Lost Prairie Group Site
This site was originally a campground that has been converted to a group site with a 75-person capacity limit. There are 10 individual campsites. Sites #1-4 are back-in, paved surface sites suitable for tents and accommodating of trailers ranging up to 42 feet long depending on the site. Sites #5 -10 were originally walk-in sites less that 60 feet from the main area which can still be utilized for tents. Each individual site has a picnic table and fire pit. There is a paved parking area which can be used for RV parking with capacity for up to 6 RV's There are two double vault toilets, one behind site #1 and an accessible one near the parking area.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · pets allowed 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 | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 42 | Paved | Partial | 75 / 15 | 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
| Max vehicle length | 35 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
One hand pump provides water and there is a newer double CXT toilet on site and an older outhouse near site 1. The creek can be accessed from the campground easily. The Lost Prairie Group Area was originally a campground that has been converted to a group site. Below are the details on the individual sites within the group site; every site has a picnic table and fire pit/grill. There is a parking area originally designed for the walk in sites that can be used for RV parking; this area is suitable for 3 large or 5 small RV's, maximum 6 RV's. Site 1 Back-in, paved surface, 42 feet long, flat grade, suitable for tent or small camper Site 2 Back-in, paved surface, 30 feet long, slight grade, suitable for tent or small camper Site 3 Back-in, paved surface, 17 feet long, slight grade, suitable for tent or small camper Site 4 Back-in, paved surface, 15 feet long, slight grade, suitable for tent or small camper Site 5 -10 were originally walk-in sites. Walk is less than 60 feet. Tents may be set up in area where original sites were located.
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 | Reservable as group site only. Individual sites are not reservable. Reserve online at www.recreation.gov or phone 1.877.444.6777. |
| Fees | Group Campsite - $225 per night. Single Campsites - $23 per night (only available when campground is not reserved as a group site). Extra Vehicles - $9 per vehicle, per night |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Sweet Home, OR, follow Highway 20 east for 38 miles and look for signs for the Lost Prairie Group Site.
| Coordinates | 44.4028° N, 122.0756° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- If this area is not reserved as a group site, sites 1-4 are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
14 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSisi Lookout Admin Piles Rx - West
36 mi from the campground
- PrescribedSlow Dxp/Lemiti Rx - West
38 mi from the campground
- WildfireBench
39 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% 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 ↗ | 29.6 mi |
| Dump station | Sweet Home RV Dump ↗ | 31.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Big Country RV ↗ | 43.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Lost Prairie Group Site is close to numerous hiking and boating opportunities. The McKenzie River trail, Echo Basin, Crescent Mountain, and Browder Ridge trails are all within fifteen minutes drive. Clear Lake, Smith Reservoir and Suttle Lake are all close by and offer boating and fishing opportunities. Clear Lake Resort is just down the road from Lost Prairie Group Site on Hwy 126 with a restaurant, boat rentals and excellent hiking. It is unique and well known for its clarity and standing dead trees created by the eruption of Sand Mountain. The West Cascades Scenic Byway and Santiam Pass-McKenzie Pass Scenic Byway are in close proximity to the site. Numerous short hikes to lakes, waterfalls and scenic vistas are along both routes. Part of the historic Santiam Wagon Road, Lost Prairie is a natural meadow near Hackleman creek where a scouting party looking for a new wagon route across the Cascades became lost. After several days of frustration, one member of the party climbed a tall tree and spotted Sand Mountain to the east, regaining his bearings.
- 3.5 miBrowder Ridge Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 3.7 miMckenzie River Trailhead - Upper ↗Trailhead
- 10.3 miOlallie Day Use ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miTombstone Prairie Connection4.3 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.6 miEcho Creek Ski Tour2.8 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.8 miEcho Basin1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miHackleman O.g.grove ↗0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miHackleman View ↗0.05 mi trail · hiking
- 1.6 miPrairie View Extension1.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.8 miHackleman Old Growth Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest
- 0.8 miEcho Basin Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest
- 1.7 miSantiam Wagon Road: Fish Lake & Hackleman Sections ↗Willamette National Forest
- 2.4 miGate Creek 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
- 6.7 miMount Washington Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 54,406 acres
- 8.8 miMiddle Santiam Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 8,758 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 · 10.5 mi
Natural features
The group site is nestled in the trees and Hackleman Creek flows through the back of the site. There are many wildflowers blooming in the prairie during the summer.
Recreation
Lost Prairie Group Site is close to numerous hiking and boating opportunities. The McKenzie River trail, Iron Mountain, Echo Basin, Crescent Mountain and Browder Ridge trails are all within a fifteen minute drive. Clear Lake, Smith Reservoir and Suttle Lake are all close by and offer boating and fishing opportunities.
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 Lost Prairie Group Site?
Sites at Lost Prairie Group Site are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservable as group site only. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Lost Prairie Group Site?
Group Campsite - $225 per night. Single Campsites - $23 per night (only available when campground is not reserved as a group site). Extra Vehicles - $9 per vehicle, per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lost Prairie Group Site?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lost Prairie Group Site open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Lost Prairie Group Site have?
1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lost Prairie Group Site?
The longest site here provides 35 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 Lost Prairie Group Site?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lost Prairie Group Site. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lost Prairie Group Site?
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 Lost Prairie Group Site?
Lost Prairie Group Site is close to numerous hiking and boating opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Lost Prairie Group Site is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Trout Creek Campground - Willamette (0.4 mi, partly first-come), Cold Water Cove (5.1 mi, partly first-come), and Lakes End Campground (5.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby