American Bottom
This OPRD Greenway parcel makes a very nice overnight campsite. It contains picnic tables, a seasonal toilet, and open grassy areas to camp in. Watch for purple camas–a native wildflower–in springtime. Recently, a sizable amount of large wood flowed into the site at high water, but good camping spots remain.
Ethan Jewett Jul 12, 2020
Floodwaters in 2019 scoured the bank, leaving a fairly steep gravel beach topped with a steep bench of topsoil above. Users have tried to put in trails but they don’t last and it is still pretty slippery and arduous to get gear into camp. That said it is still a wonderful campsite once you are there. Because of budget constraints, OPRD opted NOT to put in the port-a-pottie for 2020.
Chris G Jul 22, 2020
As Ethan notes, the bank access is steep and loose, the campsite as a whole is very nice, flat and open, room for several tents, permanent fire pit, picnic table and a nice bench. Great views of the river.
Gregg M. Aug 2, 2021
July 31, 2021 getting out of your kayak is a challenge. The rocks are very slippery. The camp is on top of the hill which does not have a formal path. Its quite steep and challenging to get your gear to the camp. There is a decent amount of space with fire pit and picnic table. When I was there there were 6 tents (a family with 5 adults and 5 kids, plus me and a buddy). There was a Honey bucket to use about 50 yards from the camp. Overall a decent camp.
Chris G Aug 23, 2024
Access to American Bottom is still a little difficult, gravel bank is a little slippery and steep, still plenty of room for several tents, a picnic table, fire pit (seasonal) and a porta potty. Great views both up and down river, a nice gravel bar across the river too if you wanted to play in the water.