We got stuck without available camping options on our trip to Crater Lake (part of a month long wandering road trip). It was late and we needed a stop. We spent the night here at the south side road turn off. The are no signs posted about camping or overnight restrictions at this turn off, which is slightly east of the BLM marker. There is a small turn off on the north side of the road and a sizable turn off overlooking the river on the south side. These are immediately following metal guide rails to the east of the BLM markers.
There are two additional sites at the BLM marker on the east side of 138, directly off the HWY. the one to the west had a navigable dirt/gravel drive as of August 2020. There is enough space at the bottom to turn a 25 ft. car with small trailer.
The second (east site) is considerably more rugged and not advisable for anything that’s not a raised 4WD vehicle. There is no turn around room at the bottom. A little foot bridge connects the two sites. A bit of tree line offers privacy from the road, but you are right beside it and will hear the traffic.Both sites have stream access. There were multiple fire rings — the wisest ones are on the river bank. The area is beautiful.
Directly across the HWY to the north is another BLM road — we hiked about 1/4 mile in — it was navigable dirt/gravel on a grade not conducive to camping of any kind. Not sure how far in the road goes or what potentials may exist beyond that point. There were no camping restrictions posted, but no apparent sites. There were no fire signs. There’s a turn off road to the left that makes a steep rocky/dirt ascent to the power lines.
The lovely part of this land is on the south side along the river.
Lastly, there is one more turn off on the north side that could accommodate an RV. It is between the BLM marker, along the metal guide rail section, before you reach the other two turn offs. There was a pile of downed trees stacked to the rear. There were no restrictions posted.
