Foster Lake provides shoreline camping options in Oregon's western Cascade foothills, approximately 30 miles east of Albany. Situated at an elevation of about 640 feet, the area experiences mild summers with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F, making it ideal for water recreation. Several campgrounds near Foster Lake offer both standard camping and upscale glamping accommodations with varying levels of amenities and proximity to water.
What to do
Water activities at Green Peter Reservoir: Located just minutes from Foster Lake glamping spots, Green Peter Reservoir offers excellent boating and fishing opportunities. "The reservoir is huge to explore," notes a camper at Whitcomb Creek County Park. Bring your boats, canoes, or kayaks for a day on the water.
Hiking nearby trails: Several hiking paths surround the Foster Lake area. "Nearby hiking includes McDowell creek falls where there are a couple of medium grade hiking trails that can be muddy. The falls are quite beautiful and worth a visit even if you're not into hiking since most of them even the bigger ones are accessible with just a short walk," according to a Waterloo visitor.
Disc golf: For land recreation, Waterloo County Park offers "a pretty great disc golf course" as one reviewer notes. Another mentions it has "a moderately raging waterfall, disc golf, etc. There are 120 sites, with over a mile of frontage to the healthy South Santiam River."
What campers like
Quiet camping environments: Many visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere at certain times. At Whitcomb Creek, a camper reported, "We camped in Mid June and were 1 of 3 sites occupied. The campground was extremely clean and quiet. The park host and ranger were helpful and made sure they were available for any questions or needs we had."
Family-friendly facilities: Southshore At Detroit Lake gets high marks for its family accommodations. "Campsites right next to the water! Awesome for kids and adults lots of things to do!" writes one reviewer. Another notes, "There was a small/steep trail down to the water with a VERY rocky little beach next to the water."
Well-maintained grounds: Cleanliness stands out across several campgrounds near Foster Lake. A visitor to Silver Falls State Park Campground remarked, "Awesome campground. Well maintained. Site spacing is good with lots of privacy between camps. Bathrooms and showers are super nice and clean. Roads and campsites are paved and level."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds in the area have limited operating seasons. Whitcomb Creek is "only open in the summer and as of 2018 has some wonderful updates on Loop 'A' and Loop 'C' (new tables, and site pads, and fire rings)." Always check current operating dates when planning your glamping trip at Foster Lake.
No hookups at some sites: While glamping accommodations typically include electricity, standard camping sites often don't. "There is not water or electricity, bring it in and pack it out. Can accommodate big rigs, or small tents," notes a Whitcomb Creek camper.
Swimming safety considerations: Water activities require caution in certain areas. At Waterloo County Park, a visitor warns: "On the river good fishing... but be aware... current is swift.. swimmers seem to get in trouble every year here."
Tips for camping with families
Pack for rocky beaches: When glamping near Foster Lake with children, bring appropriate footwear. A Whitcomb Creek visitor shared: "It was a quick drive to the boat ramp which to the left has access to a small rocky beach area my kids loved exploring."
Consider site location carefully: Some campgrounds have steep terrain. "Some sites have the parking spot up above the actual site and you have to walk down a short set of stairs to access. We were in spot 19 and this was the case but it wasn't a huge issue for us," explains a camper at Southshore.
Check for playground access: Mallard Creek Golf and RV Resort notes that "kids are welcome but not gear up for things to do unless they love to golf too." If activities for children are important, research amenities before booking your Foster Lake glamping experience.
Tips from RVers
Consider road noise: When selecting an RV site for your glamping adventure near Foster Lake, noise levels vary significantly. A visitor to Premier RV Resort at Eugene noted: "The road noise was much less annoying than we anticipated and we slept well... ask for a site close to the office or in the older section. The new sites farther back are closer to the interstate."
Utility placement matters: Check utility layout when booking. "We had a 30 amp site and all of the utilities were well maintained and arranged well. Water pressure was good," reports an RVer at Premier RV Resort.
Research site dimensions: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "Some of the back-in sites would be difficult backing for larger rigs due to the limited road width," says a visitor to Mallard Creek Golf and RV Resort, suggesting campers "call and talk to the RV manager to discuss which of those sites will fit your rig."
