Carter Lake

Campground · Oregon · 21 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Siuslaw National Forest (NF) · Open Access

21
Bookable sites
30 ft
Max rig length
up to 8
People per site
55 ft
Elevation
Blue lake with sand and grass covered shore in foreground and conifer forest in background.
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview

Carter Lake Campground is a family favorite in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. This campground is located on Carter Lake, perfect for fishing, swimming, and boating. The Carter Dunes Trailhead is located within the campground, and the Pacific coast is just a short drive away.

Recreation

Hike the Carter Dune Trail, which attracts campers and locals alike. Fishing for rainbow trout is a good way to pass the time, and canoeing and kayaking are excellent on Carter Lake.



The dunes region is also famous for off-road vehicle riding trails.

Facilities

Drinking water and flush toilets are available and each site has a campfire pit, picnic table, and trash. Parking aprons are paved.

Natural Features

Campsites are nestled among shore pine, sitka spruce, and Douglas fir, with hedges of rhododendron. Carter Lake spans 28 acres at an elevation of 100 feet. The campground is part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, known for its wind-sculpted sand dunes towering up to 500 feet above sea level.

Nearby Attractions

Carter Lake Campground is located near several non-motorized hiking trails, including Siltcoos Lake Trail and Threemile Creek Trail. Visitors can also use the campground as a base to explore the area's waterways, including the Pacific Ocean, Tahkenitch Lake, and Siltcoos Lake.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (541) 271-6000.

Charges & Cancellations

Campsites that are not occupied after 24 hours of arrival time will be considered as a "no show" and sites will be released for others to reserve. If campers will be arriving after 24 hours of their arrival time, they are encouraged to call the ranger station at 541-271-6000 to let staff know. 

The facts

  • Season: May – September — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 21 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 30 ft
  • Up to 8 people per site
  • Loops: AREA CARTER LAKE

Site types

  • 18 Standard Nonelectric
  • 3 RV Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills, pets allowed.

Book on Recreation.gov

21 campsites at Carter Lake

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
02AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8
04AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8
05AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8
06AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8
07AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8
08AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved25 ft8
09AREA CARTER LAKERv NonelectricPull ThroughPaved25 ft8
10AREA CARTER LAKERv Nonelectric—Paved30 ft8
11AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8
12AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8
13AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8
14AREA CARTER LAKERv NonelectricPull ThroughPaved30 ft8
15AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8
16AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8
17AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8
18AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8
19AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8
20AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved30 ft8
21AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPaved20 ft8
22AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved20 ft8
23AREA CARTER LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved15 ft8

Getting there

From Florence, travel south on Highway 101 for about 10 miles. The entrance to Carter Lake Campground is on the west (right) side of Highway 101.

43.85667, -124.14611 · 43°51'24.0"N 124°8'46.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 67°F in Aug, down to 48°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F495153576064676766605248
Low °F393839424549515150464238
Precip in10.88.08.25.83.12.50.60.82.05.310.011.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

CARTER LAKE southside
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov
CARTER LAKE information board
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Carter Lake

Can you reserve a site at Carter Lake?
Yes, Carter Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Carter Lake have?
21 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Carter Lake?
30 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are campfires allowed at Carter Lake?
Campfires are allowed at Carter Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Carter Lake also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Carter Lake's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • Camping : $22 per night for single unit, two vehicle limit Day use : $5/Day/Vehicle

Restrictions:

  • Camping Regulations
  • Metal detection policy

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Carter Lake

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-17.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.