Map showing campground location near Alder Springs, Oregon

Camper submitted image from Trout Creek Campground Boat Ramp

Trout Creek Campground Boat Ramp

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Rafting put-ins, fly fishing, and wildlife viewing along the Deschutes River draw visitors to this BLM-managed site in Alder Springs, Oregon. Wild horses from the Warm Springs Reservation are regularly spotted across the river. Many visitors use the boat ramp and move on, so overnight crowds tend to stay light. No drinking water is available on-site. Bring your own supply, and note that a low, narrow tunnel on the access road limits taller RVs. Those exploring campgrounds near BLM Land — Prineville Deschutes Field Office will find this one among the more river-accessible options in the district. April visits see fewer campers than summer. Fees run $8 to $12 per night.

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There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Air Quality at this campground may currently be very unhealthy. Please check with the campground before making a reservation.

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Map & DirectionsTrout Creek Campground Boat Ramp is located in Oregon near Alder Springs

Public Campground

Coordinates

44.80903951 N
121.09739082 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Reservable
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 16 min from Bend, OR
2 hrs 31 min from Portland, OR
3 hrs 8 min from Salem, OR
3 hrs 14 min from Albany, OR

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Reviews3 Camper Reviews - Trout Creek Campground Boat Ramp

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5 Stars

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4.0

out of 5

3 Reviews

Multiple campers appreciated the scenic riverside setting with wildlife viewing and natural shade, though all noted the challenging access road and tunnel restrictions for larger RVs. The dry camping setup requires bringing water.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Lyn V.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2024

Quiet and relaxing

Loved this spot. Across the river we watched wild horses. In the river there were birds. During the day rafters come down.

No water available unless you boil river water.

The road down was STEEP! I really overheated my motorhome breaks. Plus a scary, low and narrow tunnel at the bottom.

Site2

Month of VisitJuly

Thomas B.

Legend

Reviewed Apr. 26, 2021

One of our favorites in Central Oregon

We enjoyed a return to this campground and found it less populated in April than it had been when we were here during late summer a few years ago. It's located right along the Deschutes River with a landing used by rafters and fishers. There are lots of trails and roads to walk on, so it would be easy to spend a few nights here. You can't make reservations, although when we found it full last time we were able to share one of the larger sites with a guy who had somehow fit his Class A motor home through the very small tunnel you have to fit through to get here. There's no drinking water, so make sure to bring your own, or be prepared to purify the river water. There's a fair amount of ground cover, so you feel like there's a little privacy between sites. This site will stay on our list of easy favorites in Central Oregon.

Month of VisitApril

(9) View All

Lisa K.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 17, 2018

Deschutes River boat launch and dry camp aka Trout Creek recreational site

Reservations are not taken at this BLM campground, but it's not usually very full. That could be due to the fact that it's a dry camp with (very nice) pit toilets, or it could be due to the 14' clearance tunnel you need to pass through that limits some RVs, or it could be because of the rutted washboard gravel road that pleads for you to drive 20mph. If none of that scares you off, and you like to camp in a hot, dry spot with few neighbors, this place is for you! Many people use it for the boat launch to start their Deschutes River rafting trip, so not many actually stay. Which is exactly why this place is at the top of my list. You can sit by the river in the shade of an ancient juniper and watch the wild horses from the Warm Springs Indian Reservation collect at the watering hole while dipping your feet in the icy rushing water. And do absolutely nothing but watch the sky turn colors against the surrounding rimrock, listen to the baby ospreys calling for their meal, watch the cows and horses graze across the river (and a mountain goat who thinks he's a cow!) and cook your dinner on your propane stove (grills and campfires are prohibited during summer fire season - leave your s'mores makings at home). Leave your motorized off-road vehicles at home, too. You won't need them here, anyway. There's hiking trails and fly fishing and rafting instead!

Month of VisitJuly

(7) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there boat access at Trout Creek Campground?

Yes, Trout Creek Campground features boat access to the Deschutes River. There's a landing that's used by both rafters and fishers right along the river. This makes it a convenient put-in or take-out point for river adventures. The boat ramp area serves as a popular launch site, particularly for those planning to float or fish the Deschutes.

Where is Trout Creek Campground located on the Deschutes River?

Trout Creek Campground is located directly along the Deschutes River in central Oregon near Madras. The campground sits at a point where the river is accessible for both fishing and rafting activities. Access to the campground involves traveling down a steep road that passes through a narrow tunnel with a 14-foot clearance, which can limit access for some larger RVs. The natural setting provides views of wild horses across the river and offers numerous trails and roads for exploration.

What camping facilities are available at Trout Creek Campground?

Trout Creek Campground is a primitive BLM site with basic amenities. It features very clean pit toilets but no potable water (campers need to bring their own water or boil river water). This is a dry camp with no hookups for RVs. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system, though it typically doesn't fill up completely. Road access includes a steep descent and passage through a 14-foot clearance tunnel that may restrict larger RVs. The site offers plenty of walking trails and scenic river views.

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