Gay Camping News: Bamboo Acres opens in Oregon
Gay Camping in Oregon
One of our biggest disappointments about traveling the West Coast is the lack of gay campgrounds. Aside from TRC in Washington and Copper Cactus near Phoenix, there are no gay campgrounds that we know of West of the Rockies.
But that’s starting to change with the recent opening of Bamboo Acres in Oregon – a men’s only clothing-optional camping retreat.
Located just over the California/Oregon border in Talent, OR, Bamboo Acres has RV rentals and spots for trailers and tent camping.
We are a very small, intimate boutique retreat. We are not a large RV park or campground.
– Bamboo Acres website
About Bamboo Acres
The owners, partners in business and life, are known to their friends as The 3 J’s. Jeff, John, and Joe. They like to stay in places where they can be themselves, and that is why they opened Bamboo Acres.
Developed by them personally over their 22 years living on the property, they decided that more people should be able to come enjoy it as well.
“We have always talked about the need for a place like this in Southern Oregon.”
– The Three J’s, owners of Bamboo Acres
Along with The Three J’s, Bamboo Acres has some four-legged part owners. Angelina Jolie, their Rat Terrier child/dog, greets every guest personally upon arrival. Friendly outdoor cats are Leo, Mama Callie, and Boostie each have big personalities and will make appearances whenever they feel like it.
John, Joe, and Jeff encourage you “to do as much or little as you like to enjoy your time at Bamboo Acres.”
Facilities
Bamboo Acres may be a smaller campground, but does not lack in facilities and amenities.
- Pool
- Hot Tub
- Walking Paths
- Pond
- Bamboo Forest
- Clothing Optional Areas
- Clubhouse
- Evening Happy Hour
- Daiy Continental Breakfast
- Fire Pit
- Sunshine!
Lodging and Tent Camping
According to their website, Bamboo Acres has four restored classic trailers available for rent, plus a modern Fifth Wheel. Each unit is themed after a gay icon, including Bette, Celine, Cher, and Tina.
Plenty of tent sites are also available.
RV Spots
If you are bringing your own RV, there are three dry RV camping spots. These dry RV spots are offered with no water, sewage, or electric service. RVs under 30ft only are officially allowed, but we were given quick permission to bring our 32ft Class C Forester when we asked.
Hook-Ups
From our email conversations with one of the owners, Jeff, they do actually have some limited services available upon request and based on availability:
Power from a standard 15-amp household outlet can be provided to some spots, if arranged in advance. That should allow you to run all your lights, fridge, and entertainment systems. It likely will not run your air conditioner, unless maybe if you have carefully designed your power system with a SoftStart to minimize power draw.
There is a communal water hose which can be used to fill your internal fresh-water tank anytime. We typically can go 2-3 days on one full fresh tank, so this is a good option for us. Of course, as with any water supply, we recommend filling through a filtration and water softening system.
No sewer connection is available at the RV sites. You are allowed to dump very small amounts of soapy grey water over the hill. We do not like when campgrounds allow this, and encourage you to use a sewer connection after you depart. The closest proper dump station for a small fee, according to Campendium, is at Ashland Creekside Campground. Call ahead to confirm, of course. (As an aside, we stayed for a few weeks at Creekside last year and really enjoyed it.)
Bath & Toilet Facilities
There is a building onsite with a full bathroom and shower, and the owners are planning to add an outdoor shower this summer. Nothing feels quite a shower under the sun! If it is anything like the outdoor showers at Copper Cactus, River Ridge, CampOut, or Stag Run, you will have privacy if you want — or no privacy if you’re feeling a bit less modest — depending on which shower head you choose.
Within the next few months, Bamboo Acres will be opening their outdoor shower facilities.
This area of Oregon, like much of the West coast right now, is under a severe drought advisory. Bamboo Acres takes water conservation seriously, and asks you to reasonably limit your time showering and to pee outside.
Reservations & Your Stay
To make a reservation at Bamboo Acres, fill out the contact form on the website, email the email address on the website, or call the phone number on the website. If you call the phone and a restaurant answers, that’s OK! Just ask for Jeff — you have reached the owners’ other business.
Like all LGBTQ+ campgrounds, Bamboo Acres is a members-only facility. Membership can be purchased with your reservation for either one-time or a full season. Payments for both membership and your stay are made via Venmo to the owner.
You can just relax. Go on local hikes. You can swim and sunbathe. Soak in the hot tub. Clothing optional areas. Go wine tasting. And so much more!
– Bamboo Acres website
All reservations include a daily happy hour and breakfast in the morning.
There are events and theme weekends that take place throughout the season, such as on Memorial Day and 4th of July. Highlights include games such as giant Jenga and giant Uno, a Pride underwear night party, naked twister, and a red/white/blue short shorts night.
As always, you can have a great time whether or not you participate in these activities. There are also more traditional activities like hosted dinners, wine tours, and local music performances.
Dog Friendly
Dogs are welcome at Bamboo Acres.
All dogs should be on a leash around other dogs, and are strictly forbidden from chasing the outdoor cats. Of course, you must clean up your dog’s mess immediately, and do not allow your dog to pee on other peoples’ property.
What To Do Nearby
Talent, Oregon, is a charming little city, near Ashland, relatively close to the California border. The closest airport is Medford, which is also the closest “big city.”
Ashland is known for its bohemian lifestyle and annual Shakespeare festival.
- Shop the downtown area and come home with all sorts of cute shopping finds.
- Walk the urban trails of Lithia Park
- Spend a day floating on the Rogue River
- Toast with a tour of the local wineries
- Hike, climb, and kayak at Emigrant Lake
- Enjoy a cabaret show at the Old Pink Church
- Take a day trip to Crater Lake
- Marvel at Klamath Falls
Conclusion
The opening of Bamboo Acres is a welcome update. While there are some LGBT-welcoming campgrounds in the area, this is the first new gay-specific spot in the area.
Find and review Bamboo Acres on GayCampingFriends.
Join the Bamboo Acres Facebook Group, which is the primary way they communicate with guests about the facilities and upcoming events.
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