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John Neal Memorial Park (Linn County Park)
Overview
John Neal Memorial Park is a serene, forested getaway located along the scenic banks of the North Santiam River. Managed by Linn County, this park offers a rustic and tranquil environment perfect for those looking to escape the bustle of city life. With its towering evergreens and immediate proximity to the water, it provides a classic Pacific Northwest camping experience that prioritizes nature and peacefulness over the features of a high-end luxury resort.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the quiet town of Lyons, OR, the park is nestled within a lush landscape of Douglas firs and Western red cedars. The most striking feature of the park is its direct access to the North Santiam River, which flows steadily along the park’s edge. Travelers will find themselves completely immersed in a shaded woodland setting where the soothing sound of the river provides a constant, peaceful backdrop for their entire stay.
Amenities & Park Features
The park caters to various camping styles by providing several electrical and water hookup sites alongside traditional primitive spots for those seeking a more off-grid feel. Guests have access to essential facilities including clean restrooms and coin-operated showers, ensuring a baseline of comfort during longer stays. For those bringing watercraft or planning a day on the water, the park features a convenient boat ramp and numerous designated picnic areas that are ideal for family gatherings under the cool canopy of mature trees.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate being so close to the water for fishing and seasonal rafting opportunities on the river. Just a short drive from the park, visitors can explore the world-famous hiking trails and stunning waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park or enjoy the expansive recreational waters of Detroit Lake. The surrounding Santiam Canyon area also offers quiet hiking trails and excellent birdwatching spots where lucky campers might spot bald eagles or osprey hunting in the river.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is an excellent choice for nature lovers and river anglers who prefer a quiet, scenic basecamp for their Oregon adventures. It is particularly well-suited for families seeking a traditional camping trip and RVers who value large, shaded campsites and natural surroundings over high-speed internet or paved concrete pads. If you are looking for a genuine connection with the Oregon wilderness and a slower pace of life, this park offers the ideal balance of accessibility and natural beauty.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Zoe Littmann
We camped here 5 nights and had a decent experience. The weekend gets packed with people who don’t always follow the rules (ie: dogs off leash). The week was pretty quiet with only a couple other campers. Fire pits and picnic tables available. Access to the river. Call host was very friendly and helpful. There’s a 1.5 mile trail you can check out and wild blackberries available for picking (in summer). Our biggest complaint were the bugs. The mosquitoes ate my partner alive and I got stung twice by a yellow jacket. These occurrences made us want to remain in our rig the whole time. Plus, it was hot and muggy. Also, a few questionable people occasionally hang out at the park and seem to be regulars that frequent for the facilities. All in all it wasn’t a bad experience since we were staying here so we could visit silver falls state park and Salem, both about 30 mins away. Not much to do around here otherwise.
Dee
There is a trail that surrounds the many ponds. You could conceivably walk into the town of Lyons and grab extra supplies if needed. This is a Linn County park. There were quite a few campsites being used. The trails are nice and easy to walk on. We were there towards the end of July and people were picking the Himalayan blackberries that are on the sides of the trail.
Shealinn Pohrman
Beautiful campground. The campsite we were in is on the river. Nice place. But SO MANY MOSQUITOES!!!! SO MANY! We ended up getting every bug spray, citronella candle, everything you can think of and NOTHING HELPS. We all each had probably over 100 mosquito bites on EACH person. No joke. Be prepared. It’s terrible. We’re frequent campers and I’ve never came across so many mosquitoes while camping anywhere else.
China Rose
Beautiful park setting with ample parking and good for camping. The river runs along an estuary with birds and a wide array of wildflowers and is clean and well maintained. The host on-site is friendly and knowledgeable. It’s not a big park but it’s a wildlife area filled with natural wonders. There’s areas for activities with a kid play set and a volley ball court. There’s a boat launch but it’s no longer useable. Fisherman frequent the area and the campsites are clean. In the summer kids swim in the shallows of the river near the old bait lunch. It’s a charming slice of wilderness in a natural setting near forest and the local town of Lyons. It can get quite busy but in my recent visit I enjoyed the quiet solitude of a forest setting and the wild roses in the preserve area mixed with wild flowers and blooming blackberry brambles that had a heavenly fragrance I’ll never forget. Simply enchanting.
Chris Harp
Never actually slept here but I've lived in Lyons (the town it's located in) for about 15 years and have explored this park thoroughly many times over. It's pretty small and most of the camp sites aren't very private but I few of them are right on the river which I always thought was pretty neat. Definitely NOT a river you would want to go swimming in though. The current is extremely fast and I can't imagine anyone even the best of swimmers having a good time in there. A place I worked at always has their summer company camp out here and they all absolutely loved this place and never had any issues with park hosts.