the weather turns out to be rainy.

No matter the weather, though, I’m betting you’ll heart Cape Lookout State Park camping. I’m head over heels for the campground, beaches and experience of watching the hang gliders. Get ready to fall in love, too.

Cape Lookout camping

Cape Lookout State Park camping is one of my favorite places to set up a tent (or cozy up in a yurt) on the Oregon Coast. The campgrounds are impeccably maintained and have easy access to the beach.

At just an hour and a half from Portland and 15 minutes south of Tillamook, Cape Lookout State Park is an easy choice for camping. Even though it’s close to the Portland metro area, the campground feels like a world away.

Campgrounds nestle among Western red cedars, Sitka spruce, Douglas firs and salal. Trees grow together, their roots twining around each other—and creating a natural jungle gym for kids. Red-winged blackbirds call to each other; keep an eye out for bald eagles soaring overhead.

The Cape Lookout State Park campground includes 170 tent sites, 38 full-hookup RV sites, 13 yurts and 6 cabins with heat and running water. The campground also includes bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. Campsites don’t have ocean views—a human-made dune separates the beach from the campground to protect the sites. You can clearly hear the ocean waves from the campground, though!

The park hosts in Loop C sell firewood for $5 a bundle, as well as ice for $2 per bag.

Group sites are currently closed because of COVID precautions. All other Cape Lookout campground reservations can be made on Reserve America.

My kids are already asking to go back to the Cape Lookout State Park campground!

Cape Lookout yurts

When we recently camped at Cape Lookout, we stayed at one of the pet-friendly yurts. Yurts are located in Loop C, just a short walk from beach access.

Oregon State Park yurts have electric and heat, which makes them perfect for shoulder season camping. (The weather in Oregon’s spring and fall can be hit or miss. Staying cozy inside a yurt while it rains makes everyone comfortable!)

Yurts are outfitted with a small table and chairs, a bunk bed and a futon that folds out into another bed. You can comfortably fit five people inside.

I also noticed that yurts now come with an air purifier. These air purifiers are left running after staff clean the yurt between guests. That said, we always leave the yurt door open while we unpack to get some fresh air inside.

Yurts, like tent sites, each have their own picnic table and fire ring. You can fit two cars in the parking spot, though a second car requires a $7 per night additional fee.

Cape Lookout cabins

Cape Lookout State Park is special for many reasons—including the cabins you can rent to glamp on the Oregon Coast!

Six deluxe Cape Lookout cabins are available to reserve in advance. These cabins fill up incredibly quickly—as you can imagine, there’s quite the demand for only a few cabins. To reserve one, you’ll need to be aware of when state parks open for reservations. (Reserve America typically opens a month of calendar days at a time, six months in advance. So in March, you can reserve through September.)

Cape Lookout cabins are equipped with electricity, heat and hot water. They also include a microwave and small fridge. A bathroom within the cabin includes a flush toilet and shower. Bring your own bedding and supplies such as dishes.

You can sit out on the covered porch if it’s raining, and in good weather eat outdoors at the picnic table. The state park includes only six cabins, which are located separately from yurts and tent sites, so you’ll have a more secluded experience with hardly any neighbors.

You’ll need to walk about 250 feet from the parking area down a gravel path to reach cabins. Three cabins are pet-friendly.

Rates for Cape Lookout cabins are $106 per night. This fee may vary depending on when you reserve and if you are bringing pets.

Cape Lookout beaches

The beaches at Cape Lookout are some of my favorite on the Oregon Coast. The beach runs more than three miles, a flat and beautiful stretch where you can find your perfect spot.

Access the beach at Cape Lookout in a handful of places. The easiest to access is from the day use area. Here, park in the lot (which also has restrooms). Just remember to pay the $5 day use fee—the fees are enforced by state park rangers.

A short hill leads from the parking area down to the beach. (I’m acutely aware of the accessibility of beach access points ever since I broke my foot. This point was not easy for me to navigate in my iWalk/peg leg.)

This is the beach where you can watch paragliders land!

Nearer to the Cape Lookout campground, reach the beach via several short trails. You’ll need to walk up a bit over the dune then back down again to the beach. These access points were easier for me to navigate.

Currently, the road to beach access points at the north end of Cape Lookout State Park is closed. If you’re camping here, though, you can walk or bike along this road. Since it’s less easily accessible, the northern stretch of the beach is much less popular. You’ll probably have the whole beach to yourself!

As with any beach on the Oregon Coast, take safety precautions. Be aware of weather and sea conditions. Never turn your back on the ocean. Watch for sneaker waves.

Cape Lookout Trail

As of this writing, Cape Lookout Trail is damaged due to storm damage. A strong wind storm in late 2020 blew down trees, making this trail unusable. Double-check AllTrails or another user generated hiking guide for up-to-date trail status.

This out-and-back trail winds along the cliffs of Cape Lookout, giving you incredible views across the Pacific Ocean. Cape Lookout Trail has little elevation gain. Instead of focusing on strenuous up-and-down trail conditions, then, you can take in the scenery.

Just under 5 miles, Cape Lookout Trail stretches along the peninsula about 400 feet above the sea. You’ll hike through dense forest with glimpses of the ocean before reaching the viewpoint. Here, take a rest on the bench overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

This hike is one of the best spots on the Oregon Coast to see migrating gray whales, which swim along this point close to the cliffs.

Cape Lookout Trail is often muddy so bring sturdy shoes and, if you have them, hiking poles for stability. People have placed boards and branches over the muddiest spots, but you’ll still need to carefully tiptoe around mucky areas. Keep an eye out for exposed roots.

If you’re hiking with kids, keep them nearby. It’s easy to trip in places. When you get near the lookout at the turnaround point, keep children close. The viewpoint is roped off from the cliff but better safe than sorry.

Another tip if you’re hiking with kids: A B-17 bomber crashed here in 1943. Authorities never accounted for all the wreckage. Tell them the story—they’ll love keeping an eye out for plane parts!

Bring your binoculars, too. On a clear day, you can see south to Cape Kiwanda and Cape Foulweather and north to Cape Meares and Maxwell Point.

Campground nature trail

If you park in the lot next to the registration booth (or walk the short distance from the campground), you’ll find the nature trail. This short, family-friendly trail loops through a flat area in the forest.

Markers signal points of interest. Pick up a brochure from the registration booth or look at a digital version here to learn about the area’s plants and history.

At the very least, check out the nature trail to learn the names of the native trees and other plants (like skunk cabbage!).

Cape Lookout paragliding from Anderson’s Viewpoint

Cape Lookout is famous for its parasailing, paragliding and hang gliding. On days with good wind conditions, you’ll see these adrenaline seekers land on the beach mere feet from you!

From the Anderson’s Viewpoint parking lot, soarers walk a short way up the hill to the launch site. They may spend hours gliding over the coastal cliffs, riding winds and taking in the incredible views.

Cape Lookout is also one of the most dangerous paragliding spots on the Oregon Coast. Only experienced soarers should fly here. If you’re new to paragliding, try this sport with an experienced guide or outfitter.

If you’re more interested in watching paragliders than launching yourself into the air 330 feet above the ocean, Cape Lookout State Park is perfect for you, too! From the day use parking lot, walk onto the beach. You’ll see a cone and wind sock that acts as a landmark for paragliders.

You can watch landings from a safe distance directly next to the cone or farther along the beach in either direction. Please be courteous to anyone who asks you to move for safety.

We were thrilled to see people land. Edie can’t wait to try paragliding for herself! She’s already planning a trip with Hubs; I’ll watch (aka try not to panic) from below, once Edie is old enough to try.

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Since the pandemic began, a lot of parents—including me—really want to make special events, well, special. It’s our way of “making up” for disappointments that came along with the pandemic.

When Edie turned 7 last summer, we couldn’t throw a birthday party or go to the Oregon Coast Aquarium sleepover, as we’d planned. So we went on a camping trip to the Cove Palisades State Park on Lake Billy Chinook, instead.

Edie declared it her favorite birthday ever.

It was pretty epic! We camped with another family, paddled kayaks around Lake Billy Chinook, rented a pontoon boat for the day and anchored near a waterfall when it was time to open presents.

Whether you’re planning an epic camping getaway, or you’re just looking for a great campground and fun lake to spend the weekend outdoors, let me tell you all about Lake Billy Chinook. In this post I’ll cover:

• Lake Billy Chinook camping
• Cove Palisades State Park
• Boat rentals in the Cove Palisades marina
• Other lodging, including cabins, rentals and the Cove Palisades Resort

This Central Oregon lake is like a fun hotspot. Read on to see why!

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What makes Lake Billy Chinook special?

Lake Billy Chinook in Central Oregon is actually a reservoir, created by a dam in the 1960s. This lake is surrounded by epic cliffs within canyons: It brings the drama!

The Deschutes, Metolius and Crooked Rivers wore down these canyons over the centuries and now converge in the lake. (You might recognize the name of the Crooked River, as it runs through Smith Rock State Park.)

The reservoir is named after Billy Chinook, the chief and member of the Wasco tribe. Chinook served as a guide for multiple expeditions around Central Oregon and into Nevada and California. He also traveled to and studied English in Washington, D.C.

Later, Chinook advocated for Indian rights. He wrote to government officials to defend Native land, represented the Wasco tribe in negotiations with the U.S. government, and was a signatory to the treaty that established the Warm Springs Reservation.

Cove Palisades State Park is on Indigenous land. The land, lakes and rivers are the traditional territories of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Tenino and Numu (Northern Paiute) peoples.

Lake Billy Chinook Camping

If you’re looking for Lake Billy Chinook camping, direct your attention to the Cove Palisades State Park.

Cove Palisades campgrounds are full of amenities, from flush toiled restrooms and showers to potable water and playgrounds. The Deschutes Campground even had sprinklers in a few places, so Max and Edie sprinted through the spray in the hot afternoons!

I found the campsites at Cove Palisades to be larger than the average state park site. Ours backed into the canyon walls, so we had a ton of room. The kids played, Hubs set up his disc golf basket and we all found shade in the hot afternoons.

These Lake Billy Chinook campgrounds are not, however, on the lake. They are above the lake on the canyon plateaus. You’ll need to drive or bike from the campgrounds to lake access points. And remember there’s a lot of elevation, since Lake Billy Chinook is at the bottom of steep canyons!

Cove Palisades State Park campgrounds include nearly 300 reservable sites, including many that are suitable for RVs needing hookups. In normal times, three group sites have enough room for you and a whole family reunion, but those are currently closed due to COVID-19.

Cove Palisades campground reservations can be made at Reserve America.

(For all my advice, check out one of my most popular posts: The Best Tips for Family Camping.)

Lake Billy Chinook cabins

Cove Palisades State Park has several reservable cabins, too! These cabins are not within the campgrounds but are located lakeside near the Cove Palisades Marina.

The Lake Billy Chinook cabins are in high demand, since there are only three. (Just one is pet-friendly.) Deluxe cabins cost $92 per night.

These cabins are a step up from state park yurts you may be more familiar with. These are log cabin-style lodging. The cabins have a sweet little porch (perfect for watching the stars, since there’s close to no light pollution here!).

These deluxe cabins also include an outdoor picnic table, a grill, electricity, heating, air conditioning and hot water. The cabins do not provide necessities such as bedding, silverware, pots and pans or towels.

Know that the rental costs for the Lake Billy Chinook cabins do not include boat and trailer moorage. You need to pay for those separately via the Cove Palisades Marina (which starts at $25 per day).

Cabins are closed December through February.

Cove Palisades Marina

The Cove Palisades Marina is the central spot within the state park for everything you need. Instead of driving back to Madras, you can buy ice, groceries and drinks here. I was impressed that they didn’t have a huge mark-up.

The main draw, unsurprisingly, is the marina itself. Docks provide space for moorage if you BYOB (bring your own boat). You can also rent one for a half-day or full day. (More on that below!)

Grab a bite to eat at the Cove Palisades Marina cafe or treat yourself to one of their homemade ice cream sandwiches. Then use the very clean restrooms before jetting (or putt-putting) onto the lake.

*Note: Several floating restrooms are available on the lake. Find their location on the map you’ll get at the marina.*

Three Rivers Marina

On the northwest side of Lake Billy Chinook, Three Rivers Marina offers docks and a small market. I found the people working at the market to be so friendly!

We used the marina as a turn-around point for our boat excursion. We also bought ice cream treats for Edie’s birthday.

Lake Billy Chinook boat rentals

There are four boat launches on Lake Billy Chinook. The most developed, the Cove Palisades Marina, also rents boats.

Cove Palisades boat rentals include pontoons, skidoos, party barges, houseboats, fishing boats and more. We rented a pontoon boat, and it comfortably fit two families totaling four adults, five kids and a dog!

Dogs are allowed on some rented boats (double-check if the craft you want is pet friendly). The marina also provides life jackets for every passenger.

The Cove Palisades Marina website provides details and photos of each boat so you can find the one that’s just-right for your adventure. We spotted several houseboats with waterslides running from the roof into the water—Max and Edie were slightly jealous.

Exploring Chinook Island

Within Lake Billy Chinook, a small island offers a chance to stretch your legs, swim, fish and explore. You can also do what we did and dock your boat at Chinook Island for a picnic!

Concrete steps lead into the water—and make a great jumping off point for swimmers. I recommend wearing water shoes, just in case your littles’ feet “find” a lost fish hook. (We’ve bought these budget-friendly water shoes repeatedly for Max and Edie!)

The kiddos loved exploring Chinook Island, pretending they were the first to set foot on the land. They also tried fishing, though they didn’t catch anything!

Lake Billy Chinook day use areas + swimming

Lake Billy Chinook has several day use areas, which are great for swimming, paddling and launching your boat.

The Upper Deschutes Day Use Area, Lower Deschutes Day Use Area and Crooked River Day Use Area all have roped-off areas safe for swimmers and kiddos. Each also has picnic areas and restrooms.

One note: Make sure your day use pass, annual state park pass or camping pass is clearly displayed in your car if you park at these day use areas. We saw law enforcement constantly patrolling these areas and writing tickets!

We were easily able to set up a little spot on the beach socially distanced from other swimmers. We also paddled around in our kayak. The water is chilly but definitely swimmable!

Lake Billy Chinook Bridge

As you drive to the Deschutes Campgrounds within Cove Palisades State Park, you’ll cross a striking bridge spanning the Crooked River portion of the lake. This is a very narrow bridge: You’ll need to drive carefully!

People also jump from this bridge. Most adventurous jumpers leap from the bridge itself. Most of Lake Billy Chinook is hundreds of feet deep.

There have been deaths at the bridge, though. A few years ago a local teenager died after jumping from higher up on the bridge.

Jumping off bridges isn’t my thing. If you are more into adrenaline, please be very, very careful. Make sure you are jumping into a deep part of the lake and that no boats are coming.

Crooked River Petroglyph

Before Lake Billy Chinook was formed by the damming of these rivers, an archaeologist found this petroglyph along the Crooked River.

The carving, made by original inhabitants of this area, would have been flooded with the creation of the dam upriver. Surveyors moved the boulder to preserve the petroglyph.

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs worked with the Oregon Parks department to adjust the petroglyph’s placement. They oriented it toward the south, the original direction it faced. The elements will also affect the petroglyph less in this position.

No one knows what this ancient carving represents or what purpose it served. Find the Crooked River Petroglyph on a short trail between Loop A and the group site of the Deschutes Campground.

Make sure you do not touch or otherwise disturb the petroglyph.

We all are hoping to return to Lake Billy Chinook and Cove Palisades State Park soon. As Maxine says, dragons really like it. If that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is!

If you’re looking for even more things to do nearby, click over to my Guide to Central Oregon!

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With so many things to do on Lake Wenatchee, you’ll stay busy hiking, kayaking, biking, SUPing and even horseback riding. You can also simply relax within Lake Wenatchee State Park. If you’re camping, wake up early to watch the fog roll across the glass-like surface of the lake.

If you’re looking for Lake Wenatchee info to come visit—and honestly, why wouldn’t you?—keep on reading. Below, you’ll learn about Lake Wenatchee camping, hiking, and the best ways to spend your time in the lake’s state park.

Lake Wenatchee camping

Ask pretty much anyone and they’ll agree: Washington is straight-up beautiful.

Camping is one of my favorite ways to explore the Evergreen State. Whether you go by RV, tent or backpacking, you’ll find plenty of Washington camping options.

What’s more, you can save a bundle (and stay among incredible scenery) if you’re open to camping near Leavenworth, WA. These campgrounds are just a half-hour from Leavenworth.

Lake Wenatchee Campground

Lake Wenatchee State Park includes two different campgrounds: North and South.

The South Campground offers about 100 campsites, including RV spots with hookups, near the lake’s beach. These campsites aren’t private. You’ll be able to spot what your neighbors are grilling for dinner, since there aren’t a lot of barriers that break up sight lines. Some campsites are also right off the main road that passes Lake Wenatchee.

Pay close attention to which campsite you choose so you don’t feel like you’re camping on the road (or in some stranger’s site).

The South Campground sites do have quite a bit of tree cover, so you’ll be shaded during hot days.

The North Campground at Lake Wenatchee is more remote. It also includes about 100 campsites but is tucked away from the day use area, so it feels less busy.

These North Campground sites are also off the road, so the crickets won’t compete with the sounds of passing cars.

Camping starts at $25 per night. You can make reservations here.

Nason Creek Campground

Right next to Lake Wenatchee State Park, you’ll find Nason Creek Campground. Actually, you’ll find three separate campgrounds under the same name.

(I know, confusing!)

As you turn onto Cedar Brae Road from Highway 207, you’ll first pass the North Loop on your right. You’ll find sites 29-49 here. South Loop is next, this time on your left. A little ways farther down Cedar Brae, you’ll spot West Loop on your right.

On a recent camping trip, we stayed at a first come first served campsite in the West Loop (sites 50-73). We had plenty of level ground to pitch tents and room to park two cars. It’s also an easy walk to the Lake Wenatchee State Park day use area.

The next time I’m camping near Lake Wenatchee, I’ll try to snag a spot in the South Loop (sites 1-28). This area seemed to have the prime access to Nason Creek, a chilly stream just begging to be splashed in.

Throughout Nason Creek Campground, you’ll find restrooms with running water, flush toilets and electrical outlets. (This last amenity came in handy when my sister realized she didn’t have the adapter needed to blow up her air mattress!)

Glacier View Campground

If you’re looking for a small, remote campground, drive a bit farther to Glacier View Campground.

The tricky part: All 23 sites are first come, first serve, so you are never 100% sure to snag a spot here.

But what Glacier View Campground lacks in reliability, it makes up in beauty. Most of the sites are right on the south shore of Lake Wenatchee. The campground has potable water, vault toilets and picnic tables. Keep in mind that parking is tight—most spots are just on the shoulder of the road—so I wouldn’t bring a trailer or any other kind of rig.

Sites cost $18/night.

Things to do on Lake Wenatchee

Water fun

If you’ve read much of this travel blog, you know I’m a huge fan of paddle boarding. So you won’t be surprised to learn that my favorite thing to do on Lake Wenatchee is to SUP!

The glacier- and snowmelt-fed lake is also popular to kayak.

Motorized boats are welcome on the lake, but speed restrictions are strictly enforced. Speed limits of 3mph in no-wake zones—within 100 feet of shore—protect the shoreline, docks, swimmers, kayakers and fragile habitat.

The water on Lake Wenatchee is cold but not as frigid as you might expect, at least on a hot day. Folks splash in the water, especially near the beach in the Lake Wenatchee State Park day use area.

If you have a kayak, stand up paddle board or even a tube, float over to Emerald Island near the day use beach. Explore this small island, build a fort with driftwood and hunt for sparkling rocks. (I don’t know the name of these—comment below if you do!)

State park day use

In addition to swimming, boating, kayaking and SUPing, you’ll find plenty to do in the state park day use area. Try your hand at horseshoes or pass-set-spike your way to victory on the sand volleyball court.

Hike or bike along 7 miles of trail, and check out an interpretive trail short enough for even little kidlets.

The facilities in the park day use area are much nicer than most. Flush toilets, running water and even showers are available near the beach. And during non-COVID times, you can even buy snacks and rent watercraft at the concession stand.

(Don’t forget that you need a Discover Pass to park at and use the Lake Wenatchee State Park day use area. You can buy one from an automated kiosk in the parking lot. You can buy a one-day pass for $10 or an annual pass for $30.)

Winter recreation

Much of Lake Wenatchee camping is closed during the winter, but you’ll find plenty to do during the day.

Lake Wenatchee commonly gets 100-150 inches of snow each winter, and even more than 200 inches on occasion. First snowfall varies but typically comes in November.

Within the park, you’ll find 25 miles of trails for cross-country skiing, plus designated snowshoe trails. A sled hill keeps littles entertained, too.

Hiking near Lake Wenatchee + Leavenworth

If you’re looking for great hiking trails in Washington, you’ve come to the right place. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest’s 4 million acres of land are crisscrossed with hikes.

These are my two favorite hikes near Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth, WA.

Hidden Lake Trail

About 4 miles past Lake Wenatchee State Park, you’ll find an easy hike to Hidden Lake. This trail takes you through a quiet forest of cedars and ponderosa pines.

The easy grade makes this an excellent trail for kids and folks with mobility limitations.

After less than a mile, you’ll reach Hidden Lake—a small lake of stunning blue. Keep an eye out for herons and frogs. Bring snacks for a picnic on the enormous rocks, balance as you cross the logs bridging a small creek or explore the shoreline along a rough trail.

Icicle Ridge Trail

In nearby Leavenworth, WA, hike Icicle Ridge Trail for stunning views of the Wenatchee River and town below.

This trail is steep but quite popular. On weekends, the trail fills—especially in the afternoon—so aim to set out in the morning.

After 3 miles and 1,800 feet elevation gain, you’ll reach the top of Icicle Ridge. Eat a snack and catch your breath as you take in the gorgeous vistas.

Things to do in nearby Leavenworth, WA

Lake Wenatchee is just a half-hour’s drive from Leavenworth, WA, the town with a Bavarian theme. There, everything—from the restaurants and hotels to shops and even Starbucks—is designed to look like a little German town.

Leavenworth, Washington is know for its beer halls, sausage restaurants and cute shopping district.

You’ll also find an open-air plaza where, during nice weather, artisans set up booths to sell photography, jewelry and souvenirs.

Lake Wenatchee info

The first people to live on and around Lake Wenatchee were the Wenatchi. This semi-nomadic tribe settled here as early as 4,000 years ago.

Centuries before that, advancing glaciers carved the basin of what is now Lake Wenatchee. The remnants of those glaciers continue to feed this chilly lake.

On clear days, look for the area’s peaks: Labyrinth Mountain and Dirtyface Mountain, which was named after the dirty snow on its incline.

The 5-mile-long lake now allows motorized boats, but you can safely paddle and swim along the shoreline.

Pets are allowed but must be kept on leash at all times.

So are you convinced? Are you ready to see if Lake Wenatchee lives up to your imaginings? Go ahead and take the trip—then come back and comment. I want to hear all about your experience!

The post Stunning Lake Wenatchee: camping, hikes + more in this WA state park appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

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But before I reveal all my pro cooler packing hacks, I have a question: Have you gotten a copy of my book yet? Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids shares 33 fun, customizable games and free printables that will keep you entertained on the road. Click the image below to get your copy in e-book or paperback!

Why is packing a cooler important?

Keeping foods colder longer is important whether you’re camping, road tripping or just going out for the day. Of course you probably agree that food and drinks just taste better when they’re cold. In addition, here are the actually important reasons to pack a cooler right:

1. Properly packing a cooler ensures food stays colder—and therefore safer. Temperature fluctuations create an environment where bacteria and other baddies can grow.
2. Cooler organization helps you find everything faster. I think you’ll agree that rummaging around in a cooler—scraping your knuckles on ice cubes, even—is no fun.

Friends, I totally geeked out on this post on how to pack a cooler. Yep, that’s right—I made an infographic. I’m a visual learner, and you might be too.

And, at the very least, Hubs can use the below diagram if he ever has to pack the cooler without me. 😉

How to pack a cooler—the smart, organized way

1. Loose ice on top. 

This top layer is like icing: It finishes off packing a cooler by ensuring every square inch of the cooler is primed to stay cold. Leaving unused space will make everything inside the cooler heat up more quickly, since air gets warmer more quickly than water or ice does. 

You’ll also pack the densest ice on the bottom of your cooler, so this top layer ensures food near the top stays cold, too.

2. Use square reusable containers.

I’m a big fan of bringing prepped food camping and on road trips. That way I don’t have to break out the cutting board and knife if I want to slice some peppers for lunch or chop a bunch of veggies for a foil dinner.

I put all that prepped food in reusable containers—but use square ones! Round containers take up more space and don’t pack together efficiently. You’ll use valuable cooler real estate unless you stick to square and rectangular containers.

3. Gather lunch supplies in a bag. 

Fill a zippered plastic bag with everything you’ll need for your first meal while camping or on a road trip. 

I’m guessing you’re like me, and that when you get to camp or hit the road, you have plenty of other things to do besides rummage around a cooler. So stash everything for that meal in one place. You won’t get hangry—and you won’t keep the cooler open longer than necessary. That’s a good thing for the longevity of your ice!

4. Store foods vertically.

Can you tell I heart Marie Kondo? If you’ve read her blockbuster book on organizing or watched her Netflix show, you know she’s a fanatic in storing clothing vertically. I’m the same, except for food. Whether I’m packing a cooler or storing dry goods for a long road trip, I try to keep everything stacked vertically—not horizontally.

Why?

When you pack items vertically, you can see more at a glance. You won’t have to dig through layers of ice and food to get the one thing at the very bottom. 

5. Beverages at the bottom.

Pack your La Croix, beer or pop at the bottom of your cooler. You don’t want your drinks crushing the rest of your food!

If you have the space, though, pack a separate, smaller cooler just for drinks. I like this drinks cooler for a few reasons: a) It can store more than three dozen drinks. So when you refrigerate all those drinks before you leave on your trip, they’ll help keep each other cold. b) This cooler is collapsible. So when you near the end of your trip and have eaten most of your food, you can fold down the drinks cooler and combine everything in the main cooler. 

6. Loose ice fills the gaps.

Think of a perfectly packed cooler like a cake: It has layers and makes for a delicious outing. In this case, loose ice is the frosting between two layers of cake. 

You cover the bottom layer of the cooler in ice for two reasons:

1. A layer of loose ice ensures all of the foods stay cold and safe, not just those at the bottom and top.
2. Loose ice fills gaps in between food items. Pockets of air stay warmer, melting the ice more quickly. 

7. Freeze food you don’t need immediately.

If you’re packing a cooler for more than a few days, there will be ingredients you won’t need until later in your trip. When possible, freeze these items and use them as a solid ice layer.

So if, for example, you’re planning chicken sausages for dinner on night 3, freeze them. The frozen food will help keep the entire cooler cold; the frozen food will stay fresher; and the frozen food will thaw by the time you’re ready to eat it.

8. Freeze water bottles.

My kids don’t just ask for water when they’re thirsty. Max and Edie routinely request “ice cold water.” Unfortunately, camping and road trips make fulfilling that request a lot harder than it is at home.

But! That’s why I love this trick. Instead of buying a bunch of ice packs, we freeze bottles of water instead. Just leave some room for the ice to expand.

Fiji water bottles are rectangular and so work best, but any water bottle will do.

A few days into your camping trip or road trip, the bottles of water will have thawed. Then you and your whole crew can enjoy ice cold water!

9. Solid ice forms a foundation.

At the very base of your cooler, pack a layer of solid ice.

We reuse the ice packs we receive with meal delivery services. (We order a few times a month from Freshly, which delivers fully cooked and ready to heat gluten-free meals. Here is a link if you want to try Freshly and get $40 off.)

Solid ice is important here because it melts more slowly than loose ice. As a result, it’ll help keep the entire cooler cold for longer.

These tips will work in any kind of trip, whether you’re packing a cooler for camping, a road trip, a beach day or anything else. 

Read on for situation-specific tips on packing a cooler the right way. 

How to pack a cooler for camping

I’m channeling all my stir craziness into camping—so my family and I are doing a lot of camping during this COVID summer. As a result, I’ve had some extra opportunities to learn even more cooler packing strategies. And I’m here to teach you how to pack a cooler for camping specifically.

You’ll want to follow all the above steps and organization rules. 

In addition, you’ll want to find a shady place to stash your cooler once you arrive at your campsite. Under a picnic table or under trees tends to work well. 

If you can’t store your cooler in the shade, at least use a reflective shade or cover. Reflective shades bounce 70% or more of sunlight away from your cooler, helping preserve the ice and food inside. This is especially important if you don’t have easy access to ice when you’re camping.

Plus, the reflective shade kind of makes it look like you’re futuristic aliens who like to camp. 

Finally, you’ll want to safely store your cooler at night. Food left outside can attract critters from ground squirrels to bears. I’m pretty sure you don’t want to share your food with wild animals.

If you’re car camping, stash the cooler in the car or its trunk. If you’re in bear country, store all food in a bear box elevated off the ground. 

Take it from a gal who once woke up in a tent to the sound of a skunk snacking on our food, which we unwisely/drunkenly left out overnight. 

How to pack a cooler for a road trip

Yes, I know that you might be taking a road trip to go camping. If that’s the case, all these tips and strategies apply! Here are the cooler packing ideas specific to a road trip.

As you pack all your gear in the car, pack the empty cooler, too. That way you know you have a perfectly cooler-shaped spot available for when you add all your food.

Packing a cooler should be an almost-last thing to do before you leave. (If you’re tired of forgetting things, you’ll appreciate the full pre-trip checklist I created.) That way, the food stays cooler longer.

Then the cooler is the very last thing to pack in the car—besides your crew, that is!

When the cooler is right next to the hatch or trunk, it’s easily accessible whenever you stop on your road trip. You definitely don’t want to have to unearth the cooler from a mountain of other gear!

Last tip: When possible, pack your cooler in the main part of the car, not the trunk. This tip isn’t relevant to those of us with a minivan. But if you drive a sedan, you probably noticed that the trunk heats up in the summer! You want to protect your cooler, and the food inside, from such extreme temperatures. 

Should I drain the water from a cooler?

This question has experts and even scientists arguing over who is right. But when it comes to whether you should drain the water from a cooler, the answer is: it depends.

When you should not drain the water from a cooler

Much of the time, you don’t want to drain the water from a cooler. That’s because the melted ice is still colder than the air that would replace the space water had formerly taken up. So if you let out a gallon of melted ice water, the equivalent of a gallon of air will now be in your cooler instead.

Not good if you want to keep cold foods colder. 

When you should drain the water from a cooler

A couple of exceptions from the general rule of letting the water chill out in the cooler:

1. If you still have lots of solid or loose ice, drain the water from a cooler. This is because water causes the remaining ice to melt more quickly. So to preserve the ice you have, empty your cooler.
2. Right before you add fresh ice, drain the water from your cooler. If you have access to fresh ice, make sure you’re not adding it to a melty ice water soup. It’ll stay colder longer.
3. Drain the cooler water before you have to move it. If you’re lugging the cooler around, leaving the melted ice water inside makes it heavy. Save your back; drain the water. 
4. If anything spills in the cooler, drain the water. You don’t want food sitting in a cocktail of water and salsa. Yuck.
   This happened recently on our camping trip in Central Oregon: I brought along a can of whipped cream, thinking it would be a nice treat for Max and Edie. I didn’t realize the dang whipped cream would squirt every time anyone bumped it, so we ended up with whipped cream water all over everything.

You didn’t realize there was so much to correctly packing a cooler, did you? Now I bet you understand why Hubs leaves it to me. 😉

Read the how-to instructions below for a quick recap.

How to Pack a Cooler for Camping + Road Trips

Print

If you want to keep your food colder, fresher and safer for longer, you need to pack your cooler correctly. Here, I'll share step by step how to pack a cooler for camping, road trips, beach trips or any other adventures.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Active Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Difficulty easy

Estimated Cost $10

Materials

• Good quality cooler
• Ice packs
• Frozen water bottles
• Ice

Tools

• Freezer

Instructions

1. The day before your trip, freeze any ice packs or water bottles you'll use in the cooler.
2. Also the day before your trip, bring your cooler inside, especially if you store it in a hot attic or garage. It will reach room temperature and keep the cold foods colder.
3. The day of your trip, lay solid ice blocks or frozen ice packs on the bottom of the cooler. This is your foundation.
4. Add frozen food you won't need for several days.
5. Drinks also go at the bottom so they don't crush other food.
6. Top the drinks and frozen food with a layer of loose ice, fitting ice into any gaps between foods.
7. Load already prepped food in rectangular storage containers.
8. Pack food vertically instead of horizontally. You'll see more without digging through the cooler.
9. Load more delicate foods, such as produce, at the top.
10. Cover everything with a layer of loose ice. Make sure the cooler is completely full, as this helps it stay colder for longer.

Recommended Products

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  Coleman Performance Cooler, 48-Quart - Blue

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The post 22 pro tips: How to pack a cooler for camping + road trips appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

And friends, I’m not only thrilled we spent a week on our Wallowa Lake camping trip; I can’t wait to go back and explore this little-traveled area again.

Why Lake Wallowa, Oregon

Wallowa Lake and the area around Joseph, Oregon have the stunning beauty of a postcard. The small towns around this lake just beg to be meandered through. And even the scenery from Portland to Wallowa Lake made the 6-hour road trip enjoyable.

Within this in-depth post, I share pretty much everything you need to know about camping at Wallowa Lake including the campgrounds, the Native American traditions, the Wallowa Lake tram that takes you nearly 4,000 feet up, the nearby tiny town of Joseph, Oregon as well as the most exciting (and family-friendly) Wallowa Lake hiking trails.

I’ll even tell you about the legend and sightings of the monster that might or might not live in the area!

If you’re looking to discover a region in the Pacific Northwest that isn’t overrun with visitors—Lake Wallowa is it. Or if you’re looking for a camping spot that offers swimming, boating, kids’ activities, and more, the Wallowa Lake campground is where it’s at.

Ready for all the details? Read on to dive into Wallowa Lake!

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Where is Wallowa Lake, Oregon

In Northeastern Oregon, Wallowa Lake is a mountain lake just a mile south of Joseph, Oregon. Its name comes from the Nez Perce word meaning “winding water,” which is the perfect name for this 3.5-mile ribbon lake.

A newspaper article from 1855 recounts one gold prospector’s story of seeing a monster in Wallowa Lake. This sighting describes a “strange apparition” that looked like a hippopotamus with a body 100-feet long.

The account mirrors Nez Perce legend of a creature living in Wallowa Lake. I’ve heard a few versions of the story, but one says that the lake animal killed a Nez Perce woman and a Blackfoot warrior, who had secretly been boating together on the lake even though their tribes were at war.

Regardless of how much you believe stories like these, Wallowa Lake is one of the most picturesque places in the Pacific Northwest.

Visiting Wallowa Lake State Park

At the south tip of the lake, Wallowa Lake State Park is set up to enjoy this scenery. If you’re wondering what to do at Wallowa Lake, you’ll be spoiled for choice! The park includes several docks for boats and kayaks, picnic tables and grills in the day-use area, pretty Wallowa River where kokanee salmon spawn, bike trails, hiking trails, and even a disc golf course.

This area is also full of deer! The deer are incredibly used to humans, and it’s prohibited to feed them. (They also might have lice or ticks, yuck!) Even still, my girls loved seeing them wander through Wallowa Lake State Park.

The park’s day-use area has access to a sunny swimming beach as well as the marina, where you can moor your boat or rent one.

Wallowa Lake Campgrounds, Oregon

The best way to experience the beauty of the area is to organize a Lake Wallowa camping trip, just like we did! This well-maintained campground near Joseph, Oregon includes more than 200 sites—but it feels anything but crowded.

The Wallowa Lake campground is open mid-May through the end of October; in addition, the yurts and a few RV hookups are available for the rest of the year. 

Lake Wallowa campground amenities

The spacious sites leave plenty of room between RVs and tent neighbors. Our campsite was in full shade, which felt amazing during the late summer heat.

My in-laws brought their 34′ RV (their home ever since they sold everything and went on the road full time!). The RV spots had less shade and more open area, which is hotter—but also prime deer-watching area.

This Wallowa Lake camping spot also had showers, flush toilets, water, and firewood for sale. I spotted two yurts, too (one is pet-friendly, and one is ADA-accessible).

We loved our Wallowa Lake campsite. We made s’mores (in the morning because that’s how we roll!), Hubs disc golfed and the girls made fairy wands with nature items we collected.

Kid-friendly activities at Wallowa Lake Campground

Wallowa Campground offers Junior Rangers kids’ programs every day during the summer. My kids were excited to join. One day, Edie took a hike through the park and learned how to identify spruce and ponderosa pine trees.

Maxine listened to the legend of the Wallowa Lake creature, which the volunteer was careful to describe as friendly—as long as you were nice, haha! Either way, Max wasn’t traumatized. She still loved swimming in the lake.

Wallowa Lake Campground also has a big playground. Kids congregated on the play structure and made fast friends. I love that camping brings people together who wouldn’t have met otherwise.

Lake Wallowa Camping details

Sites at this campground near Joseph, Oregon can be reserved up to 9 months in advance. Weekends get reserved quickly during the summer months, so you’ll want to make your reservations as soon as possible.

Rates for tent sites are $20/night. RV sites run at $32/night. Yurts cost $45/night or $55/night for the pet-friendly yurt.

Local firewood costs $5 a bundle. They even have wheeled carts so you can easily walk it back to your campsite.

The Best Wallowa Lake Activities

I don’t know about you, but when I go camping, I generally want to just hang out. Sure, I hike and swim and kayak and do whatever else is around. But camping is pretty much the only time in my life when I end up lounging in a chair with no agenda, no plans, and no stress.

I savor this special time of doing nothing.

That said, I am a naturally active person. I like to explore, discover, and try whatever is unique to a place I’m visiting. That’s why I was excited to try the things to do in Wallowa Lake, Oregon!

Keep reading for some of our favorite attractions in and around Wallowa Lake.

1. Enjoy the views from the Wallowa Lake Tram

When you head to Wallowa County, Oregon, you absolutely need to ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway! Just a few minutes from Wallowa Lake State Park, you can ride a tram car up 3,700 feet to the top of Mt. Howard.

Incredible views of the Wallowa Mountain range await at the top!

Side note: I hate that this spot is named after General Oliver Otis Howard, who gave the local Nez Perce band a mere 30 days to leave their homeland for a reservation. When Chief Joseph asked for more time, Howard refused. Chief Joseph later said that if they’d been given more time to move, there would have never been such a bloody Indian War.

But! Back to the Wallowa tram.

Sitting up to four people, a tram car takes you up the side of a mountain. I marveled as we rose over treetops and spied Wallowa Lake. At each ridge, I thought we’d finally reached the top—and then we kept on going!

It took about 15 minutes to reach the peak of Mt. Howard and the vistas from the tram make this one of the best Wallowa Lake activities for the whole family.

Hiking from the Wallowa Lake Tramway

From the top of the Wallowa tram, you can hike along roughly 2 1/2 miles of trails. Walking on the dirt paths takes you to viewpoints of other nearby mountains—and even into Idaho and Washington!

This region is nicknamed Oregon’s “Swiss Alps”—a moniker I imagine is more relevant when the mountains are topped with snow. In late summer, the nickname seemed a bit much.

Even still, the Wallowas are gorgeous. These hiking trails were easy enough for my kids, 4 and 6, to manage with ease. That said, they are not accessible by wheelchair.

As you hike, stay on the trail. Sensitive and slow-growing plants are easily disturbed by even a single footprint.

When we hiked near the Wallowa tram, we took the roughly 1-mile loop to the Highlands Overlook and then up the stairs to the Summit Overlook. The views are stunning.

Lunch at the Summit Grill

When we rode the Wallowa Lake Tramway, we decided to make a day out of it and eat at the Summit Grill. So after we finished our hike, my girls were beyond ready for a cold drink and some calories.

We found a seat that overlooked the mountain, Wallowa Lake, and the trams coming and going. I think we chose a pretty good location!

I was pleasantly surprised that the Summit Grill prices were comparable to any casual restaurant not on the top of a mountain. Our table ordered sandwiches, burgers, and salad.

We did not, however, order extra to share with a very bold ground squirrel that insisted on visiting our table.

I wished so, so hard that I’d suddenly become tolerant of gluten so I could drink an ice-cold beer at the restaurant by the Wallowa Lake tram. The grill serves locally brewed beer, and there’s nothing like a cold one on a hot day.

Know that there is no tap water at the Summit Grill, so any water you order will be bottled. I wish I’d known we couldn’t fill up our water bottles there—we would have packed more!

We left before happy hour (3-4 pm) and live music (2:30-4:30 pm) but I’d like to linger for those next time.

Wallowa Lake Tramway cost , facilities + accessibility

Wallowa tram cost:

• $35 per adult
• $31 per person 12-17 years
• $25 per child 4-11 years
• $6 per child 3 and under
• $32 per senior or military member

Riding the Wallowa Lake Tramway isn’t cheap. For us, the expense was worth the experience. What’s more, we paid very little for anything else, since we spent our week riding bikes, playing at the campground and splashing in Wallowa Lake.

A restroom with flush toilets is available next to the tram exit at the top of the mountain.

If you use a wheelchair, ask for help from one of the employees. They will assist you in getting in a tram car and send up your wheelchair as well. The tramway cannot accommodate scooters.

Wallowa tram hours: The tram begins its rides in mid-May on the weekends. It operates every day from June 1 – September 30. Double-check its web site for hours.

2. Go swimming in Wallowa Lake

I have news for anyone wanting to swim in this alpine lake: The water is cold! The water isn’t so freezing that you can’t go in, but you’ll want a sunny and hot day so you don’t turn into an otter pop. Brr.

Several swimming beaches are located at the south end of Wallowa Lake, within the state park. You can also swim at the rockier beach on the north end of the lake, just a mile south of Joseph, Oregon.

If you swim within Wallowa State Park, I recommend wearing water shoes. Walking over rocks and squishy sand can either hurt or yuck out kids, and even adults. Once we arrived I really wished I’d remembered to bring our favorite water shoes. Oh well, next time!

Where to swim in Wallowa Lake

The safest spot to swim is within the marked-off area alongside the beach. Motorboats, jet skis, and other watercraft are allowed on this clear blue lake, and water vehicles can’t always see people swimming in deep water.

So to keep you and your kiddos safe, I recommend staying within designated swimming areas on Lake Wallowa.

That said, if you kayak or paddle out in the lake, floating docks dot the water. You can tie up your boat, climb up, and cannonball off to your heart’s content. Boats don’t zoom by the docks for their own safety, so you can safely swim next to them.

3. Wallowa Lake Marina: Paddleboarding, kayaking and more

When we planned our Wallowa Lake camping adventure, I had my heart set on paddleboarding. Learning to SUP has been on my summer bucket list for three years, and I was determined to make it happen this year!

Luckily for me, the Wallowa Lake Marina makes it super easy to rent boats, kayaks, and of course paddleboards.

Eric and I each paddled a SUP, and we took one kid each on the front. I was surprised at how quickly I picked up this fun water sport. I had been nervous about going out with the girls, but they loved it too! In the middle of the lake, Maxine was doing her own version of yoga poses on the nose of the SUP.

Costs for rentals

From the Wallowa Lake Marina, motorboats start at $30/hour. Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are $20/person, and kids kayaks run at $10/hour. Rowboats and paddleboats are also $20/hour.

All Wallowa Lake Marina rentals include life jackets, and you must share a credit or debit card as a deposit for the rental.

4. Wallowa Lake Disc Golf Course

Within Wallowa Lake State Park, a 9-hole disc golf course winds through the day-use area. This disc golf course is one of the best in the area—and the only one for miles and miles.

Hubs is wild about disc golf and brings his own basket whenever we camp. He putts in our campsite, making the clang-clang from the metal rings carry all over the campground. He was extra jazzed he would be able to play an actual disc golf course here.

What’s more, his dad has recently caught the disc golf bug. The two of them would bike to the course in the early morning before the girls woke up. Then they’d come home—happy, hungry, and with shoes wet with dew—in time for breakfast.

The Wallowa Lake Disc Golf course is perfect for beginners. The holes aren’t technical or long (the longest is just 280 feet). And since it goes through a state park, the course is well maintained and manicured.

If you haven’t tried disc golf yet, give it a shot during your Wallowa Lake, Oregon, camping trip!

5. Wallowa Lake hiking trails

At the end of Power House Rd, you’ll find the Wallowa Lake trailhead. This trail gets you into the Eagle Cap Wilderness, where you can hike past waterfalls and likely come across deer munching their way through the vegetation.

The trail can be steep and rocky; you’ll want to wear sturdy shoes and leave the kids at home. If you’re up for a challenge, this hiking trail should top your list of Wallowa Lake activities!

Kid-Friendly hiking trails near Wallowa Lake: Iwetemlaykin hike

Because the main hiking trail is rather difficult for children, we opted for a kid-friendly hike near Wallowa Lake at Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site. It’s about a 5-minute drive from Wallowa Lake State Park.

The 1.8-mile hike includes only gentle elevation, and my kids (ages 4 and 6) had no trouble completing it on their own—as long as I kept a steady stream of snacks heading their way!

The Iwetemlaykin hike near Wallowa Lake takes you through grasslands, past a creek, and around Knight’s Pond. The fields fill with wildflowers in the spring, and if you’re lucky you might catch sight of a fox or heron.

Keep your kids close and your dog on a leash, though: Cougar and bear pass through here. In fact, we spotted a pile of fresh bear scat right next to Knight’s Pond!

One branch of the Iwetemlaykin hike takes you to Old Chief Joseph’s gravesite. You can also catch the trail from 8th street within Joseph, Oregon.

While exploring the Wallowa hiking trails, remember that this is a culturally important spot to the Nez Perce. It was from this area that the wal’waama band left their homeland by force. The wrongdoing of the past American government and military must not be forgotten or whitewashed.

6. Visit the nearby pioneer town: Joseph, Oregon

Roughly 50 miles from the Idaho border and the same distance to Washington, this tiny town in the Wallowa Mountains is worth a visit during your Wallowa Lake camping trip. Joseph, Oregon is home to just over a thousand residents, but it welcomes visitors—especially during the summer and the fall hunting season.

Joseph might be small, but it’s anything but boring. Main Street is lined with adorable shops, eateries, and bronze statues on nearly every block—including this one of the town’s namesake, Chief Joseph.

I could have stayed for days in Joseph. I wanted to explore the pubs, cafes, and boutiques for hours. But since my family was spending most of our time in the Wallowa Lake State Park, I had to save fully exploring this pioneer town for later.

Things to do in Joseph, Oregon

When you visit Joseph, Oregon, make sure to stop for a tea or coffee at Arrowhead Chocolates. Oh my goodness, their bite-sized chocolates are beyond delicious. I ate a dark chocolate-vanilla bean morsel and savored every taste.

You can also watch them make the chocolates in a small workshop within the cafe!

And since you’re into satisfying your sweet tooth, get a scoop of Oregon’s own Umpqua ice cream at Mad Mary’s. This throwback diner makes their own waffle cones and hand-dips their sugar cones in chocolate and sprinkles.

Be warned, though, that they sell oodles of candy and trinkets, so your kids will likely ask for gummy worms and bubble gum in addition to their ice cream. (eye-roll)

Finally, I happened to be looking for a gift for a friend who let me stay at her apartment recently, and I found just what I needed at Bee Crow Bee. Their handmade soaps are pretty enough to eat. I fell in love with the lemongrass-coconut milk scent.

If you’re staying in Joseph, you can ride a free shuttle to the park on the north end of Wallowa Lake and to Wallowa Lake Marina. The easiest place to hop on is in front of the Joseph Visitor’s Center.

What a wonderful way to see the area around Joseph while not contributing to congestion!

7. Learn about Native American heritage in Wallowa Lake

Native Americans have called this region in Oregon since long before the state even existed. Bands of Nez Perce (Niimiipuu) lived in and moved throughout the Northwest, making camps, fishing, and hunting.

Nez Perce here weathered several treaties throughout the 1800s as the American government and military negotiated—and renegotiated—terms that continually became worse for the actual residents of that land.

Now, the area remains an important part of the country for those whose ancestors called this land home. In nearby Wallowa, Oregon, for example, the annual Tamkaliks Celebration is a three-day event of dancing, drumming, community, and a friendship feast.

“Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.”

Young Chief Joseph

Visit Old Chief Joseph’s grave

Between Joseph, Oregon, and the entrance to Wallowa State Park, Old Chief Joseph’s grave is a sacred site and cemetery. Tıwi·teqıs, called Chief Joseph in English, was the leader of the Nez Perce who refused to give up his tribe’s land to the American government. He died in 1871.

Chief Joseph is an important figure in Nez Perce and local history. He was originally buried elsewhere but, when that grave was robbed, his remains were moved to this site. People continue to visit his grave and leave mementos in his honor.

This is a sacred site and home to more graves, some unmarked, in addition to Old Chief Joseph’s. For that reason, visitors should stay on marked paths, remain respectful, and eat or drink only outside the cemetery.

Visitors are allowed to leave something meaningful on Chief Joseph’s grave but must not touch or move what has already been left there.

Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site

Just past Chief Joseph’s grave on the way to Joseph, Oregon, this site preserves land sacred to the Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Iwetemlaykin is also a solemn site. In 1877, the wal’waama band of the Nez Perce were forced to leave this area, their homeland. The treaty signed that year (called the “Thief Treaty” in part because it took back 90% of the land the American government had already promised to Native American tribes in an earlier treaty) drove this group of the Nez Perce out of the Wallowa Lake area.

They had to travel more than a thousand miles on horseback and on foot to reach safer territory in Canada.

So much to explore in Wallowa Lake, Oregon

Phew, that was an epic guide with everything you need to know before you head off on your Lake Wallowa camping adventure!

This gorgeous yet mostly unvisited gem in Northeastern Oregon is well worth the drive it’ll take to get here. I’m already scheming on when we can go back. After all, I want to spend more time in Joseph, Oregon; visit nearby Hells Canyon; hike more in the Eagle Cap Wilderness; check out the breweries in Enterprise; and of course marvel at this region’s clear blue lakes.

Many people have never heard of Lake Wallowa, Oregon before. Now you have—and you can make a plan to visit. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

After you go, check back in and let me know how much you loved Wallowa Lake!

The post The ULTIMATE guide to Oregon’s Wallowa Lake: Hiking, campgrounds + more Wallowa Lake activities appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

If you just use these family camping hacks (and perhaps adjust your expectations), you’ll fall back in love with all things camping.

Family camping fun is totally attainable, especially if you take a few of these hacks, tips, games and activities—all tested by me when camping with kids!

One last thing before I dive into all the great camping hacks! If you’re traveling to your campground, you’re going to love my book, Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids. Click the image below and snag yourself a copy of the e-book or paperback. The fun, customizable games and free printables will keep you entertained along every mile between home and the campsite—and beyond!

Family camping hacks to make you love camping again

I vividly remember my family’s first camping trip after having kids. My daughter had just turned 1, and we spent a long weekend in a rustic part of Oregon, near Cougar Reservoir off the McKenzie River. I hadn’t planned on it being a relaxing, rejuvenating vacation, but I was wholly unprepared for the amount of work it took to camp with kids.

At the end of the trip, I was exhausted, pissed off at my husband and never wanting to camp again.

Here’s the thing, though. Camping with kids can be an absolute delight, too.

So find those s’mores sticks, pack up the tent and get ready for family camping that is actually fun!

Camping hacks to make packing a breeze

1. Keep all your camping gear together

To make camping as easy as grab-and-go, put all your camping gear in a clear plastic bin. That way, you’ll never have to pack and repack all your gear, search for lanterns or ask yourself if you actually have camp soap. 

This is what we keep in our camping gear box:

• Plates, bowls, silverware, mugs and sharp knives
• Cutting board
• Camp soap (it’s biodegradable, so it won’t harm wildlife and rivers nearby) 
• Toilet paper
• Flashlights and lanterns (we use this flashlight because it will never break!)
• Collapsible camp chairs
• Mosquito repellant (we use this kid-safe bug spray)
• Mineral sunscreen (we use this SPF 50+ sunscreen that doesn’t damage ocean life, coral reefs or other sensitive wildlife)
• Fire starters
• Matches and a lighter
• Hatchet
• Plastic garbage bags
• Rope (we use this for many things, e.g. extending our dog’s leash and stringing up for a clothesline)
• Duct tape
• A hammock

2. Refill and replace your camping gear bin

As soon as you get home, replace anything you used up in your last family camping trip. That way, you’ll never have to second-guess if you have enough toilet paper for another family camping adventure!

3. Pack less

Ok, our minivan is always stuffed to the brim with a cooler, camping boxes, our big family tent, our clothes, the kids’ scooters and bikes, etc etc etc. But we pare down where we can. 

For example, we don’t bring a ton of changes of clothes. I average just one change per day. We’re not on a fashion show, and I don’t mind if the kids’ t-shirts are a little grimy.

Camping hacks for a cleaner campground

4. Pack wipes. Then pack more.

Wipes are pretty much the most important thing to bring on your family camping trip. When water, baths and washing machines are far, far away, a quick wipe does wonders.

5. Set up a hand washing station

You’ll also want a hand washing station when camping with kids. Set up a water jug with a spigot over a bucket or plastic bin (so the water that falls doesn’t make a muddy mess underneath). We usually set up ours at the edge of a picnic table.

Bar soap can get grubby real fast, since kids will likely drop it in the dirt the first time they go to wash hands. Avoid this camping mess by drilling a hole into regular bar soap when you’re at home. Then thread a piece of rope or string through the hole and attach it to the spigot. Voila, no more mess at your camping hand washing station!

6. Wipe your feet!

Keep a door mat in front of your family tent entrance. That way, kids will wipe off their feet before tracking pine needles into your sleeping space.

You and your kids should also take shoes off before getting into your family tent. That said, my kids mostly run around barefoot when we go camping, so a doormat helps keep dirt out.

7. Dry damp gear

Towels, swimming suits, clothes—it’s all bound to get wet. You want it to dry quickly without falling in the dirt and getting absolutely filthy. Here’s a camping hack to keep your gear dry and (relatively) clean:

Drape your wet towels and gear over your family tent poles. Using clothespins, clip the fabric to the poles. It may not look too classy, but you’ll have dry gear in no time.

8. Separate dirty clothes

Bring a big cloth bag (those big blue IKEA bags also work great) to wrangle dirty clothes. That way, your kids’ muddy pants won’t get mixed up in their clean clothes. 

Level 10 travel tip: When you get home, simply dump this whole bag into the washing machine. No sorting through packed bags necessary!

9. Embrace dirt!

Even if you keep your home spotless, you’ll need to let go of some of your ideas of cleanliness when you’re camping. Things are just dirtier out in the woods, and you’ll have a much better time camping with kids if you let some of the need to clean go.

Your kids might love it, too! My own girls embrace the #wildchild ethos of camping and get real dirty. I figure it’s fine, and we’ll go back to baths when we get home.

(We don’t bathe our kids when we camp. They get washed off-ish when we play in the river or lake, but that’s about it! So if you need permission to skip a few baths—you got it!)

Fun camping activities for families

10. This isn’t a rave, it’s camping!

Ok, so glow sticks might remind you of that brief period where you danced at raves in abandoned warehouses (no? just me?), but they are our #1 family camping activity to bring extra fun to the great outdoors. I pick up a pack of glow sticks (or bracelets, necklaces or even wands) from the Dollar Store or the dollar spot at Target. For mere pennies, you’ll create a night your kids will never forget.

You can have a dance party (pacifier necklaces optional!), play catch or hide and seek with the neon-glowing goodies. Just be careful to clean them up when you’re done.

Level 10 travel tip: Attach a glow stick to your dog’s leash. You’ll not only keep an eye on him in the dark; your kids will also think it’s hilarious.

11. A front-row seat to a nighttime show

I know bats and bugs—and other critters that come out at night—aren’t going to win any popularity contests. But your kids (and you!) can lose some of that eep-factor by letting them put on a nighttime show for you.

Simply stretch out a white sheet between some trees on your campsite, then aim a powerful lantern at the sheet. Bugs will be attracted to the light (remember that adage about moths and flames?), and bats will swoop in to feast. (You’re welcome for the bug buffet, little bats!)

This unusual and entertaining nighttime family camping activity is something you’d never do at home, which makes family camping fun—and totally unforgettable.

12. Let nature inspire arts and crafts

When we go camping with kids, I always pack a few arts and crafts supplies. I bring the bare minimum, though, so the kids can use nature in their projects, too.

By bringing just paper and glue, the girls are inspired to make nature collages. This is a particularly good activity for when the kids need quiet time—or Mom needs a few uninterrupted minutes to sip on a can of wine.

Looking for more outdoor crafts and activities? Check out my full post on more than 30 camping art projects.

13. Campsite tic-tac-toe

My kids love tic-tac-toe, and this nature-inspired version of the game is a total blast!

First, take four sticks and lay them out in the # sign. That’s your board. 

Then get your kids to each collect 5 of the same items—rocks, pine cones, flowers, whatever. These will be their X’s and O’s!

Set up on a side of your campsite or on a tree stump so their game doesn’t get interrupted, and let the fun camping games begin!

14. Map the campground

If you brought along paper—or even tore off a portion of a paper grocery bag—your kids can draw a map of the campground. Then they can play explorers!

Better yet, have them draw a map and hide treasure somewhere. Then they can challenge someone else to find the hidden treasure. X marks the spot!

15. Create a camping bucket

On one camping trip with my kids and their friends, I made camping buckets for all the littles. With a few bucks at the dollar store, I quickly created an individual camping activity kit for each child.

Simply buy some buckets and write each child’s name on his or her own bucket with puffy paint. Then fill the bucket with a handful of camping activity items they can use the whole trip. I filled our buckets with:

• a magnifying glass
• a notebook and pen
• chalk
• bubbles
• chip clips (these work great as “pinchers”—for some reason, little kids love picking up sticks, grass stems and more with these!)

Camping safety for kids and families

16. Personal first aid kits in an Altoids tin

Pack each child their own first aid kit, or what the internet calls a “boo boo kit.” In an Altoids tin or old medication bottle, pack a few band-aids of different sizes, a few wipes in a ziplock bag and other first aid gear.

This kid on YouTube has a genius tutorial on making your own boo boo kit, or mini first aid kit in an Altoids tin. 

Kids will love to carry their own first aid kit when you go hiking or on other adventures. It makes them feel so important!

You should also have a well stocked first aid kit on hand. We always have one in our go-bag in the back of the minivan. (If you haven’t made one of your own yet, I strongly recommend you keep one in each of your cars in case of a major emergency. We live in Portland, where the risk of an eventual major earthquake is high, so we have a survival go-bag similar to this one.)

17. Call a safety meeting

When you arrive at camp, call a safety meeting first thing. This is when you and your kids will go over all the safety details to keep everyone in tip-top shape during your family camping trip.

Some topics to cover:

• Fire safety: How to behave around the camp fire
• Off-limits areas: How far kids can roam on their own, and when they need an adult
• Water safety: If you’re camping near a river, lake or ocean, tell kids they cannot go anywhere near the water without an adult
• Poisonous plants: If poison oak, ivy or sumac grows where you are camping, show kids what it looks like so they can avoid it

18. No berries, no mushrooms

Make sure everyone understands this important camping rule: Never eat mushrooms or berries. Even delicious-looking fruit and fungi can be poisonous.

19. Avoid bugs

We regularly burn citronella candles to keep mosquitoes at bay in the morning and at dusk. If your kids are too busy running around to benefit from this natural insect repellant, have them DIY bug repellant bracelets:

Tie the ends of three strips of cloth in a knot. Then have them braid those strips together, creating a band. Soak the band in a mixture of naturally bug repellant essential oils (such as citronella) and then tie it to your child’s wrist.

You may also want to bring a wasp trap to keep yellow jackets and other stinging insects away from your kids.

20. Keep foods safe

When you’re outdoors, it’s super-important to pay attention to storing your food safely. You’ll want to pack lots of ice in your cooler to keep meat and other perishable food at a safe temperature so your crew doesn’t get food poisoning.

If you want more, check out my post and infographic on how to pack a cooler correctly.

When you prep your meals, keep food out on a picnic table the least amount of time possible. That leaves less time for bacteria to grow. And put any leftovers back in the cooler immediately.

Bring along small ice packs to keep food cold when you go on hikes or picnics. There’s nothing worse than catching a tummy bug from not keeping foods cold enough!

21. Keep wildlife away

If you camp in bear country, your camp site will probably have a bear box to secure your food. But no matter where you camp, it’s a good idea to keep all food—including coolers—inside your car, if you go drive-up camping.

Many many years ago, before we had kids, Hubs and I went camping with a bunch of friends. We left a bunch of food out overnight. (We may have consumed one or several alcoholic beverages…) In the middle of the night, we woke up to noises in the campsite. We peeked out our tent and shined a light on a SKUNK eating muffins on the picnic table!

You don’t want bear, skunks or any other critters nosing through your stuff. So keep everything secured, especially overnight, to avoid unwelcome wildlife!

Family camping meals made easier

22. Pre-prep as much food as possible

My motto when it comes to camping meals is the more I do at home, the better. I’m not into doing a bunch of chopping when bugs are everywhere, camp fire ash always seems to drift toward the picnic table, and I’d rather be playing with my kids.

So I do as much as I humanly can to prep camping meals before we ever leave home.

For example, I’ll make a big quinoa vegetable salad, chop veggies for tin foil dinners, and even pre-grill burgers. That way, when my kids and I are starving after a super-fun day camping, dinner doesn’t take an hour to make. I can just throw a few things on the coals to warm up and BAM! Dinner is served.

23. Coozies for sippy cups

When my kids drink their morning milk, their poor hands used to get freezing cold holding a sippy cup. After all, mornings when you first wake up camping can be chilly!

Then I found this genius family camping hack: Stick sippy cups in a beer coozie! Their hands will stay nice and warm.

24. More s’mores in the morning

Before you try to roast me over the fire for parenting blasphemy, hear me out why s’mores in the morning is actually a good idea. After all, whoever thought giving kids marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate just before bed never had to struggle to get littles to sleep in a tent. S’mores at night make no sense!

That’s why when we go camping with kids, we do s’mores either after breakfast or in the afternoon. That way, kids have lots of time and opportunity to run off their sugar buzz. My kids are much more likely to fall asleep in our family tent if they didn’t just eat a ton of sweets!

25. DIY foil dinners

Kids like to be in charge. (Or maybe that’s just mine being bossy leaders?) That’s one reason why DIY foil dinners over the camp fire is the perfect family camping meal!

All you need to do is set out an array of pre-chopped ingredients. Then everyone can select what they want in their foil dinner. Here’s how to make ’em:

Set out a long rectangle of tin foil. Place your ingredients in the middle. Drizzle with olive oil, garlic, any sauce you want, and seasonings. Fold the tin foil around the ingredients, creating a compact rectangular package. (You may need to double-wrap the package in a second layer of tin foil.) Place the package on hot coals (not over flames) and turn halfway through cooking. Our foil dinners typically take a half-hour to cook.

Some ideas for DIY foil dinner ingredients:

• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Broccoli
• Onion
• Sweet potatoes
• Tempeh

26. Never underestimate the appeal of a good weenie

100% of the time we go camping, hot dogs are on the menu. But when we camp, I’ve told everyone they must be called camping weenies. (because how fun is that?!)

Kids love grilling their own food, and a plain ol’ hotdog tastes extra-good after a long day of outdoor fun.

Sure, you can make a gourmet camping meal—there are about a million pins for those. But when we camp, simplicity is the name of the game. You don’t have to be fancy; after all, you’re in the woods.

Tricks to make family camping more comfortable

27. Pick your campsite strategically

Most state parks and other reservable campsites have maps of the park layout. When selecting the campsite you reserve, pay attention to what’s nearby.

You do not want to camp next to the camp bathrooms. (These areas get tons of foot traffic from the rest of the campground going to do their business.) Plus, they can smell. Yuck!

In addition, do not camp next to a garbage station. These are super-stinky and similarly get a lot of coming and going.

When you avoid those spots, you and your kids will be much more comfortable—and have a lot more fun camping.

28. Send kids on stick patrol

Before we set up our tent, I send my kids on a mission: Pick up every stick and pinecone you can within the area where we’ll set up our tent. I make it into some kind of game so they actually get excited about clearing a spot for our family tent. That way, sticks and rocks don’t make an uneven, bumpy floor in our tent!

29. Cushion your sleeping bag

No one wants to sleep with a tree root poking them in the back. Depending on what level of comfort you and your kids need to sleep while camping, there are options for you:

• If you’re used to couchsurfing… put a yoga mat beneath your sleeping bag.
• If you’re used to motels… put an inflatable raft beneath your sleeping bag. (These double as fun floaties on the lake during the day!)
• If you’re used to hotels… set up a camping cot and sleep off the ground.
• If you’re used to 4 star accommodation… put an inflatable mattress beneath your sleeping bag.

TBH, we got tired of the yoga mat route, so we invested in a queen-sized inflatable mattress and a battery-powered pump that inflates it in mere minutes. We sleep so much better while camping now! And we’ll never go back to sleeping on the ground. Because everyone has a lot more fun on a family camping trip if you actually slept.

30. Recreate your kids’ home sleeping environment

The first time we went camping with kids, we didn’t think to bring along a white noise machine—and boy did we pay for it! My older daughter, who was just 1 at the time, hardly slept at all.

The same goes for whatever your kids require to sleep well. If they use a lovey at home, bring that. You get the idea.

31. Double up on jammies

Where we camp in the Pacific Northwest, some nights get cold. Temperatures sometimes drop to the 40s or even close to freezing!

To keep kids comfortable at night in the tent, I layer jammies. I’ll usually put them in a two-piece pajama set with a fleece footed pajama on top. That way I don’t worry when they inevitably squirm out of their sleeping bag in the middle of the night. They still stay warm.

32. Keep clothes warm

Early mornings tend to be chilly when you’re camping. Help ease the transition from sleep to a glorious day by keeping the next day’s clothes inside your sleeping bag all night. They’ll stay toasty warm from your body heat, so you and your kids don’t get chilled when changing your clothes!

33. Bust out a camping poncho

I’m pretty sure you’ll agree that somehow, flashlights always get misplaced when you’re camping. (Why? How? Maybe campsite gremlins!)

To keep track of this ultra-necessary bit of camping gear, designate one spot where the flashlight is always returned to. We have a mesh pocket near the door of our family tent where a flashlight lives at all times. That way, if someone has to get up to pee in the middle of the night, they don’t have to search in the dark to find a light!

35. Peeing in the woods…?

My family spends a lot of time outdoors, so ever since my kids were old enough to recognize they had to go #1, they were able to pee in the woods. But not every child is as comfortable using the Great Outdoors as their personal potty.

That’s why I recommend bringing a portable potty, even if they’ve been using a regular toilet for a while. (We have this potty and swear by it because it’s easy to clean and doesn’t take up much space.)

Your kids may be grossed out by the restrooms in campsites anyway and prefer to use a potty. And children who recently potty trained may need to wear a diaper or pull-up to bed in case of accidents. Sleeping in an unfamiliar place, especially where they’d have to pee in the dark, may mean children who stay dry through the night have uncharacteristic accidents.

36. Embrace the adventure!

The biggest thing you can do to ensure a fun family camping trip is adjust your expectations. You probably won’t sleep as well as you do at home. Your kids may skip naps, throw tantrums or trip over a tent pole. That’s ok; family camping isn’t perfect.

Your kids won’t remember the crummy moments. They will remember the special time you spent together as a family outdoors. So just roll with the not-so-great parts of camping with kids.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the six summers we’ve spent family camping, it’s that it gets easier every time. So pack up that tent and get ready to make memories!

Camping with kids for a summer of fun

Do you feel more prepared for family camping now? Do my recommendations for family camping hacks, fun camping activities for families and gear recommendations make you feel more confident? I’m pretty sure they do.

So here’s to a summer full of glorious camping trips. See you out there!

The post 36 fun family camping hacks, activities + games to save your sanity appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

That’s when I suggest my girls and I do one of these nature art projects —and then watch their imagination and creativity blossom. These also make for fun camping activities for kids so you’ll never run out of things to do on your next family camping trip.

We’ve been doing these nature projects for kids for years. Now whenever we take our dog for a walk, the girls want to bring along their buckets so they can collect “nature art supplies” for later crafts. When I say, “Hey, want to do a nature art project?” they literally jump up and down, asking me what we’re going to do.

Because variety is the spice of nature art projects, and you might want a little inspiration, I’ve put together a list of 34 gorgeous camping arts and crafts that you can use while camping, or simply out in your yard. Go ahead, let your creativity shine!

And since you’re excited to have fun with your kids once you reach the Great Outdoors, you might as well have a wonderful time getting there, too! Grab your copy of my book Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids. It shares 33 fun, customizable games and free printables that will keep you and your littles entertained for hours! Click the image below to get your copy in e-book or paperback!

Beat boredom with these fun camping activities for kids

Boredom while we’re family camping or just out in the yard is unfathomable to me now—there’s little I’d rather do than just relax in a quiet forest or chill by a river. But I remember complaining to my mom—“I’m booooooored”—when I was a kid.

Get rid of the b-word when you’re outdoors with one—or many!—of these fun nature crafts which make for some of the best family camping activities.

But, before you get started with these fun camping activities for kids, be sure to come prepared with extra supplies including glue, paper, clay, crayons, washable paint and string. 

1. Nature collage: The most popular kids camping activity

There’s no questioning why this is number 1 on my list of best camping activities for kids.

With just glue, card stock and whatever nature supplies your kids collect, they can create gorgeous nature collages. My kids can happily spend an hour on this camping arts and crafts project, while hubby and I sit back, relax and enjoy the outdoors!

2. Nature mandalas: One of the most exciting camping activities for kids

Send your kids on a scavenger hunt for pieces of nature. (I always bring buckets on our camping trips for this part!) Then create symmetrical designs using flowers, pine cones and whatever else you find at your campsite.

3. Ash painting: Most unique camping arts and crafts activity

In a bucket, stir together a scoop of campfire ash (that has completely cooled off, of course!) and water until it makes a thin paste. Then invite your kids to create art with this DIY black “paint”! Paint the sidewalk or white paper, but not your clothes—it will probably stain.

Your kids will be even more excited about this camping art project when you explain that this technique is one of the ways cavemen made art on their walls.

4. Leaf animals

Collect a variety of leaves—aim for different sizes, shapes and colors. Arrange them on a piece of paper, the ground or a tree stump, using leaves for each animal part. You can add a googly eye (I love a good googly eye) or use something found in nature—like a pebble—for the animal’s eyes, nose and even spots.

5. Clay nature prints

When you bring clay on your next family camping trip, your kids can make nature prints—which are basically fossils. (Yes, you just upped your cool factor!)

Give small pieces of clay to each child. They can roll it in a smooth ball and flatten it to a disc, then press an item from nature into it. Carefully peel it out to reveal an imprint of a snail shell, twig or pine cone. This is one of my kids’ favorite camping arts and crafts!

6. Rock footprints

Find stones of different sizes. Then arrange them in the shape of footprints, using big rocks for the pad of the foot and pebbles for toes.

Depending on the shapes of your rocks, you can leave human footprints or animal footprints. Your kids may even be inspired in this camping art project to create footprints of the animals in your camp! Think of raccoons and squirrels, or bear and cougars!

7. Nature face

Use what you find in nature—sticks, rocks, leaves, pinecones, flowers—to make a funny face. You can set this up on the ground or a tree stump, or leave it on a picnic table for someone else to find—and laugh over! Your family can get quite creative with this fun nature art idea.

8. Nature puppets

With some glue and a popsicle stick (or even a regular ol’ stick), you can make an adorable, creative puppet with items you found in nature. My girls and I made this one with leaves, dandelion stems and even marigold seeds – Although I think I had more fun than they did with this nature art activity!

9. Home sweet tent

Collect sticks or rocks—whatever is most plentiful in your campsite. Then spell out the word “home” in front of your tent.

Doesn’t your tent feel cozier now?

10. Fairy houses: The best camping activity for kids

Using whatever nature materials you have at your campsite, your kids can build a home for fairies to live in! My kids got so into this camping art project that it stretched over three days.

They would add to it (the final fairy house included an obstacle course, playground and chandelier) and play with their ponies in the structures. They ended up using our firewood—so we had to get more, since we couldn’t burn their fairy houses!

This camping arts and craft project really allows them to use their imagination and will keep your kids entertained for hours on end.

11. Leaf rubbings

Remember doing leaf rubbings when you were a kid? Just have your child put leaves, ferns or other items from nature under a sheet of paper, then gently rub a paper-free crayon over the paper. Your child will watch an etching of the leaf appear!

12. Color explorations: the best kids nature art for the fall

This activity works best in the fall, when nature’s colorful side is on full display, but you can do it anytime of the year.

Pick a narrow range of colors—e.g. red-orange-yellow—and collect as many things within those hues as you can (e.g. leaves). Then arrange them on the ground by gradation of color. In this example, you’d start with the deepest red on one end, and the color would transition to yellow on the other end. It’s like nature ombre!

13. Nature paintbrushes

All you need to bring along for this nature art and crafts project is washable paint and paper. Collect different items in nature—a fern frond, a small pine branch, flowers, anything—and use them as a paintbrush.

Invite your kids to experiment by printing with the natural item or brushing. Your kids will be delighted by the diverse effects.

14. Leaf towers

It’s amazing how something as simple as a leaf can be used in so many different kids camping activities! To make these leaf towers, find a thin stick, then collect as many different leaves as you can. Poke the stick through the center of each leaf—don’t worry if you tear it, there are plenty more! Leave a few inches between the leaves.

You can create a pattern on your leaf tower (maple-ash-maple-ash) or simply add leaves in an order that feels natural.

When you’re done, help your kids poke the wider end of the stick into the ground, creating a beautiful—and unexpected—piece of nature art.

15. Fairy wands

Invite your kids to collect pieces of nature that call to them, like dandelion blooms, cattails, ferns or anything else. Arrange the items near the edge of a sturdy stick about 12 inches long. Use string (or even the twine that kept your firewood bundle together) to tie the items to the end of the stick. Now your kids have fairy wands!

16. Flower crown

If you’re anything like me, you have fond memories of sitting in the grass as a kid and weaving together daisy chains for a flower crown. Teach your kids this crucial life skill.

The last time I made a flower crown, I didn’t just stick to daisies; I wove in other wildflowers for a less uniform—and more organic—look. This is one of my favorite art projects and my kids get so excited every time we make these flower crowns.

17. Grass pom poms

Pom poms are having their moment—so you might as well bring them with you camping. Rip thick grass into sections about 3 inches long. Gather a small handful and arrange them so they’re roughly in an even stack. Use a longer, sturdy piece of grass (hay-like grass that’s in between fresh and dry works great) to tie the bundle together in the middle.

Fluff out the pieces of grass so they create a pom pom—and hang it from somewhere fun, like your rain fly! #pompomdecor

18. Leaf confetti

If you want your camping trip to be extra-celebratory, just bring along a hole punch: You can punch different colored leaves to make confetti! Simply punch leaves over a plate (so they don’t get scattered on the ground) until you have enough to take handfuls—and HOORAY! Instant camp party!

19. Nature necklaces

Since you have your hole punch handy, punch holes at the base of leaves and other items in nature. Then string them through a piece of twine you have on-hand—or even long strands of grass. Tie the ends together to make a gorgeous nature necklace for your kids.

20. Bodies in nature

Have your child lie down on the ground and trace her body with a stick. All along the outline, place whatever you have handy at your campsite: pinecones, rocks, or even seashells. Then have your kid fill in her portrait. This nature art project for kids is a beautiful—and engrossing—activity that could last your entire camping trip!

21. Tree stump portraits

Find a tree stump and use it as the starting point for a portrait. On the tree stump “face,” you can add hair (grass, moss), eyes (clovers, sand dollars), lips (leaves, berries) and anything else your child can imagine for this nature craft project.

22. Nature chalk drawings

Time to get really creative with the next few kids camping activities, and they’ll love it! With chalk, draw outlines of things you find in nature—then continue to draw to turn them into animals, landscapes or whatever your child can imagine! The outline of a leaf, for example, could turn into a hedgehog, the flame from a fire-breathing dragon or the top of a tree. 

23. Bark painting

Forget paper; paint on tree bark instead. Simply find some bark on the ground (though please don’t pull it off of living trees, as it stresses and harms the tree) and paint whatever you like. Your kids may be curious about the different results of painting on the rough outside and the smoother inside with this nature art project.

24. Decorate nature fairies

I recently printed out these free drawings from Mer Mag, and the girls and I transformed them into forest fairies by adding found objects from nature.

I’ll definitely plan ahead for our next family camping trip so we can add this camping art project to the mix!

25. Dangling nature art

Bring along string or yarn from home—your kids will love this camping art project. Simply tie things you find in nature to strings of varying length. Then hang the strings from a tree branch for a gorgeous art installation.

They remind me of disco beads, yes?

26. Nature spirals

This camping nature art project is super-simple. Just collect a bunch of the same things—my kids gathered basalt rocks on a recent family camping trip—and arrange them in a spiral.

Spirals are found naturally everywhere in nature. Just think of the arrangement of sunflower seeds, the curve of a seashell or even a hurricane. Humans have been using a spiral as a sacred symbol in art and architecture for centuries; why not add it to your nature art project, too?

27. Nature God’s eye

You might have made these at summer camp with popsicle sticks and fluorescent yarn; you can make this all-natural art from materials found outside, too.

Cross two short sticks in an X. Take a bendable vine (such as a long ivy branch) and begin to wrap it back and forth around the intersection where the sticks meet in the middle. When you get to the end of the vine, tie it to another vine—either the same kind or a different one for an alternating pattern. Continue until the nature God’s eye is full to the edge of the stick (or earlier if your little ones lose patience!). Tie off the vine at the end, and hang it from your tent or a tree.

28. Hammered flower prints

We always keep a mallet in our camping box; you might have a hammer. Use it to create gorgeous flower prints, a camping craft idea you may not be familiar with!

Lay a piece of white paper on something sturdy that you don’t mind getting slightly dented (such as a beat-up picnic table). Lay out a design of brightly colored flowers. Cover your design with a paper towel. Gently tap all over the paper towel with the mallet or hammer, doing your best to not move the flowers too much underneath.

Lift up the paper towel and peel off the flowers to reveal your flower prints! 

29. Leaf stencils

Lay a leaf onto a sheet of paper. Hold it still by pressing one finger into the center of the leaf. Using a sponge or a wide paintbrush, dab the area around the leaf and on the edges of the leaf. Carefully lift up the leaf (it works best to lift it from the stem). You’ll reveal white space where your leaf used to be.

30. Mushroom prints

Pick a mushroom (just familiarize yourself with your region’s fungi to ensure you’re not picking something poisonous; check out this book on North American fungi), then remove the stalk. Place the mushroom cap gills-down on a blank piece of paper. Place a cup over the mushroom cap to keep the breeze from disturbing it and leave the mushroom overnight.

In the morning, pick up the cap—you should see a print left behind from the spores the mushroom released!

31. Life-sized nature people

Using rocks, branches, driftwood, even seaweed—whatever materials you have around—make a life-sized person out of nature. You can even dress him or her up, give a fancy hairdo, or add some bling!

What’s more, this is a fun nature art project you can continue to add to over the course of your time outside. Start this outdoor art project at the beginning of your camping trip, for example, and see how it evolves throughout your stay.

32. Nature weaving

Find three sticks and collect a bunch of long vines or grasses. Push the base of each stick into the ground, close to each other in a row. Tie one end of a vine or blade of grass to one of the outside sticks near where it meets the ground. Weave the vine in and out of the sticks to create a gorgeous nature weaving project.

33. “Paint” with dandelions

One of our new favorite camping arts and crafts: painting with dandelions! I love the vibrant yellow of dandelions—and did you know you can use them to paint or draw?

Simply pick a few dandelions and smudge them over paper. The pretty yellow hue shows up on the paper! This is the perfect camping craft for toddlers.

34. Braid flowers

If you’re like me, you might be skilled at braiding your kids’ hair—so why not transfer that expertise to flowers? 

Simply tie together three flowers with long stems. (I use a long piece of grass to tie them together under the base of the flower.) Then braid them, adding a new flower to the strand every other time you cross the stems. 

I recently braided flowers into a dandelion crown. The kids later used it to decorate the entrance to our tent. Then Maxine turned the flower braid into a zip line for her fairy house!

The best camping activities for kids (and the whole family)

Now that you’ve looked through all these fun camping crafts for kids, you have so many ideas for family camping trips—or just your back yard. You and your little ones will be inspired to play outdoors with all these outside activities for kids.

Do you have a favorite? One you’re most excited to try? Tell me in the comments! And don’t forget to pin this post or email it to a friend!

And if you want to make buckets for camping arts and crafts for your own kids, see the directions below.

Yield: 1 activity bucket for kids

Create a Camping Arts and Crafts Bucket

Print

Make a camping arts and crafts bucket for kids! On your next family camping trip or outdoor adventure, these buckets have all the supplies and inspiration for fun camping activities for kids.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Active Time 5 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Difficulty easy

Materials

• Bucket or pail
• Puff paint
• Notepad
• Crayons
• Pencil and colored pencils
• Magnifying glass
• Yarn
• Paintbrush and paint (watercolors or washable tempera)
• White glue
• Sidewalk chalk
• *You don't need everything on the supplies list, though these materials will allow your kids to do nearly every camping activity in this post.

Instructions

1. Assemble the camping arts and crafts supplies you'll need. Buy supplies from the materials list above or rummage through your craft drawer.
2. Using puff paint, write your child's name on a bucket.
3. Once the paint is dry, fill the bucket with camping arts and crafts supplies.
4. Customize supplies if you like, e.g. writing your child's name on the notepad.
5. Keep the bucket secret so you can surprise your kids on your next family camping trip or outdoor adventure!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Sturdy buckets 
• 
  Washable sidewalk chalk
• 
  Washable paint that won't stain

Did you try this? What did you think?

Were these instructions helpful? Be a gem and share this info with someone else who could use it!

PS – Want ideas for family camping in Oregon? Check out my post on yurt camping at Ft. Stevens on the Oregon Coast, or tent camping at Milo McIver State Park near Portland.

The post 34 GORGEOUS Camping Activities For Kids: The Best Nature Art Projects appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

You see, camping with kids isn’t always easy—you have to pack for every contingency, try to get kids who are hopped up on s’mores to sleep, and deal with the whole latrine toilet situation. But camping with kids is so worth it, and picking a family-friendly spot like Milo Mciver campground makes it easier.

Just think: Camping with kids means you have dedicated family time away from electronics with nothing to distract you except the call of an owl or a campfire running low on fuel.

Milo McIver Park, Oregon: Camping with the whole family

Camping with kids allows the whole family to unplug and play in the great outdoors, and camping at Milo McIver State Park in Estacada, Oregon is a great place for just that. It’s also a fantastic campsite to visit if you’re not the rugged backpacker-type.

In fact, the Milo McIver campground is one of the better campgrounds to visit with kids. After all, there are so many kid-friendly activities, features, and destinations within the park, your whole family won’t even notice that Baby hardly slept.

(Kidding! Maybe your baby will sleep in a tent like a champ. If so, tell me your secret.)

So if you’re family camping in Oregon, check out Milo McIver park. Here’s everything you need to know, from the campgrounds to disc golf, swimming and more!

Milo McIver State Park Camping

When you camp at Milo McIver State Park near Portland, don’t expect ultra-rustic sites. Instead, you’ll find flat, clean and large campsite—that near everyone else who’s car camping that day. I thought that the sites actually had a good amount of room between them, but you’ll be able to hear and see most of your neighbors.

Milo McIver Park Amenities

The Milo McIver campgrounds are also accessible to RVs (my in-laws joined us with their rig). The campground has an RV dump station and RV hookups.

We were able to easily walk to the flush toilets and shower facilities. And as you can see, fire rings help you keep fires safe.

Milo McIver park has several group tent camping areas, including one near the disc golf course (more on that in a second!). We’ve often wanted to rent a group camping site but haven’t yet.

You can also rent a shelter at Milo McIver’s day-use area. We did this for Hubs’ 40th birthday party. We had plenty of space for our guests to spread out (and nom on his birthday cake, yum yum!). What’s more, the shelter had running water so everyone could wash hands after making fairy wands.

The day-use area is open to everyone, not just campers; you’ll just need to pay the $5 parking fee or get a yearlong Oregon state park pass for just $30.

Level 10 travel tip: Next to the Cedar group picnic area and shelter, you’ll find a tall tree (a cedar I think??) that kids can play in. The branches create an awesome hidey area to play inside. Our littles spent an entire day making it into a fairy castle!

The Best Things to do at Milo Mciver Park: Disc Golf and More 

The great thing about spending a weekend at Milo Mciver Park in Oregon is that there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained! You’ll leave feeling refreshed and your kids will have such fun stories to tell their friends at school.

Milo Mciver Disc Golf

We first discovered Milo McIver State Park when Hubs hit up the park’s 27-hole disc golf course. Since then, he goes disc golfing at Milo Mciver just about every week.

Disc golfing is a wonderful family activity because just about any aged kid can throw a disc (even if not very far), you can go at your own pace (or your kids’ pace), and there is a ton of room for kids to run and explore.

When you’re camping here, you can drive to access the Milo Mciver disc golf park at the north end (by turning left if you’re coming from the park’s entrance). If it’s your first-time disc golfing, let faster groups behind you pass you, and don’t hesitate to ask other disc golfers where you’ll find the next hole. If you’re not already a disc golfer, you can buy or rent discs at the park office.

Level 10 travel tip: Keep a close eye on your kids and other groups when you disc golf. After all, you don’t want your kids to accidentally get in the way of an oncoming disc!

Milo Mciver State Park Swimming Areas for Kids

Milo McIver State Park is nestled along the Clackamas River, and you can access the water throughout the park.

Playing in the Clackamas River

Whenever we go to Milo McIver, my girls want to swim—even if it’s raining out! The park has swimming holes, and there are even more spots great for wading.

Make sure you never take your eyes off your kids—the Clackamas River does have a current.

Also know that the water stays quite cold until mid-summer, so bring cozy towels to wrap up your kids after their swim.

Level 10 travel tip: Our favorite river access spot at Milo Mciver Park is between holes 6 and 7 on the east disc golf park. Even if you’re not disc golfing, you can walk along the riverbend trail to find this sandy, calm spot.

Floating the Clackamas River

The stretch of the Clackamas River at Milo McIver is fairly mellow but has a few baby rapids. For families with older kids, it can be a fun adventure to float (aka “tube”) the river.

There are boat ramps throughout the park. You’ll want to leave a car at the takeout so you can drive back to your campsite—or back to the river to float the Clackamas again!

Please be safe, though: Wear lifejackets at all times.

Visit The Fish Hatchery at Milo Mciver State Park

The park is home to one of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fish hatcheries. In fact, it’s just a few minutes’ drive (or a hike) from many of the Milo Mciver Park camping areas, making it a fun family-friendly activity if your kids need a break from throwing sticks in the campfire.

My kids couldn’t believe how many fish were in the holding tanks—the surface of the water practically rolled with fish growing bigger and bigger.

I learned a lot about fish in Oregon at the hatchery, too. The fish hatchery raises Chinook salmon and Steelhead, helping populations of these threatened species survive threats like habitat loss.

Camping at Milo McIver: Bat house

When you’re camping at Milo McIver, look up: At night, you’ll see flitting shadows. Yep, those are bats!

Before you get creeped out, remember that these nocturnal animals are eating mosquitoes and other bugs. (Thank you, bats!)

It just so happens that Milo McIver State Park is home to Townsend’s big-eared bat, a protected species in Oregon. You and your family can learn even more about these crucial critters by hiking to the Bat House and going along the self-guided tour.

Level 10 travel tip: The hike to the Bat House at Milo McIver is through an open area so it’s not shaded. Make sure to put sunscreen and hats on your kids, especially in the summer, so they don’t get sunburned.

Milo McIver Park Camping: Even more family-friendly features!

• There are miles and miles of hiking trails all around Milo McIver State Park. Pick up a map at the park office.

• Bikes are welcome on all paved roads but not on any trails.

Level 10 travel tip: There’s a big hill that separates the Riverbend section of the park (with the disc golf course) and the Riverside part of the park (with the campsites). Unless your kids are up for a big uphill climb—or you’re willing to pull them in a trailer—stick to one side or the other.

• During the summer, there are park ranger-led kids activities. Check at the park office for a schedule.
• There’s a beautiful viewpoint near the Milo Mciver park office. Stop by to see the Clackamas River from above.

Looking forward to planning our next Milo Mciver Camping Trip

I’m beyond excited for summer camping this year, and we’ll definitely be camping at Milo McIver State Park again. If you’re looking to head out for the weekend and go camping near Portland, make sure to add Milo Mciver Park to your bucket list!

Looking for more family-friendly camping in Oregon? Check out my post on yurt camping at Ft. Stevens State Park on the Oregon Coast because I’m pretty sure you and your kids will love it as much as my littles did!

Do you have any family camping plans?

The post Milo McIver State Park Camping with Kids: A Family Mecca appeared first on To & Fro Fam.