Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Willamette National Forest

Camp above the Santiam riverbank and enjoy a night of peace and rest listening to the water flow. This site has access to vault toilets, potable water. The sites are large enough for rv or tent sites with vehicle pull through. The sites have enough old forest growth to provide privacy for the family. If you camp near the river you cannot hear the road, even though you are only a skip away. I do not recommend camping in the sites near the road if you have kids/pets with you or if you are a light sleeper. The roads are paved which can be great for family cars or for little ones wanting to ride their bike or scooter around camp. The site that we stopped at would have been great for fishing trout or salmon. Don’t forget your fishing license!

You can reserve this site through Linn County Parks & Rec: 1-877-444-6777 - And like most sites in the Willamette National Forest dogs are allowed as long as they are on leashes and check out time is 1pm.

Yukwah campground is found along hwy 22 East of Salem along the Willamette National Forest in Linn County. Most of the sites along this stretch are first come, first serve walk up sites - but you can reserve by connecting with Linn County Parks and Rec (see photo for info) for $18/night plus $5 additional vehicle fee and reservation fee. This campground has ada access camp sites and tent sites. Most of the RV sites along the Willamette National Forest can be used for tent camping. The day use area at this site is great for swimming, fishing, and possibly a small hike. I advise camping near the day use area (#3) if you have a large family or kids for larger sites and easy access. Yukwah is near wagon wheel bridge with access to trails for those wanting to hike while camping. Vault toilets are available (bring soap) - there are no showers or additional amenities. There is access to potable water at this location.

This site is tucked into the Willamette National Forest past Detroit State Park on Highway 22 in Linn County, also known as an Oregon old growth forest. These sites are large, secluded, with water access and access to the river straight from your campsites. You will want to bring a pot and your fishing pole. Bathrooms are clean, standard vault toilet facilities. Bring hand sanitizer and/or soap. This campground has first come, first serve sites - but you can also make large group reservations and single site reservations by phone at 1-877-444-6777. Each night is $18, plus a $5 additional vehicle fee. While this site may be close to the road, the trees and water below do block the sound of most traffic. Site #4 is the largest site with access to the river.

Don’t be alarmed, this campground sits along HWY 22 AND along the Santiam River in the Willamette National Forest. Despite the road noise, if you can grab a campsite along the water you will feel at peace with the whispering waters and tucked away in the old growth forest that surrounds you. This site has a feature that many others do not, which is a little roundabout at the end of the site. The pathways are paved which makes this site great for families with kids who may want to ride their bikes or scooters while not in the water fishing/playing/swimming. Potable water is available as well as vault toilets. (Bring soap!) There are no showers at this location. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash.

This site is both walk-up and reservable through Linn County Parks & Rec. See more info here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4224

Great spot for a family reunion or other group campout. This campground is full of history and beauty as it is situated right on the banks of the South Santiam River in the Willamette National Forest only 1 hour East of I-5 in Oregon.

Longbow Organization Camp was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The historic campground provides a covered cooking area with a fireplace and six sleep shelters that face the beautiful South Santiam River. The shelters are Adirondack cabins with fireplaces in front of each one and complete with 3 sets of bunks in each one.

FACILITIES: shelter with kitchen and dining area, amphitheater, 6 sleeping shelters, BBQ for cooking, vault toilets, hand pump, NO electricity