“Rideshed” map shows where you can camp by bike from Portland

Imagine the possibilities…
(See full map below)

Remember Cycle Wild? They’re the local non-profit that organizes and promotes bike-camping trips from Portland. We went along with them for a ride back in 2009 and learned just how easy it is to pack up some gear, start pedaling, and get away from it all — without having to drive a car.

Cycle Wild founder and ring-leader Matt Picio just published a very cool map (see it below) that anyone with a glimmer of bike adventure in their hearts will appreciate. It’s a map of campsites within Portland’s “rideshed.” Picio defines a rideshed as, “anywhere you can ride a loaded bike on a summer day.” Typically, that distance is about 75 at the most, but thanks to MAX light rail, Portland’s rideshed is much further.

According to Picio, there are well over 150 designated campgrounds within 75 miles of Portland. His map currently includes 168 campsites. Check it out below and visit Cycle Wild’s Where to Camp page to learn more…


View Portland Rideshed Campsites in a larger map

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Gabriel Amadeus
13 years ago

So rad, this is awesome Matt!

rider
rider
13 years ago

Matt rules. That is all.

dmc
dmc
13 years ago

This has saved me a lot of time in the future.

+1

Alan
Alan
13 years ago

How cool is that! I hope I can align some tuits to go on a bike camping trip this year. Oh, and what’s that I see about a wedding? 🙂

TheCowabungaDude
TheCowabungaDude
13 years ago

This is genius. Hopefully people can add their own spots they discover. Also, wonder why Baja California isn’t on there. Thats where the sun is shining on me right now after leaving Portland.

matt picio
13 years ago

We’re happy to add spots that users submit after we’ve field-checked them. While Cycle Wild can’t guarantee that the map information is 100% accurate, we’ve taken every effort to make it as accurate as possible – so we unfortunately can’t allow additions to appear on the map without being field-checked first.

As for Baja – sorry, this only covers the Portland Rideshed. While some of us would LOVE Baja to be inside the Portland Rideshed, we haven’t figured out a way to do that yet which doesn’t involve a massive movement of the San Andreas fault.

Steve B
Steve B
13 years ago

Incredibly useful map. Thanks CW!

CaptainKarma
CaptainKarma
13 years ago

Awesome, Matt. When they write the history of bicycling in pdx, your place in it is assured.

Now, if it would just snow so I could make some hot chocolate and dream over this map………..

Antload
Antload
13 years ago

Happy-making.

Tourbiker
13 years ago

Nice work Matt…there a android app for that? 🙂

matt picio
13 years ago
Reply to  Tourbiker

Tourbiker, find me an app writer who’ll work for recognition instead of money, and we’ll totally do it – I’d love to see an app for Android and iPhone.

Jae
13 years ago

Way to de-mystify the way to take off for an easy adventure. Thanks for all your good work on this!

matt picio
13 years ago

Thanks for the kind words, all – check back occasionally, because I’ll be adding information to each of the site pushpins: number of sites, annual vs. seasonal, reservation vs. first-come first-served, and links to the campground websites. I thought it was more important to post the map with the locations rather than waiting a couple months while I finished gathering the data.

The trick with getting all of this is that the information is scattered across so many sources. The campgrounds span more than 6 counties, 4 state agencies, 2 federal agencies (including 3 separate National Forests), 2 private utility companies, and a few one-off sources. There are print books which consolidate all these sources, but in some cases the campgrounds listed in them have closed, changed, or don’t list the most recent additions. We’re going to do our best to keep the list up-to-date to provide the best information possible for people who are looking to go camping.

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
13 years ago

Thanks Matt!

Another great resource while traveling for bike camping is the AllStays Camp & RV App for the iPhone/ Touch.

Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
13 years ago

And for your future map upgrade…it would be great to know how ‘bike friendly’ the camp site is…if the tent site surface is pavement, gravel, sand, grass; if the bike camp site is separated from the RV sites (noise and lights) and if there is water or showers.

Thanks 2x

matt picio
13 years ago
Reply to  Todd Boulanger

Todd, we hope to get some of that information on there – and if anyone has specific suggestions as to what basic info should appear when you click on the pushpin, email matt.picio “at” cyclewild.org and I will try to incorporate as many of your suggestions as I can.

GlowBoy
GlowBoy
13 years ago

This is fantastic! I’m now inspired to take some car-free camping trips this summer, for the first time. Oh, the possibilities …

Andrea Sue Ellen
Andrea Sue Ellen
13 years ago

don’t forget horning’s hideout in north plains!

http://horningshideout.com/

Carrie Hersey
12 years ago

This newer venue, is located 27 miles across the river in Brush Prairie, Washington. The country roads allow for a gorgeous trip. The park is open to the public during Spring and Summer. Camping is available as well as good eating, horse rides, pedal boating and forest hikes. Check it out!