Camping near Dexter, Oregon centers on the Middle Fork of the Willamette River and surrounding national forest lands at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet. Most campgrounds in this region are seasonal, operating from April through September due to winter rainfall that averages 40-60 inches annually. Access roads to several camping areas may require high-clearance vehicles during spring runoff periods.
What to do
Swimming holes access: Baker Bay Campgrounds & Marina offers direct water access with a swimming area that includes large inflatable water structures. "The concession stand is currently under construction however there is plenty of green space for picnics. There is a large play structure, horseshoes, and a sand volleyball pit," notes Jill T.
Waterfall hiking: 6 miles from Rujada Campground visitors can reach three distinct waterfalls. "If you want bigger hiking payoffs, just up the road approx. 6 miles, you can find 'Pinard', 'Moon', and 'Spirit falls'. Each are around 2 easy hiking miles and worth hitting, you can easily do all three in one day," explains Tj B.
Creek exploration: Schwarz Campground provides access to the Row River and lies just below Dorena Reservoir. "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," shares Tj B., adding that "The water is slow and shallow, but still very cold."
What campers like
Quiet locations: Clark Creek Organization Campground offers group camping facilities with multiple sleeping options. "The older teens loved sleeping in the shelters, while the parents preferred tents. There was plenty to do, and plenty of space to eat or even hide from the rain," according to Emily C.
Riverside views: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites at several campgrounds. At Baker Bay, one camper notes, "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."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the Dexter region maintain varying levels of facility cleanliness. A visitor to Big Pool Campground remarked, "It's not overly developed but also not overly rustic - really hits the sweet spot!"
What you should know
Campsite spacing: Some campgrounds in the region have closely positioned sites. At Baker Bay, Phil D. noted sites are "too close together," while another camper mentioned, "We wish we could have been a little further away from the other campers but overall we were happy with our experience."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate from April/May through September. Big Pool Campground runs "April 27 to September 16" while Schwarz Campground is open "May to September."
Bathroom availability: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. At Rujada Campground, "There are flush toilets with running, a sink and trash can. The garbage was picked up daily," reports Liz H., adding that "There are running water spigots strategically placed throughout the camp, each water station has a waste water dump, and trash can."
Guide
