Cleator Bend Campground

Hello, fellow Oregonians! Are you planning a gathering with a large group of friends, family, or fellow adventurers, and searching for the perfect outdoor escape that combines ample space with stunning natural beauty? Look no further than Cleator Bend Group Campground. Nestled on a picturesque bend of the Breitenbush River within the majestic Willamette National Forest, this campground is a popular destination that caters specifically to groups, offering an ideal base camp for a wide array of outdoor activities.

Cleator Bend Campground provides a unique opportunity to experience the pristine wilderness of Oregon, with the calming sounds of the river and the lush embrace of the forest as your backdrop. Unlike typical individual campsites, Cleator Bend is designed to accommodate larger parties, fostering a sense of community and shared adventure. This article is crafted for you, the local Oregon resident, to provide a detailed and engaging overview of Cleator Bend Group Campground. We’ll cover everything from its convenient location and accessibility, to the specific services and amenities available, its unique features and highlights, and ultimately, why it stands out as an excellent choice for your next group outdoor adventure right here in our incredible state.

Cleator Bend Group Campground is strategically located on a bend of the Breitenbush River, deep within the Willamette National Forest in Oregon, USA. While a specific street address isn't typically used for forest campgrounds, its geographical coordinates place it near Detroit, Oregon, making it a accessible, yet wonderfully secluded, destination. The campground sits at an elevation that provides a refreshing escape, particularly during the warmer summer months.

Accessing Cleator Bend Campground is generally straightforward. From Highway 22 at Detroit, Oregon, you'll turn onto Breitenbush Road, which is Forest Service Road 46. The campground is approximately 9.8 miles ahead on the right side of the road. This well-maintained forest service road ensures a relatively smooth journey for most vehicles, including those with trailers. Given its "group campground" designation, it's designed to accommodate larger vehicles and multiple cars associated with a single group reservation.

A key aspect of Cleator Bend's accessibility for locals is its group-oriented nature. It features one large group site capable of accommodating up to 45 people. This is a significant advantage for large family reunions, organizational retreats, or big gatherings of friends who want to camp together. Due to its popularity as a group site, reservations are essential and can often be made up to 12 months in advance through Recreation.gov. This foresight in planning is crucial, especially if you're aiming to secure your spot during the peak season, which typically runs from mid-May through mid-September, with July and August being the busiest months. This advanced booking system allows Oregonians to plan their large group outings with certainty, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable arrival.

Cleator Bend Group Campground offers a focused set of services and amenities tailored to facilitate comfortable group camping in a natural setting. These provisions ensure that while you're immersed in the wilderness, basic necessities are well taken care of:

• Large Group Site: The primary service is a single, spacious group campsite designed to accommodate up to 45 people. This makes it ideal for large gatherings, family reunions, or organized outdoor clubs.

• Multiple Campfire Rings: The group site includes eight designated campfire rings. This allows multiple smaller groups within the larger party to have their own campfire experiences simultaneously, or for a very large central fire.

• Numerous Picnic Tables: To support the high capacity, the campground provides eight picnic tables. These offer ample space for meal preparation, dining, and various group activities.

• Vault Toilet: A vault toilet is centrally located within the camping loop. Reviews indicate these are generally clean, though it's always wise to be prepared with your own supplies when camping in more rustic settings.

• Trash Receptacles: Trash collection is provided, with receptacles located within the campground. This encourages campers to maintain cleanliness and adhere to "Leave No Trace" principles, ensuring the beauty of the site for future visitors.

• No Potable Drinking Water (Temporarily): While some older information might mention water spigots, current and recent reports (from 2023 and 2024) indicate that drinking water is temporarily unavailable within the campground. It is crucial for all visitors to plan accordingly and bring their own supply of potable water for the duration of their stay.

• Firewood for Sale: Firewood is often sold on-site. This is a convenient service, preventing campers from having to transport wood and helping to prevent the spread of invasive species.

• Reservable Site: The group site is fully reservable through Recreation.gov, allowing for advance planning and guaranteed access for your group.

Cleator Bend Group Campground boasts several distinctive features and highlights that make it a compelling choice for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly those planning group outings. These elements contribute to its unique appeal and provide memorable experiences:

• Riverside Location on Breitenbush River: The campground's prime position on a bend of the Breitenbush River is its most significant highlight. The river, fed by snowmelt from the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, is known for its clean waters. This proximity offers opportunities for wading, swimming, and rainbow trout fishing directly from the campground, providing a serene and engaging natural backdrop.

• Ideal Base Camp for Recreation: Cleator Bend is touted as an "ideal base camp" for a variety of recreational activities. Its location facilitates easy access to fishing, hiking, and biking, making it a versatile hub for active groups.

• Access to South Breitenbush Gorge Trail: Just three miles from the campground is the South Breitenbush Gorge Trail. This popular hiking trail allows visitors to witness the river flowing through dramatic basalt narrows. Hikers can also look for a unique log footbridge that crosses the cascading waters of Roaring Creek, adding a scenic element to their explorations.

• Set within Willamette National Forest: The campground’s location within the vast Willamette National Forest, which stretches 110 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range, means campers are surrounded by lush forests, diverse ecosystems, and potential wildlife viewing opportunities.

• Designed for Large Groups: Unlike many campgrounds with small, individual sites, Cleator Bend's single, large group site accommodates up to 45 people. This unique feature makes it perfect for large gatherings that want to camp together in one designated area, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and shared experience.

• Secluded yet Accessible: While providing a sense of seclusion and deep immersion in nature due to its forest setting, the campground remains relatively easy to access from Highway 22, striking a good balance between remote wilderness feel and travel convenience.

For reservations or to get more information about Cleator Bend Group Campground, please use the following contact details. As a National Forest System campground, reservations are primarily managed through the national booking platform.

Address: Located on Breitenbush Road (Forest Service Road 46), approximately 9.8 miles from Highway 22 near Detroit, OR, USA. While no specific street number, it is within the Willamette National Forest.

General Campground Inquiries (Managed by Linn County Parks and Recreation, but routed through a central reservation system): (801) 226-3564 (This number is often listed for campground inquiries related to Recreation.gov managed sites).

Reservations Phone: 1-877-444-6777 (Recreation.gov)

Mailing Address (Detroit Ranger District): 44125 N. Santiam Hwy., Detroit, OR 97360

Website for Reservations: Recreation.gov (search for "Cleator Bend Group Campground")

Cleator Bend Group Campground is an excellent and highly suitable choice for us, the local residents of Oregon, especially when planning an outing for a larger group. Its very specific design as a single group site for up to 45 people directly addresses a common need for Oregonians seeking to gather friends, family, or clubs in a natural setting. We know how challenging it can be to coordinate multiple individual campsites, and Cleator Bend eliminates that hurdle, fostering a true sense of togetherness.

The campground’s location on the beautiful Breitenbush River, within the Willamette National Forest, means it offers that quintessential Oregon outdoor experience. Whether your group enjoys fishing for rainbow trout, wading in clear waters, or exploring scenic trails like the South Breitenbush Gorge Trail, this location serves as an ideal base for a wide range of activities. It allows us locals to dive into the very activities that define our state's rich outdoor culture, all within a reasonable driving distance from many Oregon communities.

While the temporary unavailability of drinking water requires some preparation (a common practice for seasoned Oregon campers!), the presence of multiple campfire rings, picnic tables, a vault toilet, and trash collection ensures essential comforts are met. The ability to reserve this group site well in advance provides peace of mind and simplifies planning for large gatherings. Cleator Bend Campground truly offers a unique opportunity for Oregonians to create lasting memories together in a beautiful, natural, and perfectly equipped setting for group adventures.

Cleator Bend Campground

Oregon, USA