The Bureau of Land Management's Loon Lake Recreation Site, which includes the campground, beach/day-use facilities, and boat ramp, will not open for the 2020 summer season because work to repair storm damage at the site is not complete. Information about when it will be possible to make camping reservations will be made available as soon as construction nears completion.
THE REST OF THE LAKE IS OPEN AND CAN BE ACCESSED FROM EAST SHORE CAMPGROUND OR LOON LAKE LODGE.
Reservation information www.blm.gov or www.recreation.gov
Loon Lake is a popular recreation area 20 miles east of Reedsport, Oregon. It is one of the coast's few campgrounds with a warm, sandy beach.
The lake is perfect for swimming, fishing, boating, and water play. Campsites, some of which are ADA accessible, are available for tent and small trailer/RV camping.
The campground provides flush toilets, paved roads, vehicle parking, and an amphitheater. Sites contain picnic tables and fire rings. The campground opens the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend and closes at the end of September.
Progress continues to repair damaged infrastructure at Loon Lake Recreation Area, but construction is not complete to allow the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to open the site for Memorial Day weekend.
The BLM still plans to open the campground and day-use area this summer, with a target of early July 2022. The new water treatment system that provides potable water to the campground, day-use area, and staff housing is installed. The BLM has also installed a new restroom in the day use area. Other maintenance work to get the campsites and day use area ready for visitors is nearing completion.
The entire water system still must be pressurized, and any leaks repaired. The system has not been operational since 2019. Once operational, the system must be sanitized, and the water must pass final quality tests. The area around the new restroom also needs to be graded and asphalted to be fully accessible.
Unforeseen delays are possible, but the BLM is committed to opening the site as soon as possible. The BLM will give visitors advance notice of the recreation site opening, including providing an opportunity for visitors to make overnight camping reservations.
“We are excited with the progress, and we are close to the finish line,” said Steve Lydick, Coos Bay District Manager. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we complete the last of the repairs to ensure the site is fully operational and safe before we welcome people back.”
The BLM recreation area has been closed since the 2019. The area remains closed as it is an active construction site. Multiple contractors will be working throughout the recreation area over the next several weeks.
Heavy snow in late February 2019 toppled trees around the site, destroying the potable water treatment system, a restroom in the day-use area, and the maintenance shop. Electrical components for the sewer treatment system were also damaged.
Why are BLM's Loon Lake facilites not open yet this year?
The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Loon Lake Recreation Area, which includes the campground, beach/day-use facilities, and boat ramp, remain closed while storm repair work occurs. The BLM is optimistic it will be able to re-open Loon Lake Recreation Area sometime in 2022. As with any complex construction project, there may be unforeseen obstacles that impact the timeline. The BLM is making every effort to repair the damaged facilities in the campground and day-use area as quickly as possible. Information about when it will be possible to make camping reservations will be made available as soon as construction nears completion.
Check the BLM's website for updates at blm.gov/office/coos-bay-district-office.
Why will it take so long to make the needed repairs?
While progress is being made, it is taking a lot longer than the BLM anticipated to design and engineer the site repairs, advertise a construction contract, and start work on the ground. Bids came in higher than expected. The BLM has worked with an engineering firm to complete construction drawings and specifications for the repair work. Additionally, the BLM has received approval from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Health Authority for the new water system and restroom repairs.
Construction involving heavy equipment will be delayed until August 2021, in part, to avoid potential affects to nearby marbled murrelets from construction noise during the bird’s nesting season, as required by law.
When will Loon Lake Campground re-open?
The BLM is making every effort to repair the damaged facilities in the campground and day-use area as quickly as possible. The BLM will post updates as repairs are completed and will notifiy visitors when it is again possible to make camping reservations. Check the BLM's Loon Lake website for updates: http://www.blm.gov/visit/loon-lake-recreaton-site
Where else can I launch a boat onto Loon Lake?
The BLM's East Shore Campground is just a mile from Loon Lake Campground and will be open May 28, 2022. It offers six, shady campsites near the lake that are available on a first come, first serve basis. Access to the lake is available across the road from the campground. Loon Lake Lodge and RV Resort also offers overnight accommodations and a boat launch on the shores of Loon Lake. For information on their available facilities, visit loonlakerv.com or call 541-599-2244.
Several other public and privately owned campgrounds offer first come, first serve, or reservable sites in the area. You can also search for campsites on Recreation.gov, the Siuslaw National Forest at fs.usda.gov/siuslaw or Oregon State Parks at oregonstateparks.org
Where else in the area can I camp?
The BLM's East Shore Campground is just a mile from Loon Lake Campground and will be open May 28, 2022. It offers six, shady campsites near the lake that are available on a first come, first serve basis.
It offers six, shady campsites near the lake that are availabale on a first come, first serve basis.
Access to the lake is available across the road from the campground. Loon Lake Lodge and RV Resort also offers overnight accommodations and a boat launch on the shores of Loon Lake. For information on their available facilities, visit loonlakerv.com or call 541-599-2244.
Several other public and privately owned campgrounds offer first come, first serve, or reservable sites in the area. You can also search for campsites on Recreation.gov, the Siuslaw National Forest at fs.usda.gov/siuslaw or Oregon State Parks at oregonstateparks.org
The campground is situated in the Coast Mountain Range in southwestern Oregon. Douglas fir, western hemlock and western red cedar trees forest this beautiful site. Loon Lake covers 260 acres, is 2 miles long and 190' deep.
The Oregon Coast offers a myriad of exciting recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, scenic driving, tidepools and wandering the expansive beaches. Loon Lake is less than an hour from charming Winchester Bay on the Pacific Ocean. The town of Reedsport, Oregon is just 20 miles away, and lies near the confluence of three rivers. The town is just outside the vast Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, where visitors enjoy hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing, camping, picnicking, sand play, beach access and OHV riding.
Loon Lake provides excellent boating, fishing, swimming and water play opportunities. Visitors can also enjoy relaxing on the sandy beach.
7273 LOON LAKE ROAD REEDSPORT OR 97467
For campground inquiries, please call: COOS BAY DISTRICT OFFICE MAIN NUMBER 541-756-0100
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
From I-5 in Oregon, take the Drain Exit south of Cottage Grove.Travel 43 miles west on State HWY 38 to Loon Lake Road, 4 miles west of Scottsburg. From US HWY 101 in Reedsport, travel 13 miles east on State HWY 38 to Loon Lake Road. Watch for Loon Lake Recreation Area sign on HWY 38 between mileposts 13 and 14. Turn south onto Loon Lake Road, travel 7 miles to the Recreation Area. The entrance is on the right, between the large boulders.