Can you reserve a site at Cougar Crossing Campground?

Yes, Cougar Crossing Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Cougar Crossing Campground have?

11 sites in total, of which 10 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Cougar Crossing Campground?

40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Cougar Crossing Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cougar Crossing Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Cougar Crossing Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Cougar Crossing Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Cougar Crossing Campground — 10 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Cougar Crossing Campground is located on Forest Road 19 about 10 miles south of the Hwy 126 junction.

Recreation

Hiking is popular as the Three Sisters Wilderness, French Pete Trail, Box Canyon Trail, Indian Ridge Lookout, and Cougar Recreation Area are nearby. Many folks also come to the area to bathe at Terwilliger Hot Springs (clothing optional). There is creek and river access, and opportunities for lake recreation. When the reservoir lake level is high, there is a primitive boat launch across from the campground available for use.

Facilities

Cougar Crossing offers 11 sites that can accommodate either RV or tent camping. Vault toilets are provided. There is firewood for sale. The interior roads and spurs are gravel. There is no drinking water.

Natural Features

Nestled in among a mix of conifers, the campground rests beside the South Fork of the McKenzie River and the south end of Cougar Reservoir. It is the closest campground to Terwilliger Hot Springs.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.

Nearby Attractions

The campground and nearby Terwilliger Hot Springs have a colorful history and attract many visitors year round. There is plenty to explore at nearby trails and Three Sisters Wilderness.

The facts

10 bookable sites
11 sites in total, including non-bookable
Vehicles up to 40 ft
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: COUGAR CROSSING, COUGAR CROSSING CAMPGROUND

Site types

10 Standard Nonelectric
1 Management

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

11 campsites at Cougar Crossing Campground

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Water	Max rig	People
01	COUGAR CROSSING	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	—	—	30 ft	8
05	COUGAR CROSSING	Management	Back In	—	—	30 ft	—
08	COUGAR CROSSING	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	—	—	30 ft	—
09	COUGAR CROSSING	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	—	—	30 ft	—
11	COUGAR CROSSING	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	—	—	30 ft	—
02	COUGAR CROSSING CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Riverfront	40 ft	8	🐾
03	COUGAR CROSSING CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Riverfront	40 ft	8	🐾
04	COUGAR CROSSING CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Riverfront	38 ft	8	🐾
06	COUGAR CROSSING CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Riverfront	40 ft	8	🐾
10	COUGAR CROSSING CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Riverfront	26 ft	8	🐾
12	COUGAR CROSSING CAMPGROUND	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Riverfront	32 ft	8	🐾

Getting there

From Blue River, OR, travel 4 miles east on Highway 126 to Aufderheide Drive (Forest Road 19)*. Proceed south on Aufderheide Drive, taking a right at the Y and climbing to the top of Cougar Reservoir (approximately 4.5 miles). Continue on Aufderheide Drive south 5 miles to find Cougar Crossing Campground where the South Fork of the McKenzie River pours into Cougar Reservoir. *Forest Service Rd 19 is not maintained for snow and ice in the winter

44.05778, -122.21981 · 44°3'28.0"N 122°13'11.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 89°F in Aug, down to 48°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	49	53	58	64	74	79	89	89	82	68	55	48
Low °F	39	39	41	45	50	55	59	58	54	48	43	39
Precip in	13.0	7.5	9.8	8.2	4.3	2.7	0.7	0.6	1.9	5.8	11.0	12.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.2 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Cougar Crossing Campground

Can you reserve a site at Cougar Crossing Campground?: Yes, Cougar Crossing Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Cougar Crossing Campground have?: 11 sites in total, of which 10 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Cougar Crossing Campground?: 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Cougar Crossing Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Cougar Crossing Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Cougar Crossing Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Cougar Crossing Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Cougar Crossing Campground

Sunnyside Campground 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Slide Creek 1.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
French Pete Campground 1.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hard Rock Campground 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Indian Ridge Lookout 4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Red Diamond Campground 4.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Horse Creek Group Campground 7.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Delta 7.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
McKenzie Bridge 8.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cougar Crossing Campground less than 0.1 mi · Campground
Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs 1.9 mi · Facility
Northwest Forest Pass - Willamette National Forest 4.2 mi · Activity pass

Contact

Phone (541)603-8564
Email Help.Willamette.McKenzieRiver@AmericanLL.com
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-01.

Cougar Crossing Campground