Photo courtesy of Halvor Tweto

William Tugman State Park Campground has quite a lot going for it. Access to the day use amenities of the state park, proximity to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, direct access to Eel Lake for swimming, fishing, or paddling, or a short commute to nearby Tenmile Lake; the options may feel a little overwhelming. Fortunately, there’s no wrong choice.

The campground is robust, and it includes 94 sites with electrical and water hook-ups, 16 yurts, the majority of which are ADA accessible and half of which are pet friendly, a hiker/biker camp, and plumbed restrooms with showers. It must be noted that density was an evident priority for the designers of this campground, and some areas carry this burden better than others. Generally, the C loop is a little more exposed and a little less private; this makes it a much better fit for trailers and RVs. Several sites on the east side of campground are near Eel Creek. A network of trails leads through the campground and then out to the park’s day use area, and depending on your agenda, bikes may be a good way to make that commute.