Campground · McKenzie River · South Fork McKenzie, Aufderheide Scenic Byway
Sunnyside Campground
Thirteen semi-private sites tucked along the Aufderheide corridor, with easy access to the creek, river, and lake — just don’t bring a motorhome; the entrance road is steep.
Camping here
More detail
Getting there & parking+
From Blue River, travel 4 miles east on Highway 126 to Aufderheide Drive, then 8 miles south, then turn left onto Forest Road 500 for 0.5 miles. Elevation 1,700 feet. The entrance road is steep — motorhomes and trailers are not recommended.
Facilities & accessibility+
- Vault toilets
- Fire ring and picnic table at each site
- Garbage collection and firewood provided — a nice extra most sites on this corridor don’t offer
- No potable water on-site
Reservations & fees+
Some of the 13 sites can be booked on Recreation.gov; the rest are first-come, first-served.
Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., max stay is 14 days in a 60-day window, and chainsaws are prohibited. No horse or pack animal access at this site.
Nearby attractions+
French Pete Trail, Box Canyon Trail, and Indian Ridge Lookout are all close by — easy access to the creek, river, and lake makes this a genuinely water-adjacent camp for this stretch.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions +
Can I bring an RV or trailer to Sunnyside Campground?
It’s not recommended — the entrance road is steep, and the site is best suited to tents and smaller vehicles.
Is firewood provided?
Yes — unlike most sites in this corridor, Sunnyside provides firewood along with garbage collection.
Is there drinking water on-site?
No — the nearest potable water is at nearby Slide Creek Campground.
Can I bring horses?
No — Sunnyside does not have horse or pack animal access.
Do I need a reservation?
Some of the 13 sites can be booked on Recreation.gov; the rest are first-come, first-served.
