Klamath River camping areas sit at an elevation of approximately 120 feet above sea level where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. The region receives 75-85 inches of annual rainfall, creating a temperate coastal environment where summer temperatures rarely exceed 70°F and winter lows generally stay above 40°F. Morning fog frequently blankets riverside campgrounds until midday, especially during summer months.
What to do
Beach exploration: 1-2 miles from campgrounds. Gold Bluffs Beach Campground provides direct access to miles of undeveloped coastline. "Right on the Pacific. Lots of wildlife, especially elk. Restrooms are very clean and hot water showers are available," notes a camper. In January, visitors should note that "the sun doesn't reach the campground until 10:30am."
Hiking in Fern Canyon: Accessible via unpaved road. Located about 2 miles from Gold Bluffs Beach, this unique canyon features walls covered in ferns. "Fern canyon was about 2 miles down the road. Heads up there is a creek crossing that could be sketchy in a low clearance vehicle," advises one visitor. The canyon offers a cool microclimate even on warm summer days.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk optimal. Elk Country RV Resort & Campground features resident Roosevelt elk. "We have stayed at Kamp Klamath a couple times. We go over for the Salmon run in August/September," reports a regular visitor. Another camper mentions, "It's a 2 min drive (or mile walk) to a beautiful and secluded beach."
Fishing: Best at river mouth. The Klamath River offers salmon fishing opportunities, particularly during late summer runs. "We saw a bear across the Klamath river!" reports one camper at Klamath River RV Park. Fishing licenses required for ages 16+ with seasonal regulations applying to salmon catches.
What campers like
Riverfront views: Sites with unobstructed water views. Klamath River RV Park offers premium riverside locations. "We stayed at Klamath River RV to explore the redwoods. It's a great location and close to parks/trails. They have Adirondack chairs set up to enjoy the views," notes a recent visitor. Water access varies seasonally with summer offering the most stable conditions.
Proximity to redwood forests: Within 15-minute drive. Mystic Forest RV Park places visitors near old-growth redwoods. "We spent one night here. The hosts were very welcoming and did a great tour of the site. There is a hiking trail around the RV Site through the woods which is fantastic," shares a visitor. The park maintains a half-mile nature trail through second-growth redwoods.
Clean facilities: Daily maintenance. Florence Keller Regional Park maintains restrooms that accommodate tent and RV campers. "Beautiful sites, some more spaced out that others. $20/night. Flush toilets, fire pit, and picnic tables," notes one visitor. Another adds, "Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit and there were water spigots throughout the park."
Community atmosphere: Seasonal events. Kamp Klamath RV Park and Campground hosts special events during summer. "Saturday nights in the summer are the best as they do a salmon cook out with live music," mentions a regular visitor. Another camper notes, "During the summer months they offer a weekly meal event at their pavilion."
What you should know
Road conditions: Unpaved access to some areas. Flint Ridge Backcountry Site requires navigating rough roads. "Unfortunately the campsites no longer offer an ocean view as the vegetation has grown so much as of July 2023," reports a recent visitor. Another notes, "The drive off the pacific coast highway is 8 miles on a windy dirt road."
Seasonal crowding: Reserve 3+ months ahead for summer. Most campgrounds fill completely between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. "We rolled in after dark. Great host and was relatively empty in December," notes a winter visitor to Florence Keller Regional Park.
Wildlife precautions: Secure food storage required. Flint Ridge Backcountry Site visitors report wildlife encounters. "Be warned there is tons of poison ivy even in the campground," cautions one camper. Another mentions, "There are also banana slugs in the area that can end up on your stuff."
Cell service variability: Coverage differs by carrier. While most campgrounds have some service, reception quality varies. "Good cell reception with AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile," reports a visitor to Florence Keller Regional Park, while others note spotty coverage in more remote locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Available at select campgrounds. Klamath Camper Corral offers family-friendly facilities. "It has in-ground fire pits and the tent camping wasn't crowded at all last time we went," reports a visitor. "It's very child friendly with a sweet playground as well as a basketball hoop."
Educational opportunities: Junior Ranger programs available. Parks throughout the region offer educational activities for children. "During the summer they offer a weekly meal event at their pavilion. Management was very friendly and accommodating," notes a Kamp Klamath visitor.
Spacing between sites: Varies significantly by campground. Golden Bear RV Park offers different site configurations. "Large spaces and beautiful water frond view," reports one visitor, though others note highway noise can be an issue with "right by the highway, unbelievably loud."
Weather preparations: Pack for temperature swings. Morning fog and evening coolness require layered clothing even in summer. "It is cool in the evening so you will need some warm items," advises a Gold Bluffs Beach camper.
Tips from RVers
Site configurations: Various hookup options. Many parks offer full hookup sites with specific arrangements. "Paved spots are tight. Level spots with full hookups. All the hookups are designed for you to pull in straight. So you will be running your hoses under your rig likely," notes a Golden Bear RV Park visitor.
Length restrictions: Limited big rig access. Several campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs. "The campgound road was paved but narrow in spots and the paved parking spots at each site varied in length. Bigger rigs would have a problem in this park," reports a Florence Keller Regional Park visitor.
Seasonal considerations: Winter access limited. Some campgrounds close entirely during winter while others operate with reduced services. "In the month of January, booking was easy and there was plenty of availability," reports a Golden Bear RV Park visitor.
Power limitations: Generator restrictions common. While many parks offer electrical hookups, generator use is typically restricted. "We have 30-amp and 50-amp electrical options," notes one park host, though several parks enforce quiet hours that prohibit generator use.
