Sunnyside Campground
Sunnyside Campground is located along the southeast side of Cougar Reservoir at 1,700 feet in elevation. A large grove of conifers provides shade to these campsites. Motorhomes and trailers not recommended due to the steep entrance into the campground.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Oregon · reservable in Oregon · tent only in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 8 |
| Standard, no hookups | 5 |
Site guide
13 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | SUNNYSIDE | Tent only | Back-in | Partial | ||||||
| 004 | SUNNYSIDE | Tent only | Back-in | Partial | ||||||
| 005 | SUNNYSIDE | Tent only | Back-in | Partial | ||||||
| 006 | SUNNYSIDE | Tent only | Back-in | Partial | ||||||
| 007 | SUNNYSIDE | Tent only | Back-in | Partial | ||||||
| 008 | SUNNYSIDE | Tent only | Back-in | Partial | ||||||
| 009 | SUNNYSIDE | Tent only | Back-in | Partial | ||||||
| 011 | SUNNYSIDE | Tent only | Back-in | Partial | ||||||
| 002 | Sunnyside | Standard | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 003 | Sunnyside | Standard | Back-in | 21 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | 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
| Max vehicle length | 21 ft |
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers vault toilets and garbage collection. Individual campsites include a fire ring and picnic table. Easy access to the lake is possible from this scenic location. There is no water available, campers will need to bring enough for the duration of their stay.
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 | April 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 - $19 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, travel 4 miles east on Hwy 126 to Aufderheide Drive (FS road 19). Continue on Aufderheide Drive for 9.5 miles; turn left on FS road 1900-500 for.25 miles.
| Nearest town | Blue River, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.0597° N, 122.2197° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
26 mi from the campground
- PrescribedJunction Rx
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
| Dump station | Sweet Home RV Dump ↗ | 34.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Oregon West RV ↗ | 40.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Cabela's ↗ | 41.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
SUNNYSIDE CAMPGROUND / CULTUSLAKE / CHILLIWACK BC / carinobrutal07
Worth a stop
- 1.8 mi
- 6.2 miLowder Mountain, Upper Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.4 mi
Trails nearby
- 1.3 miFrench Pete ↗9.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.8 miRider Creek0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.3 miWalker Creek ↗7.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3 miLowder Mountain ↗10.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.1 miIndian Ridge3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4 miRebel Rock ↗6.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.3 miFrench Pete Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest
- 1.8 miTerwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest · Season Year Round, but Forest Service Rd 19 is not maintained for snow and ice in the winter
- 2.7 miHidden Lake SIA 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
- 4 miThree Sisters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 283,818 acres
- 6.9 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 · 7.5 mi
- Log Cabin Inn EnsembleBuilding · McKenzie Bridge · 8.4 mi
Natural features
Situated near the South fork of the McKenzie River on the Willamette National Forest, Cougar Reservoir is part of the Cougar Recreation Area. Wildflower and wildlife viewing are abundant.
Recreation
Hiking in the area is outstanding in nearby Three Sisters Wilderness, along Rebel Creek. Hikers will enjoy exploring other trails including the French Pete Trail, Box Canyon Trail, Indian Ridge Lookout, and several day hikes within the Cougar Recreation Area. After a fun day on the lake, relax and enjoy Terwilliger Hot Springs, a day use area along Rider Creek.
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 Sunnyside 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 Sunnyside Campground?
Single Campsites - $19 per night. Extra Vehicles - $10 per vehicle, per night. Day Use - $10 per vehicle, per day
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sunnyside Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Sunnyside Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Sunnyside Campground have?
13 sites, including 8 tent-only sites and 5 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Sunnyside Campground?
The longest site here provides 21 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 Sunnyside Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sunnyside Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Sunnyside Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 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 Sunnyside Campground?
Hiking in the area is outstanding in nearby Three Sisters Wilderness, along Rebel Creek. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Sunnyside Campground?
Blue River, Oregon.
Source: Getting there
What if Sunnyside Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cougar Crossing Campground (0.1 mi, partly first-come), Slide Creek (1.1 mi, partly first-come), and French Pete Campground (1.3 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby