Carter Lake
FSU.S. Forest Service — REEDSPORT · Oregon · Siuslaw National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Siuslaw National Forest |
| Location | REEDSPORT · Oregon · Siuslaw National Forest · 43.85667, -124.14611 · Map |
| Sites | 21 public sites counted from the federal listing — 18 standard nonelectric; 3 rv nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 21 sites Water hookups at 0 of 21 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 21 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 21 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 30 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 14 sites · 30 ft: 12 sites · 35 ft: 0 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 1:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 541-271-6000 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-09-19.
From the official listing
Overview Carter Lake Campground is a family favorite in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. This campground is located on Carter Lake, perfect for fishing, swimming, and boating. The Carter Dunes Trailhead is located within the campground, and the Pacific coast is just a short drive away.
Recreation Hike the Carter Dune Trail, which attracts campers and locals alike. Fishing for rainbow trout is a good way to pass the time, and canoeing and kayaking are excellent on Carter Lake.
The dunes region is also famous for off-road vehicle riding trails.
Facilities Drinking water and flush toilets are available and each site has a campfire pit, picnic table, and trash. Parking aprons are paved.
Natural Features Campsites are nestled among shore pine, sitka spruce, and Douglas fir, with hedges of rhododendron. Carter Lake spans 28 acres at an elevation of 100 feet. The campground is part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, known for its wind-sculpted sand dunes towering up to 500 feet above sea level.
Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 271-6000. Nearby Attractions Carter Lake Campground is located near several non-motorized hiking trails, including Siltcoos Lake Trail and Threemile Creek Trail. Visitors can also use the campground as a base to explore the area's waterways, including the Pacific Ocean, Tahkenitch Lake, and Siltcoos Lake.
Charges & Cancellations Campsites that are not occupied after 24 hours of arrival time will be considered as a "no show" and sites will be released for others to reserve. If campers will be arriving after 24 hours of their arrival time, they are encouraged to call the ranger station at 541-271-6000 to let staff know.
Directions, from the listing
From Florence, travel south on Highway 101 for about 10 miles. The entrance to Carter Lake Campground is on the west (right) side of Highway 101.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · Reedsport OregonFSU.S. Forest ServiceLagoon Campground
2 mi straight-line · Reedsport OregonFSU.S. Forest ServiceSiltcoos Sand Camping
2 mi straight-line · Reedsport OregonFSU.S. Forest ServiceDriftwood
2 mi straight-line · Reedsport OregonFSU.S. Forest ServiceTyee Campground - Oregon Dunes
2 mi straight-line · Reedsport Oregon
Trip Card — Carter Lake
REEDSPORT · Oregon · Siuslaw National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | REEDSPORT · Oregon · Siuslaw National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 30 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 21 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232181 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.