Islet Campground
Waldo Lake is one of the largest natural lakes in Oregon. It offers a uniquely peaceful setting on the water and along remote shorelines, surrounded by forests of Douglas fir and mountain hemlock. Recreation in the area is abundant with the lake an ideal location for water activities like sailing, canoeing and swimming.
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 | 31 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 37 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
31 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 04 | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 05 | Back-in | 27 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 08 | Back-in | 27 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 09 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 12 | Back-in | 31 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 13 | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 14 | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 15 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 16 | Back-in | 22 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 6 / 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 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 43 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This 55 site campground is located at the north end of Waldo Lake, just south of North Waldo Campground, 31 sites are reservable. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are three vault restrooms within the campground and another at the boat launch/day use area. Islet offers wonderful sandy beaches. Western winds consistently blow each afternoon, offering respite from early season mosquitoes, which are typically intense from June to mid-August so come prepared.
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. Over half the campsites are available for advance reservation via recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Single Campsites - $29 per night. Multiple Campsites - $58 per night. Extra Vehicles - $10 per vehicle, per night. Campsite must be occupied every night paid and fees must be paid within 30 minutes of arrival. |
| Rules | Single campsite capacity: 6 persons, 2 vehicles, and 2 tents*. Multiple campsite capacity: 8 persons, 3 vehicles, and 3 tents*. See special regulations for Waldo Lake 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
Located 37.3 miles east of Oakridge, Oregon. From Oakridge, Oregon: At the intersection of Crestview Street and Oregon State Highway 58, travel east on Highway 58 for 23.3 miles. Turn left on the Waldo Lake Road/Forest Road 5897. Travel for 12.8 miles and turn left at the T intersection on Forest Road 5898.
| Nearest town | Oakridge, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43.7469° N, 122.0075° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedJunction Rx
30 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx Cold Springs
33 mi from the campground · 158 acres
- PrescribedCamas Ts Rx
49 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 | REI ↗ | 40.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Blue Compass RV Bend ↗ | 42.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Cavinti Islet Campsite Review/Lumot, Cavinti, Laguna/Motocamping
Worth a stop
The north end of Waldo Lake is a popular starting point for many wilderness trails and lakes, most notably the Rigdon, Wahanna and Torrey Lakes. The 1-mile Shoreline Trail between Islet and North Waldo campgrounds provides a short and pleasant hike along the lakeshore.
- 4.8 miIrish-Taylor Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 7.2 miGander Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11.5 miTrapper Creek Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miIslet Snowmobile3.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.6 miHarralson Tie0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.6 miCharlton Lake1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.9 miTaylor Burn Snowmobile ↗7.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1 miNorth Waldo Shoreline3.4 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 1 miJim Weaver Loop(waldo Lake) ↗19.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1 miJim Weaver Loop Trailhead (Waldo Lake Trail) ↗Willamette National Forest
- 1.4 miHarralson Trailhead ↗Willamette National Forest
- 2.9 miWhig and Torrey Way 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, which overlaps Deschutes National Forest.
- inWillamette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,801,292 acres
- inDeschutes National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,870,116 acres
- 0.2 miWaldo Lake Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 36,865 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
Natural features
Situated high on the western slopes of the Oregon Cascades at 5,400 feet in elevation, Waldo Lake is one of the purest lakes in Oregon (9.8 square miles with a maximum depth of 427 feet). It has no permanent inlet to bring nutrients into the lake for plant growth. The lack of plant life contributes to its purity, allowing you to see to depths of 120 feet on a calm day.
Recreation
Waldo Lake is circled by the Jim Weaver Loop, 22 miles of trail for hiking and biking. Bikes are allowed on the trails, but not in the nearby Waldo Lake Wilderness. There is also easy access to the Pacific Crest Trail.
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 Islet 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 Islet Campground?
Single Campsites - $29 per night. Multiple Campsites - $58 per night. Extra Vehicles - $10 per vehicle, per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Islet Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Islet Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Islet Campground have?
33 sites, including 31 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Islet Campground?
The longest site here provides 43 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 Islet Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Islet Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Islet 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. Single campsite capacity: 6 persons, 2 vehicles, and 2 tents*.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Islet Campground?
Waldo Lake is circled by the Jim Weaver Loop, 22 miles of trail for hiking and biking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Islet Campground?
Oakridge, Oregon. The north end of Waldo Lake is a popular starting point for many wilderness trails and lakes, most notably the Rigdon, Wahanna and Torrey Lakes.
Source: Getting there
What if Islet Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are North Waldo (0.8 mi, partly first-come), Harralson Horse Camp (1.4 mi, first-come), and Shadow Bay (4.1 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby