Tent camping around Seiad Valley, California centers mainly in the Klamath National Forest at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 4,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during the day with nighttime lows of 45-55°F. Most tent sites in this region offer basic amenities with dirt or gravel surfaces requiring careful tent placement for comfortable sleeping.
What to do
Swimming access: The campgrounds near Applegate Lake provide excellent swimming opportunities during summer months. At Squaw Lakes, the water features unique silver shale sparkles and "almost always feels warm," according to Jennifer A., who adds it's "truly an Oregon gem" for swimming and non-motorized boating.
Hiking options: Multiple trailheads connect to the Pacific Crest Trail, which passes directly through Seiad Valley. From Lovers Camp Trailhead, camper Erin notes, "We just finished a backpacking trip in marble valley and sky high lakes area, both accessible about 5+ miles from the Lovers Camp Trailhead. It was absolutely beautiful!"
Fishing opportunities: Several lakes in the region support trout fishing from spring through fall. Applegate Lake visitor Diana D. reports, "It's got a great beach area for kids to swim and play. Full of huge trout."
What campers like
Natural cooling: Creekside camping provides relief during hot summer days. At Beaver Creek Campground, Craig M. shares, "The creek running along the campground was perfect for an afternoon splash when it gets hot and provides a nice ambiance at night."
High-elevation stargazing: Campsites at higher elevations offer exceptional night sky viewing. Abby M. reports from Mount Ashland Campground: "The sunsets are GORGEOUS and stargazing is amazing but it is WINDY and I mean, drops 20 degrees windy, rocks the van windy."
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campers report seeing deer and other wildlife at dawn and dusk. Noie V. from Mount Ashland Campground mentions, "Had deer running around while I was setting up the tent."
Seasonal water features: Watkins Campground visitor Jeannea P. notes, "Awesome lake access with a few different trails leading down to the water, or where it would be if the lake was full. Beautiful area and great areas for kids."
What you should know
Free camping options: Several campgrounds in the region charge no fees. Lhasa G. from Mount Ashland Campground says, "The camp ground itself is fairly primitive but very reasonable for being FREE. There pit toilets with toilet paper and picnic benches + fire pits at each spot. Bring your own water!!"
Road conditions vary: Many sites require travel on unpaved forest roads. Johnny G. from Bolan Lake Campground advises, "It's a pretty long dirt road to get to the campground, make sure you have good tires that can handle rocks/dirt terrain."
Water availability: Most primitive sites lack running water. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies or filtration systems for creek water sources. Laura M. notes about Mount Ashland, "There did not appear to be a good turn around so it is advisable to walk up the road to assess to see if your rig has a space or will even fit."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location and provider. Abby M. reports from Mount Ashland, "Had 2-3 bars of LTE for AT&T," while Johnny G. notes Bolan Lake had "No WiFi or cell reception."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access sites: Several lakes offer sandy areas ideal for children. At Applegate Lake, Diana D. mentions, "It's got a great beach area for kids to swim and play."
Spacing considerations: Some campgrounds offer more privacy between sites than others. Laurel G. from Applegate Lake notes, "The campsites are actually great with lots of trees and privacy. It's nice only having seven sites."
Weather preparation: Temperature swings can be significant, especially at higher elevations. Jennifer A. advises for Squaw Lakes, "Pack warm clothes for night and be sure to have good bug spray, even for when you're unloading."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven parking areas. Onyx E. shares about Mount Ashland, "This campground is really only set up for tent campers. The place to park for vehicles is far from level. Even with camper jacks I was sleeping at an angle."
Size limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate smaller vehicles only. Laura M. notes about Mount Ashland, "RVs or trailers would have a hard time finding a spot that would fit them, though we saw one or two that a small rig could squeeze into."
Alternative parking options: When campgrounds are full, some areas have overflow options. Laura M. adds, "We ended up staying in the large parking area which was actually not bad and we stayed 3 nights... There were a few other campers some with tents in the parking area so it is a common practice to crash here for a night or two."
