French Pete Campground
French Pete Campground sits at an elevation of 1,800 feet in the Willamette National Forest. This popular escape from summer heat is heavily shaded by a thick canopy of conifers. There are numerous opportunities for hiking and fishing in the area.
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 | 14 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 42 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
16 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | Yes | ||||
| 04 | Tent only | Back-in | Full | ||||||
| 06 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | |||||
| 08 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | |||||
| 09 | Tent only | Back-in | Full | ||||||
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | |||||
| 11 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | |||||
| 12 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Partial | |||||
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 27 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 05 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 12 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
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.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 42 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Campsites are nicely shaded with access to both French Pete Creek and the South Fork of the McKenzie River. This 16-unit campground has toilets, water from a hand pump, fire rings, and garbage service.
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 - $23 per night. Multiple Campsites - $46 per night. Extra Vehicles - $10 per vehicle, per night. Day Use - $10 per vehicle, per day |
| Rules | Camping is restricted to developed campgrounds in the Cougar Recreation Area. 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 Blue River, Oregon, travel four miles east on Highway 126 to Aufderheide Drive (Forest Service Road 19). Continue on Aufderheide Drive for 11 miles to French Pete Campground.
| Nearest town | Blue River, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.0423° N, 122.2084° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
27 mi from the campground
- PrescribedJunction Rx
37 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx Cold Springs
50 mi from the campground · 158 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Sweet Home RV Dump ↗ | 35.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Oregon West RV ↗ | 40.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Cabela's ↗ | 41.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
French Pete Campground - Willamette National Forest, OR
Worth a stop
Mountain bike trails, hot springs, a boat ramp and lake accesss are within 10 miles of the campground.
- 3.1 mi
- 5.8 miLowder Mountain, Upper Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.4 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miFrench Pete ↗9.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.7 miRebel Rock ↗6.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.8 miRebel Creek ↗9.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.1 miRider Creek0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.2 miIndian Ridge3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.6 miWalker Creek ↗7.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.1 miFrench Pete Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest
- 2 miHidden Lake SIA Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest
- 2.8 miRebel Trailhead ↗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
- 3.4 miThree Sisters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 283,818 acres
- 5.9 miDeschutes National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,870,116 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
- Belknap BridgeStructure · Rainbow · 8.8 mi
- Log Cabin Inn EnsembleBuilding · McKenzie Bridge · 9.4 mi
Natural features
French Pete Campground sits at the confluence of the South Fork of the McKenzie River and French Pete Creek. The area is heavily wooded with Douglas fir trees and vine maple.
Recreation
The area offers excellent opportunities for fishing, hiking, boating, swimming, camping, picnicking, and scenic drives. Fishing in the McKenzie River is catch and release only for trout. The Three Sisters Wilderness Area as well as French Pete Creek and Box Canyon Trail Areas offer several miles of hiking. Additional hiking trailheads are a short drive away. Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs are nearby for a nice soak. Cougar Reservoir and Hidden Lake are also in the vicinity, offering additional recreation options.
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 French Pete 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 French Pete Campground?
Single Campsites - $23 per night. Multiple Campsites - $46 per night. Extra Vehicles - $10 per vehicle, per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at French Pete Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is French Pete 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 French Pete Campground have?
16 sites, including 14 standard sites without power and 2 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at French Pete Campground?
The longest site here provides 42 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 French Pete Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at French Pete Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at French Pete Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Camping is restricted to developed campgrounds in the Cougar Recreation Area.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at French Pete Campground?
The area offers excellent opportunities for fishing, hiking, boating, swimming, camping, picnicking, and scenic drives. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to French Pete Campground?
Blue River, Oregon. Mountain bike trails, hot springs, a boat ramp and lake accesss are within 10 miles of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if French Pete Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Hard Rock Campground (0.4 mi), Cougar Crossing Campground (1.2 mi, partly first-come), and Sunnyside Campground (1.3 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby