Right on the line between the national forest and the Warm Springs Reservation, Bear Springs is a roomy day-use area and shelter on Indian Creek. It’s in the Barlow Ranger District, just off Highway 216 about four miles east of where it meets Highway 26, and it sits beside Bear Springs Group Campground.
Bring a picnic for a few people or a whole group, and try your luck fishing the creek. Vault toilets are on site, but there’s no drinking water, so pack plenty. Cell service is weak to nonexistent here, so download maps and directions before you head out.
Things to do
- Picnicking
- Fishing
Getting there
From Pine Grove
- Travel west on Highway 216 across the forest boundary and through a short section of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
From Sandy
- Travel east on Highway 26 for 48 miles to the Highway 26/I-216 junctions.
- Turn left onto I-216 and travel east for 4 and 1/4 miles.
- Turn Right at Bear Springs campground.
From the Forest Service
Good to know
This site is operated by a concessionaire, Alaska Recreational Management (ARM).
Reservations
The Bear Springs Shelter can be reserved on Recreation.gov.
All fees
Day Use:
$10 per vehicle per day
Group Site: $75 per day
Passes and permits
The only recreation pass accepted in lieu of the $10 day-use fee payment is the $30 Annual Northwest Forest Pass.
Season details
May 15, 2026 to September 30, 2026.
Ranger office
Barlow Ranger District
Address: 780 NE Court St Dufur, OR 97021
Phone: 541-467-5100
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)