On a recent road trip to the Oregon coast, we enjoyed staying in the Jones Creek Campground along Highway 6 in Oregon. Here are some things you need to know about camping at the Jones Creek Campground.
Quick Specs
- Location: Approximately 23 miles east of Tillamook and 27 miles west of Banks, OR
- Type: Mix of drive-in sites (for tents/RVs/trailers, walk-in tent-only sites, and one reservable group site.
- Fee: Drive-in sites: $20/night; Walk-in tent sites: $15/night
- Reservations: First-come, first-served for individual sites
- Pets: Allowed on leash
- Open: Mid-May to mid-September (facilities/seasonal operation; check for exact dates as weather/conditions affect)
- Max Stay: 14 days typical
- Cell Service: Spotty to none
Jones Creek Campground Video
Jones Creek Campground Reservations and Camping Fees
As of the time of this writing, the only spot available in the Jones Creek Campground that you can reserve is the group campground. All of the rest of the camping spots are first come, first served. Honestly, we visited in mid-May and were very surprised to find several camping spots open on a Saturday night when we rolled in.
What Does It Cost To Camp At The Jones Creek Campground
As for the camping fees at the Jones Creek Campground, general camping spots are $20, walk-in camping spots are $10, and the group spot is $50 per night. There is only a drop box to pay the fee, so bring cash.
Best Campsite at the Jones Creek Campground?
The best camping spot is always a bit debatable, but if you want to be down by the river, then try and get one of the few available spots down on the C Loop. To get there, take a left at the fork as you come in and go straight down the hill. Granted it will put you down by the group camp spot, but it will also put you as close to the Wilson River as possible.
Camp To The Sound of The Creek
If that doesn’t work and you still want to hear the sound of water, try A1 or A2 which are next to Jones Creek. The rest of A loop is a little close together for my liking, so if you want more room, take a left at the check-in sign and find a site on B-loop.
Overall, I didn’t see what I would consider a bad camping spot in the entire campground. They are all level, with big parking areas, and ample space to throw up a tent. Even the walk-in camp spots are really nice, with an easy trail to pack all your camping gear in on.
Jones Creek Campground Map
What are the amenities available at Jones Creek Campground?
- Potable Water
- River Access
- Horseshoe Pit
- Restrooms
- Day Use Area
- Hiking Trails
- Access To The Tillamook Forest Center
Don’t expect a lot of frills at the Jones Creek Campground. The sites all seem to have a nice picnic table and a fire ring. There are a good number of pit-type bathrooms scattered around. For water, there is a hand pump that creaks and complains but provides plenty of water with minimal effort.
There is a camp host on site and they do sell firewood at what I consider a reasonable price.
There are no showers here as well as no power or sewer hookups, so plan accordingly.
Where Is The Jones Creek Campground?
The Jones Creek Campground is located about 50 miles west of Portland on Highway 6 in Oregon between Portland and Tillamook in the Tillamook State Forest. The official address is 45500 OR-6, Tillamook, OR 97141. From Portland, give yourself an hour to get there, depending on traffic getting out of town.
Driving Directions From Portland
There are also several OHV staging areas if you want to get way out in the woods on the trails leading out into the forest.
Tips & Packing Advice
- Bring water shoes for rocky riverbed (the Wilson River bottom is super rocky)
- Pack layers for variable coastal forest weather (temps range 40s-70s°F)
- Arrive early on weekends, fills fast (especially holiday weekends/summer)
- Check fire restrictions before your trip
- Bring your own drinking water or a filter (potable water available, but good to have backup)
- Cell service is very limited, plan to disconnect
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Spacious sites with good privacy
- Wilson River access for swimming/tubing
- Wilson River Trail accessible from camp
- Tillamook Forest Center within hiking distance
- Camp host sells firewood ($5)
- Potable water on site
Cons
- No showers, basic pit toilets
- Fills up fast on weekends
- ATV/dirt bike activity nearby (OHV trails)
- Some traffic noise from Highway 6
- Very limited cell service
- Seasonal only (mid-May to mid-Sept)
FAQs
Is Gnat Creek pet-friendly?
Yes, leashed pets allowed.
Can RVs go there?
Yes, 28 drive-in sites accommodate RVs and trailers up to 25 feet. No hookups though.
Is there drinking water?
Yes, potable water is available on site.
Reservations required?
No, most sites are first-come, first-served. Only the group site ($50/night, max 24 people) can be reserved through ReserveAmerica.
Best time to visit?
The campground is open mid-May through mid-September. Weekdays are quieter; weekends and holidays fill up fast. Summer is prime time for swimming and tubing in the Wilson River.
How much does it cost?
Drive-in sites are $20/night, walk-in tent sites are $15/night. Both include two vehicles.
Is there cell service?
Very limited. Plan to disconnect and enjoy the forest.
Are campfires allowed?
Yes, in designated fire rings. The camp host sells firewood for $5. Check current fire restrictions before your trip.
Can I access hiking trails from the campground?
Yes, the Wilson River Trail connects directly from the campground to the Jones Creek Day Use Area (a popular swimming hole) and the Tillamook Forest Center.
Are there showers?
No, just pit toilets.
Final Thoughts
Have you camped here? Share your tips in the comments! Subscribe for more honest campground reviews from our Pacific Northwest travels.
- Head south on I-5 S.
- Take exit 21A for I-84 E/US-30 toward The Dalles.
- Merge onto I-84 E/US-30 E.
- Take exit 64 for US-197 S toward Dufur/Bend.
- Turn left onto US-197 S.
- Continue on US-197 S for about 61 miles.
- Turn right onto OR-216 W.
- Continue on OR-216 W for approximately 10 miles.
- Turn right onto US-26 E.
- After about 7 miles, turn left onto Skyline Road.
- Continue on Skyline Road for about 9 miles.
- Jones Creek Campground will be on your right.
Things To Do Around The Jones Creek Campground
For a pleasant hike, take a stroll down to the river along the Jones Creek trail, which winds for half a mile from the campground gate, down to the Wilson River, and the bridge across to the Tillamook Forest Center. We would really have liked to check that out, but it was still closed when we were visiting, so be sure to check if it is open. You can also get to the Forest Center off Highway 6, so you don’t have to hike to it.
The Wilson Creek Trail
If you want a little more walking, Jones Creek is right in the middle of the Wilson Creek Trail that extends around 12 miles to the Elk Creek trailhead in one direction and about 9 miles in the other direction to the Keenig Creek trailhead.
Just down Highway 6 is the Footbridge Trailhead and the Mile 15 swimming hole.
There are also several OHV staging areas if you want to get way out in the woods on the trails leading out into the forest.
Tips & Packing Advice
- Bring water shoes for rocky riverbed (the Wilson River bottom is super rocky)
- Pack layers for variable coastal forest weather (temps range 40s-70s°F)
- Arrive early on weekends, fills fast (especially holiday weekends/summer)
- Check fire restrictions before your trip
- Bring your own drinking water or a filter (potable water available, but good to have backup)
- Cell service is very limited, plan to disconnect
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Spacious sites with good privacy
- Wilson River access for swimming/tubing
- Wilson River Trail accessible from camp
- Tillamook Forest Center within hiking distance
- Camp host sells firewood ($5)
- Potable water on site
Cons
- No showers, basic pit toilets
- Fills up fast on weekends
- ATV/dirt bike activity nearby (OHV trails)
- Some traffic noise from Highway 6
- Very limited cell service
- Seasonal only (mid-May to mid-Sept)
FAQs
Is Gnat Creek pet-friendly?
Yes, leashed pets allowed.
Can RVs go there?
Yes, 28 drive-in sites accommodate RVs and trailers up to 25 feet. No hookups though.
Is there drinking water?
Yes, potable water is available on site.
Reservations required?
No, most sites are first-come, first-served. Only the group site ($50/night, max 24 people) can be reserved through ReserveAmerica.
Best time to visit?
The campground is open mid-May through mid-September. Weekdays are quieter; weekends and holidays fill up fast. Summer is prime time for swimming and tubing in the Wilson River.
How much does it cost?
Drive-in sites are $20/night, walk-in tent sites are $15/night. Both include two vehicles.
Is there cell service?
Very limited. Plan to disconnect and enjoy the forest.
Are campfires allowed?
Yes, in designated fire rings. The camp host sells firewood for $5. Check current fire restrictions before your trip.
Can I access hiking trails from the campground?
Yes, the Wilson River Trail connects directly from the campground to the Jones Creek Day Use Area (a popular swimming hole) and the Tillamook Forest Center.
Are there showers?
No, just pit toilets.
Final Thoughts
Have you camped here? Share your tips in the comments! Subscribe for more honest campground reviews from our Pacific Northwest travels.
