August 10, 2022 4:10 a.m.

The Coos Bay District of the Bureau of Land Management has announced that a part of the Loon Lake Recreation Site will be open for weekend camping, beginning on Friday.

Megan Harper of the BLM said seventeen camping sites will be open for camping on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Harper said campsites are now available by reservation only. The sites open are in the lower part of the campground nearest to the lake and day use area.

A release said there is no potable water available onsite. Visitors should bring all the water they will need for their visit, including drinking water. Non-potable water will run the flush toilets in the day use restrooms.

Harper said the day use area is still open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The beach and swimming area, picnic tables, charcoal grills, boat ramp and waterfall trail will be open.

The BLM is opening limited areas of the park while contractors continue to work to bring the water treatment system online. More campsites should be open later this summer if the water system successfully handles the increased use from limited camping. It is unlikely potable water will be available this season due to construction delays.

The site will remain closed from 11:00 a.m. on Mondays to 8:00 a.m. on Fridays. The BLM closed the area in 2019. Heavy snow that year toppled trees around the site, destroying the potable water treatment system, a restroom in the day use area and the maintenance shop. Repairs are being partially funded through the Great American Outdoors Act.

Loon Lake is in Douglas County, fifteen miles east-southeast of Reedsport.