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Marion Forks Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Marion Forks Campground, near Idanha, Oregon, is a peaceful retreat tucked away in the Willamette National Forest. This campground is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, with its quiet atmosphere and proximity to nature.

The sites here are mostly shaded and come with picnic tables and fire pits, making them ideal for a cozy campfire evening. Visitors appreciate the clean vault toilets and the nearby fish hatchery, which offers a unique experience for families and kids to learn about aquatic life. As one camper noted, “It is usually very quiet and so relaxing.”

For outdoor enthusiasts, there are short hiking trails that lead right from the campground, allowing you to explore the beautiful surroundings. The nearby creek adds to the charm, providing a lovely backdrop for a day of wandering or simply enjoying the scenery.

While the campground is small and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, it’s a great spot for a quick getaway. Just remember to bring bug repellent during the summer months, as the mosquitoes can be quite persistent. Whether you're here for a night or a weekend, Marion Forks offers a serene escape into nature.

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Location

Marion Forks Campground is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

16.1 miles southeast of Detroit, Oregon From Detroit, Oregon, travel southeast on State Highway 22 for 16 miles to Marion Forks. Turn left at the Marion Forks Fish Hatchery sign.  Day Use Area is adjacent to the Fish Hatchery and Marion Creek. Campground is behind the Fish Hatchery.

Coordinates

44.60900085 N
121.94500018 W

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  • Tent Sites

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10 Reviews

Reviewed Nov. 8, 2022

Quiet campground

Located off Hwy 22, past the fish hatchery, far enough that you can’t hear road noise. Less than 20 sites total, all first come first serve, $12 a night or $6 with interagency pass. Mostly full on a Friday night. Clean vault toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, trash, but no water. Nearby trail leads to Marion creek.

Site13
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2019

Shaded and on a creek

Deep in the Willamette National Forest but right off Highway 22, this secluded campground has nice campsites that are fenced with a wooden corral.

Loads of shade as it’s right in the forest. You can heat the river and there are short hikes next to the creek side. The camp site is just behind a fish hatchery which is pretty cool to check out with the kids.

Water on site. Vault toilets. Very affordable for tent and RV.

  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Brian C., October 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Brian C., October 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Brian C., October 31, 2019
  • (15) View All
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2019

Very Quiet.

I love this place, its usually quiet even in Summer and has no cell service whatsoever.

A great place to wander around, do some trails near by then settle down by the campfire with a good book,

It is only a few 100 yards from 22 but you cant really hear much traffic.

My favorite thing to do here on a summer night is to take my chir down beside the hatchery and just watch the stars. Magical

One bad thing i have found is its not well patrolled and now and again some homelsss people take a site..but they seem cool.

  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Kevin R., September 30, 2019
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Kevin R., September 30, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2019

Quiet place, nice and peaceful

The campground is right next to a fish hatchery, which is really interesting and worth a visit. However, most of the sites have pretty strict boundaries. There are logs fences around each campsite, which you are required to stay inside of. You can hear a river a ways back from the side of the campground, but is inaccessible because of the aforementioned fences. The driveways are pretty long, but there are usually rocks placed to block access for vehicles to the back half of it. There are fireplaces in each campsite, but there is almost always a fire ban so you most likely won’t get much of a chance to use them. You do need a National Park Recreation Pass to use the campground, but they aren’t very hard to get and and don’t cost too much money($12 for a single site, and$22 for a double site). In June or July, the mosquitoes will eat you alive if they get the chance, so don’t give it to them. Bring lots of bug repellent.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Bennett F., July 2, 2019
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Bennett F., July 2, 2019
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Bennett F., July 2, 2019
  • (7) View All
Reviewed May. 31, 2019

Fun, Small Campground Next to a Fish Hatchery

This was a really fun campground. There's a handful of large campsites on a small loop. Each spot has--and I'm not sure why this is--a split rail fence around it. You can still easily get around the fence to walk down to the creek or whatever, but for some reason this was really fun for our boys to have a "self-contained" site. There's a pit toilet at both the campground and the day use area. Half the sites are on a small creek.

The other fun part of this campground is there's a nice sized fish hatchery right at the entrance (short walking distance) that you can go check out the pools of baby fish. Next to the hatchery is a short, guided paved pathway that's right on the river. It has picnic tables and panels telling about the fish and area.

All-in-all, a nice little campground with just enough to do for a night, but probably not much longer unless you use it as a jumping-off point for other activities in the area.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Corinna B., May 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Corinna B., May 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Corinna B., May 31, 2019
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Sep. 6, 2018

Quiet and clean

This campground is well kept and clean. It is somewhat popular, but not constantly crowded. There are a few short hiking trails that leave directly from the campground, though the better hikes require a short drive. The adjoining fish hatchery is interesting.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2018

Campground behind the fish hatchery

This campground is tucked behind the Marion Forks fish hatchery. There are educational signs, short hikes, and access to water near the campground. The bathrooms are clean on site. Keep pets on leash and away from the road (hwy 22) and fish hatchery. This can be a fun site for kids and sometimes the staff will give you a tour. No cell service here!!!

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Kelly N., July 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Kelly N., July 17, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2018

Butterfly central

Great campsite, spots are at least somewhat secluded. A few are by a very small creek. but it’s an easy nice spot right of 22 and about 15 miles from Detroit lake.

There are single and mutli tent sites, picnic tables and firepits. Facilities are very accessible and there is a nearby trail by the creek.

During this time of year there are swarms of butterflies.

  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Kate S., July 9, 2018
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Kate S., July 9, 2018
  • Review photo of Marion Forks Campground by Kate S., July 9, 2018
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 3, 2018

A family favorite!

Our boys grew up camping here! Our family had camped here several times a year as long as I can remember. My boys and now my granddaughter love going to the the fish hatchery and seeing the baby fish and the HUGE fish. It is usually very quiet.and so relaxing. It is close to home so a quick wonderful getaway on short notice.

Reviewed Sep. 4, 2016

One of my favorite little sites

I love this campground because it's tucked away off of the highway and doesn't have a lot of people. It's one of the few campgrounds that is actually run by the forest service, so there's no camp host running around in a golf cart all day. The trail by the creek is really nice and the fish hatchery is cool to check out; biggest trout I've ever seen in my life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Marion Forks Campground?

Marion Forks Campground offers several basic amenities for campers. Each site includes a picnic table and fire pit within uniquely designed split-rail fence enclosures. The campground provides clean vault toilets and trash service, but no potable water is available. Sites accommodate both single and multi-tent setups, with ample shade from the surrounding forest. The fee is $12 per night, or $6 with an interagency pass. Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations accepted. The campground's secluded setting offers peace and quiet with easy access to hiking trails and a nearby creek.

How do I get to Marion Forks Campground in Oregon?

Marion Forks Campground is located off Highway 22 in the Willamette National Forest. To reach it, travel along Highway 22 and look for the Marion Forks fish hatchery. The campground is tucked behind the hatchery, just a few hundred yards from the highway but positioned far enough away that traffic noise is minimal. It's approximately 15 miles from Detroit Lake, making it easily accessible while still providing a secluded forest experience.

When is the best time to visit Marion Forks Campground?

Summer is ideal for visiting Marion Forks Campground when the weather is pleasant and all trails are accessible. The campground remains relatively quiet even during peak summer months, making it perfect for those seeking a peaceful forest retreat. Fall offers beautiful scenery with fewer visitors. While the campground can fill up on Friday nights, it's generally less crowded than other area campgrounds throughout the season. The shoulder seasons (late spring and early fall) can provide an especially tranquil experience with more site availability.

Can you fish near Marion Forks Campground?

Yes, fishing opportunities abound near Marion Forks Campground. The adjacent Marion Forks Fish Hatchery is a major attraction where visitors can observe both tiny fingerlings and impressively large fish. A creek runs near the campground providing water access, and the North Santiam River is within close proximity for fishing. The hatchery offers an educational experience with informative signs about local fish species. This makes the campground particularly appealing for families interested in fishing or teaching children about fish and their habitats.