Wildwood Recreation Site

Star4.03
207 reviews
Wildwood Recreation Site

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

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Sites

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Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

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Wildwood Recreation Site
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Park passes (daily or Northwest Oregon District Passenger Vehicle Day Use annual pass) are available online for printing or onsite at the automated...
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Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(503) 622-3696

What Campers Say

4.03

Satisfactory

Based on 207 reviews

256 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanwater

"Reviewers overwhelmingly love Wildwood Recreation Site, consistently giving it 5 stars for its natural beauty, cleanliness, and family‑friendly atmosphere. Guests highlight the well-maintained trails, picnic areas, and group shelters, and many use it for weddings, reunions, and other gatherings. Staff and hosts are frequently praised as friendly, helpful, and accommodating, contributing to a peaceful and enjoyable day-use experience."

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Best Time to Camp at Wildwood Recreation Site

Welcome to visit any day of the year, from 8 AM until either half an hour before sunset or 8 PM—whichever comes first. While Wildwood keeps its gates open through all seasons, Mother Nature occasionally has other plans, and severe weather may temporarily limit vehicle access for safety.

Best
Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Open year-round; may close due to vehicle access during severe weather. Daily operating hours: open from 8 AM until half hour before sunset, or 8 PM whichever is closer.

About Wildwood Recreation Site

Discover Wildwood Recreation Site, where 550 acres of ancient forest meet the Wild and Scenic Salmon River in the heart of Mount Hood National Forest. This year-round day-use destination near Welches, Oregon invites you to explore accessible interpretive trails, peer into an underwater fish viewing chamber, and experience the magic of old-growth wilderness along one of the Pacific Northwest's most pristine waterways.
Wildwood Recreation Site is described as a year-round day-use area with picnic units and group shelters; it is presented as a day-use recreation site rather than an overnight campground.
Weather and SeasonsWelcome to visit any day of the year, from 8 AM until either half an hour before sunset or 8 PM—whichever comes first. While Wildwood keeps its gates open through all seasons, Mother Nature occasionally has other plans, and severe weather may temporarily limit vehicle access for safety.
Natural Features and SceneryTowering Douglas firs, western hemlocks, and western red cedars—some centuries old—create a cathedral-like canopy above the Salmon River as it curves through this remarkable landscape. Accessible boardwalks guide you through thriving wetlands and along stream corridors, where you can observe aquatic life through an innovative underwater viewing chamber. The forest floor teems with ferns and moss, while the river's clear waters reveal the ecosystem that has drawn salmon home for thousands of years.
Geological RegionMount Hood National Forest
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Campsite details

AccessibilityFully accessible trails and boardwalks; Cascade Streamwatch is an accessible paved loop and includes an accessible underwater fish viewing chamber.
Sites SizeFamily picnic units and several group shelters; outdoor picnic kitchens, athletic fields, and courts are provided.
Sites PrivacyDense vegetation provides privacy between sites.
Total Campsitesnull campsites
Recommended CampsitesThe Cascade Streamwatch Trail (3/4-mile paved loop) and Wetlands Trail (3/4-mile loop) are accessible and recommended for visitors; bring printed pass or be prepared to purchase at the AFM with a credit card. Hold onto paper receipts for annual passes until park staff can transfer the receipt to a pass, as staff availability may be limited.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
8AM
Check-out
  • Half hour before sunset (or 8 PM whichever is closer)
  • gate closes at posted time
Groups
Several group shelters and facilities for large groups, company picnics and special events (day-use group shelters and picnic units).
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSite includes family picnic units, several group shelters, outdoor picnic kitchens, athletic fields, volleyball and basketball courts, and fully accessible trails. Dense vegetation provides privacy between sites.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; may close due to vehicle access during severe weather. Daily operating hours: open from 8 AM until half hour before sunset, or 8 PM whichever is closer.
Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov (day pass page) and onsite at the automated fee machine (AFM).
Walk-in AvailabilityPasses can be purchased onsite at the automated fee machine (AFM) with credit cards only (no cash or checks).
Cancellation PolicyStandard fees apply and are non-refundable.

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Flush toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Accessible interpretive trails, boardwalks, and river access offer hiking, wildlife observation and river-based recreation. Educational displays and an underwater fish-viewing window highlight aquatic ecosystems.
Hiking
Cascade Streamwatch Trail: accessible 3/4-mile paved loop with educational displays and river views. Wetlands Trail: accessible 3/4-mile loop that connects to the Boulder Ridge Trail, a 4.7-mile steep hike up Huckleberry Mountain into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness.
Fishing
Fishing is available in the Salmon River.
Swimming
Visitors enjoy swimming in the Salmon River.
Wildlife viewing
Observe native fish via an underwater fish viewing chamber and explore stream and wetland ecosystems along accessible trails and boardwalks.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed
  • Picnic tables, fire rings and grills are available at each site.

Hazards

General hazardsVehicle access and park access may be restricted or closed during severe weather events.

Weather at Wildwood Recreation Site

53
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 8.4 mph
Overcast

Weather History
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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresLocated in a bend of the Wild and Scenic Salmon River; swimming and fishing in the Salmon River are available.
HostWildwood staff are limited; park guidance advises holding onto paper receipts until able to contact a park employee. For status during severe weather call 503-375-5646.

Campground Map

Wildwood Recreation Site
Driving directionsLocated 39 miles east of Portland on Highway 26 near Welches, Oregon; located along the Mount Hood Scenic Byway.
Accessible from Highway 26 / Mount Hood Scenic Byway.
Nearby places
Portland — 39 miles (site is 39 miles east of Portland)
Welches — nearby

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.0
207 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Wildwood Recreation Site is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers overwhelmingly love Wildwood Recreation Site, consistently giving it 5 stars for its natural beauty, cleanliness, and family‑friendly atmosphere. Guests highlight the well-maintained trails, picnic areas, and group shelters, and many use it for weddings, reunions, and other gatherings. Staff and hosts are frequently praised as friendly, helpful, and accommodating, contributing to a peaceful and enjoyable day-use experience.
Review Summaries
Based on 207 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors praise the beautiful forest setting, river access, serene atmosphere, and abundant paved and natural trails, including interpretive features and an underwater salmon viewing area. The park...
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Based on 207 reviews

Common Concerns

There are almost no complaints in the reviews. One visitor mentions being yelled at by staff to slow down while driving, and another notes that re-entering Route 26 from the park can feel scary due...
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Based on 207 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

This park is ideal for day use—picnics, weddings, family reunions, and casual hikes—rather than for those seeking a raw wilderness or backcountry experience. Families with children and older adults...
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Based on 207 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great family place. Clean, well maintained and the ladies used the bathrooms with complements about cleanliness. The trails are paved and again well maintained with very nice picnic tables." "SUCH a...
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Based on 207 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Multiple group shelters receive specific praise. The Mountain View Shelter (north and south halves) is described as beautiful, spacious, and well-kept, with friendly hosts who even brought firewood...
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Based on 207 reviews

Accessibility Features

Several reviewers mention that the trails are paved, with easy grades suitable for all ages and capabilities, making it friendly for strollers and those who prefer gentler walking surfaces. The park...
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Based on 207 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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