Campground · Day Use Area · McKenzie River · 17.3 Miles East of McKenzie Bridge
Ice Cap Creek Day Use Area
A bluff-top picnic stop above Carmen Reservoir, tucked right inside Ice Cap Campground, where the McKenzie runs an impossible turquoise — grab a table, hand-launch a canoe or kayak, or just stay the night at the campground next door and use it as your basecamp for the short walk over to Sahalie and Koosah Falls.
More detail
Getting there & parking+
From McKenzie Bridge, take Highway 126 east about 17.3 miles and turn at the Ice Cap Campground / Koosah Falls sign. Both the day-use bluff and the campground loop sit on the same turn-in, overlooking Carmen Reservoir and the McKenzie River channel below.
Facilities & accessibility+
- Vault toilets and potable water (shared across the day-use area and campground)
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings at campsites
- Hand-carry boat access to Carmen Reservoir — no formal ramp
Nearby attractions+
Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls are both a short drive (or a longer hike via the Waterfalls Loop Trail) up Highway 126, the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail runs right past, and Olallie Campground & Day Use is about 6 miles back downriver toward McKenzie Bridge.
Choose what brings you here
At this day-use area
Fees & passes+
There’s no cash fee station at this one — you’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass or another interagency recreation pass displayed on your dash. Passes can be bought ahead through recreation.gov if you don’t already carry one.
Boating & fishing here+
Carmen Reservoir accepts non-motorized, hand-carry boats only — there’s no formal boat ramp at this site, just reservoir-edge access. Fishing is popular here as well; check current ODFW regulations for the McKenzie zone before you cast.
Camping here
Reservations & fees+
Most sites can be booked ahead on Recreation.gov (up to 6 months out, 877-444-6777), with some held first-come, first-served. A camp host is on-site in season, and firewood is sold on-site.
Check-in 2:00 p.m., check-out 12:00 p.m. Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., max stay is 14 days in a 60-day window, and dogs need a leash no longer than 6 feet. Senior/Access Pass holders get 50% off individual campsites.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions +
Is there a fee to use the day-use area?
Yes, but there’s no cash fee booth — you’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass or another interagency recreation pass. Camping at Ice Cap Campground has its own separate per-night fee.
Do I need a reservation to camp here?
Most of the campground’s sites can be booked in advance on Recreation.gov up to 6 months out, but some sites are held first-come, first-served.
Is there a boat launch here?
No formal ramp — Carmen Reservoir is hand-carry, non-motorized boating only, for both day visitors and campers.
Are there restrooms or drinking water?
Yes — vault toilets and potable water are available across both the day-use area and the campground.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes — leashed dogs (max 6 ft) are welcome in both the day-use area and the campground. Please bag and pack out solid waste.
Official day-use site details — Willamette National Forest →
Official campground details — Willamette National Forest →
