The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Clay Creek Recreation Site is a day-use and campground site found just outside of the town of Alma, Oregon. At this site, visitors will find vault restrooms, picnic sites, and play areas, including horseshoe pits, a volleyball area, and a ball field. The campground of this site features 21 primitive campsites with potable water, and each of these sites can accommodate RVs up to 32 feet in length. Each campsite also has a fire ring, a BBQ grill, a picnic table, and a pad for tents. This recreation site centers around Clay Creek, a subsidiary of Siuslaw River, and there is a marked swimming area in the creek with accompanying changing booths. This creek also attracts local anglers and boaters who want to paddle the rapids of the creek and the larger river. Clay Creek Recreation Site is kept open for the public to use by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a U.S. government organization that allows visitors to use the site and its campground for a small daily fee.
Visitors to the Clay Creek Recreation Site have easy access to the Clay Creek trailhead. The trail itself circles through a forest of fir trees nearby Siuslaw River. Length: 1.8 miles Intensity: Moderate
A trail found in Siuslaw National Forest, the Kentucky Falls Trail features two sets of waterfalls with a steep hike back out of the area. Length: 2.2 miles Intensity: Difficult
For easy access to multiple small waterfalls, head out on Sweet Creek Trail, which is generally flat in elevation gain and is located in Siuslaw National Forest. Length: 1.8 miles Intensity: Easy
Anglers can find plenty of Coho and Chinook salmon in Clay Creek during the fall and winter months since the creek runs quickly and is quite cold, a favorite environment of salmon. Those with paddle boats can also put their boats into the creek anywhere along Siuslaw River Road, where the recreation site is located, without the need for a permit. The creek extends for 6.5 miles and features Class II and III rapids.
Clay Creek Recreation Site is home to many old-growth canopy trees like Douglas firs, western hemlocks, red cedars, red alders, and maples. The forest of this site supports a lot of ground moss, and animals such as raccoons, minks, bears, elk, and deer are often seen in the area. Bird-watchers can visit the site to spot woodpeckers, northern spotted owls, Oregon juncos, and marbled murrelets.
The Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at Clay Creek Recreation Site takes a small fee for each RV and extra vehicle that camps there. Camping at this campground gives you a chance to access Clay Creek easily from your RV. However, if you'd like to go RV camping with more amenities, consider checking out a nearby RV park instead. Maple Land RV Park & Marina is found just down the road from Clay Creek Recreation Site, and it features water and electrical hookups plus a dump station. There is also a boat dock and laundry facilities at this campground.
When you are looking for free BLM camping near me, consider staying at Smith River Falls Campground, which offers some free camping sites. Most campsites there have fire rings and access to vault restrooms, although it is only open from May to October. This Bureau of Land Management free camping option does not offer electrical, water, or sewage hookups, so you should plan accordingly when staying there.
If you plan on enjoying BLM RV camping at Clay Creek Recreation Site or at another BLM-managed campground, be sure to plan and pack the items you won't find at the campground. Most BLM campgrounds do not offer electricity or water, so campers should plan to bring plenty of drinking and washing water plus any battery or solar-powered camping equipment necessary for their stay. You could also benefit from packing insect repellent whenever you plan to visit Clay Creek since it tends to attract many mosquitoes, especially in the summer. When you camp at a BLM campground, you may not have many amenities, but you will find yourself closer than ever to the scenic views of nearby rivers and wild animals. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All visitors and campers that come to Clay Creek Recreation Site are asked to follow the BLM's Leave No Trace policy. This policy is meant to help protect the natural land for the wildlife that lives on it, and it works to keep the recreation site itself open for future visitors to use. To follow this policy, simply remember to pick up after yourself and your pets, avoid feeding the wildlife, and watch any campfires you start closely to avoid outbreaks.
To reach Clay Creek Recreation Site from Florence, Oregon, take Oregon 126 East to Mapleton, about 14 miles. Turn right onto Highway 126 and travel 12 miles to Siuslaw River Road, then turn right. Continue for 16 miles until you reach an intersection, then keep right and continue for 6 more miles. From there, the entrance to the recreation site will be on the right. Address: Clay Creek Recreation Site, Siuslaw Rd, Walton, OR 97490 Ready to visit Clay Creek Recreation Site? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
