Camping options near Cave Junction, Oregon span from primitive riverside spots to full-service RV parks across elevations ranging from 1,200 to 4,000 feet. The Illinois River watershed dominates the landscape, creating multiple swimming holes and fishing opportunities throughout the area. Fire restrictions typically begin in mid-June and extend through September due to the region's hot, dry summers.
What to do
River recreation: Cedar Bloom offers access to the Illinois River with both shallow areas and deeper swimming holes. According to one camper, "There are 2 areas with river access, a shallow area and a deep swimming hole, with the option to float down some mild (and fun!) rapids."
Wildlife viewing: Lake Selmac County Park provides opportunities to observe local wildlife including waterfowl. As one visitor notes, "Peaceful. Love watching the water birds. Lots of trees. Even nice in the winter."
Disc golf: Smoke on the Water at Lake Selmac features an 18-hole disc golf course along with fishing opportunities. A reviewer mentioned, "Campsites are clean and cleared of debris. Fishing is great but not a great lake for swimming there is to many weeds in it. And there is a pretty good 18 hole disc golf course."
Hiking trails: Store Gulch Campground connects to several riverside trails. One camper advises, "Amazing spot, please respect the area and leave it clean."
What campers like
Riverside camping: Cedar Bloom provides secluded camping with river views and unique amenities. A reviewer described it as "Super pretty scenery, hosts were super kind. Great for kids with a river on site nearby. One part of the river is designated as a nudist-friendly beach but is well-marked."
Heated accommodations: Lake Selmac County Park offers heated yurts for winter camping. According to one visitor: "We love coming to lake selmac to use the yurts for winter camping. They're heated and cozy. We've probably camped here a half dozen times or so over the past couple years."
Community facilities: Cedar Bloom provides shared amenities unusual for the area. One camper noted, "The communal kitchen was perfect for prepping breakfast, lunch, and dinner - and the staff was sanitizing all the commonly touched areas."
Quiet forest settings: Grayback Campground offers tranquil sites along Cave Creek. A visitor shared: "This has to be our all time favorite camp spot in sw Oregon. Can't beat the price…quiet…nice trails….clean bathrooms. We love getting a spot on the creek and listen to it all night long."
What you should know
Water conditions: At some private campgrounds, water quality varies. One visitor to Smoke on the Water reported: "The waterline provided had rust coming through it and stained my R.V. shower to the point I couldn't get it all off."
Road conditions: Access to Store Gulch Campground requires navigation on unpaved roads. A camper notes, "The road down to the campground can be fairly windy and bumpy as most of it is not paved."
Peak season crowding: Store Gulch gets very busy during summer months. A local advises: "This spot can get VERY crowded in the summer, go during the week if you plan to camp here."
Availability patterns: Laughing Alpaca Campground fills quickly during popular seasons. One visitor observed: "Drove in, no reservation, two sites available. Friendly owners, nice camp spot, very quiet, seems like a popular place to stay, all sites taken except the one we got."
Tips for camping with families
River access for children: Laughing Alpaca provides water equipment for kids. A family reported: "Our kids enjoyed the river and used the park's kayaks and paddle boards (for free!). We will def be back when we are around the area."
Budget-friendly activities: Lake Selmac County Park offers firewood at reasonable prices during off-season periods. One camper shared: "Firewood here is not bundled and since it was off season we got a huge amount for $5. The hosts were terrific."
Site selection strategy: Grayback Campground has specific sites that provide better experiences for children. According to one visitor: "Amazing. The creek runs right next to about half of the campsites. We didn't show up until about 4pm, and there were plenty of spots left to chose from."
Recreational variety: Josephine Campground provides access to both forest and river environments. A reviewer noted the area has "absolutely beautiful area, with large open areas due a long ago fire."
Tips from RVers
Site configurations: Harris Beach State Park offers different RV site orientations. According to one RVer: "Sites were fairly narrow but deep with mature vegetation. Would definitely go back!"
River view options: Laughing Alpaca Campground provides premium riverside spots. One RVer shared: "Great host, they upgraded us to a river front space. Trees and shade on most spaces. Full hook ups and Wifi. Level with gravel drive and grass."
Late arrivals: Several campgrounds near Cave Junction accommodate last-minute arrivals. A visitor to Laughing Alpaca noted: "Drove in, no reservation, two sites available. Friendly owners, nice camp spot, very quiet, seems like a popular place to stay."
