Black Canyon Campground (Willamette National Forest, OR)

Great river access. Was only 1/3 full on a Sunday before Independence Day. Most sites are FCFS. Clean pit toilets, clean campground. You can get 2 bars on AT&T if you wade into the middle of the river. Friendly hosts. Some road and train noise. Trains do not use their whistle nearby so it's barely noticeable at night. Some folks with generators but mostly off by 10pm. Weird donkey ghost across the highway that glowed in the moonlight and told me to visit Portugal even though I don't have a passport. Conveniently located garbage cans. Fresh water taps located throughout the campground.

It would be nice if we could reserve a spot by the river. This spot was too open and uneven.

It would be nice if we could reserve a spot by the river. This spot was too open and uneven.

Beautiful old-growth campground. We stayed there on our way to eastern Oregon. The sites on the river are first come, first serve. B loop, where we stayed, can be reserved. Excellent separation between sites. The park was largely empty during the week in mid-September.
Best to have a smaller camper, the roads are tight in places. We did not have much road noise but you'll definitely notice the train on the other side of the river at least twice during the night.
Oakridge, about 7 mi away, is a small town with basic services. We enjoyed the trails in Greenwaters Park. The Buckhead Nature trail in Westfir was a bust. Not maintained and overgrown.

Beautiful old-growth campground. We stayed there on our way to eastern Oregon. The sites on the river are first come, first serve. B loop, where we stayed, can be reserved. Excellent separation between sites. The park was largely empty during the week in mid-September.
Best to have a smaller camper, the roads are tight in places. We did not have much road noise but you'll definitely notice the train on the other side of the river at least twice during the night.
Oakridge, about 7 mi away, is a small town with basic services. We enjoyed the trails in Greenwaters Park. The Buckhead Nature trail in Westfir was a bust. Not maintained and overgrown.

We were especially grateful for the rebuilt amphitheater. This kind of upgrade is very important for our annual church campout.

We were especially grateful for the rebuilt amphitheater. This kind of upgrade is very important for our annual church campout.

So close to the road, tons of yellow jackets. We left early.

So close to the road, tons of yellow jackets. We left early.

This was one of the most beautiful campgrounds I’ve ever stayed at. My site (70) was incredibly private.