Whittaker Creek and Clay Creek campgrounds, in Oregon’s picturesque Coast Range, will remain closed for the 2024 season. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cited staffing shortages and a lack of volunteer hosts as the primary reasons for this decision.
According to a report by SN Siuslaw News, Ben Watts, a BLM outdoor recreation planner, explained the campgrounds’ temporary closure. “Without adequate staffing, we can’t host visitors,” Watts said.
The affected sites, known among campers and nature enthusiasts, are located off Highway 126 on the Siuslaw River, positioned between Eugene and the Oregon Coast. Both campgrounds were scheduled to open at the end of April.
BLM officials have already begun notifying individuals with existing reservations about the closure, providing them with information to make alternative arrangements.
Whittaker Creek, one of the affected areas, features 30 campsites equipped with various amenities, including vault toilets, potable water, and picnic areas. It also offers a children’s play area and access to the Old Growth Ridge National Recreation Trail, making it a destination for day trips and longer camping stays.
Moreover, the site is integral to educational programs focusing on local wildlife. Throughout the fall, winter, and spring, the Whittaker Creek Watchable Wildlife Site serves as a learning center for middle school students studying the spawning behaviors of salmon and trout, in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Recreationally, the campgrounds cater to a wide array of activities. Visitors typically enjoy camping, hiking, swimming, and fishing in the Siuslaw River. The sites are the destinations for photography and hunting.
Detailed facilities at the campgrounds include tent-only campsites, which are not recommended for trailers, and an accessible campsite. There are also picnic sites, accessible vault toilets, and hand pumps for potable water. The campgrounds are equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and a swimming beach area available from June to September.
The Old Growth Ridge National Recreation Trail is a significant natural feature of the area. This 2.5-mile loop trail, designated in 1994, ascends 1,000 feet above the river, providing hikers with views of wildlife, geological formations, and old-growth Douglas fir trees typical of the Coast Range ecosystems.
Additionally, the campgrounds include a paved boat ramp that offers access to the Siuslaw River for drift boats and canoes. This access does not require a permit and allows visitors to navigate the river’s Class II – III rapids.
RV park owners and campground operators can draw valuable lessons from the Bureau of Land Management’s handling of the Whittaker Creek and Clay Creek campgrounds closures. The proactive communication strategy used by the BLM is to inform visitors of the closures. Timely notification helps maintain trust and provides customers with ample time to make alternative arrangements, minimizing potential frustration.