Camping near Beatty, Oregon offers access to several reservoirs, clear springs, and scenic forests within the Klamath Basin region. Located at around 4,300 feet elevation, this area experiences warm summer days that can reach 85°F and cool nights dropping to 45°F. The volcanic soil and pine forests create distinctive camping conditions with limited natural shade at some sites.
What to do
Kayaking at Williamson River: Launch directly from the campgrounds into clear waters. "The lake is beautiful! The boats could use some attention and a fire extinguisher would be a good idea. The gentleman who helped us get the boat out and dock it was very nice!" notes Robin K. about Fish Lake Resort.
Explore logging history: Visit the outdoor logging museum near Collier Memorial State Park. "Down the easy 1mi. trail along the spring creek, they have a super cool old pioneer village and lumber museum. It's full of olde tyme cabins and era timber industry tools and equipment," shares a reviewer at Williamson River Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The areas around Summer Lake offer excellent bird watching opportunities. "Open camping for all types of travelers... trails throughout and around. Riverside with lots of birds--meadowlark, swallows, ducks, geese, finches, red-winged black birds, magpie and a pair of eagles!" according to visitors at Summer Lake Hot Springs.
What campers like
Natural hot springs: The mineral waters provide relaxation after hiking. "The pools are well cared for and kept up. Dressing rooms and showers provided," mentions Mama J. about Summer Lake Hot Springs.
Secluded riverside spots: Campers appreciate sites away from crowds. "We are at lake view. Big rigs around us, but we don't feel crowded. Trails around. Fishing and just relaxing," says Kirsten G. from Fish Lake Resort.
Dark skies for stargazing: The region offers exceptional night viewing. "So many stars!!! We loved this campsite. There were fire pits available for use at the sites. We were able to see soooo many stars in the sky!!" reports Fiona W. about Collier Memorial State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal insect activity: Midges and mosquitoes are common near water. "We went kayaking and it was a nice calm gorgeous spot. Perfect spot for a campground," shares a camper at Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site, though others mention: "One thing… TONS of mosquitos. Absolutely swarmed. Bring bug spray like crazy."
Fire restrictions: Rules vary by season and location. "Campfires not allowed right now which is understandable with the fire risks," notes Robin K. from Fish Lake Resort.
Limited water sources: Many campgrounds have minimal facilities. "Note we had zero cell service on both Verizon and AT&T. Very pretty, clear river runs through the campground and is a popular spot for kayakers/paddle boarders and fishing," says a reviewer at Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play areas. "The camp hosts were very accommodating. The site has a nice area for dogs to run off leash. The kids loved playing in the water and the playground," shares Christopher O. about Waterwheel RV Park & Campground.
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs provide learning experiences. "Collier also offers many programs to keep the youngens and young at heart busy, very family friendly," mentions a visitor to Collier Memorial State Park.
Bear awareness: Wildlife encounters require preparation. "Clearly, the bears realize it's easy pickings here and all they have to do is rummage through people's gear to find an easy food source. It's not good for the bears," advises Amber D. at Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Choose outer rings when possible. "Some spaces can be tricky for large RVs," warns Jessica P. about Collier Memorial State Park.
Pet-friendly considerations: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Beatty offer dedicated areas. "Great campground tucked in the middle of town, conveniently close to pretty much anything you could possibly need," mentions Sarah A. about Klamath Falls KOA, which provides a designated dog run.
Hookup availability: Check specific site amenities. "Only the middle row of the park has full hookups, although the park has been making improvements since the current owners took over a couple of years ago," explains a reviewer about Waterwheel RV Park, noting that "cell signals from AT&T and Verizon provided enough connectivity for us to work during the week."
