(Tillamook State Forest, OR) – Oregon Department of Forestry recreation staff are working hard to transform the Diamond Mill off highway vehicle (OHV) staging area into the Tillamook State Forest’s newest campground. The campground is set to open April 1.
“Diamond Mill is in the heart of some of the most active OHV usage areas in the Tillamook State Forest,” said Ben Burns, ODF’s Recreation Facilities Manager. “Historically, Diamond Mill has been a staging and parking area for mostly single track (motorcycle) trail users. Now we are revamping it into a full-fledged campground.”
The campground will have 16 sites and the option for a camp host site. There are new picnic tables, fire grates, site posts and signage, along with an existing double-vault pit toilet.
“We brought in boulders, soil, gravel, vegetation and contoured the area to make the sites feel more private and give campers a better overnight experience,” said Burns. “It was a bit of free-for- all with parking before,” said Burns. “This will improve traffic flow and safety in the campground.”
Before, the use fee was $5 per car per night, now the improved sites are $20 a night like other ODF state forests campgrounds.
“For this first year the campground ground will remain a first come first served area. Then, we will consider user feedback and might go to a reservation system in 2027,” Burns said.
Burns and his staff are ready to see their hard work pay off after a typically challenging Oregon winter of wet, windy and cold weather.
“ODF staff and South Fork Forest Camp crews have been working really hard in sometimes difficult weather to transform the area, and we are excited to have it ready for the April 1 opening,” said Burns. “This is just a great area in the heart of the Tillamook with miles of trails to explore and the campground is family friendly; we even have a kids’ track right beside the campground.”
For more on Diamond Mill and other state forests recreation opportunities see: Oregon Department of Forestry : Recreation, education & interpretation : Recreation, education & interpretation : State of Oregon