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RV Hotspots in Southern Oregon

by Shellie Bailey-Shah

 

State Park Standouts

Southern Oregon is blessed with four state campgrounds that allow RVers to explore the region’s wide-open spaces. North of Klamath Falls, Collier Memorial State Park sits at the confluence of the Williamson River and the stunningly turquoise waters of Spring Creek, a favorite of kayakers. The park has full hookups (water, electric and sewage) along with an open-air logging museum. History buffs also enjoy Valley of the Rogue State Park and its proximity to the culturally vibrant Jacksonville and the abandoned gold-mining town of Golden. The full-hookup sites here have access to the Rogue River. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do at Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area, overlooking Lost Creek Reservoir: boating, biking, hiking and fishing. RV sites have electric hookups only. From all of these campgrounds, it’s an easy day trip to Crater Lake National Park.

If you’re looking to be more remote, head to Goose Lake State Recreation Area near Oregon’s southern border. Home to mule deer and migratory waterfowl, the campground with partial hookups sits near a lakebed that typically gets some water during the spring.

Williamson River, Chiloquin Oregon.
Photo Jak Wonderly
Williamson River, Chiloquin Oregon.
Photo Jak Wonderly

County Park Gems

Besides standout state parks, you can find many lesser-known RV-camping options in the county parks. These hidden gems are favored by locals in the know and can be easier to reserve. In Jackson County, all of the parks with RV sites have either river, pond or lake access, making them ideal for water-based activities like fishing, rafting and swimming. Emigrant Lake (Ashland), Southern Oregon RV Park (Central Point) and Willow Lake (Butte Falls) offer full hookups; and Howard Prairie Resort (Ashland) and Rogue Elk (Trail) have partial hookups. Cantrall Buckley Park (Jacksonville), along the Applegate River, is the most rustic, with dry camping only.

In Josephine County, all of the county campgrounds — with the exception of Lake Selmac and Wolf Creek — are along the Wild and Scenic Rogue River. Griffin Park, Indian Mary, Schroeder Park and Whitehorse are equipped with full hookups for RVs; Ennis Riffle has no hookups. All these campgrounds are either located in Grants Pass or within a 30-minute drive.

Emigrant Lake County Recreation Area
Photo Jak Wonderly
Emigrant Lake County Recreation Area
Photo Jak Wonderly

Vineyard and Farm Stays

If you’re looking for a truly unique RV stay, consider a membership with Harvest Hosts. For $49 per year, campers get unlimited one-night stays at more than 1,000 locations in North America, including 11 stellar spots in Southern Oregon. It’s a particularly attractive option for wine lovers, who can park their rigs just feet away from the vines. Often the vineyard owners invite guests for private winery tours and tastings. Harvest Host encourages RVers to return the owners’ hospitality by purchasing a few bottles to take home. Campsites typically don’t include hookups; pets are generally allowed.

072019_SOVA_EnglishLavenderFarm

Several family-owned wineries in the Umpqua Valley AVA are available for stays: MarshAnne Landing Winery (Oakland), Henry Estate Winery (Umpqua), Melrose Vineyards (Roseburg), Delfino Vineyards (Roseburg), Chateau Nonchalant Vineyards (Roseburg), Girardet (Roseburg) and Freed Estate Winery (Winston). In the Applegate Valley AVA, you can camp at Earth Song Vineyards (Selma), Devitt Winery (Jacksonville) and LongSword Vineyard (Jacksonville). You’ll find that each owner has a personality as different as the wines themselves.

Besides vineyards, you can book a stay at Lavender Fields Forever, a U-pick farm in Jacksonville, from mid-June to mid-August when the fields are flush with purple blooms. It’s a photo op not to be missed.

 

Visit our Trips & Itineraries page to plan your next Southern Oregon RV adventure.

 

Shellie Bailey-Shah is travel writer who has the distinction of having visited all seven continents, but she favors her home state of Oregon. She lives with her husband and sons in Portland and has logged thousands of miles behind the wheel of the family’s RV.