Whispering Falls Campground - Santiam River, Oregon

If you have ever driven to Central Oregon from Portland you may have gone right past Whispering Falls Campground.  Located off of Highway 22 (the Santiam Highway), and just east of Detroit Lake, Whispering Falls sits at an elevation of 2000 feet on the banks of the Santiam River.

The campground hosts 16 sites and has vaulted toilets, potable water, picnic tables, fire pits and spotty to zero cell service.  As the name suggests, there is a waterfall near the campground though it is fairly inaccessible as it sits on the opposite side of the Santiam River.  The falls can be viewed but much of it is camouflaged by surrounding vegetation.

Don’t let the proximity of Highway 22 deter you from camping at Whispering Falls campground.  The roar of the Santiam River helps to drown out much of the road noise and many of the sites are close to the river.  If you do camp here, try to get one of the sites close to the river.  You won’t regret it.