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Activities

Established Camping

Eel Creek Campground

Eel Creek Campground, near Lakeside, Oregon, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. This campground offers spacious, secluded sites that provide a sense of privacy, making it a great choice for families or groups wanting to escape the hustle and bustle.

With picnic tables and fire rings at each site, you can easily gather around for meals or evening campfires. The clean bathrooms are a plus, though be prepared for some noise from the hand dryers if you're camping nearby. Many visitors rave about the nearby John Dellenback Dunes Trail, which is a must-do for its stunning views, especially at dawn or dusk.

If you're up for a bit of adventure, the dunes are just a short hike away, offering breathtaking scenery and a chance to explore. Campers have enjoyed the quiet atmosphere, especially compared to busier spots nearby, making it perfect for those who prefer a more laid-back experience. Whether you're hiking, relaxing, or just soaking in the natural beauty, Eel Creek Campground is a solid choice for your next outdoor getaway.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Siuslaw National Forest

Overview

Eel Creek Campground sits among coastal shrubbery on the edge of the sandy dunes within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The campground provides a peaceful and attractive atmosphere for hikers and birders. The most popular non-motorized trail here is the John Dellenback Dunes Trail, which guides hikers through the scenic dunes to the Pacific beach. This section of dunes features spectacular heights and stunning, expansive vistas.

Recreation

The John Dellenback Dunes Trail takes hikers on a 2.7-mile (one way) trek from a conifer forest across the open dunes to the beach at the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, hikers will be treated to expansive views of the surrounding landscape. This hike makes for an incredible workout, due to tall dunes and soft sand. Quality wildlife watching is also available at the campground.

Natural Features

Most sites are secluded and private due to dense shrubbery like rhododendrons and salal. Sites 7, 8, 42, and 43 are perched on the sand of the dunes. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is known for its wind-sculpted sand dunes towering up to 500 feet above sea level.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (541) 271-6000.

Nearby Attractions

Visit Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, which features a historic lighthouse, camping, and hiking trails around Lake Marie. The Umpqua River Lighthouse stands on the site where the first lighthouse on the Oregon Coast was built in 1857. The current lighthouse dates back to 1890. Boating and fishing are available at Tenmile Lake and Eel Lake.

Charges & Cancellations

Campsites that are not occupied after 24 hours of arrival time will be considered as a "no show" and sites will be released for others to reserve. If campers will be arriving after 24 hours of their arrival time, they are encouraged to call the ranger station at 541-271-6000 to let staff know.

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Location

Eel Creek Campground is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Reedsport, Oregon travel south for 10 miles to Eel Creek Campground. The campground entrance is located on the right (west) side of Highway 101 near mile post 222.

Coordinates

43.588389 N
124.186694 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Fair
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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10%

4.5

out of 5

14 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 30, 2021

Secluded sites, yes!

All sites seem to have very secluded picnic tables. Beautiful gloomy weather in August, the campground felt very empty and nicely spaced out.

Bathrooms are very nice and clean, but the hand dryers are very loud if your campsite is anywhere close to the restroom.

Loud vehicles from the dunes way into the night and early in the mornings.

Site14
Month of VisitAugust
  • site 14
    Play button icon
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Alisa B., August 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Alisa B., August 30, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 22, 2021

Perfect Repeat Camp Spot

Secluded campsite options, great walking proximity to the dunes. Rated for its utility for camping / hammocks / primitive adventure. Rating does not concern RV hookups, bathrooms, or electric.

Site19
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Apr. 10, 2021

Our Favorite Campground

Eel Creek has been one of our favorite campgrounds over the years, we've been there two consecutive years, and plan to continue going there every year, the sites are amazing, the John Dellenback Dunes Trail, is an absolute must, especially at Dawn or Dusk, it's an other worldly experience. 

The only reason I'm not giving 4 stars is we have had bad luck with the camp host, last year our car died and our phones died, they were unwilling to offer any help, we did immediately find a neighbor camper who graciously gave us a jump.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by LAUREN B., April 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by LAUREN B., April 10, 2021
Reviewed Feb. 24, 2021

Quiet campground on the dunes

If you are going to the Oregon dunes without all the toys this is the spot for you!  The sites are spread out well and theres a lot of privacy especially on the greenbelt.  The hike out of the campground is strenuous but the dunes are absolutely breathtaking.

Nearby you can hike Siltcoos lake, swim in Lake Marie or visit the beach nearby.

Site19
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Marie L., February 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Marie L., February 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Marie L., February 24, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2020

Cute Campground w/ BEST hike!

What I loved about this campground, was our day trip on the John Dellenback Trail head, follow the wood posts with blue on them. Campground is off 101 and a few odd people drove thru and host mentioned they’ve had some things gone missing. We were here at the end of Oct 2020, I’d go back but prolly when it’s busier

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2020

Decent run-of-the-mill CG next to some incredible dunes

Lots of "paired" camp sites that would work for groups of 2 families.

Sites themselves are unremarkable but decently spaced out. Really mellow crowd while we were there. Huge contrast to Spinreel next door that's a ghetto of 5th wheels, side-by-sides and giant Don't Tread on Me (or similar...) flags.

Be sure to hike out the stairs and onto the dunes. It's AMAZING. No motorized access, so their smooth and quiet. Be prepared to be exhausted from hiking/jogging even a short distance on the sand.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2020

Favorite place

Stayed here a second time this past week and it was awesome! Spaced out sites, great trails, dog friendly! Can’t wait to come back.

  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Jessica N., July 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Jessica N., July 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Jessica N., July 31, 2020
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2020

Private Dunes

Great for all riders, dunes are seconds away from camp. Lots of privacy and secluded campgrounds. Not the best place to stay if you do not have ATV’s. About 3 miles from the beach through the dunes.

  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Janet G., July 18, 2020
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Janet G., July 18, 2020
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Janet G., July 18, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2020

Great campground!

Spent a night here and loved it so much that I just booked another stay. Nicely sized campgrounds in a nice area, with a trail as well! Highly recommend

  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Jessica N., July 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Jessica N., July 15, 2020
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2019

Quiet

Quiet little campground with hiking into the dunes. No dune buggies around which was nice.,

Reviewed Sep. 18, 2018

Where is the fantastic John Dellenback Trail?

I'm finding more and more that USFS campgrounds are the best. No, they don't have major facilities. But what they do have is nature. I've been aware of the Eel Creek Campground since I started hiking the John Dellenback trail a few years ago. The trailhead is in Lakeside, OR, off Hwy 101 on the Oregon coast. The trail takes you across the dunes, through a gorgeous coastal forest ending on the most remote stretch of coast you could imagine. Eel Creek Campground is right next door. The sites seem small at first, but they open up as you walk back into them. Lots of natural vegetation makes all the sites very private. This has become my go to local campground when I have a few days off.

SiteSite 14
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Jill R., September 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Jill R., September 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Jill R., September 18, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 21, 2018

Quiet, clean camp in the Dunes near Coos Bay

Ek Creek Campground was a pleasant surprise. Nestled among the giant sand dunes and high OHV (dune) areas of Coos Bay area, sits this well placed campground that has large spacious and private campsites. Most sites contain a drive thru entrance with tent pad sites placed within large buses for privacy. The camproudn has a new flush toilets with sink & handdryer. We stayed 3 days and extended our stay by one night because we enjoyed it so much. Lakeside is a nearby town that has a Dollar General and small store that has most anything you need in a pinch.

There are a dozen or more lakes for fishing, water sports, and hiking. Horsefall beach & OHV area is the nearest beach, about 10 miles (?) Away.

For a national Forest campground on the Oregon Coast, this and Alder Dune Campground are by far my favorite. Well worth the $22 / night to have a guaranteed place to.camp on the coast.

Site12
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 17, 2018

keep moving...

We went there for Memorial Day. There was no camp host. There was no grill over our fire pit. The sound of ATVs lasted well into the night and started SUPER early. The bathrooms were mediocre, at least they had flush toilets.The men's room lights never turned on, so all the men had to go into a dark bathroom after the sun set. You are very close to the dunes, which is an experience, but the campground was awful. There was garbage all around our site from the last campers. It made me question what exactly I was paying for.

  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Deanna F., June 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Deanna F., June 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Deanna F., June 17, 2018
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2017

Excellent

Very quiet campground. Camp host was great and very friendly! This was our second visit to this campground and just by chance we got the same site that we did last time.

Site32
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Eel Creek Campground by Wendy R., July 4, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Eel Creek Campground?

    Eel Creek Campground allows vehicles up to 54 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Eel Creek Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Eel Creek Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Eel Creek Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is fair, AT&T is fair, and T-Mobile is good.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Eel Creek Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Eel Creek Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Eel Creek Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Eel Creek Campground?

    There are 51 campsites at Eel Creek Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts