Ah, camping in the Pacific Northwest. That magical experience where you hike through fern-drenched trails, sleep under questionable cloud formations, and pretend you definitely know how to start a fire without googling it.
Whether you’re pitching a tent in the Gorge, crashing a friend’s yurt at Oxbow, or trying “dispersed camping” because you didn’t make a reservation (classic), here are some actually helpful tips, plus camp-friendly essentials from our In Season: The Great Outdoors collection that’ll make you look charmingly prepared, even if you're running on trail mix and vibes.
Choose Your Campsite Like a Local
Trillium Lake is perfect if you want views of Mt. Hood and are okay with sharing them with 300 other people and one guy playing the flute at sunrise.
Oxbow Regional Park is closer to town, has river access, and real bathrooms (a blessing).
Lost Lake is for when you’re ready to romanticize your life, paddle a boat, fish for dinner, and maybe propose to yourself in front of a picturesque mountain backdrop.
Cotton Tea Towels = The MVPs of Camp Life
Paper towels? Composting sadness. Microfiber? Too slippery. You want a 100% cotton camping-themed tea towel! Absorbent, washable, and cute enough to drape over your cooler like a tablecloth at a woodland bistro.
Use it to dry your dishes, wipe down picnic tables, swat flies, or just feel superior to everyone who brought a roll of Bounty. Check out more of our Tea Towels for options that say “I camp, but with flair.”
Bring a Notebook (No, Your Notes App Doesn’t Count)
There’s something grounding about journaling in the woods—maybe it’s the lack of WiFi, or the pine scented existential dread. Either way, toss a notebook in your bag to jot down trail reminders, sketch wildflowers, or write poems about how much you miss iced coffee.
Pair it with a good pen and a patch of sun-dappled moss. Peak PNW energy.
Stickers Make Everything Better
Your water bottle, cooler, bear-proof food locker, they all deserve some personality. Our outdoorsy vinyl decals are fun, rugged, and feature nature and other creatures of the forest (unlike your friend Kevin, who brought an air mattress on a backpacking trip).
Thank Your Host, Even If It Was Just Their Truck
If someone let you tag along on their campsite reservation or lent you gear, send a thank-you note. Not a text. Not a meme. A real card (preferably with a bear, campfire, or grumpy-looking owl on the front.)
Browse our thank you cards and drop it in the mail when you get home, smelling faintly of campfire and dignity.
Final Thought:
Camping in the PNW isn’t about being hardcore; it’s about showing up with good snacks, better manners, and a towel that can double as a napkin, hat, or emergency flag. With a little planning (and a little charm), you can rough it adorably.
Explore the Great Outdoors collection and pack like someone who probably could survive in the woods... but chooses not to.
Happy Camping!
-Sam