Tent camping near Lowell, Oregon concentrates around the Fall Creek corridor, with campsites set among Douglas fir forests at elevations between 800-1,200 feet. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from late spring through early fall, with closures during winter months when temperatures drop and precipitation increases. Water levels in Fall Creek Reservoir fluctuate seasonally, affecting swimming access and shoreline conditions.
What to do
Water activities at Fall Creek Reservoir: Big Pool Campground offers direct water access for swimming and fishing. "Being right on the water truly can't be beat! It's usually not one of the busier ones out this stretch of road, and is close enough to Fall Creek to reasonably run in for supplies," notes one Big Pool Campground visitor.
Hiking nearby trails: Clark Creek Organization Campground provides access to walking paths and a butte trail. "The hike from the campground up to the butte is great too," shares a camper at Clark Creek Organization Camp. This group campground serves as a convenient base for exploring surrounding forest trails.
Forest exploration: The network of forest roads surrounding Lowell offers opportunities for day trips. "Exploring the forest roads was a fun afternoon in general. Lots of places to pull off to chill out," notes a visitor. These side roads often lead to undeveloped swimming holes and fishing spots along Fall Creek.
What campers like
Group camping facilities: Clark Creek provides accommodations for large gatherings with covered areas and sleeping quarters. "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."
Swimming holes and jumping spots: Natural water features are popular during summer months. "There is a great swimming hole right across the street and a good jumping platform just up the road at the next pullout," reports a Clark Creek visitor.
Cell service at select locations: Some campgrounds offer better connectivity than others. "Great Verizon service, and bathrooms. About 40+ spots, fire ring and picnic tables in each. Clean bathrooms," notes a visitor at Cascara Campground.
What you should know
Water level fluctuations: Fall Creek Reservoir water levels can impact recreational activities. A camper notes, "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."
Limited drinking water: Some campgrounds lack potable water sources. "Nice campground and great swimming, but there is no drinking water and very little parking," cautions a visitor about Cascara Campground.
Parking constraints: Vehicle limits exist at most campgrounds. "If you have more than 2 vehicles you have to park outside the camp ground and walk back in. I had to park a mile away, and this was after paying the $7 parking fee," reports one camper.
Poison oak awareness: This plant grows near water access points at several campgrounds. Watch for three-leaf clusters with reddish or green coloration when using trails to swimming areas.
Tips for camping with families
Safety equipment available: Some waterfront campgrounds provide safety gear for children. "The camp sites were decent size and they have life jackets for little ones," notes a visitor to Cascara Campground.
Group-friendly options: Clark Creek Organization Camp offers ideal setup for family reunions. "This group camp is amazing, so you better book it far in advance. I went here on a church camp out. It is the perfect place for families. The older teens loved sleeping in the shelters, while the parents preferred tents."
Noise considerations: Sound travels easily between campsites in most locations. "If there's one group that's loud, the whole camp will be victim to their conversations all night, sound carries," cautions one camper about site selection.
Tips from RVers
Extra vehicle fees: Prepare for additional charges if bringing multiple vehicles. "About $21 for a night with a car. Extra vehicle extra $7," reports a camper at Cascara Campground.
Limited space at some campgrounds: While some sites accommodate RVs, space constraints exist. "We had two tents and a travel trailer between us. Plenty of room and its a great setting," notes one camper at Cascara about their multi-vehicle setup.
Access road conditions: Some forest service roads require caution. "If you have a Sedan watch for large rocks on the way up as they tend to be hazardous," warns a visitor to camping areas along US Highway 20 north of Lowell.
