Whittaker Creek Recreation Site

Overview

Overnight camping is closed until further notice. Day-use recreation areas remain open for public use.

Reserve a site at Whittaker Creek on recreation.gov or pay when you arrive for non-reserved campsites using the Recreation.gov Mobile App. You must download before you reach the site since there is no cell reception in the drainage. 

Whittaker Creek Recreation Site is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) campground and day use area. The campground has 30 sites. Campground amenities include vault toilets, potable water, picnic areas, a children's play area, an Old Growth Ridge National Recreation Trail (2.5 miles), and a swimming area. 

In the fall, winter, and spring, busloads of middle school students visit the Whittaker Creek Watchable Wildlife Site to learn about spawning salmon and trout and to assist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's breeding program. 

Recreation

Camping, hiking, swimming, fishing in Siuslaw River, photography, hunting, Salmon Watch, and nature study.

Facilities

Facilities include: 30 tent only campsites (not recommended for trailers), an accessible campsite, 2 picnic sites, accessible vault toilets, potable water available from hand pumps, picnic tables, fire rings, swimming beach area (June-September), horseshoe pit, Old Growth Ridge National Recreation Trail (2.5 mile loop trail), and a camp host (June-September). Electricity and firewood are unavailable.

Natural Features

Besides the trail to the wildlife viewing area, you can hike the Old Growth Ridge National Recreation Trail, which climbs 1,000 feet above the river into the Coast Range. The 2.5-mile trail was designated in 1994 as a National Recreation Trail due to the exceptional wildlife, geologic features, and old growth trees that are typical of coast range ecosystems. This moderately difficult trail winds through a stand of old growth Douglas fir and offers a look at geologic and botanical features unique to the area.

Chinook and coho salmon, as well as steelhead trout can be observed in the fall and winter months in the creek next to the campground.

The site also features a paved boat ramp that provides drift boat and canoe access to the Siuslaw River. No permit required to paddle the 6.5-mile river, with Class II - III rapids.

Contact Info

For local information, please call (541) 683-6600 or call (503) 375-5646 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

• Clay Creek Campground, is approximately 16 miles past Whittaker Creek.
• The Oregon Coast is less than 30 miles from this recreation site.
• (Florence) Alder Dune Campground
• (Florence) Archie Knowles Campground
• (Florence) B & E Wayside Mobile and RV Park
• (Cottage Grove) Baker Bay Campground
• (Dorena) Baker Bay County Park
• (Westfir) Bedrock Camp
• You can observe Chinook, and Coho salmon, as well as steelhead trout in the fall and winter months in the creek next to the campground during Salmon Watch.

Charges & Cancellations

Standard fees apply and are non-refundable.

Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.

From Eugene (valley)

From Interstate 5 go west on Beltline Road to West 11th Avenue. Turn right onto West 11th Avenue (Highway OR-126). Follow Highway 126 about 29 miles to Siuslaw River Road just west of Walton. Turn left on Siuslaw River Road and follow about 1.6 miles to the intersection of Whittaker Creek Road. Turn right on Whittaker Creek Road crossing the bridge over the Siuslaw River. The main entrance to the recreation site is located on the right.

From Florence (coast)

Take Highway OR-126 east about 14 miles to Mapleton. Turn right and follow Highway 126 for about 12 miles to Siuslaw River Road. Turn right on Siuslaw River Road and follow about 1.6 miles to the intersection of Whittaker Creek Road. Turn right on Whittaker Creek Road crossing the bridge over the Siuslaw River. The main entrance to the recreation site is located on the right.