Camping

For those who like roughing it in style with all of the amenities in their RVs, a couple of well-maintained trailer parks in the Rogue River country can accommodate large vehicles. Fly-Casters Campground and Trailer Park (21655 Hwy. 62, Shady Cove, 541/878-2749, $20–25) and Shady Trails RV Park and Campground (1 Meadow Lane, Shady Cove, 541/878-2206, $20–27) are both located about 23 miles north of Medford [1] on Route 62 [2]. Situated on the banks of the Rogue River, these parks feature hookups and picnic tables.

Flush toilets, bottled gas, gray wastewater disposal, and showers are also available. A grocery store and restaurants are in the nearby town of Shady Cove. Both of these parks are good home bases for RV owners who like to fish and hike.

Rogue Elk County Park

Five miles below Lost Creek Lake on Route 62 at 1,476 feet in elevation is Rogue Elk County Park (Jackson County Parks and Recreation, 541/776-7001, mid-Apr.–mid-Oct., $18, $21 with electricity and water hookups). This campground features 37 sites for tents and RVs (up to 28 feet) with picnic tables and fire grills. Piped water, showers, and flush toilets are also on the premises. The kids will enjoy swimming in Elk Creek, which, in addition to being adjacent to the campground, is warmer and safer than the Rogue River; a playground adds to the fun. The park has a $3 per vehicle day-use fee.

Joseph Stewart State Park

Along the shore of Lost Creek Lake is Joseph Stewart State Park (35251 Rte. 62, Trail 97541, 541/560-3334, Mar.–Oct., $14–16). Here you’ll find 50 tent sites and 151 sites for RVs (up to 40 feet). Electricity, a dump station, fire grills, and picnic tables are provided. Flush toilets, water, gray wastewater disposal services, showers, and firewood are also available. Bike paths, a beach, and barbecue grills make this a family-friendly locale. Boat-launching facilities for Lost Creek Lake are located nearby, and eight miles of hiking trails and bike paths crisscross the park. Lost Creek Lake also has a marina, a beach, and boat rentals.

Abbott Creek

If you want to get away from the highway, head for Abbott Creek (Rogue National Forest, Prospect Ranger Station, 541/560-3623, late May–Oct., $10 for 1 vehicle, $5 each additional vehicle). One of the few backwoods camps in the area that has potable water, it’s 7 miles northeast of the town of Prospect on Route 62 and 3 miles down Forest Service Road 68. Situated at the confluence of Abbott and Woodruff Creeks and not far from the upper Rogue River, this campground has 25 sites for tents and RVs (up to 22 feet) with picnic tables and fire grills. Hand-pumped water and vault toilets are also available.

Union Creek

Set along the bank of Union Creek where it merges with the upper Rogue River is Union Creek (Rogue National Forest, Prospect Ranger Station, 541/560-3623, late May–Oct., $14). Located 11 miles northeast of Prospect, you’ll find 78 sites for tents and RVs (up to 16 feet) with picnic tables, fire grills, piped water, and vault toilets. Many fine hikes on the Rogue River Trail are within close proximity of the campground.

Farewell Bend

Half a mile past Union Creek Campground on Route 62 is Farewell Bend (Rogue National Forest, Prospect Ranger Station, 541/560-3623, late May–early Sept., $14). Located near the junction of Route 62 and Route 230, the camp has 61 sites for tents and RVs (up to 22 feet) with picnic tables and fire grills. Piped water and flush toilets are also within the campground boundaries. This campground is situated along the banks of the Upper Rogue near the Rogue River Gorge.

Huckleberry Campground

A nice little campground tucked off the highway yet fairly close to the Rogue River and Crater Lake National Park [3] is Huckleberry Campground (Rogue National Forest, Prospect Ranger Station, 541/560-3623, late May–Oct. weather permitting, free, 14-day maximum stay). To get here, go about 18 miles northeast of Prospect on Route 62 and then 4 miles down Forest Service Road 60. You’ll find 25 sites for tents and RVs (up to 21 feet) with picnic tables and fire grills. Water and vault toilets are also available. This campground is at an elevation of 5,400 feet, so be sure to have the proper gear to ensure a comfortable visit.