Willamette National Forest — lakeside, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
Blue River, OR, OR★ 4.8 (21 reviews)From $19/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
French Pete Campground sits at an elevation of 1,800 feet in the Willamette National Forest. This popular escape from summer heat is heavily shaded by a thick canopy of conifers. There are numerous opportunities for hiking and fishing in the area.Campsites are nicely shaded with access to both French Pete Creek and the South Fork of the McKenzie River.
Best for:HikersSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
Max RV42 ft
HookupsNo hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire Rings
Recreation
Picnic Tables
Family & Pets
Boat Launch
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ You need RV hookups — no hookups available; only suitable for self-contained RVs.✕ You prefer less crowded, undeveloped camping experiences.✕ You visit outside May-October season when the campground is closed.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground and gets heavily booked.
Campsite #15 is small but well-positioned; suitable for groups of 2.
Fishing in McKenzie River is catch and release only for trout.
Best: May-October
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: American Black Bear, Wapiti, American Pika, Great Gray Owl, Sooty Grouse, and various lizard species present in the area.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
801-226-3564· Willamette National Forest
Getting there →
From Blue River, Oregon, travel four miles east on Highway 126 to Aufderheide Drive (Forest Service Road 19). Continue on Aufderheide Drive for 11 miles to French Pete Campground.
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 — Willamette National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Willamette National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does French Pete Campground cost per night?+
French Pete Campground costs $19–$38 per night. Hookup options: No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What season is French Pete Campground open?+
French Pete Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does French Pete Campground have hookups?+
No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What is the maximum RV length at French Pete Campground?+
French Pete Campground can accommodate RVs up to 42 feet.
How do I make reservations at French Pete Campground?+
French Pete Campground is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at French Pete Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at French Pete Campground is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is French Pete Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
French Pete Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$19 /night★ 4.8 (21)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does French Pete Campground cost per night?+
What season is French Pete Campground open?+
Does French Pete Campground have hookups?+
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