mdi-tent Reserve

Detroit Lake
State Recreation Area

Near Salem, Oregon, United States
mdi-tent Reserve

Park Overview

Detroit Lake's campground offers nearly 300 sites on the shore of a forest-ringed canyon reservoir in the Cascade Mountains. The nine-mile-long lake is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other water sports. Sightseers enjoy views of snow-capped Mt. Jefferson in the distance. 

The campground has horseshoe pits, a basketball court, a volleyball area, and a playground. There are two courtesy boat ramps, two reservable boat moorages, and a fishing dock.

A Visitor Center has information on the park and local attractions, along with gifts, ice, soft drinks, firewood, souvenirs and educational toys for sale.

Seasonal Camping

Reserve campsites up to six months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Note: the area around the park sustained significant damage in the Sept. 2020 Santiam Canyon wildfires. For information about how the town of Detroit is recovering, go to detroitlakeoregon.org. Mini cabin open seasonally from Oct. 1 to April 30.

Campground Details

  • 3 mini cabin (sleeps 3, heater, microwave, mini fridge) open seasonally from Oct. 1 to April 30
  • 107 full-hookup sites
  • 68 electrical sites with water
  • 96 tent sites with water nearby
  • Flush toilets and hot showers
  • Swimming areas
  • Firewood for sale
  • Universal Access: Eight campsites are accessible to campers with disabilities.

Water Recreation

  • To check water levels, go to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website
  • A life jacket loaner station is at Mongold Day-use Area, with life jackets of various sizes available. Be aware of hidden obstructions beneath the surface. Wearing a life jacket, and making sure it fits properly, saves lives. 
  • Boaters: check ahead for obstructions on the Oregon State Marine Board's Reported Obstructions and Alerts page.
mdi-alert-outline General Advisory
mdi-tent Open for camping year round mdi-cellphone Call for reservations: 800-452-5687
Call for info: 800-551-6949
Call park: 503-854-3766
Current Conditions Directions Feedback

Amenities & Features

Questions

mdi-help-circle-outline General

Is there cable TV hookups at the campground?

No.

Where can I swim?

The lakes and rivers found within Oregon State Parks are open to unsupervised swimming. You are responsible for your own safety. Before you enter the water, you should judge your swimming skills against possible strong currents, cold water, underwater objects and steep drop-offs. Remember, that many of our natural bodies of water and man-made reservoirs are filled by snow runoff and remain cold year round. Please bring and wear a personal flotation device and swim with a buddy.

mdi-help-circle-outline About Camping

How many vehicles can we have at the campground?

Detroit Lake SRA campground has a strict vehicle policy, allowing a MAXIMUM of 2 vehicles per campsite. Only one vehicle is included with standard camp fees. A second vehicle kept at a campsite (or alternate parking area) is subject to a nightly Extra Vehicle  fee, paid upon arrival at the park. The nightly Extra Vehicle fee is $7.

Is there a dump station at the campground?

No, there is not a dump station at the campground. You will have to get one of the full hookup (power, sewer, water) sites if you need sewer. The dump station at Fisherman's Bend Campground, approximately 20 miles west of Detroit Lake Campground, is CLOSED INDEFINITELY. The nearest dumpstations are Salem or Sisters, approximately 55 miles away east or west.

Can RV campers use the non-hook up tent sites?

RV campers can use the non-hook up tent sites but there are length limits on most tent areas.

Can tent campers camp in a hookup site?

Yes, but they will pay the hookup site fee from May 1st to September 30th. In the off season when all the tent sites are closed you will only be charged the tent site price if not using hook-ups.

If I am not camping, can I come into the campground to fish, swim, have a lunch or launch my boat?

No. The campground is for campers only. The Mongold State Park day-use area is located 1.5 miles west of the campground. Mongold has several picnic areas, a swimming area and a boat launch. There are several areas around the lake to fish.

I am camping at Detroit but would like to use the Mongold day-use area. Do I need a seperate permit for Mongold?

No. Your camping permit from the campground will work at Mongold. Make sure the permit is clearly displayed.

mdi-help-circle-outline What's Allowed

Are generators allowed?

No.

Can I use a metal detector at Detroit campground?

No.

For more questions, review our statewide FAQ

History

The area originally was obtained in 1955 under special use permit from the U. S. Forest Service with the cooperation of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. This location had been a developed Forest Service campground prior to its lease to State Parks. The park is forested with second growth Douglas fir and was extensively logged in the period before the World War II. The 400-foot-deep reservoir was created in 1953 when the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers completed the Detroit Dam project. The lake and the dam were named after the community of Detroit, populated originally by people from Michigan.

Brochures and Maps

mdi-file-pdf-box Detroit Lake campground brochure and map

Photos