Boasting 33 campsites, Jones Creek Campground is the largest campground within the Wilson River Recreation Area. Located on the northern side of the Wilson River across from the Tillamook Forestry Center and Smith Homestead Day Use Area, the campground offers relatively spacious sites that are ideal for mid-sized RVs, 14 walk-in sites that are tucked away and offer privacy, and the only established group campsite along the river.
Given the close location, it is surprising that none of the campsites actually overlook the Wilson River. Fortunately, however, the campground is optimally located for enjoying all of what the Wilson River has to offer. Swimming holes and fishing abound along the Wilson River Trail and further downstream at Footbridge Day Use Area, mile marker 15, and even as close as at the Smith Homestead. Further, lofty vistas can be found from at the summits of Elk Mountain and Kings Mountain.
Note: Jones Creek Campground's season generally runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The group site is available by reservation only and costs $50 per night. Call 503.842.2545 for more information. Walk-in campsites are only $10 per night.
Oregon’s North Coast Forests
The Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests are 45 minutes outside of Portland’s backdoor and one of the state’s best keep secrets. But these forests also have a fraught history with logging, fires and more logging. They are now 50 to 70 years into the recovery process and offer prime habitat for vibrant communities of fish and wildlife, as well as an immense array of recreational opportunities. The Wilson and Kilchis rivers host globally important runs of Chinook, chum, coho and steelhead. Both forests provide camping, biking, fishing, hunting and hiking grounds for thousands of Oregonians, and they also provide over 400,000 people with clean drinking water.
Wild Salmon Center is a founding member of the North Coast State Forest Coalition, a diverse group of over 100 businesses, governing bodies and nonprofits working to leverage public support to increase forest and streamside protection along the North Coast. These popular and biologically important areas deserve real protection. That’s why we’re asking state and federal leaders to protect 33,000 acres of land around the Wilson and Kilchis Rivers and another 8,000 acres around Kings Mountain. It’s no easy task ensuring a future for these forests, but this is where you can help.
Get Involved
Learn more about the North Coast State Forest Coalition, on their website. Join in the coalition by signing up for their newsletter and signing on to the latest action alerts to protect the Wilson/Kilchis and Kings Mountain.
Comments
My family and I stayed at site B12, which had vegetation-provided privacy, with very little line-of-sight to neighboring campsites. Hopefully the nearby berry bushes are trimmed every year, otherwise I could see them easily taking over campable area. Friendly camp host. Pit toilet was clean and well-maintained.
The most pleasant surprise for me was the drinking water well at the beginning / end of B loop. Growing up in Southern California, I never ran across potable well water when camping -- it always had to be treated before drinking -- but here at Jones Creek, you can pump straight into your water jug or cup, and have at it! There was a slight hint of what I think was hydrogen sulfide, but with so much lush vegetation in the area, that's understandable, and it dissipated pretty quickly from an open container.
Hopefully we'll visit again, although I would like to try being a little closer to the river at the C1 site, or the C2 site if the group site isn't heavily occupied.
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