Local Camping Alert: Whittaker and Clay Creek Campgrounds Closed for 2024 Season

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the closure of Whittaker Creek and Clay Creek campgrounds for the 2024 season. These campgrounds are located in the Coast Range, between Eugene and the Oregon Coast, and are accessible via Highway 126 on the Siuslaw River. The decision to close these sites is due to staffing shortages and the absence of volunteer campground hosts.

Ben Watts, a BLM outdoor recreation planner, stated that adequate staffing is crucial for visitor safety and site maintenance. The lack of staff and volunteers prevents effective management of reservations, facility maintenance, and the provision of safe drinking water, which are necessary for a good visitor experience.

As a result, the BLM has canceled all existing reservations for the season, originally set to start at the end of April 2024. The agency has cited public safety concerns, including the potential for increased crime and environmental harm, as reasons for the closure.

The BLM may consider reopening Whittaker Creek Campground later in the season if they can secure more staff and a volunteer host. They are currently seeking volunteers to serve as campground hosts to possibly facilitate this reopening.

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