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In the summer months, Detroit Lake Campground, a 3,500-acre, 9-mile long lake in the Cascades below Mt. Jefferson, is a popular recreation area for fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming, camping, and picnicking. The U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation and operate numerous boat ramps, Detroit Lake Oregon Camping and day-use areas around the lake. Two privately owned marinas are located near the town of Detroit. Both Detroit and Big Cliff lakes are located 43 miles southeast of Salem on the North Fork of the Santiam River. They are operated by the Corps of Engineers as part of a system of thirteen multi-purpose dams and reservoirs that make up the Willamette Valley Project. These dams and reservoirs work together for the purposes of flood damage reduction, hydropower generation, irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife enhancement, and downstream water quality improvement within the Willamette River drainage system.. To learn more about the lake and construction of the dam visit the Army Corps of Engineers website at http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/ In late summer, early fall through spring, the water levels on Detroit and Big Cliff lakes are frequently drawn down to the point where boat launches are no longer available. Reservoir and river level information is available from the US Army Corps of Engineers here. Watch for obstructions near the shoreline such as submerged stumps, logs and rocks. Small craft should stay out of open waters when it is windy since dangerous waves can build up suddenly. Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by Passenger Car; Fish available include: Trout, Native Trout; Types of fishing available include: Shore, Motorized boat, Float tube, Fly, Spin, Bait; ADA Accessible fishing access with fishing pier, boat launch, and fish cleaning station View more Popular Lakes & Rivers
Detroit Lake is located 50 miles East of Salem, Oregon. To reach the lake, take Hwy 22 East exit from I-5 at Salem. The town of Detroit is located on the East end of the lake.
Amazing lake that has fishing with trout that is stocked. Camp sites for tents and trailers. Different sized parking lengths too if you have a longer truck/trailer combo. Water and electrical hook-up. Bathrooms with showers actually. Also you can buy firewood on-site. Great place for kids to safely ride bikes. Kept clean and seems like everyone follows the rules and respects the place.
Love Detroit lake. The water is clear, and calm. Lots of picnic tables in shaded areas. Great place to paddle board, swim and boating.
On an ad hoc drive through southern Oregon, after viewing the annular eclipse on Oct 14, 23 we stumbled upon this campground and it was a gem!
The campground is nestled between redwoods beside the Detroit Lake. A snowcapped mountain peeks from behind tree covered hills to the east - a sight to behold at sunrise.
Clean bathrooms, kids playgrounds, a BBQ pit at each site, option to hookup for RVs - a very versatile place to camp.
Entrance was easy to find. $5 parking fee, no attendant so you have to pay with card. Arrived at 12:30 on a Saturday and found no parking spaces closest to the lake. Had to drive back up to where the boat trailers park. The walk wasn’t that bad. The shoreline is pretty rocky and not a lot of flat spaces to lay out towels but we did find a nice flat space to set up. The lake temperature was perfect, not too cold at all. The water was pretty muddy and the ground first walking in was kind of squishy (good thing I had water shoes on). Overall, this was a good place to hang out and swim. I give 3 stars for limited parking, not a lot of flat space to lay out, and muddy water. Obviously this is part of nature and not all lakes are going to be crystal clear or free of rocks. I’ve just experienced better areas than this one, right outside of Portland, to go swimming. The drive from Portland was exactly 2 hours, probably wouldn’t make the drive again.
We camped there for 2 days . The lake was low as it was at the end of summer. Bathrooms were very clean free showers. Friendly staff on-site. Nice playground for the kids. Nice quiet place to camp with fabulous views
