House Rock Campground

Wonderful little campsite. Drive down to gravel Road a little ways and across the bridge and you can find primitive sites available. Outhouses. Campsites are right next to the river

Per Allstays app this campground can fit up to 60 ft rigs. NO! We attempted to drive through with our 26ft Class C and it was tight and awkward. The first section right after the bridge and to the right was all we could get to, straight across the bridge the road heads uphill for more sites which are definitely off limits for anything larger than a van.

The road in is gravel/dirt with washboard and some deep pits that sent things flying inside our rig and hairpin turns. We made it to the first loop and had to do 9 point turn to make the loop. Spoke with a ranger and he said not to attempt the other part with the section directly across the bridge as it is even smaller. The sites were nice though if you have a car, truck or van or teardrop type trailer. They all had picnic tables and fire pits, though NO fires allowed at this time. There were also vault toilets and water.

Garbage cans throughout as well, though no recycling. Other apps and websites stated different things as far as sizes that are able to camp here one said 22 ft, one recommended no RVs and the one we looked at said 60ft max. We’d recommend no RVs, vans ok and tear drops probably ok as well but nothing bigger.

$20/night

Zero cell service for ATT, Verizon or TMobile

This is a wonderful campground.  Every spot is stellar.  Some are right on the water while others boast a stunning view.  Lots of wildlife to chirp you awake and provide entertainment.  The river access is easy and in lots of spots.

We will definitely be coming back!

This was one of the most beautiful campgrounds I’ve visited. My site was quite secluded, I could only occasionally see people walking along the camp road. Vault toilets were kept clean and a well water pump was available for clean drinking water.

The best part was the South Santiam River running along the campground, providing a relaxing ambiance. A 2-mile trail loop will take you from the canpgeiund to House Rock Falls, then up along historic Santiam Wagon Road Trail. The water is crystal clear and nice to wade in, but when I was there it was really cold. I’m excited to return to explore the area again.

Based on the first review I reserved site 14 and it was absolutely gorgeous. The site was large with a short stairway from the road to the water. Great trees for hanging a hammock and we listened to the river all night from our tent. Site 15 looked great also and 16 17 was perfect for a group. The lower numbered sites looked nice as well but maybe a little closer together. We did the short hike around the other side of the river which was short and sweet. The next day we drove up the forest road to Gordon lakes, it took about 35 min to get up there and there was a nice trail down to the lakes where we were the only ones there. Looked like a dispersed camp site by the lower Gordon lake. We saw brown trout and salamanders and raptors. All in all great trip and would love to go back!

Site #1 walk up only, creek side of the road #2 compact, on creek #3 compact, on creek #4 nice one! Near bridge across river and swimming hole. Tons of space “5 -same as above but more on the river side . #6 more open, compact. Amazing swimming hole right at campsite. #7-11. Ok sites. Some up away from the river, all have nice views. #12 -cliff spot, jumping off spot right at campsite, nice site #13- behind bathroom, no view #14 AMAZING! river front, huge site #15 AMAZING!!! More privacy, huge.
#16, nice, this site opens up to 17. 16&17 are great for a large group-booked together. #17-AMAZING! Last site with a short river hike to the falls. Huge site.

Spots are very roomy for the most part and the water views wont disappoint. Only one water well pump was working but no biggie. Bring your own wood or buy some off the side of the road as the host doesn't stay on site but does drive around and has in his truck. Vault toilets can get beyond stinky think they needed to empty them. Great short hiking trails and some great swimming holes. We will definitely be back.

House Rock is more primative than the nearby campsites, meaning it has more weeds and less number of sites in comparison. To get to this site you have to drive down long switchback grave roads (follow signs - see photo/video) and there was an odd smell once we reached the bottom bank. We were not sure if it was from the trickle of a creek or the neighbors. I would assume that the trickling is more of a steam in early summer/late spring, so plan your trip early in the season. There is one site that has access to shade and the river, but if you do not get that site you will be baking in the sun by late afternoon.

Part of the Willamette National Forest, managed by the Linn County. Best for those who camp with Tents, van campers or Trucks with campers. Would not bring a pull trailer, because the road is all down hill with pin curves, and a very small sites for camping, about 17 sites. Can RSVP your site through Linn County Parks www.linnparks.com 541-967-3917. There are a few sites for first come to first serve, $18 a night for 2018. Has a few hiking trails to see House rock falls and the Santiam wagon trail.

I was in the area to hike the nearby "Iron Mountain" to see the unbeatable views of the Cascade peaks from the lookout at 5500 ft. elevation. You can see from Mt. Hood to the north, down to Diamond peak in the south; on a clear day. I unfortunately got a view of the west's own smokey mountains due to all the wildfires in the area. Good excuse to come back and top it again someday.

House rock was one of a few grounds that are right off hwy 20 within 10 or so miles from this and many other hikes. It is down a short gravel road from 20, so just far enough away to only get faint road noise. It is nestled in an Old growth forest with many Douglas firs and Big leaf maples; among other plant species.

Being the busy season in Oregon all of these campgrounds had the "full" signage at the entrance. I've learned not to trust these signs, as anything can happen, and with all of the campgrounds, these signs sometimes don't get flipped daily; especially if there is not a host on site. This visit is a perfect example, there are only about 10 sites in this two loop small primitive campground. All of the sites had been booked weeks out with tags behind tags on the site posts. I did luck out as the last empty spot I checked was a walk up site and the previous campers checked out and left; so I snatched it.

This is a pretty cool campground right on the Santiam river, with a few swimming holes, a waterfall and nice short and longer hikes. The shorter is to the cascading falls across a long wooden foot bridge. The longer is a trail that follows the old Santiam wagon road from back in the 1800's. You can still see the ruts in the trail at some points and you even pass by a large "House rock" with a cave that was used by pioneer families back in the day to seek refuge from storms. This trail continues on across and down a gravel road and then becomes a trail once again. You can follow this trail for about 4 miles one way to white mile post marker 5 and take a spur trail to the right. Take this to the top of "Knoll" viewpoint, here you get amazing views of the valley, Cone peak, Jumpoff Joe mountain, and if you plan to hike Iron mountain you can size up the challenge here before you tackle it. Although, Iron mountain trail starts at the trail head at Tombstone pass further up hwy 20.

I stayed here peak season and on the weekend, so there were some large groups that had booked a few sites together. This meant some whooping and hollering into the night, but also meant a peaceful early morning for me.

At $18 a night I was surprised at the lack of amenities, these include: 3 all gender pit toilets, garbage service, and an old fashioned water pump, that's it.

For me this was a great place to stay the night to prepare for the hike the next day. That way I could get up early and start my hike and have the mountain to myself. I'm glad I only stayed one night, I feel like this would be a good shoulder season campground, when there is still some snow on the mountains and not as busy.

Camp among Giant pines right along the edge of the river, this is a spectacular treat and a camp not to be missed.