Ice Cap Campground
There are 21 campsites, 9 of which are walk-in tent only sites; the remaining sites can accommodate trailers up to 20 feet in length. There is 1 picnic site located immediately inside the entrance, on the right, up on a rise. There are two double vault toilets in the center of the campground; they are wheelchair accessible. Campfires allowed until and unless otherwise posted. Fire bans are common during summer months. Please plan accordingly. This system is the same as putting cash into a fee tube and cannot be refunded. If no Scan & Pay option is available you must pay via cash or check.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Oregon · reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Walk-in | 9 |
| Standard, no hookups | 8 |
| Tent-only | 3 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
20 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 | Tent only | Back-in | 29 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 08 | Walk-in | Back-in | 18 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 10 | Walk-in | Back-in | 18 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 12 | Walk-in | Back-in | 18 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 16 | Walk-in | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 18 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 20 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 55 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site 14 is listed accessible |
Ice Cap offers 22 campsites with 9 that are walk-in tent sites. The other 13 can accommodate either tents or RVs. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are vault toilets. There may or may not be a host onsite.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May to September |
| Forest | Willamette National Forest |
| Booking | Reserve online at www.recreation.gov or phone 1.877.444.6777. Over half the campsites are available for advance reservation via recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Single Campsites - $21 per night. Extra Vehicles - $9 per vehicle, per night. Download the Recreation.gov mobile app prior to your trip so you can pay the overnight fee onsite with Scan and Pay. |
| Rules | Non-motorized boats only. Camping is not allowed more than 14 days in a 60 day period. Check-in time: 2:00 pm or later. Check-out time: 1:00 pm. Use of chainsaws in the campground is prohibited. Dogs MUST be on leash at all times within the campground |
Weather by month
Getting there
From McKenzie Bridge, travel 17.3 miles east on Hwy 126. Turn left at the Ice Cap Campground/Koosah Falls Sign. Follow signs about half a mile to the campground.
| Coordinates | 44.3403° N, 121.9992° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- This campground has both reservable and FCFS sites.
- Scan and Pay might be offered at this campground; It is recommended that you pay by cash or check for FCFS campsites.
- There are no refunds, modifications, cancellations, or other fee changes allowed with FCFS payments.
- Please download the Rec.Gov app prior to arriving at the campground as there may be no cellular service or very limited service at the campground.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
18 mi from the campground
- PrescribedJunction Rx
37 mi from the campground
- WildfireBench
38 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedSisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West
39 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Timber Town Resale ↗ | 35.3 mi |
| Dump station | Sweet Home RV Dump ↗ | 35.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 38.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Ice Cap Campground & Koosah Falls - Willamette National Forest, OR
Worth a stop
McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway, McKenzie River National Recreation Trail (hiking and mountain biking destination), the McKenzie Wild & Scenic River for boating and fishing, Carmen Reservoir for boating and fishing, Sahalie and Koosah Falls and the 3-mile waterfalls loop trail. This area of the Willamette National Forest is a destination spot for hiking, biking, fishing, and water sports. A boat ramp and lake access are within one mile, and hot springs, river access and a non-motorized boat ramp are within ten miles. Visitors also enjoy the views along the National Scenic Byway.
- 3.7 miMckenzie River Trailhead - Upper ↗Trailhead
- 6.2 miOlallie Day Use ↗Day use
- 7 miBrowder Ridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.3 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miWaterfalls1.2 mi trail · hiking
- 1.3 miClear Lake2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miIsaac Nickerson Loop2.9 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 2.2 miPrairie View Loop ↗5.7 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 3.4 miGate Creek3.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.7 miSantiam Wagon Road East2.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Willamette National Forest.
- inWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- 1.3 miMount Washington Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 54,406 acres
- 9.4 miThree Sisters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 283,818 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Santiam Pass Ski LodgeBuilding · Sisters · 8.7 mi
- Log Cabin Inn EnsembleBuilding · McKenzie Bridge · 14 mi
Recreation
The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail is a hiking and biking destination. The McKenzie Wild & Scenic River is well known for boating and fishing as are Carmen Reservoir, Fish Lake and Clear Lake. There is a 3 mile loop trail to Koosah Falls and Sahalie Falls.
Guidebooks for Oregon
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Ice Cap Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Ice Cap Campground?
Single Campsites - $21 per night. Extra Vehicles - $9 per vehicle, per night. Download the Recreation.gov mobile app prior to your trip so you can pay the overnight fee onsite with Scan and Pay.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ice Cap Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Ice Cap Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Ice Cap Campground have?
22 sites, including 9 walk-in sites, 8 standard sites without power, and 3 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Ice Cap Campground?
The longest site here provides 55 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Ice Cap Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ice Cap Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Ice Cap Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Non-motorized boats only.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Ice Cap Campground?
Site 14 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Ice Cap Campground?
The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail is a hiking and biking destination. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Ice Cap Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cold Water Cove (1.7 mi, partly first-come), Lakes End Campground (2.4 mi, first-come), and Trail Bridge (4.8 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby