Campground · Day Use Area · McKenzie River · Cougar Reservoir, off Aufderheide Drive
Cougar Crossing Day Use Area
A year-round pull-off at the north end of Cougar Reservoir on the Aufderheide Scenic Byway — less a picnic spot than a parking-and-boat-access point, with a rustic campground right next door, Terwilliger Hot Springs, and the Three Sisters Wilderness all close by.
More detail
Getting there & parking+
From Blue River, travel 4 miles east on Highway 126 to Aufderheide Drive (Forest Road 19), then head south about 5 miles. The day-use pull-off and campground share the same turn-in at Cougar Crossing on the north side of the byway.
Facilities & accessibility+
- Vault toilets
- No potable water anywhere on site — bring your own
- No picnic tables at the day-use pull-off — this is primarily a parking and boat-access point, not a picnic ground
- Firewood for sale at the campground
Horses and pack animals are allowed at this site, unlike most day-use areas on the district.
Choose what brings you here
At this day-use area
Fees & passes+
No cash fee station here — you’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass or another interagency recreation pass displayed on your dash.
Boating & fishing here+
A primitive boat launch sits at the site, but it’s “not usable during most of the summer season due to the fluctuation of the water level” — Cougar Reservoir draws down significantly in late summer. Both motorized and non-motorized boating and fishing are popular here when the ramp is in. Worth a call to the ranger station or a look at current reservoir levels before you tow a boat all the way out — Slide Creek Campground, further south along the reservoir, has a paved ramp if this stop doesn’t have what you need.
Camping here
Reservations & fees+
Some sites can be booked on Recreation.gov, but this is largely a first-come, first-served campground — arrive early on busy weekends. Firewood is sold on-site.
Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Dogs must be leashed (max 6 ft). Horses and pack animals are permitted here, unlike most sites on this stretch.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions +
Is there a fee to use the day-use area?
Yes, but there’s no cash booth — a Northwest Forest Pass or interagency pass is required. Camping at the adjacent campground has its own separate per-night fee ($18).
Do I need a reservation to camp here?
Some sites can be booked ahead on Recreation.gov, but this is largely a first-come, first-served campground.
Is there a boat launch here?
Yes, but it often isn’t usable in summer once Cougar Reservoir’s water level drops — check current conditions before you haul a boat out.
Are there restrooms or drinking water?
Vault toilets are on site for both day use and camping, but there’s no potable water anywhere at Cougar Crossing — bring your own.
Are dogs and horses allowed?
Yes — leashed dogs are welcome throughout, and horses/pack animals are allowed here too, unlike most day-use areas and campgrounds on the district.
Official day-use site details — Willamette National Forest →
Official campground details — Willamette National Forest →
