Carter Lake Campground
Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon
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As of September 2026, Carter Lake Campground is a campground in Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon with 21 campsites. Carter Lake Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks Carter Lake Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- Carter Lake Campground is located at 43.8567° N, 124.1461° W.
- people allowed on each site
- 8
Carter Lake Campground reservations and next available dates
September 2026
Stay and booking rules
- Mid-stay changes allowed
- Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive nights
- Maximum stay: 14 nights
Published by Recreation.gov for Carter Lake Campground, read on September 30, 2026.
Campsites at Carter Lake Campground
- Standard 18
- RV 3
What an RV fits
- 15 ft1 site
- 20 ft6 sites
- 25 ft2 sites
- 30 ft12 sites
Amenities
- restrooms
- potable water
At a glance: Setting: Dune · Access: Paved road.
Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, offroad.
All sites at Carter Lake Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov
Every site is in the AREA CARTER LAKE loop.
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Max RV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft |
| 04 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft |
| 05 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft |
| 06 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft |
| 07 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft |
| 08 | Standard | 8 | 25 ft |
| 09 | RV | 8 | 25 ft |
| 10 | RV | 8 | 30 ft |
| 11 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft |
| 12 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft |
| 13 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft |
| 14 | RV | 8 | 30 ft |
| 15 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft |
| 16 | Standard | 8 | 20 ft |
| 17 | Standard | 8 | 20 ft |
| 18 | Standard | 8 | 20 ft |
| 19 | Standard | 8 | 20 ft |
| 20 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft |
| 21 | Standard | 8 | 20 ft |
| 22 | Standard | 8 | 20 ft |
| 23 | Standard | 8 | 15 ft |
About Carter Lake Campground
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.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (541) 271-6000.
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.
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.
Rules and notices at Carter Lake Campground
Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Carter Lake Campground on Recreation.gov
Notices from Recreation.gov
Guidelines for a safe visit to the Siuslaw National Forest
The Siuslaw’s campgrounds, day use areas, and trails continue to be open for public enjoyment . While you are visiting the Forest, please adhere to the following guidelines. These guidelines will help ensure a safe and healthy visit for you and your family, our employees and volunteers, and other visitors:
Please keep in mind that restrooms are generally cleaned and disinfected at least once daily at the more popular campgrounds and day use sites, and once to three times a week at other sites.
Be prepared to provide your own soap, sanitizer, or disinfectant.
If no trash receptacle is provided, please protect your public lands by packing out your waste and trash.
There is a 14-day in 30 rolling days camping limit on the Siuslaw National Forest. The 14 days does not have to be consecutive. The 14-day limit covers the entire Siuslaw National Forest and not just this campground as shown in the Rules Section . This means you cannot go to other campgrounds on the Siuslaw National Forest after reaching the 14-day limit.
Forest Service-operated campsites on the Siuslaw National Forest are currently available by online reservation only.
Visitors can make reservations online through this website (preferred), or via phone by calling the recreation.gov phone line at 877-444-6777. If you call this number, please be prepared for longer-than-usual wait times. Please note that the Siuslaw National Forest does not have any control over the recreation.gov phone line, so we ask you to please prepare by making reservations well in advance.
Sites must occupied within first 24 hours of arrival time. Otherwise unoccupied sites will be considered a "no-show" and will be released.
No off-road vehicle use allowed in campground
For more information on Siuslaw National Forest, click here
Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
Two vehicle maximum per site.
Carter Lake Campground FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at Carter Lake Campground?
Carter Lake Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.
How do I find last-minute availability at Carter Lake Campground?
Cancellations happen frequently at Carter Lake Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does Carter Lake Campground have?
Carter Lake Campground has 21 campsites.
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