230 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Dexter, Oregon area provides multiple campground options along the shores of Dexter Reservoir and nearby Fall Creek. Dexter Shores RV Park accommodates tent campers, RV travelers, and offers cabin rentals with full hookups and amenities like showers and picnic tables. Approximately 7 miles southeast, Cascara Campground at Fall Creek State Recreation Area provides more rustic camping experiences with tent and RV sites. Fisherman's Point Group Campground serves larger gatherings in the same recreation area. Most camping areas range from fully developed RV parks with electric and water hookups to more basic sites with vault toilets and fire rings.
Weather patterns impact camping availability with most recreation sites operating seasonally from spring through fall. Cascara Campground typically operates from May through September, catering to visitors seeking reservoir access. Additional campgrounds like Black Canyon in Willamette National Forest operate mid-May through mid-October. While many sites require reservations, especially during summer weekends, some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Several campgrounds charge additional fees for extra vehicles or day-use parking. A camper noted, "We came in late to this campground. No reservation needed. Lucky they had a couple of tent sites open. About $21 for a night with a car. Extra vehicle extra $7."
Campers consistently highlight water access as a primary draw for camping in the Dexter area. Many sites at Cascara Campground and Fisherman's Point provide direct access to Fall Creek Reservoir, though water levels can vary significantly. As one visitor mentioned, "This used to be one of my favorite spots, and it's still a great little campground, but you used to be able to jump off the dock right into the reservoir, and now the level is kept so low that much of the recreation is no longer accessible." Swimming areas, docks, and boat launches enhance recreation options at water-adjacent camping areas. While highway noise affects some RV parks close to major routes, campsites tucked deeper into recreation areas typically offer quieter settings with greater privacy. Campgrounds maintain varying levels of facilities from primitive vault toilets to well-maintained shower buildings depending on location and management type.
"Easy to find from I-5 and very close to Costco. Quiet location away from the road noise and has nice walking path along the McKenzie River."
"Tent sites shady and away from RV sites, with access to a path to walk down to (fast flowing) river (far enough walk not to be too concerning for children if they don’t stray out of sight)."
from $20 - $39 / night
Check Availability"The site we’ve always stayed at is huge, way far from any other sites, and has a neat little trail between the parking spot and camping spot."
"Avoid the spots right near the entrance as the highway sound is pretty loud. Spots 20-40 are near the river and you can either see/hear at most spots."
from $26 - $115 / night
Check Availability"We got a lakeside camp site which made it a simple walk down to the lake where we could swim and fish. The camp ground had a pretty big bathroom and separate shower room."
"We chose this location for a few reasons. We could see the lake from our site.
- We could leave our kayaks on the shore and just hop right in and paddle if we wanted.
- Our dog loves to swim, so having"
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability"We were lucky enough to rent a space at Deerwood for two months while we escaped the heat of Arizona and visiting our kids in Oregon."
"One star off for highway noise. Looks like many longer term campers here - flower pots, table cloths, decorations, mostly 5th wheelers."
"Nice that Cascara is close to so much to explore. Found a place to dip into the water, to shoot, and exploring the forest roads was a fun afternoon in general."
"About 30 min away from groceries and stores. Came in late to this campround. No reservation needed. Lucky they had a couple of tent sites open. We ended up staying an extra day."
"One of the standout features of this campground was its ideal location. Situated in a breathtaking natural setting, it provided easy access to various outdoor activities, including cliff jumping."
"Schwarz campground is located just past Cottage grove, right on the Row river. I hadn't realized, until I took a nice little walk, it's located just below Dorena reservoir."
from $24 - $150 / night
Check Availability"I had an easy stopover here on the way to Eastern Oregon. I didn’t want to use my tanks, so I used their restrooms. They were warm, clean, and well-lit."
"Perfect location and great amenities. Right next to river. Has showers, restrooms, pool, quite, WiFi, and even $1 self serve ice cream."
"We were able to maneuver our 5th wheel to position it around a large shade tree so we could get our slide and awning out plus have the utilities more centered on our rig."
from $48 - $54 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $164 / night
Check Availability"Trails to walk and see the waterfalls. Very easy to moderate trails that have been pretty kept up by forestry workers and the community."
from $18 / night
Check Availability
GuideIt’s tucked in nicely for peace and quiet. It rained most of the time while we were there so didn’t get to explore very much, but there was a little hiking trail we did right around the campground. Bathrooms and showers were decent.
RangerPretty typical Forest Service Campground. Spacious and spread out sites. Many with a good amount of privacy. Our site 24 is pictured with site 25 in the background.
We wanted to fish but without a boat or waders the only spot would be the boat launch. Lake was thick with brush and marshy ground. I wasn’t prepared obviously.
We got our spot on a last minute reservation. The reservation site had this as the last spot. When we arrived there were many spots marked “Open”. First come perhaps?
Lots of shade in the heat of July.
ATT 1-2 bars, Starlink functions well with the dish set to flat.
RangerThick treed area. Which gives each campsite some privacy, seculsion. Left loop was supposed to be FCFS however most were reserved. But we found an open one on a Saturday afternoon! Sites on the highway side do have traffic noise, but not too far away is the river and helps time down traffic noise.. plus not a lot of traffic anyway.
ScoutWe had lots of fun trying out different sites using this helpful guide and maps.
RangerI’d rate this campground about 4½ stars. I’ve stayed at better campgrounds, but overall this is a solid place to camp. It’s well maintained for the most part. The bathrooms are a bit hit or miss—some were out of order, and the ones that were open could have been cleaner. I’ve definitely seen both better and worse.
Where this campground really stands out is its location. It’s basically right next to the lake, making water access incredibly convenient. One thing I appreciated is that after checking out of our campsite, we were still able to park at the nearby boat launch and spend the day picnicking and enjoying the lake without having to leave the area.
Paddleboarding here was excellent, and the easy lake access made it even better.
I didn’t notice any pull-through sites; they all appeared to be back-in sites. There were a variety of campsite options, from sites with more amenities to more basic ones, depending on what you’re looking for.
The campground loop is easy to navigate and great for kids riding bikes. The tradeoff is that it’s a lively family campground, so if you’re looking for complete peace and quiet, this probably isn’t the place. You’ll hear kids playing, people talking, and the general sounds of a busy campground throughout the day.
Overall, it’s a well-rounded campground with great lake access and amenities, making it a place I’d happily stay at again.
TravelerDefinitely worth checking out. As far as I can tell there’s no dispersed camping close to the lake, but there’s plenty once you drive past. I managed to find one that had an opening in the trees so I could use starlink. Only a couple vehicles drove past me over the 3 days I stayed there. There is a lot of burn area, but I definitely suggest taking a drive when you first turn onto the road, hand a left and wind your way up the mountain for stunning views of the area and even the Sisters in the distance. FYI, that drive probably isn’t good for trailers or big rigs since it’s narrow with a steep drop and i have no idea where you’d turn around.
TravelerThis is a nice quiet campground with no hookups. There is no cell service (T-Mobile or Verizon). Water is available from a few hose bibs and there was grey water disposal but it was more like dumping it on some gravel. The bathrooms and showers are kept clean and nice daily. There is also a dump station. The pads are gravel but ours wasnot too unlevel. I would advise coming in from Reedsport and going North Highway 101 or if coming down from Florence Highway 101 South and taking the Bollon road turn (just after the first bridge in ether direction) If you are coming in via Highway 38 most GPS' will take you over the rougher forest service road. There is a Smith River Falls campground which is not this campground shortly before you arrive at the entrance campground We will be returning to here
TravelerTent sites shady and away from RV sites, with access to a path to walk down to (fast flowing) river (far enough walk not to be too concerning for children if they don’t stray out of sight). Shower facilities brand new and lovely.
TravelerLake and view were spectacular. The lake was clear and great for paddle boarding. There were a few other campers, but the location was quiet and idyllic. We arrived after 6pm and were able to easily get a first-come, first-served site. There were lots of sites available after July 4th weekend. Mosquitos were a bit intense. We got hail when we arrived, but it blew over afterwards. Potable water wasn’t available.
The Fall Creek Reservoir area east of Dexter offers several camping options situated among western Cascade foothills at elevations between 800-1000 feet. Water levels in Fall Creek Reservoir fluctuate significantly throughout the year, typically reaching highest levels in spring and early summer. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F while nights cool to 45-55°F even during peak season.
Fishing opportunities: Fall Creek Reservoir contains rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and other species. Fisherman's Point Group Campground provides direct reservoir access. "Fisherman's Point is a family favorite, and I'll always remember the great times we've had there. Even though the water's been low lately, we always find a place to swim," notes one camper at Fisherman's Point Group Campground.
River activities: Several campgrounds offer river access instead of reservoir recreation. At Casey's Riverside RV Resort, campers appreciate the Middle Fork Willamette River. "The river runs right next to the campground with part of the sites right along it," explains a visitor. Casey's riverfront sites are particularly valued: "The high 30s through mid 40s will give you the best river view plus you can really hear the rushing of the river."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds connect to forested trails. Black Canyon Campground features paths along the river. A camper notes, "I really liked this campground. I really enjoyed our 3 days here and the dogs loved swimming in the river. There are nice trails running through this campground."
Space between sites: While some campgrounds have tight layouts, others provide more privacy. At Black Canyon Campground, visitors appreciate the spacious sites: "This is a HUGE campground. Every site is gorgeous, lots of forest in between so you have privacy. All of the best spots along the river with a view are first come first serve."
Swimming access: Many campers value direct water access for swimming. One visitor at Cascara Campground mentions: "About 40+ spots, fire ring and picnic tables in each. Clean bathrooms. Fee is $19/night (Park Rangers check)." Dolly Varden Campground also offers water recreation: "So relaxing and many swimming holes. Trails to walk and see the waterfalls."
Affordable tent camping: The region provides budget-friendly options. A Cascara Campground visitor shared: "Beautiful. About 30 min away from groceries and stores. Came in late to this campground. No reservation needed. Lucky they had a couple of tent sites open. We ended up staying an extra day."
Campground accessibility: Many campgrounds in the Dexter region have specific open seasons and road conditions. Black Canyon Campground operates from mid-May to mid-October. One camper advises: "Pulled in here after a long night driving with a cranky toddler around 3am and found a perfect lil site to toss the tent up quick and sleep until morning."
Noise factors: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or rail lines. A visitor at Black Canyon noted: "The train tracks are literally across the river. Maybe 200 ft away. The train runs all day and sadly all night. If you fall asleep easily to the sound of a train horn and train cars along a track then you'll love it here."
Reservation requirements: While some campgrounds require advance booking, others operate first-come, first-served. A COE Dorena Reservoir Schwarz Campground camper shares: "Overall its a great last minute campground not far from town (Cottage Grove- Eugene), but doesn't make my list of top 5 if I can make reservations ahead of time."
Group sites available: Families or larger groups can reserve dedicated areas. "This is a very big size camp it is reserve camp for group camping," notes a visitor describing Fisherman's Point Group Campground, which offers spaces specifically designed for larger gatherings.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include dedicated play areas. A reviewer at Armitage Park & Campground mentions: "Nice place to stay. If your staying here on the weekend make sure you reserve your spot early they are always booked on the weekends. It was right next to the river. The sound put me right too sleep. They have awesome showers and front load washers and dryers."
Water safety considerations: Reservoir levels vary significantly, affecting swimming areas. A camper at Cascara Campground mentions: "Came here with family and friends, and we were all able to fit into one spot! We had two tents and a travel trailer between us. Plenty of room and its a great setting. There's a dock and swimming area, as you can imagine it was packed with kids."
Full hookup options: Several campgrounds provide electric, water and sewer connections. At Dexter Shores RV Park, "I had an easy stopover here on the way to Eastern Oregon. I didn't want to use my tanks, so I used their restrooms. They were warm, clean, and well-lit. Walking back and forth from my trailer, I felt safe."
Site selection for larger rigs: Some campgrounds have limitations for big RVs. A visitor at Black Canyon advises: "Sites on the river are spectacular. Other sites are mostly small or have issues with road noise. Plan on reserving a site on the river if possible. They do not disappoint!"
Navigating tight roads: Many of the best places to camp near Dexter, Oregon have challenging access roads. A Schwarz Campground camper warns: "The campground roads can be tight if you have a big rig so be careful. Because there is no power in the sites people were running generators for hours, even the tent campers."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Dexter, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Dexter, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 230 campgrounds and RV parks near Dexter, OR and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Dexter, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dexter, OR is Armitage Park & Campground - a Lane County Park with a 4.1-star rating from 32 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dexter, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Dexter, OR.
What parks are near Dexter, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Dexter, OR that allow camping, notably Fall Creek Lake and Dorena Lake.
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