Great spot to explore small little camp sites but provide enough privacy. The last two times we have been out there the campground has been open but it says it's closed on here. Not sure if it just needs to be updated or if it's not supposed to be open? We stayed somewhere else last visit because all the sites were full. Bathrooms have not been unlocked each time and no phone service available.
We camped here for 2 days and it was HOT. The water in the river was ice cold though. We had a good time here but unless you want to get into the river there isn’t much to do here.
We didn’t come prepared to float in the lazy section of the river but it seems like a great place to do that.
Nice campground along the river. Some sites have river views.
Campground Review Lazy Bend -- 3/5 Stars
Lazy Bend is a small, nice, basic National Forest campground on the Estacata River. Just off Highway 224, there’s maybe 20 spots or so with a couple of bathrooms (with flush toilets). Each site has a picnic table and fire pit, plus a couple water spigots near the bathrooms.
The sites have a medium amount of privacy, where all of them are pretty much visible from the main campground road, but there’s also trees between most spots. Almost all sites also have river views or easy access down to the river.
Spots are $23 each for up to one vehicle, which seems reasonable for the nice waterfront location and facilities.
Pros:
Overall, a fun little spot to hang out and play in the river for a day or two that’s an easy drive from Portland with some lovely views.
Cons:
Not a ton to do at the actual campground if you’re looking to entertain kids since it doesn't have organized activities such as ranger programs, playgrounds etc., though fishing might be a good option if you’re interested.
Product Review: humangear GoBites Duo -- 5/5 Stars
Several years ago we received a set of GoBites from humangear. This is basically a plastic nylon fork/spoon set that slides together for portability. The faces of the spoon and fork are fairly wide and rounded, so they function almost interchangeably as sporks if needed. For the past three years we’ve used these on an almost daily basis in kids' lunchboxes to eat whatever random food happens to be in the thermos, and they’ve held up incredibly well and functioned pretty much perfectly. We’ve sent these through the dishwasher on the bottom rack, occasionally used them as mini spatulas in frying pans, and generally used them frequently and well.
Recently we received another set of the same GoBites to try out as thedyrt Rangers, and I thought it would be fun to compare how our well-used set held up. Turns out, despite such heavy use, the old and new set are almost indistinguishable. The only difference, and only if you know exactly what you’re looking for, is there’s the tiniest little “scratches” if you hold the GoBites in just the right angle—and the scratches are really more just very fine lines practically indiscernible to the naked eye.
In addition to holding up so well, the GoBites have been practical. They fit well in your mouth and are well designed. The spoon is perfect for cereal and other liquids, while the fork has sharp edges on the sides for cutting and well-formed tines for stabbing. There’s been no gross spots where old food hides and the locking mechanism between the two parts is still in perfect shape.
Overall, I would love a dozen of these in different colors for all our picnics, lunch boxes and camping needs. They even look cute! There’s really nothing I’d change.
Lazy Bend is one of the best of the bunch of similar campsites in the area. You can find some seclusion with thick vegetation or seclusion and shade with tall trees...most sites with good river access. It’s more of a social area overall. But a huge variety of camping spaces, with most right off the campground road. Traffic is both a blessing and curse - this is about an hour from Portland, but right along a small freeway. Just enough away from civilization, but popular. There aren’t any good trails off the campground or within walking distance, but a lot of good ones a short drive away. Boating is the thing here - tubbing, kayaking especially - and fly fishing.
This place is pretty convenient to town and right off the main road, but gets snatched up quickly- especially during the busy season (summer/weekends) so you’ll be lucky yo find a spot! It’s right on the river and you walk down there and try to swim in the frigidly cold water! There are plenty of trails nearby. Bring cash. I think we paid $21 to camp? We brought our dog and had a nice spacious area with a fire pit and bench. It’s fairly quiet and clean. There are actual flush toilets, a sink, and drinking water (bring a flashlight though). We’d come here again! There are other sites if you keep driving. And if you drive past Indian Henry, you’ll run into a “camp anywhere” zone in case this place is booked up.
Nice wooded campground just off the freeway. It has a very narrow entrance, but the advantage is that most of the campsites are right on the Clackamas River. Easy to walk out of tent and wade right into the water. There’s also flush toilets on site and fresh water available.
Not too many camp sites, but each feels fairly private in relations to others. The biggest downside is you’re not that far off the freeway and you can still hear cars.
I love the name of this campground- Lazy Bend Campground. This is definitely a place to come if you want to lay back and relax, but they also have great activities for those who want to be more adventurous. It sits right next to the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River, which is great for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and rafting. My family brought some tubes, tied them to a tree, and just relaxed in the water for a few hours. It was great. It is also within the Mt. Hood National Forest, so there are some great hikes nearby. My family and I stayed here 3 nights, and we hiked every morning. We saw some huckleberry bushes that we wish would have been ripe when we were there. I am assuming around September they would be ready to pick and eat. The campsites were good. Just your basic campsite with a table and fire ring. I would advise to bring your own grate to put over the fire ring if you plan to do any cooking over the fire. We brought our own and did breakfast/dinner over the fire. They have tent sites, and a few RV sites as well. They don't have hookups, though. There was a small store a few miles before that we stopped at to get snacks for the weekend. There was a biking trail that looked fun, so if you like to bike I would recommend bringing your bike! Pets are also allowed, which was great because we have 2 dogs. Overall, I would probably come back here- but there are so many other campgrounds to visit in Oregon!!
Private spots, huge trees I will definitely be coming back.
Outstanding location, 20 minutes outside of civilization, you get giant private sites, a path to the river, beautiful scenery and all the mosquitoes and gnats you can swat at.
I went here a couple summers ago with a group of friends and it was a gorgeous spot. Small campground, right on the river. Short drive back into town if you need anything, but far enough out that you're actually the forest. Be careful and watch small kids and pets closely, the river moves really fast in this area.
