Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area
Old Miner's Meadow is a two-acre, fenced-in group use area, located in an open meadow surrounded by forests along the Quartzville Creek National Wild and Scenic River and upstream from the Green Peter Reservoir. It is available by reservation only. The area is popular for gold panning, fishing, scenic touring and kayaking. Weekends tend to be busy, so campers should book early. Summer weather is comfortable, but can be cool. Visitors should come prepared for lower temperatures at night.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · group sites in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 75 / 20 | 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 11:00 AM.
The site record lists 75 people. The campground description says up to 50 people.
Amenities & rules
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Campground fee of $100 per night up to 50 people. Each additional person is $2.00 per night. Additional service fees apply and are non-refundable. |
Maximum of 50 people per reservation. This facility consists of one large group area with no designated campsites. Site amenities include picnic tables, individual campfire rings, a group campfire ring and grill, trash collection, vault toilets and horseshoe pits. The toilets for the site are available to campers on private land just outside the site fence boundary. Groups are required to bring their own drinking water and firewood.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sweet Home, Oregon go east on U.S. Highway 20. Approximately one mile out of town turn left on the Quartzville Access Road heading towards Green Peter Reservoir and Quartzville Creek. Old Miner's Meadow is located approximately 25 miles up the road on the right, about one mile past Yellowbottom Recreation Site.
| Nearest town | Salem, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.5858° N, 122.3508° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Standard fees apply and are non-refundable.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
12 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West
33 mi from the campground
- WildfireAustin
36 mi from the campground · 12,888 acres · 98% contained
- PrescribedAustin Repair Pile Rx - West
36 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 ↗ | 12.2 mi |
| Dump station | Sweet Home RV Dump ↗ | 22.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 36.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Campers can visit the East Linn Museum in the town of Sweet Home to learn about the history of the area. The campground is also adjacent to the Willamette National Forest, which stretches for 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range in western Oregon. Willamette National Forest
- 4.7 miDogwood Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 13.1 miRiggs Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.3 mi
Trails nearby
- 3.9 miMcQuade Creek ↗5.5 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
Willamette National Forest begins about 3.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.8 miWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- 5.8 miMiddle Santiam Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 8,758 acres
- 10.2 miMenagerie Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 4,965 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
- Hinkle–Reid HouseBuilding · Mill City · 13.1 mi
- Mill City Southern Pacific Rail Road (SPRR) BridgeStructure · Mill City · 13.3 mi
Natural features
The section of Quartzville Creek adjacent to the campground is registered as a National Wild and Scenic River for its recreation and resource opportunities. The nearby Green Peter Reservoir has emerald-colored waters, mountain views and plenty of space for water activities. Though some areas of the surrounding forests have been logged, groves of old growth trees are a short drive away from the campground. This facility is in a meadow dotted with trees, and has both shaded and sunny sites. Though campers may not see them in the campground, elk frequent the area.
Recreation
The creek is popular for gold panning and kayaking, while the reservoir offers great fishing, swimming, sailing and water skiing. Within a short drive along the creek, campers can find deep pools, waterfalls and swimming areas. Visitors can also drive the Quartzville National Back Country Byway, which meanders along the creek, two lakes and scenic mountain views. There are hiking trails in the nearby national forests.
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 Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area?
Sites at Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area?
Campground fee of $100 per night up to 50 people. Each additional person is $2.00 per night. Additional service fees apply and are non-refundable.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area?
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.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area?
The creek is popular for gold panning and kayaking, while the reservoir offers great fishing, swimming, sailing and water skiing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area?
Salem, Oregon. Campers can visit the East Linn Museum in the town of Sweet Home to learn about the history of the area.
Source: Getting there
What if Old Miner's Meadow Group Use Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Yellowbottom Recreation Site (1.1 mi), Southshore At Detroit Lake - Willamette (11.9 mi, partly first-come), and South Pyramid Horse Camp (12.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby