A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service campground

Southshore at Detroit Lake - Willamette

Forest Service campground in Willamette National Forest, Linn County, Oregon. 1,598 feet. 2.3 miles from Detroit.

Managed by
Forest Service Willamette National Forest
Elevation
1,598 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
28 21 standard non-electric, 7 walk to
Longest rig
73 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Linn County

Overview

Southshore Campground provides 30 campsites, 25 single and 5 double sites, in two main loops. This campground is now fully reservable. First come first serve is only available if no prior reservation has been made on site and only one night at a time. The sites can accommodate trailers up to 30 feet in length. Campsites 4 -11 are walk in, tent only sites. No RV's or trailers allowed for these sites. All sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. The Boat Launch area includes the launch and two courtesy docks. *Day use is available for a parking fee. Drinking water is available to both sites via individual faucet risers located throughout the campground. There are two double-vault toilets, and two single-vault toilets located in accessible locations throughout the sites. Trash receptacles are located in the campground. There are approximately 43 parking spaces for use at the boat ramp area, which have also been used as overflow parking (ex. extra vehicle w/boat trailer) or the campground. *Extra Vehicle Fee for campers.

Campfires allowed until and unless otherwise posted. Fire bans are common during summer months. Please plan accordingly.

A mix of wooded and open sites are available, located a little further away from the busier portions of Detroit Lake. You'll find quiet camping on all but the busiest weekends. Detroit Lake covers 3,500 acres and is surrounded by groves of Douglas fir.

Reservations for this site can be made up to 6 months in advance of arrival date by reserving online at RECREATION.GOV or by calling 877-444-6777.

Recreation

Detroit Lake is a popular destination for boating, jet skiing, swimming and fishing. Rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon and catfish are found in the lake. A boat ramp and dock are located next to the campground.

Facilities

The campground offers 25 single and five double family campsites. There are vault toilets and drinking water onsite. Coin operated showers are available a mile away at Cove Creek.

In the day use area, there is about 1,000 ft. of shoreline. There is a dock for launching, loading and unloading only. There is no mooring allowed.

Natural Features

A mix of wooded and open sites are available, located a little further away from the busier portions of Detroit Lake. You'll find quiet camping on all but the busiest weekends. Detroit Lake covers 3,500 acres and is surrounded by groves of Douglas fir.

Nearby Attractions

Additional hiking trails can be found across the lake, including those that lead to Dome Rock and Needle Rock. The town of Detroit is across the lake with hometown activities. The Cascading Rivers Bikeway is available for cyclists of all ages.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • fishing
  • swimming

The land around Southshore at Detroit Lake - Willamette

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated July 21, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.