Paradise Campground–Near Walterville, OR

There is just something about a woodsy, well-treed, riverside campground.  When I was a kid, we often camped in a tent alongside a creek or a lake.  The thought of having electrical or water hook-ups never entered our head.  Of course back then it was safe to drink right out of the creek.  Many times we would camp and never see another person near our campsite.

I can remember making a small dam or tying our sodas in a bag and dunking them in the creek to keep them cool.  A watermelon never tasted better than one that had been cooled all day by the gurgling stream.  When Mom and Dad finally got a little 15’ camp trailer, we all thought we were really living.  It even had an ICE-BOX to keep things cool inside!  As I remember, Daddy still preferred to cook outside over the campfire.  Nothing smells better in the morning than campfire smoke, the fragrance of sizzling bacon and the aroma of campfire coffee.

For some reason, Paradise Campground brings back all those memories.  Oh sure, I like staying in the full- hookup places too.  I am spoiled and I want my internet connection, water, electric, and sewer.  I admit I enjoy these creature comforts.  But when you want to truly relax and enjoy nature, try a Forest Service Campground.

Paradise Campground is located on Hwy. 126, The McKenzie Highway, about 60 miles east of Eugene, OR.  There are both reservable and first come, first served spaces available.  There are clean flush toilets but some loops still have pit toilets.  Water is available but not to hook-up.  Cost is $18 or $9 with an America the Beautiful pass.  There is NOT a sewer dump at this location.

This is just up the road from Takoda’s restaurant and Harbick’s Country Store so you are always close to supplies.  Even if you don’t need anything, this store is a hoot to visit.  They have a little of everything.

Our favorite space at Paradise is #17, where we have camped in the past with Brian and Laila.  This space is a double and so the cost is double, but for us it was well worth it.  You can easily fit 2 rigs, a toad, and several tents in this space and have room left over.  This is the driveway, two asphalt spurs.


This site has direct, low bank access to the river.  Some folks just cannot stay out of the water no matter how old they get!


That little quiet pool next to the bank is our camp “refrigerator” when we stay here.  Yes, I still like the river cooled sodas and watermelons.

Looking towards the river from the parking area…


Looking back from the river towards the road (the restrooms are right across the street)…


This is a popular stretch of river for both rafters and drift boats and at this site, you can take your chairs right down to the water’s edge and watch the activity.  One day we made big signs with numbers on them (like the Olympics) and would hold them up as rafters came through the riffles.  We had a lot of fun and got some friendly waves from the folks on the water.


Lots of good memories here.  Unfortunately, Brian and Laila now do all their camping at those fancy Marriott campgrounds…you know, the ones with the pillow-top mattresses and indoor plumbing!!  But we still enjoy day trips to the more rustic places and Russ and I still enjoy sitting around a campfire and listening to the song of the river.  Paradise??  Yup, I do believe it is.

In other news, we have recently signed up at a site called Boondockers Welcome.  The idea is to list your name and city if you have room for someone to boondock on your property for a night or two on their way through town.   It is designed to help those folks who are just passing through and need a place to get some sleep.  We just got our first inquiry and have responded to the request.  We will see how it works out but it seems, at least on the surface, to be a good idea.  For those of you still in Sticks and Bricks, check it out and see what you think.

Grandgirls are coming Sunday for three weeks so I’m sure to have some stories to tell then.  Thanks for stopping by and traveling along with us on the Beautiful McKenzie Highway.