Weekend availability at Carter Lake
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 18, 2:55 AM PT- Fri, Sep 18Open9/20 sites
- Fri, Sep 25Open17/20 sites
Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.
How booked is Carter Lake?
as of September 18Sites are open right now — we found space out to Sep. That changes fast at a campground. We check Carter Lake around the clock, so the moment your dates fill up and a cancellation reopens them, you'll be first to know. Weekdays still have room — for now.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 21
- Pull-through
- 4
- Max rig length
- 30 ft
About this 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. 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. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 271-6000.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.
Getting there
From Florence, travel south on Highway 101 for about 10 miles. The entrance to Carter Lake Campground is on the west (right) side of Highway 101.
Activities
- FISHING
- CAMPING
- BOATING
- SWIMMING
- HIKING
Nearby federal campgrounds
Never miss an opening at Carter Lake
Popular Oregon campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Carter Lake around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.
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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.