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Yukwah Campground is a nice, family campground situated along the South Santiam River, 21 miles east of the town of Sweet Home, Oregon. Many sites are right on the river, tucked under the cool shade of Douglas fir and hemlock trees. Two double sites are perfect for the bigger group or family. The campground was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s and includes a welcoming day use shelter with a fireplace and five pull-through RV parking loops and a mix of standard parking spurs. Plenty of river activities and hiking opportunities await. Recreation Wading and fishing are popular in the river and campers can stroll the half-mile long an accessible trail that winds along the banks of the South Santiam River within the campground and accesses a viewing pier over the river. The Menagerie Wilderness can be accessed from the Trout Creek Trail (1/4 mile from campground) where hikers can reach the top of Rooster Rock and enjoy views of the river valley (5.6 miles round trip). An accessible hike leaves from the same trailhead and takes visitors to the Walton Ranch Platform with views of the Walton Meadow (1/8 mile round trip). Facilities This is a smaller campground with a variety of sites to accommodate different uses, with group sites, sites for trailers and sites for tents. Drinking water is from two hand pump wells. Parking spurs are gravel and roads are paved. Vault toilets and garbage cans are spread out in convenient locations in the campground. Firewood is sold through Linn County Park staff. Natural Features Yukwah Campground is tucked in a heavily wooded landscape with lichen and moss-draped alder, Douglas fir and maple. Campsites are well-shaded and full of ferns and similar sub-tropical greenery. Many sites stretch along the South Santiam River and have river access. Nearby Attractions Hike or bike the Santiam Wagon Road (now a trail), a historic trail used to transport livestock east across the Cascade Mountains to central Oregon's grasslands. Iron Mountain, Gordon Meadows and Echo Basin are nearby hiking areas well known for their colorful wildflowers. In August, the nearby Oregon Jamboree is a hit. ADA Access: N
From Sweet Home, OR, follow Highway 20 east for 21 miles and look for signs for Yukwah Campground.
One of our favorite campgrounds. It's a bit far from the PDX area, but we've never had a problem getting an unreserved spot on a Thursday (it tends to fill up by Friday afternoon). The south Santiam river is the perfect solution of a hot Oregon summer day. Cold enough to really bring the temperature down, but not so cold that you can't stay in. There are at least four really good swimming holes (one with a nice rock to jump off).
The composting toilets are kept clean daily, but with Covid around, there is only a single visit by park staff per day, so toilet paper can run low by the end of the day (so bring your own). Lots of places to buy camp firewood from locals on Highway 20. The park staff typically also sell firewood when they drive through the camp, but that seems to have stopped due to Covid.
Sites along the river side of the loop are the best both because you're near the river (white noise) and far from highway 20 (which can be a bit loud at night monday-friday). There are no RV hookups, power, etc. Just two hand pump wells. There used to be a host, but that was discontinued about 5 or 6 years ago. Finally, you will most likely be well out of cell range here (yay!). For Verizon, you need to drive almost all the way to Foster Reservoir to get a good signal.
Beautiful, fun and well maintained. Stayed in site 02. Nice oversized lot for our 17ft trailer and two cars. We had 6 people. You can hear the river and walk the trails.
Great place to camp, has about 18 camping spots. Water and pit style toilet are provided. Table and fire pit are at each individual spot with various styles of grill attached. I did not see any hook ups for RVs. There are fish in the river, managed to catch one. River is very clean, cold, and has a sandy beach. I don't really like campgrounds but this place is great. Online I'm seeing $29 per night of $50 for 2 nights.
