Campground · McKenzie River · South Fork McKenzie, Aufderheide Scenic Byway
Frissell Crossing Campground
Twelve rustic sites on the South Fork McKenzie, well up the Aufderheide Scenic Byway — not to be confused with Frissell Boat Launch on the McKenzie mainstem near Vida, a different place entirely, more than 30 miles away.
Camping here
More detail
Getting there & parking+
From Blue River, travel 4 miles east on Highway 126 to Aufderheide Drive (Forest Road 19), then continue south approximately 20 miles. This is a South Fork McKenzie River site — a genuinely different place from Frissell Boat Launch, which sits on the McKenzie mainstem near Vida, more than 30 miles away. If you’re headed for river access near Vida, you want the other Frissell.
Facilities & accessibility+
- Vault toilets
- Fire rings and picnic tables at every site
- Hand-pumped well drinking water (verify operational status before relying on it)
- Garbage collection
Reservations & fees+
More than half the 12 sites can be booked ahead on Recreation.gov; the rest are first-come, first-served. Check-in 2:00 p.m., check-out 1:00 p.m.
Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., max stay is 14 days in a 60-day window, chainsaws are prohibited, and dogs must be leashed at all times. Horses and pack animals are permitted at this site.
Nearby attractions+
Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs and Cougar Reservoir are both a short drive up the Aufderheide corridor, along with the Box Canyon Trail area and the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Fishing & boating access+
River and stream fishing on the South Fork McKenzie is a popular activity here; there’s no boat launch or motorized boating on-site — this is a small forested river, not a reservoir.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions +
Is Frissell Crossing Campground the same as Frissell Boat Launch?
No — they’re two different places. Frissell Crossing Campground is a South Fork McKenzie River campground well up the Aufderheide Scenic Byway; Frissell Boat Launch is a separate river-access point on the McKenzie mainstem near Vida.
Do I need a reservation?
More than half of the 12 sites can be booked ahead on Recreation.gov; the rest are first-come, first-served.
Is there drinking water?
Yes, via a hand-pumped well — but confirm it’s operating before you rely on it, since equipment like this occasionally goes out of service on this corridor.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, dogs must be leashed at all times within the campground.
What’s nearby?
Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs and Cougar Reservoir are both a short drive up the Aufderheide corridor, along with the Box Canyon Trail area.
