Cleator Bend
01 review44125 N. Santiam Hwy SE
Cleator Bend
$200.00 - $200.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$200.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Group site fee is $200.00 per night during peak season (May 16th - October 12th). Prices exclude taxes, discounts, or incremental charges.
About this campground
Gather your favorite people and escape to Cleator Bend Group Campground, where the pristine Breitenbush River becomes your backyard playground. This spacious riverside retreat welcomes groups of up to 45 adventurers, creating the perfect setting for family reunions, scout troops, or outdoor clubs seeking their next wilderness experience. Eight campfire rings invite evening storytelling sessions, while matching picnic tables ensure everyone has a spot for memorable meals under towering evergreens. Whether you're casting for rainbow trout at dawn, exploring forest trails by day, or taking refreshing dips in crystal-clear river pools, this group sanctuary offers endless opportunities for shared adventures. While you'll need to bring your own drinking water for now, a well-maintained vault toilet and regular trash collection keep your stay comfortable and worry-free.
Cleator Bend Group Campground is designed for group camping and accommodates a variety of camping setups.
Weather and SeasonsTime your adventure wisely at Cleator Bend, where each season paints a dramatically different picture. Summer transforms this riverside haven into a sun-dappled paradise, with warm days perfect for swimming and cool nights ideal for campfire gatherings—though fire restrictions may apply during peak dry spells. As autumn arrives, the forest explodes in golden hues while crisp air adds magic to morning hikes. Winter, however, belongs to the wilderness alone, as heavy mountain snows and bitter cold make the campground inaccessible and inhospitable. Spring brings the dramatic rush of snowmelt, swelling the Breitenbush with fresh energy. For the ultimate group camping experience, plan your visit between late June and early October, when nature rolls out its finest welcome mat.
Natural Features and SceneryThe Breitenbush River serves as the beating heart of this enchanted campground, its crystal-clear waters born from ancient glaciers high on Mount Jefferson's flanks. This rushing mountain stream creates a natural soundtrack for your stay, its pools and riffles teeming with native rainbow trout that flash like silver beneath the surface. Massive Douglas firs and western red cedars form a living cathedral overhead, their branches filtering sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor. Morning mist often clings to the river valley, creating ethereal scenes as the sun burns through, while afternoons bring the sweet scent of sun-warmed pine needles. The surrounding Cascade wilderness stretches endlessly in every direction, offering glimpses of distant peaks and the promise of trails leading deeper into Oregon's magnificent backcountry.
Geological RegionCleator Bend sits within the magnificent Willamette National Forest, a 110-mile ribbon of protected wilderness draped along the western slopes of the volcanic Cascade Range. This dramatic landscape tells the story of fire and ice—ancient volcanoes that built these mountains and glaciers that carved the valleys between them. The Breitenbush River, your constant companion at camp, begins its journey high in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, where year-round snowfields feed its perpetual flow. As a tributary of the mighty North Santiam River, the Breitenbush has spent millennia carving its course through volcanic rock and ancient forest, creating the perfect riverside sanctuary where your group can connect with Oregon's wild heart.
Campsite details
Sites SizeThe group site can accommodate up to 45 people and has space for group activities with multiple campfire rings and picnic tables.
Sites PrivacyPrivacy information is not explicitly stated; however, the campground is a group setting, which suggests less seclusion and more communal space.
Total Campsites1 campsites
Recommended CampsitesSite-specific recommendations include bringing potable water and planning for fire bans during summer.
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Check-in begins at 12:00 PM.
Check-out
Check-out time is 12:00 PM.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights per visit, and a total of 14 nights within 60 rolling days.
Guests Allowed Per Site
Up to 45 guests allowed at the group site.
Groups
The single group site can accommodate up to 45 people and includes 8 picnic tables and 8 campfire rings.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed
Site layoutFeatures one group site with facilities centralized around a loop design, including picnic tables, campfire rings, trash collection, and a vault toilet.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen May 16th, closes October 12th. Out-of-season bookings unavailable.
Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online via Recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.
Walk-in AvailabilityNo indication of walk-up availability; reservations must be booked in advance through Recreation.gov.
Cancellation PolicyCancellations are allowed at least 14 days before arrival for group facilities, with a $10 cancellation fee and forfeiture of the first night's fee for late cancellations.
Accomodation available
GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Cleator Bend offers a range of outdoor recreational opportunities, especially centered around the natural features of the Breitenbush River.
Hiking
Hiking opportunities include the nearby South Breitenbush Gorge Trail, located three miles from the campground. This trail allows hikers to view the Breitenbush River passing through basalt narrows and features a log footbridge crossing Roaring Creek.Fishing
The Breitenbush River is a popular spot for fishing, with rainbow trout being the primary catch.Swimming
The river provides opportunities for wading and swimming in its clean, snow-fed waters.Biking
Biking is mentioned as an available activity, though no specific trails or routes are described.Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Campfires allowed unless otherwise posted due to fire bans often enforced in summer months.
Hazards
General hazardsPotential hazards include bear encounters and risks related to summer fire bans. Vault toilets may have odor issues during peak usage.
Weather forecast
89
°F
Aug 25
Monday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Humidity: 21%
Very dry conditions, stay hydrated
Wind: 6 mph
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Overcast
7-Day Forecast
Access to 7-day forecasts tailored to each campground—covering temperature, precipitation, wind, and sky conditions.
Daily & Hourly Insights
View hourly forecasts with expected weather patterns throughout the day.
Temperature Trends
Visualize how temperatures shift over the month to help pick the most comfortable days for your trip.
Precipitation Trends
Plan around rain or snow with monthly visualizations of expected precipitation patterns.
Weather Summaries
Assess conditions with visuals for easier decision-making on when and where to camp.
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Emergency Services
Detroit Ranger District office at 44125 N. Santiam Hwy SE, Detroit, OR 97360 managed by Linn County Parks. Phone: (541) 967-3917; emergency services likely accessible within Detroit.
Good to know
Peak season datesMay 16th - October 12th annually.
Trash and recyclingTrash collection is provided, with receptacles available on-site to ensure proper disposal of waste.
Proximity to water featuresLocated directly on the northern bank of the Breitenbush River. The river permits fishing, swimming, and wading.
Common complaintsComplaints include the lack of potable water and vault toilet odor, described as "RIPE" by one reviewer.
Campground Map
44125 N. Santiam Hwy SE
Driving directionsFrom Highway 22 at Detroit, turn onto Breitenbush Road/Forest Service Road 46. The campground is 9.8 miles ahead on the right.
Access from major roads is straightforward via paved surfaces on Highway 22 and Breitenbush Road/Forest Service Road 46. No mention of seasonal closures or challenging terrain; access appears uncomplicated.Nearby places
Detroit (approximately 9.8 miles, ~15 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Essentials such as groceries, camping supplies, and fuel likely available in Detroit (~9.8 miles away). Specific stores or services not listed.
Camper Reviews
0.0
1 reviews
Cleator Bend has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews indicate that Cleator Bend is a well-regarded group campground, with positive feedback on its natural setting and group accommodations. Some concerns were noted about the temporary lack of drinking water and the odor of the vault toilet.
Review Summaries
Based on 1 reviews
What Campers Love
Users appreciated the group-oriented facilities such as multiple campfire rings and picnic tables. The natural surroundings, including the proximity to the Breitenbush River, were praised for...
Based on 1 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
The main complaints focused on the temporary unavailability of potable water and the need for better odor control in the vault toilet.
Based on 1 reviewsPro Tips & Recommendations
Be prepared with your own drinking water due to the temporary lack of potable water. Consider bringing odor-neutralizing agents if you find strong smells from vault toilets unpleasant.
Based on 1 reviewsCamper Quotes
1. 'This is a great group campground. Other than the water shortage, everything was wonderful.' 2. 'I would suggest regularly treating the vault with lime to minimize smell, it was RIPE.'
Based on 1 reviewsLast updated August 10, 2025