fardsa
The place got a pretty view of the lake and mountain, nice price with nice facilities including shower room, with small store and restaurant too. Loud noisy campers at night, camping site unit very close to each unit. Feel not so much privacy. I smelled smoke like a smoked fish due to camp fire all day and night. Lots of goose poops in the lakeside and our site got dog poops too. Nice trail along the lake. My daughter enjoy the hike and the view. Didn't sleep well because of the other campers noise and dog noise too. I wish that you can choose which site first before pay but instead..you need to pay in the entrance and they assigned a unit for you. We are used to camp in a regular campsite & national park camp sites where honor system is practiced and the campers are very considerate and enjoy the nature by not being loud.
nerrag
We recently purchased a motorhome and have been out exploring. We had never been to Detroit Lake before, but were happy with our choice. The campground is wedged in the woods between the lake and the highway, the spot we were in did back up to the road and could get a little loud during the day, but overall the noise was not bad. Site G05We spent some time exploring on our bikes, it's fairly flat to so a nice ride. You can't really ride anywhere outside of the campground due to the narrow highway (or, at least I wouldn't do it) so we went for a walk along the lake. It's fun to watch all the people taking their boats in and out of the lake - the sheer volume of boats was really amazing. We didn't do any swimming, but there are swimming areas and a fishing dock as well. The woods were nicely shaded, and there was a store for firewood and ice as well. It was a good weekend just sitting around and enjoying the outdoors. The drive is pretty reasonable as well, the highway is pretty wide until you get up in the hills, where it narrows but not too badly. We'll be back for sure next year (assuming we can get a reservation!!)
TheRiverPirate
We were ppleasantly surprised that it was as quite as it was. The road noise was just background. Park is clean. Showers are good. Little store has ice, firewood, and not much else. Staff is helpful and friendly.
awsamuel
If you have always liked the idea of swimming in a lake, but feel like what lakes are really missing is a layer of asphalt, then this is the lake for you! Ditto if what you hate about lakes is the poop-free grass or the presence of flush toilets. Here, there's all the goose poop you need, plus a vault toilet if you need to do some pooping yourself. But don't poop in the lake -- that's the ducks' job, though I doubt that's the full explanation for the murky water or the uneven, freezing-to-even-more-freezing temperatures. All of that notwithstanding, our kids had a great time. This is why we don't let our kids make decisions about where to spend the day as a family.
maruruss99
This spot is great for families, boating and camping. Rest room / shower facilities are well-stocked and cleaned throughout the day. There are a lot of staff at the camp, so they keep everything running smoothly. The rules are strictly enforced, so keep that in mind when planning your adventure!
Bradleydme
For campground camping this was very nice. We stayed here in a rv during the week not the weekend. The views of Mt. Jefferson from the lake with snowcap in july was so cool. Very large lake with great fishing and plenty of room for tubing or wake boarding. The campground was very clean and not very loud, level sites, our spot only had 20 amp which concerned me since we were a 30amp rv but it worked fine for occasional air conditioner, microwave and hot water heater. We had reserved a 30amp site so be careful when you reserve if you have power needs. We never had problems with noise, in fact it got pretty quiet around dusk. Maybe this was because it was during the week but it was pretty calm.
Southpawlady
After a few attempts at getting a reservation we are finally here! This is a beautiful lake, clean camp ground, tents, rv,,something for everyone. We can see why it is so popular. A little surprised that no one mentioned the hwy 22 noise. It never ends! This is one the thing we do not like about this state park. Truckers use this hwy all night long. Perhaps if you are lucky enough to get a spot closer to the waters edge you would not hear it as much. The bathrooms are very clean, free showers with hot water it you need that. A very nice play area for small children, volleyball nets, basketball, lots of things for the little one in the A - C loops. We are in H, but G would have been nice, that loop has full hook ups. If we were to come again we would try for that loop. Oregon State Parks never disappoint!
laurabB8033WK
Campground is large and sits right at the shore of the Detroit Lake! Even though it's raining, it is a beautiful park. The campsite pad we are on is narrow, just wide enough for the wheels of the rig. But the site is very large with a fire ring and picnic table. Bigger rigs are fine but there are few large sites. Our site is 50 ft long and we just fit with our toad. Lots of families with kids. There are two swimming areas boat moorage and fishing docks. It's only a couple of miles from the town of Detroit. Detroit has restaurants and gas and convenience items. Not too far from Mt Hood National Forest. Rangers are super nice great check in process. We are here for 4 days the rain should subside....I hope!
LeAnn0
We have camped at Detroit Lake State Park for many years and just love it. It takes 3-4 months to get a site so start in calling in December for July or August. You have to call 9 months in advance and be very patient and keep trying to get a site that is open. They get cancellations and a site will open up. We like the G Loope by the lake. The lake is big and they have a place designated for swmming and they do a lo1-800-452-5687t of boating there, They have handicapped sites. wood, ice and a small store. They also have showers. The town of Detroit is not far, it's about a block long. We would highly recommend this camping spot. We are going again this year in August.
anaklakay
If you are living in the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, this is the most accessible place to camp out...Its an easy 1-1/2 hour southbound drive and scenic view after the city of Salem...Detroit Lake is a huge lake and its just great for boating, rafting, fishing, etc.-almost anything you can do where water is involved...Reserve your spot at least at the beginning of the year or you will be left out in a "waiting list" if there is one...Most of the campsites are close to the lake...Its always a winner to visit this place even for a day if you are not able to reserve your site...
JJGoodell
We loved this campground. Super clean, super safe and they have showers!!! The lake is absolutely beautiful and our campsite was just steps from the water. You can get wood and ice onsite so not necessary to go the store for those supplies. Town of Detroit is only two miles away, though, if you need something. Campsite are large enough for two 10 x 12 tents. Highly recommend to anyone.
KH68
We only stayed here for one night on our Cross Country trip and we wished we could have stayed so much longer. What a NICE campground with FULL hook ups! The sites were not large, but we've stayed in smaller sites for sure. Nice, clean and well-placed bathrooms and showers, lovely lake with boating and fishing docks and just a nice place to be. We definitely will be back someday.
lawsonag
Camped at Cove Creek (USFS) campground for the July 4 holiday weekend. Nice lake for all watersports, several marinas, weather was wonderful.
MyrtHorton
The park is about 50 miles from Salem and 2 mies from the city of Detroit. The wonderful staff like Amy, Traci, Lonnie, Crystal and the volunteers make your stay enjoyable. The fishing is wonderful and restful. If you forget something at home, you are 2 miles from Detroit and 13 miles from Mill City. Mill city has an IGA downtown and has everything you may have missed. The volunteers help you and keep the gift shop going and the campfire wood ready to sell to you. Be sure to say hi to the booth staff and give thema "Well Done" smile when you check in!
Xrp
Detroit Lake State Park is a great Oregon State Parks campground offering. It is an easy to get to park located about a 2 hour drive from the Portland metro area.The good:The campground offers lots of RV and tent campsites. The facilities (showers and rest rooms) are well stocked and kept clean.The park is right on the lake and if you reserve early enough, you can get lake front property!The individual campsites are well clear of debris/trees/etc, so you have plenty of options for setting up tent(s). Most sites appear to offer a shaded section + a sunny section. We didn't have to set up our sun shade! The firewood supply is plentiful.The gift shop is a nice touch.Quick access to Forest Service Ranger station and short drives to lots of trails for hiking.The lake and view are gorgeous!The bad:The campsites can start to feel a little too close to each other if any site is crowded at or above max capacity (8 people).Hosts weren't enforcing quiet time hours Friday night (6/14/2013). In the past they've been very strict on this, which is good. The problem is the younger adults like to stay up late being loud and little kids wake up early and are loud. Saturday night seemed to be better.The campsites' fire pits don't have sufficient air flow holes for starting fires.On Friday night, a few campers arrived REALLY late. I'm talking 1:30am late. The campground should refuse entry to people after a certain time, because the truck engines + noises people make setting up and settling can is very disruptive to those who arrived at reasonable hours and set up before quiet time.