Richardson Park Campground - Fern Ridge Reservoir

Looking across the Day Use area towards the marina and the campground of Richardson Park.

Laura and I sail and race our Catalina Capri 22 sailboat, so we had heard about the sailing scene on Fern Ridge Reservoir.  What we didn't know was anything about the campground.  Part of the Lane County park system, the Richardson Park Campground has the same lush dense forest we found in Armitage Park Campground just 15.5 miles away.  In fact, from a campground standpoint, I'd describe the sites as very simpler, with the Richardson Park being dominated by conifers and Armitage Park being primarily deciduous trees.  Richardson Park is clearly geared toward water sports, so I thought I'd share the water side of the park.

A funny thing happened on the way to Richardson Park, as we turned off of Hwy 99 onto Clearlake Road heading west, we passed a sailboat storage/brokage business called Under Way.  Sitting in their yard was my yellow hulled Catalina 22 "Crocus" that I had parted company with back in 2008.  Wow, small world.

Catalina 22 Crocus

Built in 1942 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, the reservoir is relatively shallow, with the average depth being 10-14 feet and deepening to 33 feet as you move toward the dam.  The reservoir is typically usable between April and September for boating.  October through November the Corps draws water level down twenty feet in anticipation of winter rains, and then February through March the reservoir's level returns to the April-September level.

Fern Ridge Reservoir near Eugene Oregon

The Day Use Area is massive, with a parking lot to match.  I'm guessing the beach gets a lot of visitors in the summer.

Day Use Area.

The Richardson Park end of the reservoir is interesting in that instead of the sandy beach I was expecting, it has a concrete "beach".

The concrete beach at the Day Use Area.

Laura enjoying the beautiful park.

The park is very walkable, from the paved concrete walkways along the shoreline to the shady campground.

Campground

Near boat launch ramp

Marina

Our tour of Richardson Park brought an end to our 5-day Armitage Park Campground rendezvous with my sister Monica and Linda Smith.  It was a great trip that introduced us to some new places. 

Live well, Laugh often, Love much