Tent campsites near Crater Lake, Oregon range from primitive sites with no amenities to established forest campgrounds with basic facilities. The region sits at elevations between 4,000 and 7,000 feet, with most camping areas surrounded by dense pine forest. Summer temperatures typically reach 75°F during daytime and drop to 40°F at night, requiring campers to pack appropriate clothing layers.
What to do
Morning hikes from camp: Mill Creek Campground provides access to Mills Creek Falls, a short drive from campgrounds with good fishing opportunities. "Mills creek falls is a few minutes away and is a good hike for those passing through to go to Crater Lake," notes one camper who stayed at Mill Creek Campground.
Stargazing: The remote location and minimal light pollution create ideal conditions for astronomy. "At night you can see so many stars and meteors. Excellent for watching meteor showers," reports a visitor to Lost Creek Campground.
Fishing: Several creeks in the area are stocked with trout. "They stock the creek with trout and it's good fishing! #5 is by far the best campground," mentions a reviewer about Mill Creek Campground.
What campers like
Seasonal solitude: Fall camping offers fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. One visitor at Lightning Springs Backcountry Dispersed Campsite shared, "This is a very busy national park in the summer months but going the first week of October (as suggested by the ranger) made it so that we were the only ones in this area."
Creek-side sites: Many campsites feature water access for ambient sound and cooling. A camper at Scott Creek noted, "The campsites are next to a creek. It almost too good to be true."
Forest immersion: Dense tree cover provides shade and natural surroundings. "It was beautiful being immersed in the forest right along the creek. Each spot had a picnic table and fire pit, with a good amount of flat space for a tent or vehicle," reports a visitor to Mill Creek Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions: Forest service roads require slow, careful driving. A reviewer at USFS Rogue River Dispersed warned, "Title refers to the potholes. Lots of potholes! But the sites—aside from one, which was practically a crater—were awesome from what I could tell."
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds close completely during certain seasons. One visitor cautioned about Lost Creek Campground: "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. You will receive a ticket for illegal camping."
Insects: Mosquitoes can be abundant in warmer months. "Be prepared for mosquitoes, LOTS of mosquitos," warns a Scott Creek visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Choose established sites: For families, campgrounds with basic amenities provide better comfort. "We had a great time camping at this free campground! Its secluded but pretty close to HWY 97, which is nice! There was a vault toilet there, but no other facilities so make sure to bring enough water, wipes, the whole 9 yards!" advises a camper at Mill Creek.
Pack water filters: Most sites lack potable water sources. Lightning Springs requires campers to "hike down about 0.8 miles" to reach "three 'established' spots" where "we did have a couple backpackers stop for the night at the first site but other than that is was really quite."
Plan supply runs: Stock up before arriving at remote sites. "Prospect is an adorable little town in the middle of the woods. Mills creek falls is a few minutes away and is a good hike for those passing through to go to Crater Lake," notes a reviewer.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. A visitor to South Diamond Sno-Park advised, "Great spot to stop for a night or even a couple of nights. There was still plenty of snow on the ground when we came here in April, but it really didn't feel too cold."
Limited cell service: Plan for offline navigation and entertainment. "Cell service is iffy in this entire area, I wouldn't count on having reception. But the sky is wide open for Starlink users," notes a reviewer at South Diamond Sno-Park.
Alternative parking: Some areas permit overnight RV stays outside designated campgrounds. "There are multiple spots to camp for free just past the River Bridge Campground across the one lane bridge. You can take a right or left after the bridge to find a spot. We took a right and found multiple sites to pull into right off the main forest service road," shares a Rogue River Dispersed camper.
