1 / 100

Akitaaru Forest Camp

97%
·
· Bethany, Multnomah, Oregon · 5 acres
Hosted by Moriah W.
Tent site
· 12 guests max
Avatar
Best tent sites: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
Best tent-sites: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Moriah is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Romantic
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is romantic.
***Akitaaru Homestead was named one of 2023's BEST PLACES TO PITCH A TENT. … and we just placed again for 2024! Thanks to all of our campers and to Mother Earth for sharing this beautiful place with us humans! *** We run a small active homestead with livestock, gardens, dogs, and free range children. We are happy to share our five acres of beautiful PNW forest with intrepid campers Learn more about this land: Have you ever wanted to have an entire campground to yourself? Planning a romantic getaway, private group trip, or getting your feet wet with your first trip of the year (or ever!?) We have got the perfect place for you! Camp on the edge of Forest Park and sleep underneath an evergreen canopy of Douglas fir and big leaf maple. We have one large forest glade with room for several tents. We book only one group at a time, so you are guaranteed the place to yourselves. We can accommodate up to 15 people, with a max of 5-6 vehicles (parking is tight). This is a hike-in only campground most suited to backpack style camping. The hike in has two short steep sections about 50 feet each. It takes 5-15 minutes depending on fitness level and load. This is not suitable for those with accessibility issues. The campground features: -Fairy lights strung among the tress to create the perfect magical ambiance -Large fire ring with seating for 7-10 and cooking grate -picnic table with seating for six - Composting latrine with a forest view (commune with nature!) -Photo worthy hammock, swinging loveseat , and sunset views - A huge clearing with multiple flat tent spots (5-7) -1/2 mile of trails with hidden surprises - A parking area suitable for car camping or van camping during the rainy season. -Only 20 minutes from downtown Portland, 15 from I5, and minutes from gas and Parking is separate from the campground! It is a brief but steep 1/4 mile hike to get to the main campground and latrine. Bring hiking shoes and pack light. It takes most people 5-15 minutes to hike up, depending on fitness level and load size . If you want to car camp, you will be next to a road and separate from the latrine and fire pit. Enjoy several short trails on the camp's property before heading to Forest Park's Wildwood Trail, which is just up the street, or check out all of the incredible natural and urban nearby attractions in Portland. We are about 20 minutes away Portland's International Rose Test Garden , The Oregon Zoo, and Pittock Mansion Or just swing lazily in a hammock under the trees and enjoy the sound of the forest coming to life. Inquire about a tour of the homestead and the chance to play with our tiny herd of goats who think they are dogs.The main campground will be all yours. It includes the fire pit with seating for 6+, picnic table, hammock, swinging loveseat, composting outhouse, and room for 5-7 tents. You will be surrounded by forest on all sides. It is private and dreamy. The homestead will be down 800 ft below you, but far enough that we shouldn't hear each other or see each other, especially in the summer when the foliage has grown in. You likely will hear our chickens in the morning.
What to expect
Tent site
You'll have this Hipcamp all to yourself.
12 guests max
Campfires allowed
Firepit, private. Central large firepit with ring and cooking grate. Purchase your own firewood prior to arrival , but feel free to use our axe. We leave a brush pile near the pit for tinder . Please- no foraging in Forest without permission or using logs at parking area without permission . We are actively restoring this previously logged land to its natural state and leave many downed trees in place to provide wildlife habitat. Please ensure that the fire is completely extinguished prior to sleep or leaving the campground. Thank you for keeping our home, as well as the surrounding ecosystems safe from wildfire. Lastly: DO NOT THROW AXES at the trees or harm the environment in anyway. It sucks I even have to say this.
Toilet available
Pit toilet, composting toilet. Please add a scoop of sawdust after a #2 No trash in the latrine, please!
Pets allowed
Off leash. Please do not let your pet run free or excessively bark. We are a working homestead with livestock, dogs, and small children. They are free to be off leash as long as they are under voice control and have no history of biting or running off. TOSS POOP DEEP INTO THE FOREST. We’ve had a lot of land mines lately at the campsite and no one wants to step in dog poop with no hose available!
Potable water available
Hose. There is no water at the campground, but if you want to fill jugs, message me during daylight hours you can refill at the hose on the side of our house. It is well water, so it is safe to drink. The hose is located behind the kiddie pool next to the house. You take the snail trail down and walk alongside the shop to get to the house. There is potable water for purchase at Plainview Grociery ( Take a left out of the parking area, drive up Newberry, take a right on Skyline, and then drive 5 minutes)You can also Drive down Newberry to Linnton (5 minutes) where there is a bar, gas station, and farm store.need to refill , contact me during daylight hours to use the hose beside my house. You will take the snail trail down and the hose is located next to the silver trough pool in some bushes .
Picnic table present
No showers
Pack it out
Please pack it out at this time . We have a small trashcan in the latrine for personal hygiene materials
Cooking equipment absent
No wifi
Laundry absent

Things to know

Getting there
Check in: After 1:00 PM
Check out: Before 1:00 PM
On arrival: Head straight to site
Access: Moderate walk
Cancellation policy: Flexible
Minimum nights: 1 night
Accepts bookings: 12 months out
No wheelchair access
Max 5 vehicles
2WD accessible
You are welcome to car camp in the parking lot , however the parking area is quite tight as it is in the middle of the forest next to a windy Forest Road. Any trailer larger than a Teardrop will not fit. Overland vehicles and large vans can fit with some maneuvering. It is ideal for camping in an actual car or in the back of a pick up truck. Nothing longer than 15 feet
During your trip
Follow the
Leave it better
Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.
ExtrasAvailable at checkout
97%
204 ratings · 145 reviews
Avatar
Robert B.
2 reviews
Recommends
· January 2025
Tent
I stayed a few days to catch some zzzzs and it was peaceful. I’m not from the state so I had to get some extra blankets. Thank you to the hosts for such a beautiful place!
Avatar
Peter H.
3 reviews
Recommends
· January 2025
Tent
Went solo camping in the winter at Moriah’s Hipcamp again! Read a book, made some coffee, saw a family of dark eyed juncos, heard the hooting of a resident barred owl, made a beautiful fire, and fell asleep to the peaceful quiet of nature. It doesn’t get any better than that. Thank you Moriah!!
Avatar
Antonio M.
3 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2024
Yes! Worth it!
Tent
Beautiful spot! The set up is so cozy and plenty of options for tents. Was a little worried about the hike reading the reviews, it’s essentially a switchback. A couple 100 foot steep blasts. Easy enough. I would recommend this place! The bathroom is wonderful! Recommend leaving the curtains open! Thank you for this wonderful place
Avatar
Peter H.
3 reviews
Recommends
· November 2024
Tent
Moriah’s land was absolutely beautiful!! I had an amazing time solo camping here that I know for sure I am coming back. Thank you for the beautiful homemade wine. It was delicious! Pro tip: do NOT underestimate the steep hill. In other words, pack lightly or you will be making a lot of trips back and forth.
Avatar
Chase C.
3 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2024
Tent
Amazing parcel of land up a short but very steep hike. Great set up with lots of spaces to pick a tent area and a fire pit, outhouse, flat top and grill! (Have to bring your own fuel, which is not a problem). Hosts are communicative, helpful, and generally nice. Would not hesitate to come again.
Avatar
Rebekkah D.
4 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2024
Tent
One of the most magical camping spots I’ve stayed at, by FAR! This was such a wonderful experience. The hike up/down does require a good amount of physical exertion, but it was worth every second… and I’m sure my body is thanking me for that workout. I loved finding all of the little secrets around the grounds. I felt very safe here and will definitely be coming back if I’m able to!! Thank you!
Location
Bethany, Multnomah, Oregon, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, Stl’pulmsh (Cowlitz), Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Avatar

Hosted by Moriah W.

Joined in June 2021
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.