Since we bought our travel trailer a year ago, we’re always on the lookout for new campgrounds to visit. This summer we had the opportunity to stay at the Sutherlin / Umpqua Valley KOA Holiday, and it was a great experience! If you’re looking for a great family-friendly destination, this KOA in the heart of the Umpqua Valley may just be the perfect spot for your next adventure. Keep reading our Sutherlin KOA review for a little peek into our experience and why we think it’s a hidden gem for families.

our family’s Sutherlin KOA review

an ideal location in the Umpqua Valley

The Sutherlin / Umpqua Valley KOA is conveniently located right off I-5 in southern Oregon. Its location makes it an ideal stop if you’re road-tripping through the Pacific Northwest. It’s nestled in the scenic Umpqua Valley, which is known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and waterfalls.

One of the things we loved about this KOA’s location is how close it is to local attractions. Whether you’re into hiking, wine tasting, or exploring the Oregon coast, there’s something for everyone nearby. But even if you’re not in the mood to venture out, the campground itself has plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

| Read: Traveling the Oregon Coast with Kids |

other attractions in the area

If you’re like us and love to explore beyond the campground, the Umpqua Valley has so much to offer. We spent a few days venturing out, and there’s no shortage of things to see and do.

• Umpqua National Forest: Nature lovers, this is a must. Just a short drive from the campground, Umpqua National Forest is a stunning destination with hiking trails, waterfalls, and breathtaking views. We took a drive to Little Falls, which had road side parking and required no hike for a fun way to cool off!
• Wildlife Safari: Just 15 minutes from the campground is Wildlife Safari, a drive-through animal park where you can see all sorts of exotic animals up close.
• U-Pick Farms: If you visit during the right time of year you can enjoy one of the many u-pick farms in the area. Because they had a heat wave right before our visit, most of the farms were closed for the season. However, time it right and you can pick all the blueberries and strawberries your heart desires!
• Oregon Coast: From Sutherlin you’re only about an hour from the beautiful Oregon coast! Our family loves Oregon beaches and I think a beach trip would be a perfect day trip from this KOA.

Sutherlin / Umpqua Valley KOA Holiday review

campground amenities–something for everyone

Let’s talk about the amenities because, as a mom, that’s something I always consider when booking a campground. We were impressed with how clean and well-maintained everything was. From the moment we checked in, the staff was friendly and welcoming, which set the tone for our stay.

the drive-in movie screen

What sets this campgrounds apart is that it used to be a drive-in movie theater. Now guests of Sutherlin / Umpqua Valley KOA Holiday can enjoy family-friendly movies on the weekends! You can either book a Premium Movie View site which gives you the best view of the big screen, or view from their lawn area. There are chairs and firepits, as well as a small snack stand. Popcorn is free for campground guests and the music is piped to the entire area! This was definitely the highlight of our stay and why this campground had been on my bucket list even before we bought a travel trailer!

other highlights

• Playground: What kid doesn’t love a good playground? The playground here was a hit with our younger ones. There was plenty of green lawn for the kids to run around and just enough playground equipment to let their imaginations run wild–and burn off some energy!
• Dog Runs: If you travel with pets, like we do sometimes, you’ll appreciate that they have not one, but two dog areas. We weren’t traveling with our four-legged family member on this trip, but I really appreciated all the space for canines!
• Laundry Facilities: Laundry isn’t the most exciting part of a camping trip, but as a mom of seven, it’s a necessity! I always appreciate when there are clean and working laundry facilities at campgrounds.
• Office & Clubhouse: The on-site store had all the last minute essentials you might need. It’s located in the main office, where the laundry and shower facilities also are. This is also where you’ll find the clubhouse with plenty of seating, games, and a communal kitchen area!

Sutherlin KOA accommodations

Sutherlin / Umpqua Valley KOA Holiday is largely an RV park. Although they do have a single cabin, and a tent area, most people there are traveling with their RV or trailer. The tent sites are big communal areas with little shade options.

That being said–I did like the RV spots. Yes, they were kind of narrow, but for our purposes they were great, and offered full hookups! They all have a small patio area with seating, and the larger, premium sites have more seating and an outdoor grill. I recommend booking a Premium Movie View site if you can!

why we’ll be back to Sutherlin / Umpqua Valley KOA Holiday

We had a great experience at this KOA campground. All the staff we encountered was very friendly, the grounds were extremely well-kept, and everything was clean. It’s the little things that make a campground feel like home, and the Sutherlin / Umpqua Valley KOA Holiday got so many of those details right. We loved how peaceful and quiet the campground was at night, making it easy to relax and get a good night’s sleep after a full day of adventures.

| Read: Our Family’s Review of Grandy Creek Thousand Trails & KOA |

The experience of camping at a drive-in movie theater though is what really makes this campground a must-see. As I mentioned earlier in this Sutherlin KOA review, I had noted down this campground long before we had a travel trailer. I was so excited we were able to make a stop on our Pacific Northwest road trip this summer!

Would you want to stay here with your family?

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