Hills Creek Reservoir
Hills Creek Reservoir
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4.0
7 reviews
Excellent
3
Very good
3
Average
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Poor
1
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Jon R
Eugene, OR334 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Tired of paying for a spot in a campground, but want to spend your camping trip on the water? Hills Creek Reservoir is the place for you then! Heading out of Oakridge, Oregon along Hwy 58, you turn onto FR-21 and follow the road along the lake.
Along the way, you see a number of turnouts to park for a fishing or hiking adventure. However, head to the top of the lake near the headwaters and you will find about 8 established camping spots just off the road. There is no fee for these spots, and they are right on the water, making these a priceless camping locale!
The spots are clean and open. Some have more shade than others, so plan your trip accordingly and try to get there as early as possible! There is also plenty of driftwood (especially in the later summer months when the water is lowest), so we didn't have to worry about bringing firewood with us.
The lake is warm (about 65 degree water), and the spot where the headwaters mix with the lake water is a relaxing area of cold and warm water mixed together. The waters are clear and as green as an emerald and sparkle in the sun to invite you in to escape the heat. There is also a bridge to jump from if you're into that sort of thing. The height varies depending on the time of year, from about 10 feet to about 40 feet. We were jumping at 25 feet in mid-July.
All-in-all this is a great family spot to spend a few days away from it all!!
Along the way, you see a number of turnouts to park for a fishing or hiking adventure. However, head to the top of the lake near the headwaters and you will find about 8 established camping spots just off the road. There is no fee for these spots, and they are right on the water, making these a priceless camping locale!
The spots are clean and open. Some have more shade than others, so plan your trip accordingly and try to get there as early as possible! There is also plenty of driftwood (especially in the later summer months when the water is lowest), so we didn't have to worry about bringing firewood with us.
The lake is warm (about 65 degree water), and the spot where the headwaters mix with the lake water is a relaxing area of cold and warm water mixed together. The waters are clear and as green as an emerald and sparkle in the sun to invite you in to escape the heat. There is also a bridge to jump from if you're into that sort of thing. The height varies depending on the time of year, from about 10 feet to about 40 feet. We were jumping at 25 feet in mid-July.
All-in-all this is a great family spot to spend a few days away from it all!!
Written July 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MMVon
Chino Hills, CA30 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
We fished at Hills Creek Reservoir and it was beautiful. Caught a few fish and took in the beautiful scenery. The reservoir is not too far from the Best Western in Oakridge.
Written June 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom B
Salida, CO2,132 contributions
Sept 2019
Originally our trip to this reservoir was to include kayaking, but to our dismay the lake level was so low that we deemed un-safe to portage our boats to the waters edge. Quite steep to the waters edge at all the locations we looked at. So Plan B was to hike Larison Cr. trail, which we did. Great hike just across from the lake. Very heavily wooded, it was like going back in time. Ferns, moss covered branches and huge evergreens made this journey very enjoyable and quite different from our hikes in Colorado.
Written September 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redbearon
Eugene, OR55 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
I visit this area several times a year and the water level is lower each time I see it. I'm not sure why, but several years ago I know they were upgrading the dam. I can't imagine this is still going on, but who knows.
Even after very heavy rainfall for several days, the water doesn't change. It must be purposely draining to another reservoir.
The low water levels have made Larison Cove, a normally beautiful hiking and canoe area, seem apocalyptic. It's ugly now, and that is very sad.
Even after very heavy rainfall for several days, the water doesn't change. It must be purposely draining to another reservoir.
The low water levels have made Larison Cove, a normally beautiful hiking and canoe area, seem apocalyptic. It's ugly now, and that is very sad.
Written January 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
captblyoly
Clarkston, WA48 contributions
Jun 2019
What a great place.Beautiful lake.Perfect weather.We had like 5 campers in our campground area,and still had plenty of room.Not a lot of noise,and not a lot of traffic.Not to far from the city of Oakridge,and there is a nice grocery store to get some ice and snacks,etc.
Written July 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Intrepid gypsy
4 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
We went to look at the camping but got lost along the way and ended up driving the long way around the lake. It was beautiful and only occasionally scary! Nice place for wild flowers, a good walk and lovely lake views.
Written June 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry
Oakridge, OR144 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
While many may see just a reservoir, there are so many pull offs around the lake, the possibilities to see and do things boggle the mind. Fishing, water sports, hiking, photography, camping, etc, etc. and then the many forest roads simply adds to the outdoor adventure.
Written February 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good Evening!
I am planning to take my family on a camping trip and haven't been to this site in a few years due to how low the lake had gotten. Do you know how full the lake is this year or can you post some current pictures of the water levels? Thank you so much!
Written July 23, 2019
We went to Packard Creek about a month ago and the water was still at a decent level, unfortunately during August the water was dropped quite significantly.
Written September 4, 2019
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