Detroit is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Detroit is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Detroit, OR. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
"A few are by a very small creek. but it’s an easy nice spot right of 22 and about 15 miles from Detroit lake.
There are single and mutli tent sites, picnic tables and firepits."
"Located off Hwy 22, past the fish hatchery, far enough that you can’t hear road noise. Less than 20 sites total, all first come first serve, $12 a night or $6 with interagency pass."
"Our first time at Elk Lake Campground. "
"If your car can make it up the 6 miles of "road" you'll be glad that you found Elk Lake. I made it up the hill in a 2001 Rav4. You'll definitely want some clearance for the trek up."
"I did this backpacking trip a couple weeks ago and too my surprise was a pretty fun little vacation."
$6 / night
"We decided to hike to Pamelia lake as a labor day backpacking trip, and this trip did not disappoint! One of our friends was a beginner, so we decided to tailor the trip to his experience."
"This is a hike in only spot (3miles) and special permits are required but it is a beautiful lake with great fishing."
$15 - $20 / night
"Nice place to camp right by the creek the walk-up sites are $15 a night and the drive-up sites are $20 a night I personally have only camped at the drive-up sites and it's super pretty and peaceful there"
"Bring it in Pack it out, be kind to others and take your trash. Nobody should pick up after messy campers who can camp FREE. Only thing you get is a Fire Ring and that shows where you can camp."
"It is dispersed so only a few areas have bathrooms, and not being a regular campground some neighbors can get rather rowdy. But, overall it is a definite favorite."
"But before, this was likely one of the most beautiful places in Oregon. It's 2-3 hours to hike in, which is just about the right amount of time to feel like you've deserve to be there."
"Tent camping. Very steep final approach on dirt road. Very beautiful lake with Salomanders. If your lucky to have the lake to yourself it can be very quiet except for wildlife sounds."
LegendCamped here for the second year in a row, and it did not disappoint. We got lucky with a nice spot on the creek this year, which I would recommend for the best experience. The sites are spacious and most are pretty private which is great. It is primitive, no showers and just one vault toilet. I will say that the site did have a fair amount of trash on it which was disappointing, but we cleaned it up before heading out. Remember to leave no trace!!
TravelerSo when I first found this campground I wasn't sure what to expect being as reviews and info were sparse so I'll do me best to sum it up. Things to know that arent stated. It is free may require NW forest pass. It's a drive, hike, bike and walk in. I didn't see any spots big enough for RV but there is space to park that isn't officially a site.
Location: Beautiful sits about 5,000 feet right off McKenzie Pass Road (closed from November to June)
Sites: I saw 6 drive in with fire ring, picnic table also 2 vault toilets.... There's more walk/ hike in but we had to much gear to do that.
Directions: Very easy to find spots all along lake and Google maps took us right to spots.
Activities: Great! Had a kayak/boat launch also had the Scott Mountain TH right there within 1/4 walking distance on dirt road. It seems that a forest fire was pretty recent ontop but the grounds seemed kind of untouched
Warnings: This was my first time up this pass. Elevation is very high which means incremental weather. Aka woke up in October with snow which happened to us.
Overall 5 stars must visit. We will be coming back next year when less snow and road reopens
ScoutStayed just one night in site 1, which was the only one available. It’s very private being far from the trail and has good access to the shore but is very shady at all times, although also sheltered from the wind. There was a fire ring (although no fires allowed) and a table. Several viable tent spots on the site. The toilets were closed and, unfortunately, previous campers weren’t so great at “leave no trace” because we found a bunch of dog and human feces around.
LegendTop reasons I love this campground:
- It’s an ISLAND! How cool is it to camp on an island!
- Beautiful views from the middle of the northern end of Detroit Lake.
- Great for swimming, boating, exploring, hiking, and fishing.
- I bet it’s amazing to stay there over the 4th of July.
- The firework display from the other side of the lake should be spectacular!
- Cheap-$10.
- Only 22 sites.
- I had cell service with AT&T.
**Things to note: **
- This should be obvious but, you’ll need a boat to get to and from the island. It’s a quick canoe from either side.
- The vault toilets are maxed out. Hopefully, they will be serviced SOON!
- No drinking water, no shower, and no guarantee for the serviced toilets.
- Bring water and TP.
- Fires are allowed and there are several picnic tables.
GuideWhat a beautiful view! Luscious meadow filled with wildlife and mosquitos. No joke, they were able to bite through 3 layers in swarms.
It was cloudy, 80° in the day, with very little wind and campsite #4 was bone dry. The soft ground was kind to the tent spikes and surrounding trees buffered the breeze, hence the mosquitos.
NOTE: come in from the North, not the first road from the south (Detroit). Impassible without off road vehicle (Subaru Crosstrek didn't cut it)
LegendRead up on this location with some good info. Flat paved sites for dry camping.
Lost Creek Campground has 10 single-family campsites and is located on one of the largest pyroclastic volcanic mudflows from Mt. Hood’s “Old Maid” eruption in the 1700s. Fortunately all of the mudflows have cooled. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Two yurts are also available. Campground amenities include a picnic area, drinking water and vault toilets. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host.
Lost Creek / Mt. Hood Area Recreation
Outdoor recreation includes fishing. Visitors also enjoy fishing, hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing. The Wild and Scenic Sandy River is also not far from the popular Ramona Falls Trailhead. Mt. Hood is just southeast of the campground offers visitors the opportunity for a nice a day trip.
AMENITIES
BBQ Grills
Campsite Tables
Comfort Station
Drinking Water
Fire Pit
Fire Rings
Firewood Available
Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
Grills
Pets OK
Picnic Tables
Restrooms (Vault Toilets)
ACTIVITIES
Biking
Bird Watching
Creek
Fishing
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Nature Trails
Photography
Picnicking
River
Walking Trails
Wildlife Viewing
GuideGreat campsite, spots are at least somewhat secluded. A few are by a very small creek. but it’s an easy nice spot right of 22 and about 15 miles from Detroit lake.
There are single and mutli tent sites, picnic tables and firepits. Facilities are very accessible and there is a nearby trail by the creek.
During this time of year there are swarms of butterflies.
GuideFriendly and knowledgeable camp hosts. Vault toilet, mix of tent sites including some walk-ins that are up against the reservoir- you can hear the peaceful running water all day and night. Brand new picnic tables, brand new fencing, and excellent trails. Perfect mix of sun and shade for many of the sites. We stayed at 15 and I can’t wait to go back. Very spacious sites can hold multiple tents of all sizes. Beautiful drive to and from campgrounds- the McKenzie River area is definitely worth exploring!
LegendWe kind of stumbled into this free spot while heading to a more formal campground near Pelton Dam. As the daylight faded I spotted a pullout/turnaround area which then led to a rather private loop with a great view of the Deschutes River and Lake Simtustus. I had to confirm with the Dyrt BLM map overlay, but I was glad to find myself on public land. It’s not really a place I’d choose to spend more than one night, since it doesn’t really connect to any trails or walking areas, but it was a handy en-route overnight spot, complete with a nice view and bright sunset. It’s only a few miles off Rt. 26, following signs to Pelton Dam. There was plenty of room to turn around my 26’ skoolie. However, I didn’t really see a good place for a tent, but I didn’t look very hard. There were signs of previous users, including a fire ring (which I didn’t use). Since it was the eve of Earth Day, I did collect a bagful of empty cans and trash. Leave no trace, people!
Nestled in the scenic beauty of Oregon, Detroit offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Detroit, OR is Marion Forks Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 10 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 87 tent camping locations near Detroit, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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