The Lowell area provides camping options within the Willamette National Forest at elevations ranging from 700-1,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-90°F with overnight lows around 50-60°F. Fall Creek and its reservoir form the recreational centerpiece, with water levels that fluctuate significantly between early summer and fall.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Several trails near Dolly Varden Campground offer access to falls within easy walking distance. "So relaxing and many swimming holes. Trails to walk and see the waterfalls. Very easy to moderate trails that have been pretty kept up by forestry workers and the community," notes Angelina S.
River activities: Fishing, swimming and floating are popular at Black Canyon Campground, which sits along the middle fork of the Willamette River. "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," reports Todd M.
Boat access: For those interested in lake recreation, Baker Bay Campgrounds & Marina offers boat rentals and launch facilities. "The concession stand is currently under construction however there is plenty of green space for picnics. There is a large play structure, horseshoes, and a sand volleyball pit," explains Jill T.
What campers like
Riverside campsites: Spots along the water are consistently rated highest. At Black Canyon Campground, "Every site is gorgeous, lots of forest in between so you have privacy. All of the best spots along the river with a view are first come first serve," explains Kiri D.
Shaded settings: Dense tree cover provides relief during hot summer days. Schwarz Campground features "outer [sites with] a little more privacy and tons of shade from the oak and pine trees. There are many sites with riverfront views and a couple have private access," according to Tj B.
Group accommodations: Fisherman's Point Campground specializes in larger gatherings with spacious facilities. "This is a very big size camp it is reserve camp for group camping," notes Jessie S., while another camper mentions, "Fisherman's Point is a family favorite, and I'll always remember the great times we've had there."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. For Cascara Campground, Tiv P. shares: "Beautiful. About 30 min away from groceries and stores. Came in late to this campground. No reservation needed. Lucky they had a couple of tent sites open. We ended up staying an extra day. About $21 for a night with a car. Extra vehicle extra $7."
Noise considerations: Train tracks and highways border several campgrounds. At Black Canyon, "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," warns Ryan C.
Water level fluctuations: Reservoirs may have significantly reduced water levels late in the season. Rose B. notes about Cascara Campground: "This used to be one of my favorite spots, and it's still a great little campground, but you used to be able to jump off the dock right into the reservoir, and now the level is kept so low that much of the recreation is no longer accessible."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming spots: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with amenities for children. At Cascara Campground, "The camp sites were decent size and they have life jackets for little ones," shares Jessie S., while Michael notes it has "a dock/swimming area [that] can be kind of noisy and crowded."
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playground facilities. Baker Bay offers "a large play structure, horseshoes, and a sand volleyball pit. Great site for families with kids," according to reviewers.
Spacing between sites: Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. Justin S. observed at Cascara: "Sites are decently taken care of, pretty basic setup. Not much privacy at all between spots, though there were a couple larger ones on the edge of the loop that were tucked in away from others."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Casey's Riverside RV resort offers some of the best RV accommodations in the area. MickandKarla W. shares: "The pull through was plenty long. We were able to maneuver our 5th wheel to position it around a large shade tree so we could get our slide and awning out plus have the utilities more centered on our rig."
Road conditions: Access varies significantly between campgrounds. One camper notes that "The campground roads can be tight if you have a big rig so be careful," while another mentions, "Road is narrow and winding, larger rigs have issues with staying on path."
Hookup options: Full hookups are limited in the area. Dexter Shores RV Park gets positive reviews for its facilities: "Clean. Long pull throughs. Quiet. Pride in ownership for sure," according to Butch S.
