Camp Kilowan

For Oregonians seeking a truly immersive and enriching outdoor experience, whether for youth development or adult retreats, Camp Kilowan stands as a cherished and enduring destination. With a rich history spanning decades, this amazing camp offers a remarkable array of facilities and activities designed to foster self-growth, community building, and unforgettable memories. From its origins as a summer retreat that has touched countless lives, Camp Kilowan provides a peaceful and beautiful natural setting where individuals and groups can reconnect with nature and each other. It’s more than just a campground; it’s a vibrant hub for learning, adventure, and relaxation, perfectly suited for locals across Oregon looking for a meaningful escape into the tranquil Willamette Valley. Many have returned year after year, testament to the profound and comforting feeling this unique property imparts.

Camp Kilowan is conveniently located at 6510 Teal Creek Rd, Dallas, OR 97338, USA. Nestled in the scenic landscape near Dallas, Oregon, this location places it within the beautiful Willamette Valley, offering a peaceful rural setting that feels far removed from city life, yet remains highly accessible. The camp’s address on Teal Creek Road suggests its proximity to natural water features, enhancing its appeal for outdoor activities. While immersed in nature, Camp Kilowan is easily reachable for visitors coming from various parts of Oregon. Dallas itself is a short drive from larger population centers like Salem and Corvallis, making it a convenient destination for groups and families from across the state. This balance of secluded natural beauty and relative accessibility ensures that campers can transition smoothly from their daily routines to a refreshing outdoor adventure, without enduring excessively long travel times. The setting allows for a true escape, where the calming sounds of Teal Creek, as noted by former campers, contribute to the serene atmosphere.

Camp Kilowan is exceptionally well-equipped to host a wide variety of groups, offering comprehensive services and facilities that cater to diverse needs and activities. Based on long-standing visitor accounts, the services provided are extensive:

• Accommodation Options: The camp features a range of lodging, including "simple lighted cabins" and "some more complex cabins." All cabins typically include bunk-style beds with mattresses. Some cabins even offer electricity and heat, providing comfortable options for different group preferences.

• Dining and Kitchen Facilities: A "full lodge with kitchen" is available, suggesting capabilities for meal preparation and serving, which is ideal for large groups and events. This lodge likely serves as a central gathering point.

• Restroom and Shower Facilities: The camp provides a "bath house" and a "swimming pool with bathroom and changing area." There is a large, centrally located bathroom with flushing toilets and heated shower facilities. Additionally, some cabins have attached bathrooms with showers, ensuring convenient access to sanitation.

• Activity Areas: A "large open field for activities," a "canoeing pond," and a "swimming pool" are central to the camp's offerings, providing ample space and resources for diverse recreational pursuits.

• Event Spaces: Facilities like an "outdoor chapel" and a "pavilion with a campfire ring," along with an "outdoor campfire with benches," indicate dedicated spaces for ceremonies, gatherings, and communal activities.

• Staff and Support: While not explicitly detailed as a 'service' in the reviews, the long history and positive sentiment imply that the camp is well-managed with staff available to assist with various needs, ensuring events run smoothly.

• Group Bookings: Camp Kilowan prioritizes reservations for LDS Church Young Women groups and other LDS Church-sponsored groups, but it is also available for "families and other groups" based on availability and a fee structure. This indicates a system for organized group use.

• Rules and Conduct Guidelines: The camp operates under specific rules regarding personal conduct, dress, prohibited items (like alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, and firearms), noise curfews, and proper use of facilities, aiming to maintain a respectful and peaceful environment for all. No pets are permitted.

• Maintenance: The fact that the camp is "still up and running" and was maintained for outdoor structures in the past speaks to an ongoing commitment to facility upkeep.

Camp Kilowan is renowned for its diverse array of features and highlights that contribute to its "amazing" reputation and make it a highly recommended destination for both youth and adult camps.

• Variety of Activities: The camp offers a broad spectrum of engaging activities. Visitors can enjoy a "Zipline" for adventurous thrills, a "canoeing pond" for serene water recreation, and a "swimming pool" for cooling off and leisure. The "large open field" is perfect for various games and team-building exercises. Hiking on the "trails" provides opportunities for nature exploration and appreciation.

• Diverse Facilities: Beyond the activity zones, the camp boasts practical and comfortable facilities. This includes "simple lighted cabins" and "more complex cabins" for overnight stays, a dedicated "bath house," and a "full lodge with kitchen," which is invaluable for group meal preparation and indoor gatherings. An "outdoor chapel" offers a serene space for reflection or ceremonies, while a "pavilion with a campfire ring" and another "outdoor campfire with benches" provide classic camping experiences for storytelling and camaraderie.

• Historical Significance and Nostalgia: For many, Camp Kilowan holds deep sentimental value. Multiple reviewers share personal stories of attending the camp as children or teenagers, forming lifelong friendships, and even meeting spouses there. This rich history fosters a unique sense of community and connection, making it a place of "comforting feeling" and "self-growth" that people hope to return to.

• Peaceful Nature Experience: The camp is celebrated for its "peaceful nature experience." The sounds of Teal Creek, the beauty of the surrounding landscape, and opportunities for "sleepouts in the meadow under a blanket of stars" create an environment conducive to relaxation and reconnecting with the natural world.

• Versatility for Groups: The facilities are clearly designed to accommodate various group types, from youth camps focused on development and outdoor skills to adult retreats seeking a blend of recreation and peaceful reflection. The availability of both simple and more complex cabins, along with a full lodge, caters to different needs.

• Focus on Personal Growth: Echoing themes from its past as a Camp Fire Girls camp, the experiences at Kilowan are often described as contributing to personal development and positive memories that last "thought in years."

For inquiries, reservations, or more information about Camp Kilowan, you can contact them directly using the details below:

Address: 6510 Teal Creek Rd, Dallas, OR 97338, USA

Phone: (503) 787-8015

Mobile Phone: +1 503-787-8015

Given its history and current use by specific organizations, it is advisable to contact them via phone for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding availability, booking procedures for non-affiliated groups, and specific activity offerings.

Camp Kilowan is an exceptional choice for Oregon locals, particularly for those organizing or participating in group camps and retreats. Its enduring legacy, deeply rooted in fostering personal growth and community connection, makes it more than just a place to stay; it's an experience. For families, youth organizations, or even adult groups from across Oregon, the camp's diverse array of facilities—including a Zipline, canoeing pond, swimming pool, various cabins, and a full lodge—ensures there's something to engage everyone. The expansive open field and extensive trails provide ample opportunities for both structured activities and spontaneous exploration. Critically, its location in the serene Willamette Valley near Dallas offers a perfect blend of peaceful natural immersion and convenient accessibility from Oregon's major cities. While the camp prioritizes certain group bookings and has specific rules, these contribute to maintaining its well-loved atmosphere of respect and safety. The deep-seated affection and nostalgia expressed by generations of former campers, many of whom attribute significant life moments to their time at Kilowan, speak volumes about its profound impact. For Oregonians seeking a venue that combines rich history, diverse recreational opportunities, comfortable facilities, and a supportive environment for personal and group development, Camp Kilowan truly offers a unique and invaluable retreat in the heart of our beautiful state. It's a place where new memories are made, and old ones are fondly remembered, drawing people back time and again.

Camp Kilowan

6510 Teal Creek Rd, Dallas, OR 97338, USA