How much does camping cost at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site?

Camping fees at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site are $14/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site first-come first-served or reservation?

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site before I book?

Yes! Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site has 2 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site?

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site is open Currently closed indefinitely due to wildfire damage.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site?

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site?

Pets are not allowed at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site?

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

4.30

34 reviews

30725 N Fork Ln SE, Lyons, OR 97358

SwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Tent Camping Oregon

Quick Facts

994 ft

Price

$14/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Currently closed ind...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Bureau of Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

994 ft

Price

$14/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Currently closed ind...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Bureau of Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

$14.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $14.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $14.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Provider

503-897-2171BLM_OR_NO_Mail@blm.gov

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Campground Map

30725 N Fork Ln SE, Lyons, OR 97358

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

30725 N Fork Ln SE, Lyons, OR 97358

Nearby places

Salem (24 miles), Mill City (approx. 10 miles)

Weather at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

Current alerts(2)

closed until further notice. | is closed due to heavy wildfire damage.
Campground is CLOSED until further notice to all access due!

Best Time to Camp at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, driest weather and the best conditions for hiking and river swimming — expect daytime highs around 70–85°F and nighttime lows in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Trails and viewpoints are at their most accessible with minimal mud and lower stream levels, so scrambling burned slopes and seeing forest recovery is easier (and safer) in summer months. Crowds are higher than spring or fall but still moderate compared with front-country day-use areas; note, however, the site is *indf Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: January, February, March, April

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Best season: summer — warm, dry, ideal for hiking and river swimming; peak visitor season.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Currently closed indefinitely due to wildfire damage.

About Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site sits in the forested low country near Lyons, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. This budget-friendly campground offers tent camping with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, and serves as a base for hiking burned slopes and swimming in the nearby river. Reviewers praise the quiet setting and clean facilities, though day-use crowds and occasional noise can intrude on the experience.

The campground featured tent and standard nonelectric campsites. Group camping and RV-specific information were not detailed.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, driest weather and the best conditions for hiking and river swimming — expect daytime highs around 70–85°F and nighttime lows in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Trails and viewpoints are at their most accessible with minimal mud and lower stream levels, so scrambling burned slopes and seeing forest recovery is easier (and safer) in summer months. Crowds are higher than spring or fall but still moderate compared with front-country day-use areas; note, however, the site is *indf Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: January, February, March, April

Elevation994 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a river valley carved through volcanic bedrock, surrounded by dense forest on steep mountainsides. The North Santiam River runs through the site, creating swimming holes and the constant sound of flowing water. Old-growth trees provide a green canopy over many campsites, though recent wildfire has left some areas with burned slopes visible from trails. Plant growth between sites creates natural screens in most areas.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 nights per visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Rules not explicitly stated for maximum guests.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsAvailable on Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThere is limited information about accessibility features. However, one review noted that restrooms were 'accessible with lights.

Site SizeCampsites were suitable for two medium-sized tents. Some sites, such as B6, were described as 'very roomy.

PrivacyCampsites were generally well-spaced, offering decent privacy. Some reviews mentioned good privacy due to plant growth between sites, while others noted that specific sites were less private.

Recommended SitesRecommendations include sites B6 for spaciousness and B10 for quietness. A sites offer forested areas with moderate privacy.

Best CampsitesSite B6 gets mentioned in reviews as very roomy. Sites B17 and B10 also receive positive feedback for privacy and proximity to the river. Securing spots near the water means arriving early, as the riverfront areas draw the heaviest day-use crowds.

Need help booking Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site is currently closed due to wildfire damage. While operational, it offered basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, and tent pads. The campground was praised for its cleanliness and privacy. Several user reviews highlight the maintenance and cleanliness of restrooms, though opinions about pit toilets were mixed. For instance, one user stated, 'The pit toilets were very full of flies and there was no hand sanitizer,' while another said, 'The restrooms were super clean and accessible with lights.' Overall, the campground provided a quiet and scenic environment for campers.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

34 reviews

Satisfactory

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, the campground received mixed reviews. While many visitors praised its cleanliness, scenic beauty, and tranquility, others highlighted concerns such as noisy neighbors, inappropriate behavior by some hosts, and issues with toilet facilities.

Review Summaries

Based on 34 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviews emphasized the beauty and quietness of the site. Many appreciated the clean restrooms, friendly hosts, and proximity to natural attractions. One user described it as 'one of the crown jewels...

Based on 34 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues included the poor state of some vault toilets, lack of cell service, and encounters with noisy or inconsiderate campers. An isolated incident described inappropriate behavior by a camp...

Based on 34 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews highlighted campsite B6 as 'very roomy' and B17 as offering direct river access. However, noise and crowding were concerns for some sites.

Based on 34 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommended bringing hand sanitizer, arriving early to secure good spots, and being cautious about proximity to noisy groups. One user warned about crowded riverfront areas.

Based on 34 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer seemed to be the peak season, with visitors enjoying warm weather and river activities. However, this was also the time when traffic and overcrowding were noted.

Based on 34 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'This is one of the crown jewels of camping in Oregon.' - Luke Wolkenhauer 2. 'The river was crystal clear and cool—just right to go swimming.' - Sally M. 3. 'The pit toilets were the most...

Based on 34 reviews

Accessibility Features

Limited accessibility reviews were available. One user noted restrooms with lights, and another highlighted challenges for disabled individuals accessing the river due to inclines.

Based on 34 reviews

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Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

$14.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $14.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $14.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

503-897-2171BLM_OR_NO_Mail@blm.gov

Go if

You want affordable forest camping near Lyons with river access and don't mind basic facilities.

Skip if

You need flush toilets, hookups, or guaranteed solitude from day-use visitors.

Nearby Campgrounds

22965 North Fork Road SE, Lyons, Oregon, 97358, United States

Santiam Horse Camp reopened after the 2020 fires with 11 sites scattered through regenerating Santiam State Forest near Lyons. The $5/night equestrian-friendly camp provides access to a network of non-motorized trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. Nine sites include corrals for horses; two serve non-equestrian campers.

Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

Campground Map

Weather at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

Current alerts(2)

Best Time to Camp at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

Planning Tips

About Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site?

Amenities available

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

Featured in these camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

Current alerts(2)

Best Time to Camp at Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Elkhorn Valley Recreation Site?

Amenities available

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews