Diamond Lake Campground sits at 3,000 feet elevation near Crater Lake National Park, with sites that can accommodate tents, RVs, cabins and glamping options. The campground offers water to fill tanks, a dump station, and showers with unusually strong water pressure. The area experiences heavy mosquito activity in summer months, so bug spray is essential for comfort during peak season.
What to do
Visit Umpqua Hot Springs: Located approximately 20 minutes from Thielson Forest Camp, these natural hot springs are popular with visitors exploring the Crater Lake region. "Correct coordinates: 43.2558019, -122.1650183. Small forest camp right off the hwy, next to a creek and is shaded," notes Linda J., who appreciated the camp's convenient location for accessing nearby attractions.
Fish at Diamond Lake: The lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for those seeking glamping close to Crater Lake National Park. "Awesome fishing," says Tim W. about Diamond Lake Campground. The lake's clear waters provide a productive fishing environment just a short drive from Crater Lake.
Explore the Logging Museum: The historical exhibits at Collier Memorial State Park showcase the region's timber industry heritage. "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 Tj B., highlighting the educational value of this nearby attraction.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous sizing of sites at Whiskey Springs. "Sites are very private, especially those on the outside edge of the loop. Sites are also quite large," reports Taylor T. about Whiskey Springs Campground, noting the well-maintained facilities and attentive hosts.
Creek access: The sound of running water enhances the camping experience at several locations offering glamping near Crater Lake National Park. "If you pick a spot towards the eastern edge, you can hear the creek run by as you sleep," explains Nicholas R. about Millsite Forest Dispersed Camping, adding that the area offers "tons of fishing spots nearby" and "hundreds of miles of OHV trails."
Star viewing: The clear night skies provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. "At night you can see so many stars and meteors. Excellent for watching meteor showers," says Autumn O., describing the celestial views at Lost Creek Campground, though noting it can get "very hot in the summer with not a lot of shade."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the Crater Lake area have limited operating seasons. "This campground is closed to the public and has been for a couple years. Only fire crews working in the park are allowed to stay here," warns Beth A. about Lost Creek Campground, highlighting the importance of verifying operating status before planning a visit.
Mosquito preparation: Insect activity is significant during summer months. "The only complaint I have is there's a lot of mosquitoes. So just remember your bug spray and long clothes!" advises Macy G. about Diamond Lake Campground, balancing this caution with praise for the "beautiful lake views" and amenities.
Water availability: Access to drinking water varies significantly between campgrounds. "There was no water available that I could see. The stream was a short distance and I suppose if you had water treatment you could get water there," observes Bill T. about Abbott Creek Campground, noting the campground's "idyllic widely separated sites with lots of trees and beautiful grasses."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "I'm a little bias. Growing up in Medford my father always took me to this park and I've loved it my entire life," shares Marcus V. about Joseph H. Stewart County Park, noting the "tons of hiking trails, wide open spaces, very friendly staff" and "playgrounds for kids."
Water recreation: Lakes and streams provide swimming opportunities during warm weather. "Can't wait to swim in the morning!" exclaims Macy G. about Diamond Lake, appreciating that "this campground has beautiful lake views, access to bathrooms and showers, and ice cream and firewood just a walk or bike ride away."
Educational programs: Some campgrounds offer organized activities for children. "Collier also offers many programs to keep the youngens and young at heart busy, very family friendly," notes Tj B., mentioning additional amenities like "wood sales, potable water pumps and clean, HOT powerful showers."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose locations carefully based on your specific needs and equipment. "Thankfully we had two sites because on the map, it looked like both sites had a pull through area for cars, but the first one had 'parking' which was just an enlarged shoulder on the narrow road," explains Kyahn D. about Diamond Lake Campground, warning that "the campground map can be a little misleading."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the Crater Lake region. "I booked a pull through spot online, when I arrived the owner walked around with me recommending available spots with a better view. We stayed at a nice full hook up site with a great view of the lake," reports Matt D. about Rocky Point Resort, appreciating the personalized service.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "The road is curvy and takes you up high onto the ridge," describes Jade G. about Lost Creek Campground, noting they "had a hard time actually finding it" but ultimately enjoyed the beautiful views from the ridge.
