Fern Ridge Lake is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Fern Ridge Lake is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Fern Ridge Lake, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$20 - $39 / night
"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."
"The campsites were nicely situated so you weren’t right on top of each other and the park was great. There is an off leash dog park and access to the river."
"This campground is within 20 minutes of Eugene, Oregon, close enough if you forgot something, you can drive to town and get it."
"Have stayed here twice - love the ample space between campsites, all the room (forests, trails, roads, open fields, etc.) around the campsite, how it's right by the marina, how they show outdoor movies"
"There are only a few flat spots for RVs but quite a few decent spots for tent camping next to the pond. The west side of the pond has at least 2 spots that are a good distance away from the others."
"The sites are sling the right side of the of the road, the road that leads along the left (west side) of the lake. There are several sites, we stayed in H2, which is painted on the road."
$29 - $64 / night
"One of the many lakes along the cascade scenic why. Can be a lot of parties during summer. Otherwise gets warm outside. Lots of trails."
"Some great trails accessible for hiking. Although, the trails are not marked that well. Still beautiful and the lakes and nearby reservoir are great. Campsites are big and are drive up"
"Breathtakingly Beautiful on the lake RV spaces."
$52 / night
"Beautiful location next to the river. The Dalhia’s were not yet blooming, but when in season this is probably a wonderful sight. It was for us a relaxing stay in a beautiful environment."
"I personally stay in all sorts of locations, but usually stop here for a couple of nights to take advantage of the great stores in Eugene to stock up before heading off for more primitive camping."
"The road noise varies a lot though so ask for a site close to the office or in the older section. The new sites farther back are closer to the interstate."
$25 - $50 / night
"It's near the road and near a TA truck stop, so there's noise from that, but it wasn't obnoxious. Lots of long termers here, some of them look really settled in. "
"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."
$15 - $40 / night
"No sites are next to the river but there's hiking trails and a walk to Alsea Falls. Mountain bike trails close by."
"There are lovely hiking trails and a waterfall close by."
ScoutIt's a one lane road with some turnouts.
Nice and quiet, but no real level spots
TravelerThere 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.
ScoutNice 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.
RangerBirdsongs 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.
TravelerThis is a nice campground. The only consideration would be that all the campsites next to the lake are not recommended for people with mobility issues. The parking is on an upper level with the actual campsite on a lower level accessed by a trail or stairs. We had originally reserved site 13, but discovered we had to go down a set of stairs to the campsite. We were able to change our site without any problems to site 5, which was very nice. The camp host told us that the campsites along the lake are all accessed by stairs or trails. The camp host was very nice and the highway noise was minimal.
TravelerNice campground in the woods. Friendly staff. Mix of RV and tent sites. I stayed in a tent site with my dog and we had a great hike from a trailhead in the campground all the way to the dunes and finally the beach. Stunning beach with no one on it and beautiful water.
ScoutVery pretty sites with trees separating each spot. If you can get a site near the beach that’s ideal. A lot of the sites are right near the road which can be a bit loud. Bathrooms and showers are in good condition.
TravelerI kinda like this little spot, although I must admit Florence OR isn’t on my to 10 places to stay on the coast. I find the beach access to the ocean (not river) to be a little more difficult here than other locations. Plenty of vegetation here in the park! Trees and bushes that others have described. This did cause us a small problem getting the slide out on the driver’s side while simultaneously lowering the entry steps on the passenger side. Site 25 if your wondering where we stayed exactly. Our picnic table was situated in the rear of the site. The tall vegetation provided great privacy from other campers, but also made it difficult to meet people. We had water, 30 amp power but now other amenities. Some sites do have full hookups. Our 30 foot trailer and truck did fit in the space length wise very nicely. The park is clean and welcoming. A trail will take you from the campsites down to the banks on the jetty. When the tide is out you can search for sand dollars and other tide pool finds. I work remote sometimes but our pre paid AT&T was almost non existent. T-Mobile worked good. Starlink wasn’t happening due to tree canopy obstructions. Yeah, so overall I’d say the park is great. Decently priced, level clean sites, great scenery, quiet. Cons for me, internet access is below average to poor ( your experience may be different), Florence lacks things that I personally am looking for on the Oregon coast, but you’ll need your own reasons for coming here. Mine was a stopover going north and to eat the best Thai food! That’s literally the name of the place lol Best Thai ! But if you’ve found yourself traveling through Florence, and needed a place to stop for a night or a week, I’d recommend here for sure.
LegendWe 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!
Camping near Fern Ridge Lake, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from, each with its own unique vibe.
Camping near Fern Ridge Lake, Oregon, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots at Fern Ridge Lake in Oregon?
The best camping spots at Fern Ridge Lake include Richardson Park & Campground - A Lane County Park and Fern Ridge Shores RV Park and Marina - 55+ RV Park. Richardson Park offers spacious sites with lake access, boat ramps, and amenities for both tent and RV campers. For those seeking a quieter experience, the north shore camping areas provide more seclusion with beautiful sunset views. The west side of the lake tends to be less crowded with more primitive camping options. Water levels can affect site availability, especially in late summer, so spring and early summer typically offer the best conditions for lakeside camping.
Is camping allowed year-round at Fern Ridge Reservoir?
Camping at Fern Ridge Reservoir is not available year-round. Most campgrounds around the lake, including the main facilities, typically operate seasonally from spring through early fall (approximately April/May through September/October). Armitage Park & Campground, located nearby on the McKenzie River, offers an alternative with a longer operating season. Weather conditions and annual maintenance schedules influence exact opening and closing dates. During the off-season, facilities are winterized with water systems shut down and restrooms closed. For winter camping options near Eugene, Premier RV Resort at Eugene remains open year-round with full hookups and amenities.
What amenities are available at Richardson Park Campground on Fern Ridge Lake?
Richardson Park Campground offers comprehensive amenities including flush toilets, hot showers, potable water, and spacious sites with picnic tables and fire rings. The campground features both water and electric hookups for RVs with a dump station on-site. Recreation facilities include boat ramps for lake access, fishing docks, swimming areas, and walking paths along the shoreline. Many sites provide shade from mature trees while maintaining lake views. The campground has well-maintained grounds with garbage service and camp hosts available during the season. For campers seeking alternative options with extensive water amenities, Edgewater RV Resort and Marina offers similar facilities with marina access for boat owners.
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