Fall Creek Lake camping offers opportunities for water-based recreation, forest hiking, and scenic lakefront camping from late spring through early fall. Located in the Willamette National Forest at approximately 830 feet elevation, the reservoir spans roughly 1,800 acres when full, though water levels fluctuate seasonally. Most campgrounds around Fall Creek Lake operate without electrical hookups, and many require visitors to bring their own drinking water.
What to do
Swimming access points: Fall Creek features numerous swimming spots near campgrounds. At Black Canyon Campground, "We pulled into #4, one of the first available... 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!" according to Sarah S.
Hiking trails: Explore forest paths ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. Dolly Varden Campground offers "Trails to walk and see the waterfalls. Very easy to moderate trails that have been pretty kept up by forestry workers and the community," as noted by Angelina S.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide direct water access for fishing. Todd M. mentioned at Black Canyon Campground: "The river is the real attraction here. When we were here in June it was low enough to wade and swim, and there were families hanging out in chairs along the gravel bars and floating in the river."
What campers like
Riverfront sites: Many campers prefer spots directly adjacent to water. At Bedrock Campground, "This is a lovely campground if you are looking for someplace to relax with friends and go swimming. The proximity to the river can't be beat!" according to Rose B.
Natural swimming holes: Visitors frequently highlight the natural swimming areas. At Dolly Varden Campground, Marissa F. simply states "great swimming holes!" while James U. recalls Bedrock Campground fondly: "I grew up going here several times a summer. It's an awesome spot with a swimming hole, you could jump off the bridge, and play in the creek below the bridge where there are neat smooth rocks."
Group accommodations: For larger gatherings, some sites offer expanded facilities. Joel D. describes Clark Creek Organization Camp: "Wonderful group camp that can sleep all your friends and relatives! Fun little bunk houses for the kids and a big covered area for cooking and hanging out. Big field for tents, frisbee, drum circles, etc."
What you should know
Water level fluctuations: The reservoir's water level varies significantly throughout the season, affecting recreation. While not specifically mentioning Fall Creek, Jill T. notes about nearby Baker Bay Campgrounds & Marina: "It has a boat launch and boat rentals. There are several huge inflatable water structures in the bay which kids can play on for a fee."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby infrastructure. At Black Canyon Campground, Ryan C. warns: "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."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies by location. Todd M. reports from Black Canyon Campground: "Although it is only a short distance from Oakridge, we had no cell service at all. Had to get most of the way to Oakridge before we picked it up. We had Verizon and AT&T so maybe another carrier has coverage."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly areas: Some campgrounds have designated family zones. At Black Canyon Campground, one camper noted: "We nicknamed back-in sites 61-68 at the end of the campground 'kiddies corner' as this was where the families camped during our stay."
Swimming safety: Look for campgrounds with water access suited to children. The Cascara Campground reportedly "has life jackets for little ones," according to Jessie S.
Recreational facilities: Some campgrounds offer additional amenities for children. Joel D. describes Clark Creek Organization Camp: "There is a great swimming hole right across the street and a good jumping platform just up the road at the next pullout. The hike from the campground up to the butte is great too."
Tips for RVers
Site selection: RV sites vary considerably in size and access. At Deerwood RV Park near Eugene, Rachel H. advises: "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."
Hookup availability: Full-service options are limited near Fall Creek. For those needing hookups, Casey's Riverside RV Resort in Westfir provides "paved sites with full hookups and a beautiful river setting," according to Dean, who recommends you can "bike into Westfir, sit by the pool, or throw out a line for fishing."
Setup requirements: Some RV parks have specific pad requirements. At Deerwood RV Park, "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."
