The area surrounding Foster, Oregon sits in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains at approximately 600 feet elevation. This region experiences mild summers with average temperatures in the 70s-80s°F and cool, wet winters with 40-50 inches of annual rainfall. Camping options range from lakeside county parks to forested state park settings, with most campgrounds offering year-round or seasonal accessibility depending on elevation and amenities.
What to do
Disc golf at local parks: Waterloo County Park features a full disc golf course among its many recreational offerings. As one visitor noted, "Waterloo is pretty open and has some bike trails and some parks and a pretty great disc golf course! The water is really cold but perfect for a day outside or a picnic with the kids!" The park includes over a mile of river frontage for additional recreation options.
Explore waterfalls nearby: While glamping close to Foster, Oregon, take time to visit nearby waterfalls. Silver Falls State Park Campground offers access to multiple waterfalls via its trail system. A camper described the experience: "What can I say? Silver Falls is a magical place and everyone should experience it. You can just get lost in the beauty of it all." The park features both camping options and day-use areas.
Soak in hot springs: For a unique experience, visit Belknap Hot Springs Lodge and Gardens about an hour's drive from Foster. The facility offers two hot spring-fed pools with controlled temperatures. A visitor commented, "The hot spring fed pools are so amazing. The hidden garden is something out of a movie. Spots are good size and everything is so well taken care of."
What campers like
Spacious campsites with river access: Waterloo County Park receives praise for its generous site sizes. According to one camper, "What we have here is a spacious, friendly campground with good nearby attractions, including a moderately raging waterfall, disc golf, etc. There are 120 sites, with over a mile of frontage to the healthy South Santiam River." The park accommodates both tent and RV camping with electric and water hookups available.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of facilities at campgrounds near Foster. A visitor to Whitcomb Creek County Park said, "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." The park offers loops with varying levels of development.
Wooded privacy: Many campsites in the area provide natural separation between sites. A camper at Whitcomb Creek noted, "You're in the woods at this location, bring your boats/canoe/kayak the reservoir is huge to explore." The campground's forest setting creates a secluded feeling despite being accessible by car.
What you should know
Seasonal water levels impact recreation: Water activities near Foster depend heavily on seasonal water levels. A Waterloo County Park visitor cautioned, "On the river good fishing... but be aware... current is swift.. swimmers seem to get in trouble every year here...." Always check current conditions before planning water activities.
Site sizes and layouts vary significantly: When glamping in the Foster area, research specific site dimensions before booking. At Whitcomb Creek, a camper observed, "Kinda small camping spots depending on which site you get. Has a boat launch so bring boats. No swimming access easily." Some parks offer detailed site maps online.
Road noise at some locations: Campgrounds near major highways can experience traffic noise. The Albany-Corvallis KOA receives mentions of this issue: "Great campground with nicely spaced and well maintained sites. Clean restrooms, laundry and pool on site. There is a small playground too. Close to Corvalis but you do get a lot of road noise." Consider site location within campgrounds to minimize noise.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds for children. A visitor to Waterloo County Park reported, "This place has it, a dog park, play disc golf, hiking trails, fish, with ADA fishing deck, boat launch, playground, and two camping loops." These amenities can keep children entertained throughout your stay.
Consider water safety: When glamping with children near Foster's water features, be aware of safety concerns. At Whitcomb Creek County Park, a family noted, "My family and I have stayed here multiple times and have always enjoyed it. Camp hosts and rangers are always nice and helpful. Tent sites don't have electric or water but water spigots are located around the park if needed." Always supervise children around water.
Reserve early for holiday weekends: Popular camping periods fill quickly at campgrounds near Foster. As one Whitcomb Creek visitor advised, "Best to RSVP through linnparks.com on popular weekends or take your chance for any open sites, if no sites available head up Quartzville past mile marker 17 and park along the road for free, only where there are metal fire rings."
Tips from RVers
Check hookup details before booking: RV sites vary in available amenities. At Waterloo County Park, a camper noted, "There is only one site with 50amps the rest is set up for 30amp." Most parks list their electrical capacity in their site descriptions.
Consider dedicated RV resorts for full amenities: For complete hookups and services, look at specialized RV facilities. The Mallard Creek Golf and RV Resort offers comprehensive services, as described by a visitor: "The RV resort is designed for trailers of any size with 30 to 50 amps electric, also includes, water, sewage hook ups, cable, and a cement table. The Club House has showers, bathrooms, and laundry facility." Some resorts include additional activities like golfing.
Plan for off-season availability: Some RV parks near Foster offer better availability during shoulder seasons. A camper at Mallard Creek explained, "Mallard Creek is geared up for the serious golfers so the summer has special packages for the RV site with golfing from Memorial day weekend to the end of September. For non-golfers the RV resort is available between October 1 to the Thursday before Memorial day."
