Black Canyon Campground (Willamette National Forest, OR)

I Love it here. Right beside the River fed from Glacier melt, so even in the very hot days of summer, the swimming area has very cool water to chill in. Although it is a DRY campground, if you bring your own water and stove, it can be quite cozy. Three unfortunates about the campground. Because it is in the heart of the forest when fire restrictions are in place, you cannot have any open fires in your campsite. Also, the campground is just off of Highway 58, so there is a fair amount of vehicle noise. Plus, just the other side of the river there is a major East/West train track. Trains go rumbling uphill and downhill at all hours of the day and night. Personally I love the train sounds. There is crossing nearby, so there is no blaring of their horns.

Beautiful campground, but the train went by 3 times in the middle of the night and it’s right across the river. One of the loudest trains I’ve heard, it’s close enough that you can hear the train wheels scraping as the train turns. Pretty cool experience but wouldn’t do it again.

Beautiful campground, but the train went by 3 times in the middle of the night and it’s right across the river. One of the loudest trains I’ve heard, it’s close enough that you can hear the train wheels scraping as the train turns. Pretty cool experience but wouldn’t do it again.

Lovely shaded site, we come here a lot. Spotlessly clean, great hosts!

Lovely shaded site, we come here a lot. Spotlessly clean, great hosts!

Hosts were so kind to let us switch our reservation to a beautiful open FCFS site on the river.

Hosts were so kind to let us switch our reservation to a beautiful open FCFS site on the river.

Amazing camping location. Well maintained campsite. Plenty of room between neighbors.
2 big problems
1) the tent pads will fit a 8x8 tent only. They have 2x4s lining the 8x8 square.
2) the train goes right passed the site blowing its horn multiple times in the middle of the night.

Amazing camping location. Well maintained campsite. Plenty of room between neighbors.
2 big problems
1) the tent pads will fit a 8x8 tent only. They have 2x4s lining the 8x8 square.
2) the train goes right passed the site blowing its horn multiple times in the middle of the night.

This is a great campground with lots of spots. It’s very quiet and since it’s located by the river, you can hear it flowing all night. The camp manager was very nice too.