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Riverside at Detroit Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Riverside at Detroit Campground, near Idanha, Oregon, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors along the Santiam River. This spot offers a mix of tent and RV sites, with many campers appreciating the river access and the surrounding forest that provides a bit of privacy.

The campground is known for its clean facilities, including well-maintained vault toilets and multiple water spigots. Campers have mentioned that sites near the river are particularly desirable, with some even highlighting the starry skies and soothing sounds of the water at night. One visitor noted, “If you can snag a site on the river side, those are definitely ideal!”

While the campground is conveniently located near Highway 22, which can bring some road noise, many find that the river's sounds help drown it out, especially if you choose a riverside site. There are plenty of hiking trails nearby, making it a great base for outdoor adventures, whether you're into fishing or just exploring the beautiful Willamette National Forest.

Dogs are welcome here, so feel free to bring your furry friends along for the fun. With a friendly campground host and a laid-back vibe, Riverside at Detroit Campground is a great spot for a weekend getaway or a longer stay in nature.

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Location

Riverside at Detroit Campground is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Detroit, OR, take Route 22 toward Sisters. Go 14.2 miles to the campground on right side of the road. From Sisters, head toward Detroit on Route 22. Go 43 miles to the campground on the left.

Coordinates

44.6424194 N
121.9453333 W

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Connectivity

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

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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.

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 6, 2025

Great riverside sites right off the highway...

Nice little campground with some excellent sites along the river.  Small travel trailers can get in and out with no problem, but bring plenty of leveling blocks for certain spots.  No cell service and yes, you can hear the highway traffic, but if you walk down and hang out by the water, it's all you can hear!

Site029
Month of VisitJuly
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Steve R., August 6, 2025
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2024

Great location

Beautiful campground along the river. No cellphone service. I arrived on a Thursday with plenty of sites to choose from but it did start to fill up over the weekend. Sites are pretty close together but you get some privacy with all of the forest between.

Site12
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Kiri D., June 24, 2024
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Kiri D., June 24, 2024
Reviewed Jul. 13, 2021

Get a spot by the river but overall good!

If you can snag a site on the river side, those are definitely ideal! Sites 25 & 26 are particularly awesome. Our spot was a little small but still nice - there is lots of road noise during the day but at night you can really hear the river and the star gazing is amazing! Each site has a really nice fire pit and grill, the vault toilets are really clean, and there are many water spigots. 

If you don't have a river site, there is still river access. It's not a super long drive to the Detroit Lake day use area. This campsite is waaaayyy less busy than the main Detroit Lake campground as well.

Site32
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 17, 2020

A roadside campground with river access

This is a decent campground right off the highway. You will incur noise from the cars on the highway, even on the sites closer to the river. There are some sweet sites to the right as you enter the CG with nice river access. The sites to the left offer little access due to the high embankment on the river. We stayed at site 15 and climbed down to the river. The sites are nice, you might be able to see your neighbors on some, others are secluded. If you have a big RV this might not be the place for you. There are a couple sites that might accommodate 18+ feet but it will be tough. This CG is very clean. The 3 pit toilets are kept very clean, at least while we were there. We gave this CG 4 stars because of Tom the campground host. This guy works hard, is super cool and very friendly. We got there around 12 on a Friday and Tom really squared us away, showed us the open sites and was very pleasant. Its a good place to crash for the night in between Central Oregon and the Valley or Coast. There are 37 sites here and you can reserve them on recreation.gov.

Site15
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Pat S., June 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Pat S., June 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Pat S., June 17, 2020
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2019

Great campground. Very smokey from the 2017 fires.

There are several Riverside sites at this campground. I had booked last minute and this was the only one available in the area. Nice vault toilets, lots of room for RVS the river is nice and back from the lake. Late checkout time at 1pm which is nice. Lots or restaurants and mini stores in the area. Black berry picking available All around the lake. Several hiking trails. I didn't explore much due to how bad the smoke was.

  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Andrea R., April 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Andrea R., April 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Andrea R., April 25, 2019
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2018

Should be called “Roadside” instead of Riverside

Don’t be alarmed, this campground sits along HWY 22 AND along the Santiam River in the Willamette National Forest. Despite the road noise, if you can grab a campsite along the water you will feel at peace with the whispering waters and tucked away in the old growth forest that surrounds you. This site has a feature that many others do not, which is a little roundabout at the end of the site. The pathways are paved which makes this site great for families with kids who may want to ride their bikes or scooters while not in the water fishing/playing/swimming. Potable water is available as well as vault toilets. (Bring soap!) There are no showers at this location. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash.

This site is both walk-up and reservable through Linn County Parks & Rec. See more info here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4224

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Kelly N., October 1, 2018
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Kelly N., October 1, 2018
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2018

Close to road, but lake side is quiet

This is a narrow campground with limited sites. Some have full parking pads for two vehicles, but mostly parking is dirt next to the drive lane. Spacious sites for the size of the campground.

Sites on the side near the road are very noisy, so make sure to check the map before you reserve.

Dog friendly, tent sites, bathroom, river access, no showers.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by Nicolaus N., September 30, 2018
  • Super noisy at site 6
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  • Play button icon
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2018

Close to road but nice

This campground is very close to hwy 22. We purposely picked sites on the river side, and the river was fast and loud enough to drown out most of the traffic noise, so it didn't feel too bad. I wouldn't want camp on the other side though.

Our site didn't really have river access (sites 14/15), but there were a few that did. Ours were beautiful sites that had a ton of spaces for tents, so it's great for small groups. Since we had two consecutive sites, we felt pretty private.

There's a ton of good hiking nearby, and detroit lake is just down the road, which we did do one day to go jump in.

Site14/15
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by trena E., August 9, 2018
  • Review photo of Riverside at Detroit Campground by trena E., August 9, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there photos of Riverside at Detroit Campground to view before booking?

Yes, photos of Riverside at Detroit Campground are available online through reservation platforms and camping websites. These images typically showcase the riverside sites, campground layout, and surrounding old-growth forest. Photos help visualize the proximity to the Santiam River, site spacing, and the natural setting. Before booking, it's beneficial to view these images to understand the campground's environment, especially to identify which sites offer the best river views and access. The campground's official reservation page is the best place to find current and accurate photos.

What amenities are available at Riverside at Detroit Campground?

Riverside at Detroit Campground offers several basic amenities for campers. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and some provide real bathrooms nearby. The campground features vault toilets that are well-maintained. While the campground doesn't offer full hookups, it can accommodate RVs and small travel trailers. There's no cell phone service available in the area. The campground has spacious sites despite its overall narrow layout, with some sites providing direct river access. Late checkout time is available until 1pm, giving campers extra time to enjoy their stay.

Where is Riverside Campground located in Detroit, Oregon?

Riverside at Detroit Campground is located along Highway 22 in the Willamette National Forest, adjacent to the Santiam River. The campground sits near Detroit, Oregon, providing convenient access to the town's restaurants and small stores. Its position offers a natural forest setting while remaining close to Detroit Lake recreational areas. The campground's riverside location creates a peaceful atmosphere despite the proximity to the highway. The area surrounding the campground features old-growth forest, creating a secluded outdoor experience within easy reach of local amenities.

What do reviews say about Riverside at Detroit Campground?

Riverside at Detroit Campground is highly regarded for its beautiful riverside sites, particularly sites 25 and 26 which offer excellent river access. The campground receives praise for its spacious sites and well-maintained vault toilets. Many campers appreciate the late 1pm checkout time. Highway noise is mentioned as a drawback, though the riverside sites benefit from the sound of rushing water that helps mask traffic noise. The campground offers amazing stargazing opportunities at night when the highway quiets down. It tends to fill up on weekends, but typically has availability midweek. The natural setting with old-growth forest provides privacy between sites despite their proximity.

Is there a map of Riverside at Detroit Campground showing camping spots?

Yes, maps of Riverside at Detroit Campground are available showing the layout of camping spots. The map is particularly useful for selecting preferred sites, as it shows which spots are located on the desirable river side versus those closer to Highway 22. When booking, consulting the map is highly recommended to avoid the noisier road-facing sites. The map indicates site numbers, including the popular river-access spots (like sites 25 and 26), parking pad locations, and campground facilities. Maps can be found on the official reservation website or by contacting the managing agency directly.