Top 10 Places to Forage for Berries in Oregon (Van-Friendly Edition)

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On April 24, 2025

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Berries: Huckleberries, blackberries, salmonberries, thimbleberries.
- Huckleberries: Small, round, blue to purple berries, sweet with a slight tartness.
- Blackberries: Large, dark purple to black berries, sweet, juicy, and slightly tart.
- Salmonberries: Yellow to orange to red berries, mild and sweet.
- Thimbleberries: Large, red, soft berries, sweet and delicate.
Closest Campgrounds:
- Trillium Lake Campground: Scenic views of Mount Hood and easy access to foraging spots.
- Lost Lake Campground: A more secluded, peaceful spot with nearby berry patches.
Why Go: Scenic forest roads, multiple dispersed camping options, and peak huckleberry picking in late summer.

Berries: Salal berries, huckleberries, elderberries.
- Salal Berries: Blue-black, round berries, sweet with a mild flavor.
- Huckleberries: Small, round, blue to purple berries, sweet with a slight tartness.
- Elderberries: Small, dark purple to black berries, tart and bitter when raw (always cook before eating).
Closest Campgrounds:
- Smith Homestead Campground: Close to forest roads with easy access to berry picking.
- Jones Creek Campground: A quiet, rustic site surrounded by lush forests.
Why Go: Moist coastal environment, tons of pullouts and primitive camp spots right off the road.

Berries: Blackberries, huckleberries, salmonberries, serviceberries.
- Blackberries: Large, dark purple to black berries, sweet, juicy, and slightly tart.
- Huckleberries: Small, round, blue to purple berries, sweet with a slight tartness.
- Salmonberries: Yellow to orange to red berries, mild and sweet.
- Serviceberries: Small, blue to purple berries, sweet with a slight almond flavor.
Closest Campgrounds:
- Ainsworth State Park: Offers a variety of campsites and easy access to berry-rich areas.
- Bonneville Hot Springs Campground: Scenic campground near berry patches with hot springs access.
Why Go: Dramatic scenery and tons of accessible trails and overlooks where berry bushes thrive.

Berries: Huckleberries, blackberries, thimbleberries.
- Huckleberries: Small, round, blue to purple berries, sweet with a slight tartness.
- Blackberries: Large, dark purple to black berries, sweet, juicy, and slightly tart.
- Thimbleberries: Large, red, soft berries, sweet and delicate.
Closest Campgrounds:
- Koosah Falls Campground: A great base for exploring forest roads and foraging.
- Paradise Campground: Surrounded by lush forests with easy access to berry patches.
Why Go: Incredible variety of berries with plenty of forest roads for van-accessible camping.

Berries: Huckleberries, elderberries, blackberries.
- Huckleberries: Small, round, blue to purple berries, sweet with a slight tartness.
- Elderberries: Small, dark purple to black berries, tart and bitter when raw (always cook before eating).
- Blackberries: Large, dark purple to black berries, sweet, juicy, and slightly tart.
Closest Campgrounds:
- Toketee Lake Campground: Peaceful spot close to berry-rich areas.
- Umpqua Hot Springs Campground: A serene place with easy access to berry patches and hot springs.
Why Go: Great elevation range and lots of peaceful, lesser-known spots for foraging and camping.

Berries: Salmonberries, thimbleberries, blackberries.
- Salmonberries: Yellow to orange to red berries, mild and sweet.
- Thimbleberries: Large, red, soft berries, sweet and delicate.
- Blackberries: Large, dark purple to black berries, sweet, juicy, and slightly tart.
Closest Campgrounds:
- Beverly Beach State Park: Near the coast with lots of opportunities for berry picking.
- Siltcoos Lake Campground: A quiet lakeside spot with great access to berry areas.
Why Go: Coastal terrain with lush berry patches; lots of roadside foraging opportunities.

Berries: Blackberries, huckleberries, serviceberries.
- Blackberries: Large, dark purple to black berries, sweet, juicy, and slightly tart.
- Huckleberries: Small, round, blue to purple berries, sweet with a slight tartness.
- Serviceberries: Small, blue to purple berries, sweet with a slight almond flavor.
Closest Campgrounds:
- Mill Creek Campground: A peaceful site with nearby foraging opportunities.
- Big Bend Campground: Easy access to diverse ecosystems with plenty of berry-rich areas.
Why Go: Quiet and remote with diverse ecosystems and many van-friendly forest service roads.

Berries: Huckleberries, elderberries (in riparian zones).
- Huckleberries: Small, round, blue to purple berries, sweet with a slight tartness.
- Elderberries: Small, dark purple to black berries, tart and bitter when raw (always cook before eating).
Closest Campgrounds:
- Devil’s Lake Campground: A quiet spot near berry patches, perfect for van camping.
- Sparks Lake Campground: Lakeside camping with easy access to foraging areas.
Why Go: Eastern Oregon beauty with pockets of berry-rich high country and secluded camp spots.

Berries: Manzanita berries, gooseberries, huckleberries.
- Manzanita Berries: Bright red or pink berries, sweet with a slightly tangy finish.
- Gooseberries: Small, green to purple berries with a slightly spiny skin, tart when unripe, sweet when fully ripe.
- Huckleberries: Small, round, blue to purple berries, sweet with a slight tartness.
Closest Campgrounds:
- Harris Beach State Park: A coastal park with forested areas perfect for berry picking.
- Cedar Creek Campground: Quiet and remote, close to diverse ecosystems with plenty of berry options.
Why Go: Unique biodiversity and less trafficked, ideal for quiet berry-picking adventures.

Berries: Blackberries, red huckleberries, elderberries.
- Blackberries: Large, dark purple to black berries, sweet, juicy, and slightly tart.
- Red Huckleberries: Bright red, translucent berries, tart and often used in jams or syrups.
- Elderberries: Small, dark purple to black berries, tart and bitter when raw (always cook before eating).
Closest Campgrounds:
- Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge: A beautiful, easy-to-reach spot near the heart of Portland, with a nearby foraging opportunity.
- Lewis and Clark State Park: Another nearby option for those exploring the Portland area.
Why Go: Great for urban foragers—perfect if you’re passing through the city and still want to stock up.

Oregon State Parks