Clay Creek Recreation Site

Overview

Reserve a site at Clay Creek on recreation.gov or pay when you arrive for non-reserved campsites using the Recreation.gov Mobile App. You must download before you reach the site since there is no cell reception in the drainage.  

Clay Creek Recreation Site is nestled in the Coast Range of Oregon between Eugene and the Oregon coast at an elevation of 436-492 feet. Located at the confluence of Clay Creek and the Siuslaw River, this recreation site offers a wealth of activities including forest hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, picnicking and camping. The Springfield Office of the Northwest Oregon District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the Clay Creek Recreation Site.

Recreation

This quiet family oriented recreation site is a favorite if you enjoy riverside camping with an interpretive trail to old-growth timber. Spacious campsites with paved parking pads, mossy vine-maple tangles, and tall straight firs make up this camping area. The recreation site also boasts large group shelters available by reservation for group outings, weddings, or other events.

The Clay Creek Trail, created in 1991 for hiking, provides access to a stand of Douglas fir high above the campground and the Siuslaw River. The site’s Clay Creek Trail ascends a ridge above the campground to a remnant old-growth stand. From camp, you cross the concrete bridge on Clay Creek Road and river to begin the hike.

Facilities

This quiet family oriented recreation site is a favorite if you enjoy riverside camping with an interpretive trail to old-growth timber. Spacious campsites with paved parking pads, mossy vine-maple tangles, and tall straight firs make up this camping area. The recreation site also boasts large group shelters available by reservation for group outings, weddings, or other events.

The Clay Creek Trail, created in 1991 for hiking, provides access to a stand of Douglas fir high above the campground and the Siuslaw River. The site’s Clay Creek Trail ascends a ridge above the campground to a remnant old-growth stand. From camp, you cross the concrete bridge on Clay Creek Road and river to begin the hike.

Natural Features

Clay Creek campground and the surrounding area are home to large canopy trees such as Douglas fir, western hemlock, red cedar, red alder and big leaf maple. The forest understory features a host of native plants like rhododendron, salal, various fern species, salmonberry and vine maple. On the forest floor, oxalis, Calypso orchids and mosses compliment the scenery. A diverse variety of bird life, from the seldom seen pileated woodpecker, northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet to the ever-present Oregon junco, frequent this area. Signs of larger animals, such as raccoon, mink, bear, elk, deer and beaver are evident.

Clay Creek is part of the Siuslaw River watershed that drains water from the Coast Range to the Pacific Ocean. The river flows broad, cloudy, and green and calls to anglers; check current fishing regulations before casting your line. The Siuslaw River is a salmon watch site that runs fast and cold during the winter months, where you can observe spawning Coho and Chinook salmon in the river’s exceptional habitat during the fall and winter.

contact_info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (541) 683-6600.

Nearby Attractions

Put-ins for the river downstream, along the Siuslaw River Road. No permit required to paddle the 6.5 mile river, with Class II - III rapids.

Whittaker Creek Recreation Site

(Florence) Alder Dune Campground

(Florence) Archie Knowles Campground

(Florence) B & E Wayside Mobile and RV Park

(Cottage Grove) Baker Bay Campground

(Dorena) Baker Bay County Park

(Westfir) Bedrock Camp

Charges & Cancellations

Standard fees apply and are non-refundable.

Visit https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies for more information.

Photos

Siuslaw River access from campground.
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
play structure at Clay Creek
play structure at Clay Creek
Traci Meredith-BLM
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Towering Maple Trees.
Towering Maple Trees.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Trillium flower
Trillium flower
Traci Meredith-BLM
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Amphitheatre seats.
Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
play structure at Clay Creek
play structure at Clay Creek
Traci Meredith-BLM
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Towering Maple Trees.
Towering Maple Trees.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Trillium flower
Trillium flower
Traci Meredith-BLM
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Amphitheatre seats.
Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
play structure at Clay Creek
play structure at Clay Creek
Traci Meredith-BLM
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Towering Maple Trees.
Towering Maple Trees.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Trillium flower
Trillium flower
Traci Meredith-BLM
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Amphitheatre seats.
Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
play structure at Clay Creek
play structure at Clay Creek
Traci Meredith-BLM
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Towering Maple Trees.
Towering Maple Trees.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Trillium flower
Trillium flower
Traci Meredith-BLM
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Amphitheatre seats.
Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
play structure at Clay Creek
play structure at Clay Creek
Traci Meredith-BLM
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Towering Maple Trees.
Towering Maple Trees.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Trillium flower
Trillium flower
Traci Meredith-BLM
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Amphitheatre seats.
Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
play structure at Clay Creek
play structure at Clay Creek
Traci Meredith-BLM
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Towering Maple Trees.
Towering Maple Trees.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Trillium flower
Trillium flower
Traci Meredith-BLM
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Amphitheatre seats.
Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
play structure at Clay Creek
play structure at Clay Creek
Traci Meredith-BLM
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Towering Maple Trees.
Towering Maple Trees.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Trillium flower
Trillium flower
Traci Meredith-BLM
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Amphitheatre seats.
Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
play structure at Clay Creek
play structure at Clay Creek
Traci Meredith-BLM
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Towering Maple Trees.
Towering Maple Trees.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Trillium flower
Trillium flower
Traci Meredith-BLM
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Amphitheatre seats.
Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Siuslaw River access from campground.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
play structure at Clay Creek
play structure at Clay Creek
Traci Meredith-BLM
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
one of Clay Creek's shelters to rent
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
View of dam site on the Siuslaw River
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Clay Creek Campground Amphitheatre.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Towering Maple Trees.
Towering Maple Trees.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Trillium flower
Trillium flower
Traci Meredith-BLM
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Shelter 2 is a day use shelter for rent at Clay Creek Campground
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
View of Siuslaw River from Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
View of shelter 2 from accessibility trail.
Lauren Bonney - BLM
Amphitheatre seats.
Amphitheatre seats.
Lauren Bonney - BLM

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Phone

Activities

Iconograph of a two people rowing a boat.
NON-MOTORIZED BOATING
Iconograph of a picnic table
PICNICKING
Iconograph of a baseball or softball field
SOFTBALL FIELDS
Iconograph of a person swimming
SWIMMING
Iconograph of a water waves
WATER ACCESS
Iconograph of a tent.
CAMPING
Iconograph of a picnic table
DAY USE AREA
Iconograph of a fish head and a fishing hook on a line
FISHING
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING

Addresses

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
SPRINGFIELD INTERAGENCY OFFICE
3106 PIERCE PARKWAY, SUITE E
SPRINGFIELD
OREGON
97477

Geographic Coordinates

43.90508, -123.56833

Directions

From Eugene (valley): From Interstate 5 go west on Beltline Road to West 11th Avenue. Turn right onto West 11th Avenue (Highway OR-126). Follow Highway 126 about 29 miles to Siuslaw River Road just west of Walton. Turn left on Siuslaw River Road and follow about 10 miles to the intersection of BLM Road 19-7-20.1. Keep left on Siuslaw River Road for about 6 miles. The main entrance to the recreation site is located on the right.

From Florence (coast): Take Highway OR-126 east about 14 miles to Mapleton. Turn right and follow Highway 126 for about 12 miles to Siuslaw River Road. Turn right on Siuslaw River Road and follow about 16 miles to the intersection of BLM Road 19-7-20.1. Keep left on Siuslaw River Road for about 6 miles. The main entrance to the recreation site is located on the right.

Fees

Campsite fee includes one vehicle per site. Extra camping vehicle fee of $5 each is collected at the site. Cash or check, made out to Bureau of Land Management, is accepted. Fee envelope receipt stub must be displayed on the dash.