CampgroundsDB

Lakes End

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping is free, and it is open year-round. Lakes End is a National Forest campground near McKenzie Bridge, Oregon.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · McKenzie Bridge, Oregon

Managed by
National Forest

Lakes End sits inside Willamette National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Smith Reservoir boat-in camping: Primitive boat-in-only camp on the north shore of Smith Reservoir, 1.8 miles by boat from the east-shore launch; 10 mph boat limit.

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Free

Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28

What's there

  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Fire rings
  • ✓ Pets allowed
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets, fire rings, and pets allowed. No potable water.

Rules

Stay limit
14 days
Quiet hours
10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.
Pets
Allowed

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation
2,744 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
4G LTE; 5G mapped about 0.3 mi away
T-Mobile
No coverage at the campground; 4G LTE and 5G mapped about 0.1 mi away
Verizon
No coverage mapped
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

44.3322, -122.0462 in Linn. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Lakes End is open year-round .

Sources: epqs.nationalmap.gov, accessed 2026-09-29; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Lakes End?
No. Lakes End is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Lakes End?
Camping at Lakes End is free.
Is there drinking water at Lakes End?
No. Lakes End has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
Are dogs allowed at Lakes End?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lakes End.
When is Lakes End open?
Lakes End is open year-round.
How long can you stay at Lakes End?
The stay limit at Lakes End is 14 days.
Is there cell service at Lakes End?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from AT&T at Lakes End. It shows none at Lakes End from T-Mobile, though T-Mobile shows 4G LTE and 5G about 0.1 mi away. It shows none from Verizon at or within about half a mile. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.
Who manages Lakes End?
Lakes End is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Lakes End

Public land · within 15 miles

Public land within 15 miles: Mount Washington Wilderness (8.3 miles to its center) , Menagerie Wilderness (15 miles to its center) , and Middle Santiam Wilderness (15 miles to its center) ; publiclandsdb.com has each unit's camping rules and boundary.

Hot springs, waterfalls and swimming nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

Nearest to Lakes End, in straight-line miles: Sahalie Falls (waterfall, 2.7 miles), Clear Lake (swimming hole, 3.6 miles), Belknap Hot Springs (hot spring, 9.5 miles), Proxy Falls (waterfall, 13 miles), and Cougar Hot Springs (hot spring, 20 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

Reservable Ice Cap McKenzie Bridge · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $25 per night Reservable Coldwater Cove McKenzie Bridge · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Single Site: $25 per night, Reservable Trail Bridge McKenzie Bridge · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Group Site: $225 per night Reservable Trout Creek Campground - Willamette Black Butte Ranch · National Forest Season Not on record Fee Not on record

More campgrounds: camping near McKenzie Bridge and campgrounds in Linn.

Sources

First-come, first-served Free
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