The Fort Klamath area sits at approximately 4,200 feet elevation in the Klamath Basin, surrounded by Winema National Forest. Camping options near Fort Klamath range from primitive sites along the Williamson River to full-service rv campgrounds with modern amenities. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day and drop to 40-50°F at night, with occasional thunderstorms common in July and August.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Williamson River offers excellent trout fishing within walking distance of Williamson River Campground. "We stayed here one night, Very basic campground but wonderful. We were the only ones there and we heard some animals close by throughout our fire and the night. We did a short hike following the river which was great," noted one visitor.
Waterfall hiking: Within 30 minutes of Crater Lake RV Park, you can access numerous waterfall trails. "The park was located close to Crater Lake and dozens of gorgeous hikes with waterfalls! The price is very reasonable and based on your length of stay, so the longer you stay the cheaper it is," shared one camper.
Kayaking and canoeing: Many campgrounds provide water access for paddling. At Crater Lake Resort, "the resort offered free canoe rentals, but we had brought our own kayaks and used them in the slow moving creek," according to a visitor who enjoyed the water activities.
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Sites at Williamson River Campground offer exceptional privacy. "Sites are pretty private with good tree coverage at Williamson River," noted a visitor. Another camper mentioned, "Sites were large and surrounded by lodge pole pines. Vault toilets were super-cleaned and well stocked."
Evening activities: Some campgrounds organize community events. "Park hosted live music with bonfire in the evening with hotdogs and s'more," mentioned a visitor to Crater Lake RV Park. Another camper elaborated: "They have a Saturday Campfire, with music, food and drink. Open to the camp. It's a great place to kick back and relax with some live music."
Clean facilities: Despite being more rustic, Forest Service campgrounds maintain good standards. "Bathrooms are probably the only area of opportunity but they were functional and clean," noted one camper at Crater Lake RV Park, while another mentioned the "nice, fairly new restrooms and showers" at the same location.
What you should know
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies greatly between campgrounds. "Cell service is strong and there is free WiFi," reported a camper at Waterwheel RV Park & Campground, but at Diamond Lake RV Park, visitors noted "no cellphone reception and no internet access possible. Also no WiFi available."
Site levelness: Many RV sites require significant leveling. "Some sites are not quite level," reported a visitor to Crater Lake RV Park, while another at Waterwheel mentioned, "Some sites, including ours had a fair bit of slope front to back."
Traffic noise: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. At Sand Creek Station, a visitor noted "Highway noise" as a drawback, while other campgrounds set further from main roads reported more peaceful conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer recreational areas. "The kids loved playing in the water and the playground. The bathrooms were extremely clean," noted a camper at Waterwheel RV Park & Campground about their experience with children.
Educational opportunities: Mazama Village Campground provides junior ranger programs and educational videos at the park headquarters. "We loved that we could access the Annie Creek trail from within the campground!" shared a family visitor who appreciated the easy access to trails.
Wildlife viewing: Children often enjoy spotting local animals. "My daughter liked the little playground and chasing the groundhogs around their hill," mentioned a visitor to Waterwheel RV Park & Campground, highlighting unexpected wildlife encounters that entertain younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At many Fort Klamath rv campgrounds, specific sites offer significantly better experiences. "Sites 1-11 have Williamson River front views. In my opinion, Site 11 is the best site as it is a corner site with the most privacy," advised an RVer who stayed at Waterwheel RV Park & Campground.
Power requirements: Larger RVs should verify amperage availability. "We stayed for one week in site#23 with 50-amp electric service and water. Only the middle row of the park has full hookups," noted an RVer about Waterwheel RV Park, providing specific site information for those with power needs.
Site spacing concerns: Some RV parks position units very close together. At Crater Lake Resort, a camper reported: "I had a serious issue with how tight the spots were in relation to how much room is onsite. Our sewer drain was less than a foot away from our neighbors table, as was our other neighbors to ours."
