Fishermen's Bend, near Mill City, Oregon, is a charming campground that offers a delightful escape into nature, perfect for families and those looking to unwind. With its scenic river access and well-maintained sites, it’s a great place to set up camp and enjoy the great outdoors.

This spot is known for its clean facilities, including bathrooms that visitors rave about, and a friendly camp host who makes everyone feel welcome. Many campers appreciate the privacy of the sites, with trees providing a natural barrier, allowing for a more secluded experience. As one happy camper noted, “All sites are wooded and private feeling.”

For those who love activities, there’s no shortage here. You can take leisurely walks along the river, explore nearby trails, or let the kids enjoy the playground. Campfires are allowed, which adds to the cozy atmosphere of evenings spent roasting marshmallows and sharing stories. 

While the campground is temporarily closed to camping, it has a reputation for being a well-loved location with plenty to offer when it reopens. Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a longer stay, Fishermen's Bend is a spot that many look forward to returning to.

## Overview

 Fishermen\'s Bend Recreation Site has limited day use open. No camping or dump station is available.\_\_ $5 passenger vehicle (up to 9), $10 non-commercial vans (10-19 passengers), $20 non-commercial bus (over 19 passengers), $30 Northwest Oregon District Annual Day Pass for passengers vehicles only, America the Beautiful Interagency Passes and Golden passes are also acceptable for day-use fees Cottonwoods Shelter rental $110 per day, does not include vehicle day-use fees 
## Recreation

 Day use only until further notice. Expanded opened area includes River Loop only. Group picnic shelter, Cottonwoods, is reservable 7 first come-first serve individual picnic sites some hiking trails around River Loop and to the fishing overlook boat launch river access 
## Facilities

 porta potties, picnic sites with picnic table, parking, and barbecue grill, hiking trails, boat ramp, camp host, fishing overlook 
## Natural Features

 - 
## Nearby Attractions

 North Santiam State Park is next door, with more great water and hiking opportunities. Scenic John Neal Memorial County Park is less than 15 minutes away. Silver Falls State Park is 45 minutes from Fishermen\'s Bend, with 10 majestic waterfalls, ranging from the grand 177\' South Falls, to the delicate 27\' Drake Falls. 
## contact\_info

 For facility specific information, please call (503) 375-5646.
## Charges &amp; Cancellations

 Standard fees apply and are non-refundable. Visit [https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies][1] for more information. 

[1]: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

Fishermens Bend - TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO CAMPING

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Gates. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Gates, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Gates, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Gates

The Best Camping Near Gates, Oregon

We love this campground,lots of greenery between the large campsites. There are trails to go along the river and places for kids to ride bikes. Also a playground area for kids. You can fish or float the river. 

Awesome family camping 

We took our kids up here when they were little and they rode their bikes on the oodles and oodles of biking trails, its quiet with beautiful lush foliage, the showers are wonderful! Full hook ups are great. Camp hosts seem to Love their job. Nice big covered gathering places with big grill to feed an army! And so close to Salem you can work and camp at the same time!!! They also have cabins to rent!

So close to Salem!

Group camping is the best-we have stayed in G05 and love it and have stayed at other group sites, in the campground.

Group camping

Close together campsites but my husband likes the fishing. 

Fish on the River!

Our group site was wonderful! There was enough room to set up 6 tents and two trailers with plenty of extra space. The bathrooms were immaculate, and the campground hosts were incredibly friendly.

Salmon Group Site 

Nice clean campground. Make sure to say hi to the hosts Floyd and Opal in their big RV. Very friendly. This was Summer 2017.

Sites are pretty close together but very clean, with nice access to the river.

Be sure to head up to Opal Creek for a great hike.

Nice riverside campground

Have stayed4-5 times in the past 2 years...
All sites are wooded and private feeling and have room for a tent guest as well .. lots of hiking trails... swimming holes rafting grass areas ... definitely one of our favorites!

Love this campground!

This campground was an unexpected surprise not too far out of Salem, Oregon and just over an hour from Portland. Nice camp sites, clean bathrooms with flush toilets and free showers, good prices, well maintained, and most of all--plenty of fun activities to keep the kiddos busy. There's bike and hiking trains, a large playground, basketball area, a lovely river and plenty of areas to explore.  

  

There's spots for Rvs as well as tents. While most spots are nice, with plenty of trees and some distance between sites,  some are definitely better than others. There's also group areas for eating and group campsites. My favorite spots are a series of tent-only spots by the river. There's also some with lean-to covers over the picnic tables, which are fun. We'd definitely head back soon.

Gem of a Campground

Clean and all of the campers were friendly. Bathrooms spotless. Nice walks along the river.

Great campground.

Used to camp here now and again, but not my thing anymore.

I am at heart a tent camper and used this park when the kids were younger because of the amenities.

But the last time the noise of huge RV generators going for hours and hours was the final straw.

This is a great campsite for huge RVs  for tenters its pretty useless

Noisy

Pretty awesome campsites right on the river. That is incredibly well appointed. Full hookups for RVs electric and water. Dump station.

  

Some Tent sites have a built in shelter over picnic tables. Communal recycling bins. Sink dump sites near all campsites. Very nice bathrooms with full showers.  

  

Handful of sites on the river itself. Big group camping sections and awesome group picnic shelter/hall. Day use facilities.  

  

Very wooded and the campsites feel private. Not far from Salem. Playground and activities for the kids. Small info hut and amphitheater. Well loved but well maintained park but is affordable on BLM land.

Well loved but well maintained park

This is the most well kept campground we have ever been to. The camp hosts really go above and beyond to keep the grounds so well groomed. The sites are raked and cleaned the moment you leave to prepare for the next. So many activities, Walk along the river, bike trails, basketball, playground, horseshoes, baseball diamond, day use sites, etc. Full hookups and a dump station as well. Reasonable priced wood and lots of activities for kids.

Our Favorite Campground

We love this place and all the activities we can do.

Great spot for family

Camped in the river loop for 1 night with two small kids. The camp host was great, very friendly. This campground is perfect for young families... the bathrooms were nice, paved "roads," short trails, easy river access, and lots to do. The playground was closed due to covid, but it looked like a nice playground.

We were in spot R9. It had a lot of privacy. No neighbors on 2 sides, and couldn't see our neighbors on the 3rd side. Even though we weren't on the river, we could still hear it. We liked having electricity at our campsite, and we were right next to a water source. I'm glad we didn't have a riverfront site; with our small kids, it would have been a little dangerous for them and too much of a temptation.

We wanted to stay longer, but, well, we have small kids and even camping 1 night is a victory. Hoping to return next year! Love that you can book 1 year in advance. Also loved that they allowed campfires when a lot of other campgrounds banned them this late in the season. 

Exceeded expectations

Best place to camp. Private and beautiful.
It sadly burned down in 2020.
Stated to reopen 2022.

Sadly burned down 

As of Oct 2024 - still shut
No access to bathrooms but can pay 5 for day use of their picnic benches

Photos of Fishermens Bend - TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO CAMPING

Real photos from real campers