Trail Creek Campground offers primitive tent and RV camping near Sawyers Bar in the Klamath National Forest. Located at an elevation of approximately 2,100 feet along the South Fork Salmon River, the campground provides access to several hiking trails in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited or no services available during the off-season.
What to do
River recreation: Access points near Matthews Creek Campground allow for swimming in clear waters. "The water is crystal clear (and cold) with a nice pebble beach. Access to the beach is a short walk down fairly steep hill," notes Thomas Y.
Hiking the Trinity Alps: Several trailheads serve as gateways to wilderness areas. "This campground is a great place to stay before heading into the Trinity Alps. A 20 minute drive on a dirt road leads to the China Gultch Trailhead, a popular trail leading to Grizzly Lake," reports Jack L. from East Fork Campground.
Stargazing: Limited light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. One camper at Matthews Creek mentioned, "The stars at night are so bright. My favorite camping place ever!"
What campers like
Solitude and remoteness: Many campgrounds offer quiet, secluded sites. "When I stayed I was the only one at the campground. The sites are near the road but it seemed to have light usage and I never heard cars in the night," writes a visitor to East Fork Campground.
Clean facilities: Despite the remote location, many campgrounds maintain good standards. Connie H. notes that Trail Creek Campground has "vault toilets (which were pretty darn clean), and a bear proof trash can. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring."
Natural swimming spots: Creek access provides natural cooling options. "Trail Creek runs through the back of the campground and is beautiful!" reports one camper, while another mentions that "Amazing place to swim" at Matthews Creek.
What you should know
Limited services: Come prepared with all supplies. "It is a pretty long drive down basically single lane roads to get to the campground, and you should make sure you have all supplies and no stores/supplies close by," warns a Matthews Creek visitor.
Bear safety requirements: Bear-proof storage is mandatory at most sites. "Be prepared to utilize bear box," advises Elisabeth Q. from Nordheimer Group Sites.
Fire restrictions: Permits are required for campfires in established fire rings. "Generator use is allowed from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM," notes a Trail Creek visitor, but restrictions may change seasonally.
Communications: Cell coverage is virtually nonexistent. "There is ZERO cell service with T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon. We did have Starlink with us and we were able to get signal, but it was spotty due to all the tree coverage," reports a Trail Creek camper.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Most campgrounds near Sawyers Bar welcome pets with specific guidelines. "The tent pad was level," notes Rosie H. at East Fork Campground, making for comfortable setups for families with pets.
River safety: Water conditions vary seasonally. "During our visit in May, the river flowed swiftly and cold, making it unsuitable for swimming or fishing," warns a Matthews Creek visitor.
Town resources: Etna City Park offers additional amenities for families. "There's a playground and restrooms... There is a community pool for free public use. Town is very friendly," notes a visitor.
Shade availability: Many campgrounds offer natural cover. "We're... grassy, partially shaded, quiet sites with a little store," mentions a visitor to Etna RV Park, which provides comfort during hot summer days.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Access roads restrict larger vehicles. "This is a great Nat Forest campground with a beautiful view of the great creek below... It is a pretty long drive down basically single lane roads," notes Thomas Y.
Hookup availability: Most forest service campgrounds lack services. "There are no hookups, but there is drinking water provided as well as vault toilets," explains a Trail Creek visitor.
Alternative options: For full hookups, consider developed campgrounds in nearby towns. "We're section hiking the PCT so bump along in our 'base camp' RV... grassy, partially shaded, quiet sites with a little store, huge clean laundry," reports an Etna RV Park visitor.
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