Surrounded by beautiful forests and featuring great recreational activities both on the water and on the north shore, Foster Lake is an excellent choice for an RV holiday destination. Located in Linn County, Oregon, Foster Lake was designed and built by the U.S Corps of Engineers in 1968 across the South Santiam River to provide irrigation, power creation, and flood control to the surrounding area.
During the summertime, Foster Lake is a very popular location for locals and travelers looking to have some fun in the sun. On the banks of Foster Lake is a large beach that has a designated swimming area, plus you will also be able to get out on the water on a variety of watercraft. The lake is a great place to do some fishing too, even during the wintertime. Off the lake, you must check out Lewis Creek Park, which is a 40-acre recreational space that has multiple picnic areas, hiking trails, and a boat mooring facility. Along with Lewis Creek Park, there is also Calkins Park in the southeast corner of the lake, and Gedney Creek County Park on the northwest side that you can check out.
Operated and maintained by Linn County, Sunnyside Campground is one of the best places to stay for new and experienced RV lovers looking to be as close to the lake as possible. The campground sits on the edge of Foster Lake and has 123 reservable campsites, plus another 42 on a first-come, first-served basis. You will also have the opportunity to stay at the county-owned Edgewater RV Resort & Marina where there are 48 sites available. Peak season at Foster Lake is from May to October.
Getting to and from Foster Lake in your RV is quite easy thanks to its location just off Highway 20. Since there are multiple recreation areas and campgrounds around the lake, there are many entrances you can use to reach it. All of the roads are paved and are kept in great condition as they are maintained by the local county (who also run the public campground on the edge of the lake). Most travelers will be coming from the west, but the lake is also accessible from the east. If you want to get some supplies before your visit to Foster Lake, you could stop in at Sweet Home (around five and a half miles away), Lebanon (around 19 miles away), or Albany (around 34 miles away).
You should have no trouble driving your RV in and around the campgrounds thanks to the well-maintained roads and many loops available for you to turn around in. The roads were designed with RVs in mind, so you won't have to worry about any obstacles that could potentially damage your own or rented RV.
There are parking lots available at all three of the recreation areas that border Foster Lake. All three will be able to handle RVs up to 60 feet in length.
Located right on the edge of Foster Lake is the county-owned and operated Sunnyside Campground. Sunnyside is a very popular camping destination for RV and tent travelers that are looking to enjoy all that Foster Lake has to offer. The campground is known for having very large, open sites that can accommodate vehicles up to 60 feet in length. The campground is divided up into three loops, two of which have 123 reservable sites.
The majority of sites have 30 amp electric and water hookups for your convenience, along with picnic tables. Some of the other campground amenities include toilets, showers, a playground, water collection points, dog park, and a dump station.
If you plan to stay at Sunnyside Campground over either the Memorial Day or Labor Day holidays, you will have to book a minimum three-night stay. There is also a two-night minimum stay for all weekends and the 4th of July. Sunnyside Campground is open from May until the end of October.
On the southeast side of the park is another excellent RV camping option for travelers to Foster Lake. Edgewater RV Resort & Marina is a county-owned facility that is more suited to RV lovers who are looking to experience a little more luxury during their visit.
In total, there are 48 sites available for you to enjoy, all of which come with full hookups and WiFi connectivity. All sites also come with a picnic table, fire ring, paved pad, and a well-maintained lawn. Other amenities within the campground include boat slips to moor your boat, toilets, showers, picnic spots, and easy lake access. You can also bring up to two pets and should be able to get phone reception on all of the major networks.
Unlike Sunnyside Campground, Edgewater RV Resort is open all year round for you to visit. Some sites can also be available for a long-term stay, so this campground could be a great option if you want to spend the winter in Oregon.
If you want to go for a refreshing dip at Foster Lake, the best place to do so is at Lewis Creek Park. Here you will find a large sandy beach that has plenty of room for you to relax on, along with a dedicated swimming area that is roped off from the rest of the lake. This means you will be able to swim in peace and not have to worry about any boats getting too close to you. Please remember that no lifeguards are on duty at the beach area or anywhere at Foster Lake.
Getting out on the water is another fine way to spend the sunny summer days at Foster Lake. There are plenty of boat ramps and no restrictions on boat usage within the lake, so for those who like to waterski, you will be able to do so. Other popular water activities include going fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and using stand up paddle-boards. If you don't have a watercraft, there are some available for rent from Lewis Creek Park, such as kayaks and stand up paddleboards.
No matter what recreation area you visit at Foster Lake, there will be some great picnicking opportunities for you to enjoy. Lewis Creek Park does have the most facilities (such as picnic tables and restrooms), but if you are looking for a quieter picnicking experience you can head to Calkins Park or Gedney Creek County Park.
For those staying at Sunnyside or the private campground, you can also use their day-use areas to host your picnic. Shelter reservations can be made at the Sunnyside Campground online, or if they are free they can be used on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you love to fish, you should really like visiting Foster Lake. The lake is stocked up each year with over 40,000 rainbow trout for you to try and catch from either boat fishing or casting out from the banks of the lake.
While rainbow trout is the most popular catch, there are plenty of other species that call Foster Lake and the nearby Sunnyside Lake home, including bluegill, bass, and bullhead. If you need any fishing supplies, there are some available at the private marina.
Unfortunately there are no public transport options that will take you to Foster Lake.
If you are wanting to do some first-come, first-served camping you will be pleased to note that Sunnyside Campground has a specific non-reservable campground loop. Here you will find 42 sites to choose from that include some sites right near the lake.
There is also a restroom and shower block that is located in the middle of the loop that will give you easy access to these amenities. Like the reservable sites, first-come, first-serving camping is available from May until the end of October.
If you are a keen hiker, you will have to pack your boots and make sure that you check out some of the great trails in and around Foster Lake. There are many trails available for you to explore, including multiple paths that leave from the parks on the edge of the lake.
The most popular trail is the Shoreline Trail, which also features some great information for visitors to the lake thanks to the visitor's center.
The area in and around Foster Lake is a great spot to do some birding if you are interested in the flying wildlife. On the north side of the lake is part of the Mt. Jefferson bird trail, which is a great place to spot some woodpeckers, warblers, and harlequin duck. There are also many types of waterfowl that can be spotted on the lake, including diving ducks, loons, grebes, and Barrow's Goldeneye. Remember to bring your own binoculars and be aware of your surroundings, especially during the wintertime.
