Alder Glen Recreation Site
Nestucca River Recreation Area — riverside
Location: Salem, OR, OR
Price: From $15 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (45 reviews)
Season: May through October
Camping season is generally May-September, with Alder Glen and Elk Bend remaining open through the weekend following General Western Oregon Coast 2nd Season for elk. During months with reduced sunlight, potable water may be turned off. Be prepared to bring your own wash and drinking water.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/alder-glen-recreation-site to be notified when sites open up.
Alder Glen offers affordable camping ($15/night) with basic amenities in a scenic area along the Nestucca River, with verified wildlife viewing opportunities including wapiti, Pacific wrens, and American dippers.
Wildlife alert: Wapiti (elk) are present in the area; the campground stays open through early elk season. Northern red-legged frogs also confirmed in the region.
Insider tips for Alder Glen Recreation Site: Book early on recreation.gov — this is a federal campground with only 11 sites and high demand Bring your own drinking water during fall/winter months when potable water is turned off Use the Recreation.gov Mobile App to pay for non-reserved sites if you arrive without a reservation
Skip Alder Glen Recreation Site if: You need RV hookups — this campground has none. You're visiting November-April — campground is closed seasonally. You want guaranteed water access in October — potable water is turned off during reduced sunlight months.
Best time to visit Alder Glen Recreation Site: May-September — Official camping season with reliable potable water availability. September-October (weekends after 2nd elk season) — Extended season for Alder Glen specifically, though potable water may be turned off during reduced sunlight months.
Nearby campgrounds: Rocky Bend Group Campground (HEBO , OR), Elk Bend Recreation Site (Salem, OR), Fan Creek Recreation Site (Salem, OR), Dovre Recreation Site (Salem, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Alder Glen Recreation Site
Cell signal at Alder Glen Recreation Site (Salem, OR): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Camping season is generally May-September, with Alder Glen and Elk Bend remaining open through the weekend following General Western Oregon Coast 2nd Season for elk. During months with reduced sunlight, potable water may be turned off. Be prepared to bring your own wash and drinking water.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early on recreation.gov
this is a federal campground with only 11 sites and high demand
Bring your own drinking water during fall/winter months when potable water is turned off
Use the Recreation.gov Mobile App to pay for non-reserved sites if you arrive without a reservation
Official camping season with reliable potable water availability
Extended season for Alder Glen specifically, though potable water may be turned off during reduced sunlight months
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Beaver, Oregon: Trip takes is about 17 miles from Beaver, Oregon. Head east on Blaine Rd. At Blaine, take a slight right to continue onto NF-85/Upper Nestucca Rd. The main road will switch from NF-85 and Upper Nestucca River Rd, which finally turns into Nestucca River Rd. Alder Glen Recreation Site will be on the right.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Nestucca River Recreation Area fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Nestucca River Recreation Area before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Alder Glen Recreation Site cost per night?+
What season is Alder Glen Recreation Site open?+
Does Alder Glen Recreation Site have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Alder Glen Recreation Site?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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