Barton Park

          We visited Barton Park twice before retiring and getting on the road.  (this is why there is no link to our next location.)

     Barton Park is county park that not only has excellent campsites but has some of the best day-use facilities that I've seen.  First, I have a little history with this park.  Back in the '70s, I used the park to launch many a rafting trip down the Clackamas River.  I've visited the park many times over the last 40 years.  There is a boat ramp.  (for rafts, and shallow-water fishing boats).  Pumps to inflate your rafts are provided free as well as free bags to hold your trash while rafting the river.  There is also, a free life jacket share program.  Volunteers have donated life jackets for boaters and rafters to use and either return her or at other county parks downriver.  (Unfortunately, it looks like people have taken advantage of the program and have kept the life jackets for themselves)  The park has seven reservable picnic areas and one pavilion.  The weekend of our camping trip to the park, there was a wedding at the pavilion.  The camp also has a sand volleyball court several horseshoe pits and play areas.  The camping sections of the park are separate from the day-use areas.  The original camping area offers both tent and RV sites, some being side by side in the grass and some being tucked back into the tree.  The open grass sites are commonly reserved for week-long campers who come the same week each year to camp with friends from previous years who camp the same week.  Twenty-some years ago, I tent camped with my in-laws on their week in the park.  It was great!  Totally different from pulling your RV in for a weekend and pretty much keeping to yourself or immediate neighbor campsites.  The second camping area is fairly new with paved roads and manicured paved sites for RV's.  Very nice, but a different feel than to old campground.  And a third section was added in the trees past the RV section.  I saw almost all tents there and one or two smaller camper RV's.  I've heard rumors (from my mom) that the third section was destined to become a horse camp.  But I don't see it happening in the near future because there are no horse trails here.  There is one being built tying Barton Park to McIver State Park, but there are a couple of river crossings to contend with before that's complete.  The park is great, even better with lots of friends.  With only a lack of hiking trails and an easy way to get from the campground to the day-use area without walking on a narrow road and contending with cars being its downfall.  I would highly recommend the park to everyone.

Barton Park's website 

     Among our region's most popular park destinations, Barton Park is a recreational gem located on the Clackamas River. This one-of-a-kind park features camping, hiking, multiple-day use and event amenities, and a variety of river recreation opportunities.

112 campsites; 103 with water and electric hookups
Up to 8 people and 2 domestic pets allowed per site

• water/electric hook-up sites          $28/night
• primitive tent sites (#101–107)      $22/night
• 1 group tent                                   $60/night
• 1 bunkhouse                                  $30/night
• additional vehicle fee                     $6