Dorena Lake campgrounds maintain operational schedules tied to the region's weather patterns, with most facilities closing by late September and reopening in May. Located in the western Cascade foothills at approximately 800 feet elevation, the lake experiences warm, dry summers with daytime temperatures often reaching the mid-80s. Fall camping features cooler conditions with nighttime temperatures sometimes dropping to the 40s, making a heater necessary for RVs and proper sleeping bags essential for tent campers.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Several trails provide scenic views and exercise options near Baker Bay Campgrounds & Marina. One camper noted, "We could leave our kayaks on the shore and just hop right in and paddle if we wanted," while another mentioned the trail access directly from their campsite, though "this time the bridge was down, so we could not venture."
Waterfall exploration: Multiple accessible waterfalls surround the camping areas near Rujada Campground. A visitor shared that "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."
River swimming: The creek and river systems around Dorena Lake provide natural swimming opportunities. A camper at Cedar Creek Campground reported, "Adjacent Brice Creek is refreshingly cold for a swim on a hot day," while another mentioned, "The river is about 25 ft from the campground."
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Many campers prioritize sites with direct water access. At Casey's Riverside RV Resort, "The river runs right next to the campground with part of the sites right along it," and another visitor mentioned, "The high 30s through mid 40s will give you the best river view plus you can really hear the rushing of the river."
Tent-friendly terrain: Several campgrounds feature well-maintained tent sites with level ground. At Black Canyon Campground, "The site was nice but located about 200 ft from riverfront first come first serve sites," and "Most have well cleared spots for tents amid towering Douglas fir trees."
Privacy between sites: Campsite separation varies significantly across Dorena Lake camping areas. One camper at Cedar Creek noted, "The camp spots are large and far enough apart that you don't feel like you are intruding on your neighbors," while another mentioned, "Every site on the North side of the campground has a trail down to the river."
What you should know
Train and road noise: Some campgrounds experience transportation noise. At Black Canyon Campground, "The train tracks are literally across the river. Maybe 200 ft away. The train runs all day and sadly all night," while another visitor noted their "neighbors told us they had moved to the river site because at the other end of the campground road noise was louder than the all night train noise."
Limited shower facilities: Many Dorena Lake campgrounds have basic amenities only. At Pine Meadows Campground, a camper noted, "This is a primitive campground. So bring your generator if you need it!" while another mentioned, "Restrooms with showers were pretty clean."
Water quality concerns: Seasonal water conditions affect swimming safety. One visitor reported, "Our camping spot had a direct path to the water but unfortunately, due to algae levels, we couldn't go in," and another advised, "Before getting in the water, look for signs for swimmers itch or blue/green algae."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming access points: Family-friendly water entry locations exist at several campgrounds. A camper at COE Dorena Reservoir Schwarz Campground reported, "This campground has a ton of space for group camping and some great spots along the river. It's close to several great fishing holes and beautiful covered bridges."
Playground availability: Some campgrounds offer play structures for children. A visitor noted, "The playground is nice and right next to the beach," while another mentioned, "There was a nice playground which did surprise us that my kiddos liked."
Early morning noise: Be prepared for early wake-up calls. One camper shared, "Farm across the street has 05:30 am rooster," and others mentioned generator noise starting early: "All promptly started at 6am."
Tips from RVers
Generator policies: Power availability varies across campgrounds. At Schwarz Campground, "Because there is no power in the sites people were running generators for hours, even the tent campers," and a different camper noted, "They banged loudly on the person next to us doors at 10:05 about their generator being on."
Site length considerations: RV parking space varies significantly. One RVer reported, "Spaces are fairly short, especially on Standard sites. We barely fit our 39' Class A and a 2 door Jeep Wrangler. If our vehicle had been any longer, we would have had to park in overflow parking."
Pad requirements: Some campgrounds have specific equipment needs. A camper mentioned, "ALL spots require jack pads. Having not stayed in too many parks with asphalt, this was a surprise for us. They did not mention at checkin, but we got a polite email the next morning."
