Cold Water Cove
This campground provides 34 campsites, 31 singles and 3 double, that accommodate vehicles 18 to 50 feet in length depending on site. No sites are directly on the shoreline of the lake, but several offer views of the lake. Drinking water is available at two handpumps, one in the campground and one in the boat launch area. There are four double vault toilets shared by both sites. The boat launch area includes a boat launch for canoes or small non-motorized crafts (no motors are allowed on the lake), a small fish cleaning station, and a picnic site. There is also an extra vehicle, or overflow, parking area. *Extra Vehicle Fees for campers & Day Use/Boat Launch Fee for non-campers/day users.
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
| Standard, no hookups | 25 |
| Tent-only | 7 |
| Shelters | 1 |
| Host/management | 8 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 42 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
33 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | A | Standard | 30 | Paved | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 002 | A | Tent only | Back-in | 56 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | A | Standard | Back-in | 47 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | A | Shelter | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | A | Standard | Pull-through | 77 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | A | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | A | Standard | Back-in | 39 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | A | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | A | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 011 | A | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | 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 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site XXX is listed accessible |
The campground offers single and double-family campsites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, trash collection and drinking water are provided. No hookups are available. There is a restaurant/lodge located nearby at Clear Lake Resort.
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 October |
| 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 - $25 per night. Multiple Campsites - $46 per night. Extra Vehicles - $9 per vehicle, per night. Day Use - $9 per vehicle, per day. Download the Recreation.gov mobile app prior to your trip so you can pay the overnight fee onsite with Scan and Pay. |
| Rules | 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 Eugene, Oregon, take I-105 east to McKenzie Highway 126. Travel east on 126 for 55 miles to McKenzie Bridge. From McKenzie Bridge,OR, travel east on Highway 126 for 18 miles to the Clear Lake Area. Before reaching Clear Lake, turn right on Forest Road 770, heading northeast 1 mile to Coldwater Cove Campground at the end of the road.
| Coordinates | 44.3639° N, 121.9889° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Power boating is not permitted, which makes for calm waters.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
18 mi from the campground
- WildfireBench
37 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedJunction Rx
38 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West
38 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 ↗ | 34.3 mi |
| Dump station | Sweet Home RV Dump ↗ | 36.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 38.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
(4K UHD) REVIEWING EACH CAMPSITE @ Cold Water Cove Campground! | Clear Lake | Willamette N
Worth a stop
Nearby attractions include: Clear Lake for fishing, non-motorized rowboat use and hiking. Rowboats and Kayaks are available to rent at nearby Clear Lake Resort. Clear Lake is the head waters for the McKenzie River, and is renowned for its cold, clear water and preserved grove of underwater trees. The McKenzie River National Scenic Trail is on one side of Clear Lake, and a connecting trail offers a loop hiking trail opportunity around the lake. Trails also connect the campground to short hikes to Sahalie and Koosah Falls, spectacular waterfalls located within a mile of the campground. Also, close in proximity, is the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway and Mt. Washington Wilderness.
- 2.2 miMckenzie River Trailhead - Upper ↗Trailhead
- 7.2 miBrowder Ridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7.9 miOlallie Day Use ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miClear Lake2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miWaterfalls1.2 mi trail · hiking
- 1 miIsaac Nickerson Loop2.9 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 1 miPrairie View Loop ↗5.7 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 2.1 miSantiam Wagon Road East2.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.1 miMcKenzie River NRT ↗26.4 mi trail · hiking, bike · national_recreation_or_other
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.2 miMcKenzie River Trailhead - Upper ↗Willamette National Forest
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
- 1.7 miMount Washington Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 54,406 acres
- 10.1 miMount Jefferson Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 109,098 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 · 7.3 mi
Recreation
Clear Lake is popular for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and row boats. Anglers cast for brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout. A boat ramp and fish cleaning station are located in the campground. Boat rentals are available at nearby Clear Lake Resort. The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail passes through the campground and runs along Clear Lake. The trail stretches 26 miles and is open to hikers and mountain bikers.
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cold Water Cove?
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 Cold Water Cove?
Single Campsites - $25 per night. Multiple Campsites - $46 per night. Extra Vehicles - $9 per vehicle, per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cold Water Cove?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cold Water Cove open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cold Water Cove have?
41 sites, including 25 standard sites without power, 7 tent-only sites, and 1 shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cold Water Cove?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Cold Water Cove?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cold Water Cove. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cold Water Cove?
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. Camping is not allowed more than 14 days in a 60 day period.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Cold Water Cove?
Site XXX 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 Cold Water Cove?
Clear Lake is popular for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and row boats. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Cold Water Cove is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Ice Cap Campground (1.7 mi, partly first-come), Lakes End Campground (3.6 mi, first-come), and Trout Creek Campground - Willamette (4.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby