Trout Creek Campground - Willamette (Or)

4.26

156 reviews

SWEET HOME RANGER DISTRICT, 4431 HIGHWAY 20 SWEET HOME, OR 97386

Quick Facts

4,009 ft

Price

$25 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

24 campsites

Season

Open from May 2, 202...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Linn County Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

4,009 ft

Price

$25 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

24 campsites

Season

Open from May 2, 202...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Linn County Parks site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Trout Creek Campground - Willamette (Or)

$25.00 - $50.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Nightly rates for standard non-electric campsites range between $25 and $50, varying by season. Additional vehicle charges are $9 per vehicle.

Standard Site Fee$25.00

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

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

541-967-3917r6_willamette_wwweb_frontdesk@fs.fed.us

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What Campers Say

4.26

Satisfactory

Based on 156 reviews

44 Google reviews

Most mentioned

privacypeacefulcleansites

Some mention

noise

"User reviews of Trout Creek Campground highlight its scenic beauty, riverfront campsites, and peaceful environment. However, issues such as noisy neighbors, lack of a camp host, and occasional cleanliness problems are noted. Many campers praise the campground's privacy, lush environment, and accessibility to water activities and hiking trails."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

SWEET HOME RANGER DISTRICT, 4431 HIGHWAY 20 SWEET HOME, OR 97386

Trout Creek Campground - Willamette (Or)

SWEET HOME RANGER DISTRICT, 4431 HIGHWAY 20 SWEET HOME, OR 97386

Driving directionsFrom Sweet Home, OR, follow Highway 20 east for 19 miles and look for signs for the Trout Creek Campground.

Roads are paved leading to the campground, though some parking spurs are gravel. There is no cell service or limited service at the campground, which may pose navigation challenges.

Nearby places

Sweet Home, OR (19 miles, approximately 20–25 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies are likely found in Sweet Home, OR, 19 miles away, for groceries, fuel, and camping essentials.

Best Time to Camp at Trout Creek Campground - Willamette (Or)

Summer transforms Trout Creek into a temperate paradise, where warm days invite river play and cool nights demand cozy campfires. The dry season typically runs from late June through September, offering the most reliable conditions for camping enthusiasts. As autumn arrives, the maple trees paint the campground in brilliant golds and reds, though rain becomes more frequent. Winter brings a dramatic transformation as heavy snow blankets the forest and temperatures plunge well below freezing, effectively closing the campground to all but the most intrepid winter adventurers.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season (May–Sept): warm days, river play and trail access; can be noisy on weekends.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.0 / 5

Open into late Sept; pleasant early fall but short season limits visits and leaf-change timing.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Opens May 2 (late spring); pleasant weather later in spring but limited early-season access.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 2–Sept 28; winter camping unavailable.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 2, 2025 - September 28, 2025. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 2, 2025, to September 28, 2025. Closed during the off-season.

About Trout Creek Campground - Willamette (Or)

Twenty miles east of Sweet Home, Oregon, where the Willamette National Forest embraces the rushing waters of the South Santiam River, Trout Creek Campground offers a perfect blend of accessibility and wilderness charm. This intimate 24-site campground welcomes both tent campers and RV adventurers, with four pull-through sites designed for larger rigs up to 40 feet. Whether you've secured your spot through reservation or are hoping for a first-come, first-served site, you'll find yourself immersed in old-growth forest tranquility. Modern conveniences meet rustic charm here, with vault toilets and a hand-pump well providing fresh mountain water, while a stunning 1930s-era picnic shelter stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Families particularly love the easy riverside access and nearby trail connections that make this an ideal basecamp for Pacific Northwest adventures.

Trout Creek Campground offers tent camping and limited RV camping. It is best suited for smaller RVs or trailers due to the tight roadways and shallow spaces.

Historical SignificanceStep back in time at Trout Creek, where the enduring legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps lives on in the magnificent stone picnic shelter they constructed during the Great Depression. This architectural gem, complete with its original fireplace, serves as a gathering place where modern campers can connect with the pioneering spirit of the 1930s. The campground also serves as a gateway to the historic Santiam Wagon Road, where pioneers once traversed these ancient forests on their journey across the Cascades, following routes that Native Americans had used for generations before them.

Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms Trout Creek into a temperate paradise, where warm days invite river play and cool nights demand cozy campfires. The dry season typically runs from late June through September, offering the most reliable conditions for camping enthusiasts. As autumn arrives, the maple trees paint the campground in brilliant golds and reds, though rain becomes more frequent. Winter brings a dramatic transformation as heavy snow blankets the forest and temperatures plunge well below freezing, effectively closing the campground to all but the most intrepid winter adventurers.

Natural Features and SceneryBeneath a cathedral canopy of moss-draped alders and towering Douglas firs, Trout Creek Campground feels like a secret garden in the heart of the Cascade wilderness. Ancient hemlocks and bigleaf maples create a multi-layered forest tapestry, while sword ferns and lush understory plants carpet the forest floor in endless shades of green. The true star of the show is the South Santiam River, whose crystal-clear waters dance past many of the riverside campsites, providing a natural soundtrack of rushing water and creating perfect spots for quiet contemplation or adventurous wading. This temperate rainforest environment creates an almost tropical feel during summer months, with morning mist often hanging in the trees like nature's own special effects.

Geological RegionCarved by centuries of volcanic activity and glacial forces, the South Santiam River corridor showcases the dynamic geology of the Western Cascades. This 66-mile tributary has sculpted its way through ancient lava flows and volcanic deposits, creating the dramatic river valley that cradles Trout Creek Campground today. The surrounding Willamette National Forest represents one of the most biologically diverse temperate forests on Earth, where the meeting of ocean moisture and mountain terrain has created ideal conditions for the magnificent old-growth ecosystem. Here, moss-draped alders stand alongside centuries-old Douglas firs, hemlocks, and maples, all thriving in the volcanic soils that make this region so remarkably fertile and green.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights per reservation.

Groups

No specific group camping sites are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground consists of a single loop with sites spread along the South Santiam River. Four RV pull-throughs are available.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online at Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.

Walk-in AvailabilitySome sites are first-come, first-served; availability is higher during weekdays.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be modified or canceled ahead of arrival. Changes incur a $10 fee for new dates, while late cancellations result in forfeiting the first night's fee plus a $10 penalty. Scan & Pay transactions are non-refundable.

AccessibilityThe campground includes accessible vault toilets and is situated on paved roads with gravel parking spurs. Some trails, including nearby attractions like Walton Ranch Interpretive Trail, are wheelchair-accessible.

Site SizeCampsites vary in size, with some being spacious enough for larger trailers. However, certain sites are described as small or cramped in user reviews. "Most sites are decent sizes," and "some sites are narrow and shallow.

PrivacyThe sites generally offer a fair amount of privacy with separation provided by lush greenery and trees. "Most campsites feel secluded," and "privacy between sites is decent.

Total Campsites24 campsites

Recommended SitesSites near the river are recommended for serenity and views. Consider larger sites for families or groups; avoid sites close to the road for reduced noise.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Trout Creek Campground provides opportunities for various activities, including fishing, hiking, wading, and wildlife viewing. It is situated near trails such as the 2.8-mile Trout Creek Trail and Walton Ranch Interpretive Trail. The South Santiam River is a popular location for water activities and scenic views.

HikingThe campground offers easy access to the Trout Creek Trail (2.8 miles) and Walton Ranch Interpretive Trail. The Menagerie Wilderness can also be accessed from these trails. "Hikers enjoy easy access to the Trout Creek Trail and the short Walton Ranch Interpretive Trail."

FishingFishing is popular along the South Santiam River. However, fishing is catch-and-release only, and the use of lures or flies is required. "Caught not one thing after 4 days," noted one user review.

Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing opportunities at the campground are supported by its proximity to the wildlife viewing platform overlooking Long Ranch. "A short wheelchair-accessible trail... accesses a wildlife viewing platform that overlooks the ranch."

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include noise from neighboring campers and road traffic for sites near the highway. Wildlife might also pose risks, as per user reviews mentioning rattlesnakes.

Fire PolicyCampfires are permitted but firewood is not provided. Visitors are encouraged to bring or purchase firewood nearby.

Trash & RecyclingTrash cans are available on-site, although some reviews note they can become full during busy times. "Trash cans were all full the whole time we were there."

Water FeaturesAdjacent to the South Santiam River, offering activities like wading and fishing. Public river access is available near the day-use picnic shelter.

Weather at Trout Creek Campground - Willamette (Or)

Reviews

4.3

156 reviews

Satisfactory

Trout Creek Campground - Willamette (Or) is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews of Trout Creek Campground highlight its scenic beauty, riverfront campsites, and peaceful environment. However, issues such as noisy neighbors, lack of a camp host, and occasional cleanliness problems are noted. Many campers praise the campground's privacy, lush environment, and accessibility to water activities and hiking trails.

Review Summaries

Based on 156 reviews

What Campers Love

- Scenic and riverfront campsites - Peaceful environment - Easy access to trails and the river - Generally clean vault toilets - Privacy between campsites - Suitable for families and children

Based on 156 reviews

Common Concerns

- Noise disturbances due to lack of camp host - Vault toilets occasionally lacking maintenance (e.g., toilet paper, odors) - Trash cans becoming full during high occupancy times - Small and cramped...

Based on 156 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

- "Reserve sites online ahead of time, preferably next to the water." - "Bring your own firewood or purchase locally as it is not readily available." - "Avoid weekends if you prefer a quieter...

Based on 156 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are popular but can be noisy due to lack of enforcement of quiet hours. Midweek stays are recommended for a quieter experience. Out-of-season camping is not available.

Based on 156 reviews

Camper Quotes

- "Our site was very spacious and riverfront. Most sites are next to water which was great for wading in for the kids." - Randi Gonzales - "Our camp was close to the water that you could hear the...

Based on 156 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 002: "Hard to back into due to an unfortunately placed disposal area. Privacy and creek access are excellent." - Parker M Site 007: "Vault toilets weren't particularly clean but water access...

Based on 156 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible vault toilets and paved roads are available. A nearby wheelchair-accessible trail offers wildlife viewing opportunities. "A short wheelchair-accessible trail is located directly across...

Based on 156 reviews