Campgrounds near Marcola, Oregon are located in the verdant foothills of the Cascade Mountains, with elevations ranging from 600-1,200 feet. The area experiences moderate rainfall and mild temperatures from May through September, making it ideal for extended camping trips. Most sites in this region feature mixed conifer forests with Douglas fir, hemlock, and cedar providing natural shade.
What to Do
Hiking trails near Silver Falls State Park: The park offers more than 35 miles of hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. Visitors can access the famous waterfall trails directly from the campground. According to one camper, "Silver Falls is a magical place and everyone should experience it. You can just get lost in the beauty of it all."
Disc golf at Waterloo County Park: The 18-hole course weaves through wooded areas and open fields, providing challenges for all skill levels. The course is free to use and open year-round. One visitor noted, "Campground with something for everyone! Right on the river for swimming or fishing. If you drive up the road, you can float down the river to your campground!"
Fishing at Hult Pond: This man-made pond offers bass fishing opportunities in a serene setting. Bring a kayak or small non-motorized boat for best results. "The area is beautiful lots of privacy and the fishing was pretty decent caught three largemouth bass," reported one angler.
Swimming at Fall Creek: Several designated swimming areas feature clean, accessible shorelines. Water temperatures remain cool even in summer months. As one visitor to Big Pool Campground shared, "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."
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites at Premier RV Resort at Eugene: Sites are well-spaced with natural vegetation barriers. The resort maintains clean facilities throughout the property. According to a regular visitor, "Nice big sites, super clean park and facilities and nice staff. 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."
Recreational amenities at The Willamettans: The resort features tennis courts, pickleball courts, and private trails. A swimming area with clear water makes for refreshing summer dips. One camper mentioned, "They have one of the cleanest swimming areas around! While there are trails in the resort, the really good longer ones are on forest service land."
Year-round accessibility at Foster Lake RV Resort: Unlike seasonal sites, this resort remains open through winter months with full services. The lake provides scenic views regardless of season. "Beautiful. Perfect place for family. Great scenery. Very clean," noted one visitor.
Off-grid experience at Hult Pond: Campers appreciate the disconnected nature of this area for true wilderness immersion. "I would recommend if you're looking for somewhere to come and disconnect from the world. Just not over holidays or weekends," advised one camper.
What You Should Know
Seasonal closures affect availability: Many campgrounds in the Marcola area, including Whitcomb Creek County Park, operate only from May through September. A visitor noted, "The campground 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)."
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds in this region have limited or no cellular coverage. One camper at Hult Pond reported, "We lost cell service about an hour before we even got there, and didn't have any the whole time there."
Road noise at some locations: Sites near major roads may experience traffic noise throughout the day. At Premier RV Resort, one camper noted, "The only downside is that it's right off I-5 so lots of freeway noise."
Water safety concerns: Swift currents at certain river locations require caution, especially for families with children. A Waterloo County Park visitor warned, "Great little spot for a family get together and overnight stay. 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
Playground access at Waterloo County Park: The park features a dedicated children's play area adjacent to camping loops. Families can easily supervise children from nearby sites. "There's a park area with a playground for the kids to play. Spaces are large, and nicely spaced out," noted one parent.
Cabin options for convenience: Several resorts offer cabin rentals with electricity and beds for families seeking a middle ground between tenting and RVing. At Silver Falls State Park Campground, "The cabins are small but comfortable with heat, lights, and beds. Covered porch is nice to sit and listen to the rain."
Dog-friendly facilities: Many campgrounds welcome pets but have specific areas designated for them. Premier RV Resort "is pet friendly with 2 reasonable dog yards and there doesn't seem to be a quantity or breed problem."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer junior ranger programs or nature-focused activities during summer months. Silver Falls State Park has "amazing hikes, the main one being the one with 10 waterfalls - dogs aren't allowed on this one though and it takes about 3 hours to hike it, so heads up on that."
Tips from RVers
Site selection at Eugene Kamping World: Choose sites away from the center of the park for more privacy. Full hookup sites have better spacing than basic sites. One RVer advised, "We stayed here because we had an appointment in Eugene in the morning and wanted to be somewhere close the night before. Though this isn't the type of park we usually prefer to stay at, it does a good job at being a good, safe, basic RV park."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump stations. Those that do may charge additional fees for non-guests. At Eugene Kamping World, "There's bulk propane on site at $3/gal, and a dump station (free for guests, $10 for non guests)."
Site leveling preparation: Some campgrounds in the region have uneven sites requiring leveling blocks. Premier RV Resort has "roads are paved, majority of sites are pull through, photos on Dyrt are accurate. We had a 30 amp site and all of the utilities were well maintained and arranged well."
