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APPEAL TRIBUNE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Life in the
Valley y
sanews@salem.gannett.com
STATESMAN JOURNAL FILE
Cameron Henry, 4, of Mill City checks to make sure that the worm is still on his hook while taking advantage of free fishing day at Hoover Campground on Detroit Lake in 2008.
Try these calm, cool places
to camp around Detroit Lake
ZACH URNESS
STATESMAN JOURNAL
During the peak of summer tourism
season, the scene around Detroit Lake
can be a little overwhelming.
Crowds of visitors arrive at this
famed reservoir from across the state,
and the result is a lot of people all in
one place. That’s reflected at Detroit
Lake State Park, the largest camp-
ground in the area, which becomes a
small town on busy weekends.
For a more mellow experience, con-
sider one of these smaller camp-
grounds in the area surrounding De-
troit Lake. It doesn’t mean they’ll bring
solitude — many fill quickly on sum-
mer weekends — but they do offer a
quieter, more secluded experience.
South Detroit Lake
The quiet side of Detroit offers three
campgrounds on the southeast side of
the reservoir: Hoover, Cove Creek and
South Shore.
Cove Creek and South Shore are
both nice, but Hoover is a local favorite
because of a newly refurbished fishing
dock ideal for anglers and its close
proximity to Stahlman Point Trail.
South Shore, another favorite, has 30
sites with water and restrooms. It has
nice access for fishing and boating, and
with the exception of the busiest week-
ends, it’s the quietest of the trio. There
is a fun nearby trail and swimming
area at the Blowout Creek arm of the
reservoir.
Directions: In Detroit, drive High-
way 22 east to the far east side of the
reservoir and turn right onto Blowout
Road / Road 10 and follow them to all
three campgrounds.
Upper North Santiam River
These campsites are a little close to
Highway 22 and get a bit of noise, but
all feature nice forested sites along the
upper North Santiam River.
Located just east of Detroit, the
campsites include Whispering Falls,
Riverside and Marion Forks. My favor-
ites are Whispering Falls and River-
side; they offer a wonderful setting
along the river. But Marion Forks has
been completely renovated the past two
years.
The site that offers the best odds for
scoring a nice spot is Riverside, home
to 32 sites. A bathroom and water are
the only amenities. You can reserve
many of the sites in advance and should
plan on doing so for summer weekends.
Directions: Follow Highway 22
southeast of Detroit and you’ll come
across all three in 8 to 20 miles.
ZACH URNESS/STATESMAN JOURNAL
It’s a long and rough drive to reach them, but some of the best campgrounds near Detroit are in the Olallie Lake area.
Elk Lake
Breitenbush campsites
There’s a lot to love about this small
campsite nestled on the side of a scenic
mountain lake north of Detroit.
The only downside is a long and very
rough drive. The campground is small
at 17 sites, while the number of people
who want to stay there is often higher
on summer weekends. That makes
visiting midweek ideal, or getting a
campground early for weekends.
The sites have a basic setup includ-
ing a fire pit, picnic table and water.
The highlight is what’s nearby: fishing,
boating and swimming in Elk Lake,
nestled below Battle Axe Mountain. But
you can can hike a wonderful loop to
the top of Battle Axe Mountain on a
trail that starts nearby.
Directions: In Detroit, turn left on
Breitenbush Road 46 and drive 4.3
miles. Turn left onto Forest Service
Road 4696 and follow it for 0.7 miles.
Turn left on Forest Service Road 4697
and drive 4.7 miles. Bare left at the Y
intersection and follow to Elk Lake. The
campground is at the road’s end. Coor-
dinates: 44.82206,-122.127414.
One of Oregon’s most beautiful riv-
ers takes center stage just north of
Detroit with three nice campsites.
Old-growth forest, wildflowers and
swimming holes are the highlight at
Humbug, Cleator Bend and Breiten-
bush campgrounds. My favorite is the
not-so-well named Humbug. Many of
the sites have river views in an old-
growth setting, along with picnic tables,
grills and easy access to the vault toi-
lets. Breitenbush Hot Springs is a short
drive away. The downside is crowds on
summer weekends. Campsites can be
reserved at Recreation.Gov.
Directions: From Highway 22 at
Detroit, turn onto Breitenbush Road
(FSR 46) and continue for 4.6 to 10
miles to all three campgrounds.
Olallie Lake area
It’s a long and rough drive to reach
them, but some of the best camp-
grounds near Detroit are in the Olallie
Lake area. Home to numerous moun-
tain lakes that invite swimming —
along with blooms of huckleberries in
early summer — the Olallie is a won-
derful spot to fish, hike or just relax.
All totaled, there are seven small
and mellow campgrounds on the south
and north end of the lake. They provide
easy hiking access into the Olallie Lake
backcountry, where you’ll find even
more mountain lakes.
The main attraction is Olallie Lake,
where Mount Jefferson looms over-
head. The campgrounds along the main
lake are Olallie Lake, Camp Ten and
Peninsula. Just down the road, camp-
grounds can also be found at Monon,
Horseshoe and Breitenbush lakes.
My favorite site is Lower Lake
Campground, which provides instant
trail access and is located a short dis-
tance from the paradise of Lower Lake
and Gifford Lake.
All the campgrounds are small, re-
mote and simple.
Directions: Follow Highway 22 east
to Detroit, and turn left on Breitenbush
Road 46 for 28 miles. Turn right at signs
for Olallie Lake and follow Forest Road
4220 to campground. Coordinates:
44.8231, -121.7956.