Hult Pond offers primitive BLM camping at a secluded 40-acre reservoir in Oregon's Coast Range foothills, featuring dispersed campsites, excellent fishing for largemouth bass and rainbow trout, non-motorized boating, and access to over 100 miles of OHV trails. Located 28 miles northwest of Eugene near Horton, this well-kept local secret provides free primitive camping (14-day limit), a boat launch, fishing platform, and summer portable toilets, while Richardson Park Campground offers developed camping with full hookups just 30 minutes away for those seeking more amenities alongside strategic access via Eugene RV rentals.
Tucked away at the end of a dirt road at the foothills of Oregon's Coast Range, Hult Pond is a natural gem and well-kept secret cherished by those who live in and around the Willamette Valley. This remote wilderness valley offers 40 acres of pristine water surrounded by wetlands rich in flora and fauna, creating a stunning backdrop of mountains, hills, forests, and serene water views that will leave you speechless.
Built in the 1930s-40s by the Hult Lumber Company for log storage during their milling operations, this BLM-managed reservoir now serves as a major center for outdoor recreation enjoyed by both locals and tourists. Locals refer to this spot by several names—Mill Pond, Hult Reservoir, or Horton Lake—but whatever you call it, you'll find a primitive, unadulterated nature experience devoid of commercialization.
The pond reaches a maximum depth of 35 feet and offers impressive fishing opportunities with species including largemouth bass, rainbow trout, winter steelhead, bluegill, cutthroat trout, brown bullhead, western brook lamprey, and reticulate sculpin. An accessible fishing platform and primitive boat launch make shore and boat fishing equally rewarding for anglers seeking Oregon's more secretive fishing spots.
This BLM site is extremely primitive, which means you'll enjoy authentic wilderness camping without hookups, designated sites, or fees. The calm, flat azure waters are ideal for non-motorized boats—kayaks, rowboats, and canoes glide peacefully across the surface, perfect for hours spent enjoying tranquil waves and surrounding natural beauty. A primitive boat launch at the southeast corner accommodates easy watercraft access.
Beyond water activities, Hult Pond features an extensive network of gravel roads surrounding the reservoir, initially built for timber sale access but now enjoyed by OHV users, mountain bikers, and motorcyclists. These roads wind through wilderness for over 100 miles, with approximately 50% hard-packed gravel suitable for various off-road vehicles.
Wildlife thrives in this pristine habitat with its proximity to water and abundant vegetation. You'll spot muskrats, songbirds, beavers, ducks, and possibly threatened or endangered species, including Northern spotted owls, Marbled Murrelets, and bald eagles. The wetland ecosystem supports rich biodiversity that makes wildlife viewing and photography exceptional.
Summer brings portable chemical toilets to accommodate visitors, though facilities remain minimal year-round. This primitive approach preserves the authentic wilderness experience that dedicated outdoor enthusiasts seek, making Hult Pond perfect for those who appreciate self-sufficient camping away from crowded developed campgrounds.
Important Note: The BLM is currently evaluating management options for Hult Dam due to safety concerns identified in a 2017 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assessment. The 70-year-old earthen dam was designated high-risk, and the BLM is considering three options: removing and replacing the dam in the same location, removing it and building a new dam downstream to create a "Little Log Pond," or removing the dam entirely to allow Lake Creek to flow naturally. All proposed options would continue providing recreation opportunities, including fishing, camping, hiking, and horseback riding.
Access Hult Pond via Highway 36 and Lane County Road #3640, located 28 miles northwest of Eugene and 5 miles north of Horton. From Eugene, take Highway 99 North for approximately 10 miles to Highway 36, then head west on Highway 36 for about 20 miles. Follow signs to Horton, taking a right on Horton Road (some maps show this as following Horton Road, then Lane County Road #3640).
Follow the paved Lane County Road #3640 for about one mile until it connects to unpaved BLM Road #15-35. This final mile to Hult Pond consists of loose gravel and dirt—passable for most vehicles but requiring caution and reduced speeds. The rough access road is part of Hult Pond's charm, keeping crowds at bay while remaining accessible for those willing to slow down and enjoy the journey.
RVs and trailers are welcome, though the primitive road conditions and dispersed camping areas favor smaller rigs (under 25-30 feet). Larger RVs can access the area but may find maneuvering and parking challenging, given the primitive nature of campsites. A 35-foot travel trailer can navigate the second big pull-through site after the equestrian area, but scouting your spot before committing is highly recommended.
Eugene Metropolitan Access: Eugene RV rentals position you perfectly for Hult Pond exploration, located just 28 miles northwest. Eugene serves as Oregon's outdoor recreation hub with excellent rental selection, supply shopping, and easy highway access to Oregon's Coast Range, Willamette Valley, and Cascade Mountains. This gateway keeps you within an hour of Hult Pond while providing urban amenities and diverse RV options from Eugene camper vans to Class B motorhomes.
Springfield/Eugene Corridor: Eugene campervan rentals offer versatile options for navigating Hult Pond's primitive access roads. Smaller campervans and Class B RVs maneuver more easily on gravel forest roads while still providing sleeping accommodations and basic cooking facilities, perfect for this primitive camping environment.
Located on Fern Ridge Reservoir just west of Eugene, Richardson Park Campground offers a complete contrast to Hult Pond's primitive experience. This Lane County park features 88 developed campsites with water and electrical hookups, flush toilets, hot showers, laundry facilities, and a dump station.
The campground operates seasonally (approximately mid-April through mid-October) with sites accommodating RVs and trailers. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made online or by calling 541-682-2000. The park includes a 212-slip marina, designated swimming area, play structures, game areas, an 8,000-square-foot picnic shelter, and an outdoor amphitheater.
Richardson Park provides an excellent base camp for Hult Pond day trips, offering full amenities after wilderness adventures. The reservoir itself provides additional recreation with boating, fishing, and water sports. Sites cost $20-30 per night, depending on hookups, with extra vehicle fees of $6.50 per vehicle beyond the first.
Hult Pond's main appeal is free primitive dispersed camping scattered along the right side of the road that follows the pond's eastern shore. These sites offer no amenities beyond natural beauty—no hookups, no designated pads, just flat areas where previous campers have established informal sites.
Camping is allowed for 14 consecutive days. Each informal site typically includes space for parking an RV/vehicle, room for a tent or two, and access to the surrounding forest. Giant trees provide shade at many locations, though some sites sit in more open areas with mixed sun and shade throughout the day. The setting ranges from heavily wooded and secluded to more open lakefront positions.
Summer months (approximately Memorial Day through Labor Day) feature portable chemical toilets servicing visitors camping and spending time at the pond. No toilets are available during the winter months. No potable water is provided on-site—bring all water you'll need or treatment supplies for local sources. No trash service exists; pack out everything you pack in following Leave No Trace principles.
Campfires are permitted in previously established fire rings only. Many sites have informal fire pits from previous use, but check current fire restrictions before lighting fires. Firewood is sometimes available from camp hosts at $5/bundle when hosts are present, though this is not guaranteed. Bring your own firewood to ensure availability.
Pets are allowed but must remain leashed and under control at all times. The BLM emphasizes picking campsites well away from the pond bank and marked trails, maintaining clean conditions, and following the seven Leave No Trace principles throughout your stay.
Cell phone reception is spotty to nonexistent—plan for complete disconnection from digital life. This isolation adds charm for those seeking a true wilderness experience but requires advance planning for emergencies. No camp hosts are consistently present, though visitors occasionally report friendly hosts selling firewood and providing local information.
Important Notes for RV Campers:
Hult Pond is a lovely location with views that are extremely pleasing to the eye. Such a destination makes for a romantic, secluded, and relaxing picnicking spot shared with that special someone. Enjoy the outdoors and the company of those with you by the water’s edge or in the shade surrounded by exotic flora and fauna.
While you are picnicking here, you can also enjoy a multitude of outdoor activities such as hiking on marked and unmarked trails or bicycling on the gravel roads with the kids tagging along. The plentiful botanical life near Hult Pond also makes for a nice nature walking experience.
Hult Pond is the ideal spot for wildlife to thrive in. Its closeness to a water source and plenty of surrounding trees and vegetation make it the perfect habitat for muskrats, songbirds, beavers, and ducks. Threatened and endangered species in the area include Northern spotted owl, Marbled Murrelet, and the famous bald eagle.
If you are visiting specifically for wildlife viewing then set up your observation post by the pond and catch sight of wildlife in action as they come to drink and hunt by the water’s edge. Stay far away from any wildlife you spot and do not engage with animals in any way.
It’s nearly impossible to resist swimming in the beautiful Hult Pond with its clear and blue waters. Good thing you don’t have to. Visitors can jump in whenever and wherever they want in this forty-acre man-made lake.
There aren’t any lifeguards on the site, so it’s best to use the buddy system for safety reasons. The pond is 15 to 35 feet deep, so make sure you don’t swim out too far. Best to stay on the shallow end and close to the shore.
Hult Pond offers dispersed camping with multiple primitive pull-off areas surrounding the reservoir. Sites are available first-come, first-served with no designated spots or reservations. Park well away from the pond bank and marked trails, following Leave No Trace principles. Most sites accommodate 1-2 vehicles, with some larger pull-through areas capable of handling trailers up to 35 feet.
Parking is primitive and undefined, meaning you'll select your own spot from previously disturbed areas. Heavy vegetation at some sites provides natural screening and enhanced privacy. Traffic can be moderate on weekends during summer, with dispersed sites filling by Friday evening during peak season.
Public transportation to Hult Pond is not available. This remote BLM site requires personal vehicle access. Eugene offers the nearest urban services, grocery stores, and supply options approximately 28 miles southeast. A small convenience store sits near the entrance to Hult Pond grounds for forgotten essentials, though the selection is limited.
The Bureau of Land Management maintains a primitive campground at Hult Pond, where visitors can pick any spot of their choosing and set up camp. Enjoy an unadulterated view of nature devoid of human intervention in this remote wilderness. There are no modern facilities here. It is just you and nature.
There are certain BLM rules to remember during your primitive camping stay. Make sure to pick a campsite well away from the bank of the pond, as well as from marked trails. Clean up after yourself and abide by the seven standard leave-no-trace principles. Pets are allowed as long as they are behaved and leashed. Camping on the Hult Pond camping grounds is allowed for 14 days at a stretch.
Waterloo Campground sits along the South Santiam River in western Oregon near Albany. This developed campground offers full hookups, restrooms, showers, and numerous amenities, including horseshoes, playground equipment, and river access for swimming, fishing, and paddling.
Pets are welcome, and nearby hiking trails provide excellent exploration opportunities. The campground's location southwest of Hult Pond makes it convenient for multi-destination trips exploring Oregon's Willamette Valley and Cascade foothills.
Explore more RV parks and campgrounds across North America for your next adventure.
Located in Fall Creek State Recreation Area, Cascara Campground offers 39 primitive sites scattered alongside Fall Creek Reservoir. Sites feature heavy vegetation providing natural screening and enhanced privacy. While rustic like Hult Pond, Cascara provides vault toilets, potable water, and trash collection.
The reservoir allows motorized boats, unlike Hult Pond, expanding water recreation options. Sites operate first-come, first-served during summer (May-August), filling quickly on weekends. This location works well for campers wanting primitive camping with slightly more amenities than Hult Pond while exploring multiple Willamette Valley water recreation areas.
Armitage Park Campground, a Lane County park near Eugene, offers another developed alternative with full hookups, flush toilets, showers, WiFi, and laundry facilities. Located near Interstate 5, you can reach Eugene in less than 15 minutes and Hult Pond in approximately 25-30 minutes.
The park features 57 acres of forest along the McKenzie River, including the Crilly Nature Trail, a two-acre dog park, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and picnic areas. This campground provides excellent access to both Hult Pond and Eugene's urban amenities while offering a peaceful riverside setting.
Hult Pond offers an impressive variety of fish species that thrive within its depths and is one of the more secretive fishing spots of Oregon that keen anglers keep close to heart. The pond has an accessible fishing platform as well as a boat launch for fishing purposes.
Largemouth bass, rainbow trout, winter steelhead, bluegill, cutthroat trout, brown bullhead, western brook lamprey, and reticulate sculpin are some of the common fish species that can be caught by rod and reel either from the shore or on a boat.
The gorgeous and calm azure waters of Hult Pond are ideal for non-motorized boats, and visitors of the pond know this. The water is calm and flat, and one can sit for hours on a boat, enjoying the calm motions of tepid waves and surrounding natural beauty.
Many fishermen also prefer to fish from their boats, as it offers access to deeper waters and the chance to catch a large-sized game fish. The water only gets choppy when the winds pick up. There is a primitive boat launch at the southeast corner of the pond for launching kayaks, rowboats, and canoes.
Hult Pond has an extensive network of roads surrounding it. These roads were initially built for timber sale access but today, many OHV users enjoy the trails as they wind their way through this wilderness area. These gravel roads can go on for over a hundred miles and about 50% of the road network is hard gravel. These roads are open to all types of off-road vehicles, mountain bikes, and motorcycles.
