Clay Creek Recreation Site
RV Guide
Introduction
Clay Creek Recreation Site can be found between Eugene, Oregon and the west coast of the United States. It is a beautiful area, as is the majority of Oregon. Many people visit Clay Creek Recreation Site for the variety of outdoor activities that are available there.
Whether you’re looking for a place to hunt, fish, kayak, or camp, Clay Creek Recreation Site has it all. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is packed with unique vegetation. There are towering Douglas fir trees and thick red cedar throughout the area. There are also vine maple and salmonberry plants in the area.
If you’re a lover of wildlife, Clay Creek Recreation Site is home to many animals. While there are plenty of different birds to spot, you just might see a beaver, elk, bear, or mink during your stay. Near Clay Creek Recreation Site is the Siuslaw River. This brings in water from the Coast Range all the way to the ocean.
While swimming is done at your own risk, many people enjoy catching salmon during autumn and cooking a fresh dinner over a campfire. Speaking of that, you can camp right at Clay Creek Recreation Site. If it’s too busy for your liking, there are a handful of nearby campgrounds to choose from.
RV Rentals in Clay Creek Recreation Site
Transportation
Driving
For starters, if you don’t have experience driving in the mountains, you may want to travel to Clay Creek Recreation Site with someone who does. Because it’s located in the heart of southern Oregon, it is entirely surrounded by mountains. If you’re driving a larger RV or campervan, it’s best to take your time getting to Clay Creek Recreation Site. Cell phone reception tends to go in and out in the area. This is why it’s a good idea to take a physical map or print your directions ahead of time. Getting to Clay Creek Recreation Site can be a bit complicated due to the lack of roadways.
You will have two different options. If you’re coming from Eugene, it’s best to take Siuslaw River Road for 16 miles until you’re able to turn onto BLM Road 19-7-20.1. After this, you’ll see the entrance to Clay Creek Recreation Site on your right. If you’re coming from the Florence area, take Highway 126 and follow the same directions. Once you’ve arrived, you can get around on foot. There are spots where you can travel via boat or canoe if you prefer.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Clay Creek Recreation Site
Campsites in Clay Creek Recreation Site
First-come first-served
Clay Creek Recreation Site
This campsite is open from the beginning of May until the end of November. There is usually a host available from June until mid-September. At Clay Creek Recreation Site you will find 21 campsites in total. This is a great place to stay if you don’t want to leave the area. Camping is allowed for tent and RV campers. RVs must be 32 feet long maximum length. Each campsite comes with a tent pad, grill, fire ring, and picnic table.
Clay Creek Recreation Site itself has vault toilets available, as well as potable water. There are several swimming amenities too, including a changing area. You can enjoy one of the many yard games that Clay Creek Recreation Site has to offer as well. While the individual campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, the group campsites are available via reservation. If you’re traveling with kids, this campground is a must due to all of the fun activities.
Archie Knowles Campground
Next, you can choose to stay at Archie Knowles Campground. One of the best things about staying there during your visit to Clay Creek Recreation Site is that the Knowles Creek flows through the campground. It makes the perfect natural soundscape to fall asleep to each night.
At this campground, you will five a total of nine campsites. Each of these campsites is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are picnic tables and fire rings available for your convenience as well.
Camping is available for both tent campers and RV campers. RV campers may like to know ahead of time that there are no hookups available. The only amenity that Archie Knowles Campground has to offer is vault toilets. It’s important to note that this beautiful place is only open from the middle of April until the middle of October. If you’re visiting Clay Creek Recreation Site and looking for a different place to rest your head, consider staying at Archie Knowles Campground for a more primitive experience.
Whittaker Creek Recreation Site
Lastly, let’s talk about Whittaker Creek Recreation Site. This is a great place to stay as an alternative to Clay Creek Recreation Site. There you will find a total of 31 campsites for tents and RV campers to enjoy. Each one of these sites is equipped with a picnic table and a fire pit to improve your camping experience. Camping here is available on a first-come, first-served basis and Whittaker Creek Recreation Site is open year-round.
The campground itself offers vault toilets, a picnic area, potable water, and a children’s play area. There is also a two and a half mile long hiking trail, as well as a swimming area. If you want peace and quiet, this may not be the campground for you. Many times, local schools take field trips to Whittaker Creek Recreation Site because of the amazing landscape and scenery. This is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature.
Seasonal activities in Clay Creek Recreation Site
In-Season
Hiking
Hiking is one of the most popular activities in the area. The Clay Creek Trail is a beautiful trail that was created in the early 1990s. It offers a dive into the Douglas Fir tree forests and will provide you with incredible views of Oregon. There is a ridge that shows the Siuslaw River and a scenic concrete bridge during the hike that actually crosses over the river. It’s a must during your visit to Clay Creek Recreation Site.
Boating
Whether you’re just looking to relax in the warm sun or you’re trying to catch a few fish for dinner, boating is a relaxing activity that you can enjoy if you visit Clay Creek Recreation Site during the summer. Whether you’re on a fishing boat, kayak, or paddleboard, it’s an amazing way to have a laid back afternoon.
Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and wear a life vest if you’re not an experienced swimmer.
Swimming
Why stay on the boat when you can dive right into the water? There’s no better way to cool off during a hot day in the Pacific Northwest. There isn’t a lifeguard on duty, so it’s important to keep a close eye on children and only swim where you can touch the bottom. If you’re swimming in the river, you may also want to be aware of boats and potential rapids that may occur there.
Off-Season
Birdwatching
Easily the best off-season activity that you can enjoy when visiting Clay Creek Recreation Site is birdwatching. Oregon is home to a variety of wild animals, but there are several birds in the area. You’re likely to see harlequin ducks, long-tailed ducks, tufted puffin, golden eagles, bald eagles, and more. Keep an eye out for owls at night, when they tend to come out of hiding. Your best bet is to bring a pair of high-quality binoculars and bird identifying book when visiting Clay Creek Recreation Site!
Picnicking
Another great off-season activity is picnicking! While you must pack your own food, you could also try catching a fish in the nearby river. Trout are most popular when it comes to ice fishing in Clay Creek Recreation Site.
Either way, having a delicious meal in the heart of nature is a memorable experience that just about anyone can enjoy! Be sure to clean up after yourself to maintain Clay Creek Recreation Site for the critters that live in the area.
Softball
It may seem like an odd off-season activity, but Clay Creek Recreation Site actually has an area dedicated to softball. You can round up other campers and kids to get in a game on a beautiful afternoon. There isn't any equipment available, so you will have to bring your own bats, mitts, and balls. You could also use the softball area to play baseball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, water balloon fight, tag, or any other field game!
