Cove Creek
The campground area offers 60 campsites, 55 single and 6 double sites, that can accommodate trailers up to 30 feet in length. The campsites are laid out in two main loops with sites #1-36 in one and sites #37-63 in the other. There is a designated host site (#1) near the entrance. The group camp offers individual campsites and a picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 70 people. 20 vehicles, and trailers up to 30 feet in length. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. The day use area includes a boat launch and 2 courtesy docks for loading and unloading only; no mooring is allowed. *Day use parking fee for non campers.
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 · group sites in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 59 |
| RV, no hookups | 1 |
| Group sites | 1 |
| Host/management | 5 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
61 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GROUP | AREA COVE CREEK GROUP | Group | Pull-through | 30 | Paved | Full | 70 / 25 | Yes | |||
| 003 | East | Standard | Pull-through | 70 | Paved | Partial | 12 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 004 | East | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Paved | Partial | 12 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 005 | East | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 006 | East | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 007 | East | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 008 | East | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 009 | East | Standard | Back-in | 34 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 011 | East | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 012 | East | Standard | Pull-through | 65 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
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 | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site GROUP is listed accessible |
The campground offers single and double-family campsites, as well as an accessible group site for up to 70 people. Accessible flush toilets, drinking water and coin-operated showers are available at Cove Creek. The group campground comes with a sheltered eating area. In the day use area, there is about 1,000 ft. of shoreline. There is a dock for launching, loading and unloading only. There is no mooring allowed. 2 Iron rangers available for camp fees, extra vehicle fees &/or day use parking fees. Campfires allowed until and unless otherwise posted. Fire bans are common during summer months. Please plan accordingly.
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. |
| Forest | Willamette National Forest |
| Booking | Reserve online at www.recreation.gov or phone 1.877.444.6777. |
| Fees | $242 per group, per night. |
| Rules | 14 day limit. 70 person maximum, 20 vehicle maximum. See special regulations for the area, including dispersed camping restrictions. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Detroit, Oregon, travel east on State Highway 22 for 2.7 miles to Blowout Road/Forest Service Road 10. From Idanha, Oregon, travel west on State Highway 22 for 0.7 miles to Blowout Road/Forest Service Road 10. Proceed on Blowout Road 3.6 miles to Cove Creek Campground on the right.
| Coordinates | 44.7120° N, 122.1586° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- There are both reservable and FCFS Campsites.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedSisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West
20 mi from the campground
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
22 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSpike Timber Sale Rx - West
23 mi from the campground
- WildfireAustin
24 mi from the campground · 12,888 acres · 98% contained
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 ↗ | 13 mi |
| Dump station | Sweet Home RV Dump ↗ | 34.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 41 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Cove Creek Campground, Willamette National Forest, Oregon Campsite Photos
Worth a stop
Additional hiking trails can be found across the lake, including those that lead to Dome Rock and Needle Rock.
- 2.6 miUpper Arm Day Use Area ↗Day use
- 8 miBattle Ax Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11.5 miOpal Creek Trailhead (Gate) ↗Trailhead
- 11.7 miThree Pools Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miStahlman Point2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miPiety0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miTumble Ridge ↗5.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.7 miBlowout Arm ↗0.2 mi trail · hiking
- 3.7 miDome Rock0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.2 miTumble Lake1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.4 miStahlman Point Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest
- 1.6 miTumble Creek Trailhead - South ↗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
Opal Creek Wilderness begins about 5.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.8 miOpal Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 20,777 acres
- 8.1 miBull of the Woods Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 36,879 acres
- 10.6 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
- Marion Forks Guard StationBuilding · Marion Forks · 12.3 mi
- Independence Prairie Ranger StationBuilding · Marion Forks · 12.6 mi
Natural features
A mix of wooded and open sites are provided at the campground. Its location is near enough to the Detroit Reservoir to hear passing boats, but a little too far for unobstructed views of the lake. The reservoir covers 3,500 acres and is surrounded by groves of Douglas fir.
Recreation
Detroit Lake is a popular destination for boating, jet skiing, swimming and fishing. Rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon and catfish are found in the lake. A boat ramp and dock are located next to the campground. The Stahlman Point Trail is a quarter-mile from the campground entrance road. The trail meanders through younger Douglas fir forests and offers some memorable views of Detroit Lake.
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 Cove Creek?
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 Cove Creek?
$242 per group, per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cove Creek?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cove Creek open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cove Creek have?
66 sites, including 59 standard sites without power, 1 RV site without hookups, and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cove Creek?
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 there showers or a dump station at Cove Creek?
Accessible flush toilets, drinking water and coin-operated showers are available at Cove Creek.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cove Creek?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cove Creek. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cove Creek?
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. 14 day limit.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Cove Creek?
Site GROUP 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
Is there cell service at Cove Creek?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Cove Creek?
Detroit Lake is a popular destination for boating, jet skiing, swimming and fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation