Best Campgrounds near Dorena, OR

Camping options near Dorena, Oregon range from developed recreation areas to more primitive forest service sites along Dorena Lake and surrounding waterways. Several established campgrounds dot the shores of Dorena Lake, including Baker Bay Campgrounds & Marina with 48 sites and Schwarz Campground managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent and RV camping, with a few offering glamping options. The region includes a mix of county parks, Corps of Engineers facilities, and Forest Service campgrounds, providing varying levels of amenities across the rural landscape east of Cottage Grove.

The camping season generally runs from May through September for most facilities, with limited options available in winter months. Many developed campgrounds like Rujada and Sharps Creek require reservations, particularly for summer weekends when lakeside sites fill quickly. Water access represents a major draw, with fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities available at several locations. Visitors should be prepared for varying levels of amenities—some sites offer flush toilets and showers while others provide only vault toilets. Cell service can be limited throughout the area, especially at more remote forest locations. A camper noted, "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."

Waterfront access represents a primary attraction for most campers in the Dorena area, with several reviewers highlighting swimming opportunities. Sites at Baker Bay Campgrounds received positive feedback for lake views and easy water access. As one visitor explained, "We got a lakeside camp site which made it a simple walk down to the lake where we could swim and fish." The campgrounds vary significantly in their privacy levels—Rujada Campground offers more secluded sites surrounded by trees, while others like Baker Bay have closer spacing between campsites. Families frequently mention the swimming opportunities and hiking trails as highlights, particularly at Sharps Creek where reviewers noted good swimming holes with jumping rocks. Noise levels vary by location and season, with some campgrounds experiencing heavy weekend use during summer months.

Best Camping Sites Near Dorena, Oregon (239)

    1. Baker Bay Campgrounds & Marina - a Lane County Park

    10 Reviews
    El Dorado Lake, KS
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 682-2000

    $20 - $75 / night

    "no hookups in this little campground but you can’t beat the location. nestled on the shores of Dorena Lake east of Cottage Grove in the trees. little boat dock. stocked lake. rental kayaks and swimming"

    "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."

    2. COE Dorena Reservoir Schwarz Campground

    9 Reviews
    Cottage Grove, OR
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 942-1418

    $24 - $150 / night

    "It’s close to several great fishing holes and beautiful covered bridges. During the summer, the Army Corp of Engineer Rangers give a tour of the Dorena Dam every Saturday."

    "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."

    3. Black Canyon Campground - Willamette NF

    16 Reviews
    Westfir, OR
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 226-3564

    $25 - $115 / night

    "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."

    "We needed a spot to stay for the night and after driving to a few others that were (reserve online only) closed we rolled the dice and headed towards this one."

    4. Pine Meadows Campground

    9 Reviews
    Cottage Grove, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 942-8657

    $20 - $26 / night

    "This campground is run by the Army Core of Engineers, so if you have the Federal Access Pass enjoy half off your stay :) Several campsites right along the lake."

    "Close to Eugene."

    5. Rujada Campground

    6 Reviews
    Dorena, OR
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 767-5000

    $20 - $24 / night

    "Sites are surrounded by trees to give privacy and not feel like you are sharing a site with your neighbor. There is a good hiking trail by the park Swordfern trail."

    "Laying Creek sounds heavenly all throughout the camp, the trails are great to walk, and you will eventually wander to a swimming hole. Beautiful campground, with a great history going back to 1933."

    6. Casey's Riverside RV resort

    13 Reviews
    Westfir, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 782-1906

    $48 - $54 / night

    "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."

    7. Cedar Creek Campground

    5 Reviews
    Dorena, OR
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 767-5000

    "Great spot to get away from the usual busy family campgrounds and state parks. Nothing fancy here. Vault toilets. Don't remember if there is even running water."

    "PRO’S remote, heavy forest nearby, beautiful landscape -every site on the North side of the campground has a trail down to the river. Site 7 has concrete steps to the river."

    8. Lund Park Forest Camp

    4 Reviews
    Dorena, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 767-5000

    $8 / night

    "Easy Access to the Brice creek trail, and the Tressel creek falls. Also there is gold panning allowed in the creek."

    "Great creek access with tressel creek falls nearby."

    9. Sharps Creek

    2 Reviews
    Dorena, OR
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (503) 375-5646

    $20 / night

    "There were paths leading to the other two campsites next too me and I could see them clearly.  What you go here for is the swimming and the gold panning."

    10. Hobo Camp Campground

    3 Reviews
    Dorena, OR
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 767-5000
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Recent Reviews near Dorena, OR

717 Reviews of 239 Dorena Campgrounds


  • Lucas D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Timpanogas Lake Campground

    Be respectful

    There are homes being built nearby, a few trucks with campers come through, but nobody puts up tents. I didnt realize this was an actual campground until I checked this app after I was here. Very beautiful if you don't mind bird poop

  • Michelle R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Hult Pond

    Good in a pinch or for 1 night

    There are a few spots off the road here. One large open spot big enough for 2 vehicles and several pull offs. There is a little traffic on the road, mostly big trucks.

  • C
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Doolittle Butte

    Great stars

    Nice big lot. Beautiful views of stars on a clear night. Very remote. Climb an easy dirt road back a few miles. A few deep potholes but nothing too technical.

  • Marasha L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    BLM Kentucky Falls Road

    Lovely Siuslaws but Slightly Sketchy

    Birdsongs and gorgeous sunrise in the morning! Didn’t feel completely content solo due to some of the characters I drove by on the way up, but all good. Spot definitely had trash and such around, very sad—remember to pack out what you pack in. However, had a great night of sleep with lovely hiking and natural views all around.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Princess Creek Campground

    Many Lakeside sites

    This is a decently well maintained campground, the road in and through is severely potholed and I wouldn’t recommend a big rig, but I did see one guy park at least 35’ class A.

    Vault toilets, no water or electricity. Sites are not all level, some are not RV friendly, but most are. Host is doing a fab job keeping the grounds clean and tidy.

    Many sites back right up to the lake. Many back up to the road others is a bit of traffic noise.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Salt Creek Backwoods

    Salt Creek backwoods

    This spot was actually an accidental find but worked out great because we were not able to turn around on the tight road we found ourselves on. It opened up tremendously and gave us great grounds to camp on for a few nights. Close enough to a river that requires hiking if you’re up for that kind of adventure. There was little to no traffic noise from the hwy and no other campers around for days. Clear starts for start gazing at night.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Salt Creek Backwoods

    Just Forest

    We actually pulled in this part of the forest wanting to park at the “hideaway” spot but someone was already posted up there. That would have been a really cute place to camp BUT we drove farther. I really don’t recommend this spot for bigger rigs but we were able to get ours back here (40 ft total) Kind of no turn around options and driving forward was all our only choice at that point…to be honest the drive made me nervous. It was a tight dirt road but once we found a spot it was cleared pretty good. Had plenty of room and someone was back here not too long ago…they had a little campfire setup with log stumps. Probably wouldn’t come back unless I had to but we did stay tucked away back here for a few days.

  • Sarah S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Black Canyon Campground - Willamette NF

    Pleasant Stay

    We needed a spot to stay for the night and after driving to a few others that were (reserve online only) closed we rolled the dice and headed towards this one. It was late and dark but we pulled in in hopes that they had some openings. THEY DID!! We didn’t do much driving around before pulling into a spot but I with we had. We pulled into #4, one of the first available and I DONT recommend any of the first few slots because they sit right next to the highway and that was annoying but our own fault. If I had to redo I’d stay in the 20’s or 30’s because they are closer in where it’s much quieter and those spots back up to a river…super cute! The restrooms were very clean and I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to public restrooms…it was good. All in all the park is very maintained, clean and the staff is great!! Would definitely stay again!

  • Crystal J.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Doolittle Butte

    A Billion Stars On Clear Nights

    Beautiful stop for dispersed camping someone built benches road is not too rough for most cars but it feels very much like your in the middle of no where but only really about 5 miles off shoestring rd on blm rd lot's of space for big group with multiple cars


Guide to Dorena

Camping options near Dorena, Oregon cluster around two primary water bodies: Dorena Lake at 822 feet elevation and the Row River that feeds it. The area receives approximately 50 inches of annual rainfall, concentrated between November and March, creating ideal summer camping conditions from late June through September. Campsites span elevations from 820 to 1,100 feet with terrain transitioning from lake basin to foothill forest.

What to do

Swimming in Sharps Creek: Access excellent swimming holes with jumping rocks across from Sharps Creek campground. "There are two beautiful areas, one has a 10 ft jumping rock. The other spot is a long channel made by smooth white rocks with deep clear water. This area is great for pictures," notes camper Stephen T.

Waterfall hiking: Several trailheads originate near Rujada, with trails leading to Pinard, Moon, and Spirit Falls. "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 camper Tj B.

Gold panning: Try your luck in Brice Creek and surrounding waterways. At Lund Park Forest Camp, camper Brandon A. notes it has "easy access to the Brice creek trail, and the Tressel creek falls. Also there is gold panning allowed in the creek."

What campers like

River access: Many sites offer direct water access for fishing and cooling off. At Baker Bay Campgrounds, camper Taylor S. appreciates that "we got a lakeside camp site which made it a simple walk down to the lake where we could swim and fish."

Wooded seclusion: Cedar Creek sites offer significant privacy between campsites. "Every site on the North side of the campground has a trail down to the river. Site 7 has concrete steps to the river," explains Ryan C., who stayed at Cedar Creek Campground.

Covered bridges: The area features historic covered bridges accessible from several campgrounds. At Dorena Reservoir, Jill T. recommends that "during the summer, the Army Corp of Engineer Rangers give a tour of the Dorena Dam every Saturday. I highly recommend going if you can!"

What you should know

Alcohol restrictions: Several campgrounds prohibit alcohol, though enforcement varies. At Schwarz Campground, Patricia N. observed "alcohol ban in the park but based on the trash bins it was not enforced."

Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate only from May through September or October. Baker Bay camper Mark W. notes "the restrooms and dump station are being rebuilt as of May 2024 and it will likely take a year or more. There are porta-potties."

Algae concerns: Blue-green algae can affect swimming in summer months. At Pine Meadows, Kelli B. advises to "look for signs for swimmers itch or blue/green algae" before entering water.

Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience train or road noise. At Black Canyon, camper Ryan C. reports "the train tracks are literally across the river. Maybe 200 ft away. The train runs all day and sadly all night."

Tips for camping with families

Best swimming access: Black Canyon Campground offers kid-friendly water spots. Ronald N. shares, "When the sun rose we realized what an amazing spot we had, right on the river with lots of room for the little to run around. Stayed the whole day and enjoyed soaking our feet in the cool creek."

Playground options: Several campgrounds include play structures. At Pine Meadows, Kelli B. notes "the playground is nice and right next to the beach."

Site privacy levels: Family groups should consider how close campsites are positioned. At Hobo Camp, Aurora A. recommends it "if you want to just relax. Super quiet and beautiful."

Junior ranger activities: Several campgrounds offer educational programming. Brice Creek trails feature informational signs about forest ecology that engage children.

Tips from RVers

Generator restrictions: Not all campgrounds permit generators, and those that do often have specific hours. At Schwarz Campground, Patricia N. observed, "Because there is no power in the sites people were running generators for hours, even the tent campers."

Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have tight turns or narrow access roads. At Casey's Riverside RV Resort, MickandKarla W. praises the well-designed access: "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."

Limited cell coverage: Service is spotty or nonexistent at many campgrounds. At Hobo Camp, Aurora A. emphasizes "NO CELL SERVICE" in her review, though she adds "you don't need it" for a peaceful stay.

Dump station availability: Alternatives exist when facilities are closed. At Baker Bay, Mark W. notes "you are allowed to dump at the facility up the road for no cost."

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Schwarz Campground on Dorena Lake?

Schwarz Campground is a primitive campground with no hookups for RVs, so generators are necessary if you need power. It features approximately 60 individual sites plus several larger group camping areas. While inner sites offer limited privacy and shade, waterfront sites provide better views. Facilities include pit toilets but no showers. The campground's location offers excellent access to fishing holes along the Row River and is close to scenic covered bridges. During summer, Army Corps of Engineers Rangers conduct Saturday tours of the Dorena Dam, adding educational value to your stay.

Where can I camp at Dorena Lake in Oregon?

Dorena Lake offers several camping options. Baker Bay Campgrounds & Marina is nestled on the shores of the lake with a boat dock, stocked lake, rental kayaks, and a swimming hole. While it has no hookups, its lakeside location makes it popular. Nearby, you'll find Schwarz Campground located just below the reservoir on the Row River. For more remote options, explore Lund Park on Brice Creek Road past Dorena Lake ($8/night walk-up sites) or Mineral Forest Camp, which offers free camping in a secluded setting.

What camping is available near Dorena, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Dorena, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 239 campgrounds and RV parks near Dorena, OR and 21 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Dorena, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dorena, OR is Baker Bay Campgrounds & Marina - a Lane County Park with a 3.8-star rating from 10 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dorena, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Dorena, OR.

What parks are near Dorena, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Dorena, OR that allow camping, notably Dorena Lake and Fall Creek Lake.