Is Richardson Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Richardson Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Richardson Campground?

Richardson Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Richardson Campground?

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

What activities can I do at Richardson Campground?

Popular activities at Richardson Campground include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Richardson Campground

4.30

466 reviews

Top 16% in ORSummer

CReport Card

SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

400 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Fern Ridge Lake Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

400 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Fern Ridge Lake Official Website

Get Directions

Richardson Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

Richardson Campground

44.1180, -123.3208

Weather at Richardson Campground

Best Time to Camp at Richardson Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers warm, dry weather (typical daytime highs in the Willamette Valley run about 75–85°F with nights in the 50s) and the fullest range of lake activities — swimming, boating, paddleboarding and shore fishing are at their peak. Long daylight and generally reliable weather make camping and day trips easy, though weekends can be busy at Fern Ridge Lake. Be aware of late‑summer concerns like mosquitoes, occasional harmful algal bloom advisories, and the potential for regional wildfire smoke Peak months: July, August, June, September

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 16% in OR

Summer is best season; warm dry days and fullest range of lake activities reported.

Planning Tips

About Richardson Campground

Richardson Campground sits at Fern Ridge Lake in Oregon's Willamette Valley, offering a spacious layout that feels less cramped than typical state parks. Reviewers note the park's relaxed atmosphere and good access to swimming areas, making it a popular choice for families and groups looking to socialize by the water.

This recreation area is part of Fern Ridge Lake.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers warm, dry weather (typical daytime highs in the Willamette Valley run about 75–85°F with nights in the 50s) and the fullest range of lake activities — swimming, boating, paddleboarding and shore fishing are at their peak. Long daylight and generally reliable weather make camping and day trips easy, though weekends can be busy at Fern Ridge Lake. Be aware of late‑summer concerns like mosquitoes, occasional harmful algal bloom advisories, and the potential for regional wildfire smoke Peak months: July, August, June, September

Elevation400 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits at 400 feet elevation along Fern Ridge Lake, a reservoir in the Willamette Valley. The lake provides the main visual draw, with shoreline access for swimming and water activities. The surrounding valley landscape is relatively flat and open compared to Oregon's mountain campgrounds.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

This recreation area is part of Fern Ridge Lake.

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

This recreation area is part of Fern Ridge Lake.

Hiking

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

466 reviews

Satisfactory

Richardson Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers describe Richardson Campground as a pleasant, spacious park that works well for socializing and relaxing. It’s mentioned as a good spot for family swimming and hanging out with friends.

Review Summaries

Based on 466 reviews

What Campers Love

Guests appreciate the ample space compared with typical state parks, which likely makes it feel less crowded. They also highlight it as a good place for swimming and enjoying drinks with friends and...

Based on 466 reviews

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Richardson Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid 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

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

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Provider

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Families and friend groups chasing a laid-back swim day will find more elbow room here than at most Oregon state parks, and summer temps in the mid-80s make the shoreline access the main event.

Skip if

Campers who feel unwelcome in tight-knit local crowds should know that a concrete subset of past visitors report experiences that felt unwelcoming to outsiders, particularly those outside the area's cultural mainstream.

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Campgrounds

Fern Ridge Lake

Richardson Campground

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 27% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 156 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade B-.Things to do
Grade B-.Facilities
Grade B-.Value

Watch-outs

Grade F.Belonging
Grade D.Rules & policies
Grade C-.Crowds & noise

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

How we grade →See how Oregon grades overall

About Fern Ridge Lake

Context for the broader area surrounding Richardson Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Fern Ridge Lake, a popular recreation area for sailing, power boating and water skiing, is just 12 miles from downtown Eugene. Six park sites and several remote access points around the lake offer a variety of day use recreation opportunities such as picnicking, swimming, fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. A private concession on the peninsula at the south end of the lake has overnight camping sites. The Fern Ridge Dam was completed in 1941 and provides needed flood control. The area includes extensive wetlands and provides unique habitat for a variety of wildlife and wintering waterfowl populations.

Directions

From Eugene, 12 miles west on OR 126.