Willamette National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Sisters, OR, OR
Price: From $25 per night
Price range: $25–$50 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (150 reviews)
Season: May through October
This campground provides 34 campsites, 31 singles and 3 double, that accommodate vehicles 18 to 50 feet in length depending on site. No sites are directly on the shoreline of the lake, but several offer views of the lake. Drinking water is available at two handpumps, one in the campground and one in the boat launch area.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/cold-water-cove-willamette-nf-or to be notified when sites open up.
Cold Water Cove offers 34 campsites with lake views and a non-motorized boat launch for kayaks and canoes. Google reviewers praised the easy kayak access and scenic views, with an overall rating of 4.6/5 stars from 92 reviews.
Wildlife alert: American Pika, Osprey, Barrow's Goldeneye, American Dipper, Hermit Warbler, Valley Garter Snake, and Northwestern Garter Snake documented in the area.
Insider tips for Cold Water Cove - Willamette Nf (Or): Book early — this is a popular federal campground with limited availability. Sites 17 and nearby offer the best lake views according to verified camper reports. Non-motorized boats and kayaks only; boat launch available at campground.
Skip Cold Water Cove - Willamette Nf (Or) if: You need RV hookups — no hookups at most sites; bring a self-contained unit.. You prefer full facilities — vault toilets only (4 double vault toilets shared by all sites).. You need year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only..
Best time to visit Cold Water Cove - Willamette Nf (Or): May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.. September-October — Verified camper reports positive experiences in late summer/early fall without peak season crowds..
Nearby campgrounds: Ice Cap Campground (Sisters, OR), Fish Lake Remount Depot Cabins (MCKENZIE BRIDGE, OR), Trout Creek Campground - Willamette (Or) (Blue River, OR), Big Lake West Campground (Sisters, OR).
Cell signal at Cold Water Cove - Willamette Nf (Or) (Sisters, 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.
This campground provides 34 campsites, 31 singles and 3 double, that accommodate vehicles 18 to 50 feet in length depending on site. No sites are directly on the shoreline of the lake, but several offer views of the lake. Drinking water is available at two handpumps, one in the campground and one in the boat launch area.
Known issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Book early
this is a popular federal campground with limited availability.
Sites 17 and nearby offer the best lake views according to verified camper reports.
Non-motorized boats and kayaks only; boat launch available at campground.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Verified camper reports positive experiences in late summer/early fall without peak season crowds.
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.









From Eugene, Oregon, take I-105 east to McKenzie Highway 126. Travel east on 126 for 55 miles to McKenzie Bridge. From McKenzie Bridge,OR, travel east on Highway 126 for 18 miles to the Clear Lake Area. Before reaching Clear Lake, turn right on Forest Road 770, heading northeast 1 mile to Coldwater Cove Campground at the end of the road.
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