USDA Forest Service · Oregon
Carter Lake
USDA Forest Service · Oregon, United States · in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
- Sites
- 21
- Hookups
- 21 no hookups
- Season
- May 1 to September 30
- Max RV length
- 30 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 102 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- CARTER WEST (NFSR 1084000) · asphalt · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Siuslaw National Forest
- Nearest town
- REEDSPORT
- Address
- Oregon Dunes Visitor Center, REEDSPORT, OR, 97467
- Phone
- 541-271-6000
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming
21 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
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.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (541) 271-6000.
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52° | 42° | 32° | 63° | 1 of 11 |
| February | 50° | 41° | 31° | 67° | 3 of 11 |
| March | 52° | 41° | 34° | 73° | 0 of 11 |
| April | 54° | 43° | 34° | 73° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 60° | 49° | 42° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 63° | 51° | 44° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 69° | 54° | 50° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 71° | 56° | 53° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 68° | 54° | 48° | 94° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 62° | 51° | 43° | 80° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 56° | 47° | 37° | 67° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 51° | 42° | 34° | 61° | 0 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Waxmyrtle Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 57 sites
- Lagoon Campground · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 41 sites
- Siltcoos Sand Camping · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 16 sites
- Driftwood · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 106 sites
- Tyee Campground - Oregon Dunes · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 15 sites
All public campgrounds in Oregon · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-07-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.