National park · United States
Detroit Lake State Recreation Area
Visit Detroit Lake for a day: pay $3 day‑use, enjoy the boat launch and short trails; for overnight camping pay $12–$20 per site and book a campsite (check).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
approximate
Established
1953
Best months
May–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²)
- Approximate surface area of lake and surrounding park (check).
- Established
- 1953
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Detroit
Detroit Lake State Recreation Area sits in the Cascade foothills east of Salem, Oregon, on a 400-foot-deep reservoir created by the Detroit Dam in 1953. The park is a summer hub for boating, swimming and camping, with 106 full-hookup, 72 electrical and 133 tent sites. The lake is drawn down each winter and refilled in spring, so water levels vary by season. Nearby Willamette National Forest offers more hiking and forest recreation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1953.
Size and age
20 km² (8 sq mi)8 sq mi (20 km²) · national park since 1953
Approximate surface area of lake and surrounding park (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Detroit.
Why go
- Lake recreation with boating, swimming and easy trails.
- Large campground with full‑hookup sites for RVs.
- Scenic views of the Cascade foothills and the dam.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold, quiet; lake drawn down
- FebCold, fewer crowds
- MarSnow melt, water rising
- AprSpring, mild temps
- MayWarm, water full, less crowded
- JunPeak summer, warm water
- JulHot, popular for swimming
- AugHot, busy
- SepWarm, less crowded
- OctCool, good for camping
- NovCool, quieter
- DecCold, quiet; lake drawn down
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow trout (catch‑and‑release)May–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Bald eaglesMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mongold Day‑Use Area | Boat launch, swim beach, picnic tables, restrooms. | Open with day‑use fee. |
| Campground | Full‑hookup, electric, and tent sites with amenities. | Reservation required for overnight. |
| Detroit Dam | Historic dam, viewpoint. | View from road; no entry beyond gate. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the lake; exact gate location may differ.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day‑use fee | US$3 | person | Paid at gate before entering. |
| Tent site (May–Sep) | US$16 | site | — |
| Tent site (Oct–Apr) | US$12 | site | — |
| Full‑hookup site (May–Sep) | US$20 | site | — |
| Full‑hookup site (Oct–Apr) | US$16 | site | — |
| Electrical only site (May–Sep) | US$20 | site | — |
| Electrical only site (Oct–Apr) | US$16 | site | — |
| Boat moorage | US$7 | boat | — |
| Parking at Mongold Day‑Use Area | US$5 | vehicle | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping reservation permit or guide
Fishing license permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$3
- US$16
- US$12
- US$20
- US$16
- US$20
- US$16
- US$7
- US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Oregon State Parks – Detroit Lake before you go.
Park rules
- Boating fee
- Pay $3 day‑use and $7 moorage before launching.
- Swimming
- No lifeguards; swim at own risk.
- Camping
- Only in designated sites; fire pits only in provided areas.
- Pets
- Leashed at all times; clean up after them.
- Diving
- Prohibited due to submerged logs and rocks.
Where to stay
Near the park
All Season's Motel
Basic rooms, 5‑min drive to park gate.
Near the park
Detroit Motel
Budget rooms, close to town amenities.
Near the park
Lakeside Motel
Simple rooms; phone +1 503‑854‑3376.
Safety
Cold water shock medium
Submerged logs high
Wildfire season medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking lot and boat launch are wheelchair‑accessible.
- Short trail to dam overlook is paved and suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all trash; use provided recycling bins.
- Stay on marked trails to protect forest floor.
- Use refillable water bottles; water is available at restrooms.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Detroit Lake State Recreation Area?
Day‑use fee is $3 per person; camping adds $12–$20 per site depending on season.
What are the best hikes in Detroit Lake State Recreation Area?
The short paved trail to the dam overlook (1 h) and the forest loop near the Mongold area are the main marked routes.
When is the best time to visit Detroit Lake State Recreation Area?
June to September offers warm water for swimming, while May and October provide milder crowds and cooler temps.
Can I bring a boat without paying the day‑use fee?
No. The $3 day‑use fee must be paid before launching any boat.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, pets are allowed on leashes; they must stay on trails and owners must clean up waste.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Detroit Lake State Recreation Area
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