The camping areas near Gold Hill, Oregon lie within the Rogue Valley at approximately 1,086 feet elevation, where summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F from June through September. Winter camping remains viable with average lows rarely dropping below freezing. Established campgrounds in this region typically maintain year-round accessibility, though some facilities reduce services during winter months.
What to do
Hiking trails from camp: Valley of the Rogue State Park Campground features hiking paths along the Rogue River that connect multiple camping loops. "Each day we either hiked or biked the local trails. The bike trail goes on for many miles and is quite enjoyable. You can bike into the nearby towns while staying on a safe trail," notes Charlotte L., who camped at Valley of the Rogue State Park Campground.
Swimming access: During summer months, Cantrell Buckley Park offers direct river access with designated swimming areas. A camper reports, "The swimming holes along the river are awesome and you'll almost always find one. It gets extremely busy during summer months so get here early. The river is VERY cold so best to go on a 100+ temp day." The park opens May 1st and operates through mid-September.
Fishing opportunities: Riverpark RV Resort provides prime fishing access along the Rogue River. According to Charlotte L., fishing is readily available at many campgrounds in the area, with Riverpark offering direct riverfront sites that enhance angling opportunities. A visitor confirms, "About 1/3 of the campsites are adjacent to the Rogue river and all of the others have a view of the river."
Wine tasting: Multiple wineries surround the Gold Hill area and offer tasting opportunities within short driving distance from campgrounds. Near Cantrell Buckley Park, a reviewer noted "Lots of wineries in the area offer wine tasting and there is also fishing in the river."
What campers like
Riverfront camping: At Riverpark RV Resort, campers appreciate direct river access. One visitor reports, "This park has a beautiful view and access to the Rogue River in Oregon. Not much by way of privacy, but the park is clean and welcoming." Another adds, "This park is only a couple miles from town yet seems like you're a world away. Plenty of shade too."
Thermal springs access: Jackson Wellsprings offers a unique camping experience with on-site hot springs. A camper explains, "We camped in our van for $25 per night. Tent and car camping available. There are RV hookups too. Some small cabins and yurt structures for rent too. On site showers and bathrooms. Developed hot pool for day use, with a discount if you are staying there overnight."
Family amenities: Schroeder Park features several family-friendly facilities. "There is a boat ramp, dog park, and kid park adjacent to camping area," notes one reviewer. Another camper mentions the park is "very nice campground, family friendly, close to a lot of the valley still so you're able to get something from the nearest store (about 7 miles away) if you miss something."
Dog-friendly facilities: Medford-Gold Hill KOA provides dedicated pet areas. A visitor mentions, "There's a creek running along side the park and a nice grassy area for pets." Southern Oregon RV Park also offers "an extra large Dog Park" according to a regular camper.
What you should know
Highway noise levels: Several campgrounds near Gold Hill experience significant traffic noise due to proximity to I-5. At Southern Oregon RV Park, a camper advises, "Recommend a spot away from the freeway, but the noise did not bother us too much. Hiking path outside park is long but right next to I5. Traffic noise in park is intense."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Gold Hill accept or require reservations. However, Schroeder Park offers walkup sites: "Walkup sites available for that night only, or you can make online reservations 3 days in advance." Sites cost between $22-40 depending on hookup availability.
Limited tent options: Many parks primarily accommodate RVs with limited tent camping areas. At Holiday RV Park, all sites are pull-through, making it "easy to maneuver with all pull through spots to avoid how tricky it is to back up a big rig!" The Medford-Gold Hill KOA similarly offers limited tent options with a camper noting, "Sites are small and we were in a tent. We were going to be there for an extended period of time and they asked us to move our tent around to spot so we didn't kill the already dead grass."
Seasonal water conditions: River access points vary significantly by season. A Cantrell Buckley Park visitor explains, "The water was flowing fairly quickly due to the high snowfall this year, but there was a great rocked-off area just down from our campsite where you could get into the water and wade around without the fear of your dog or child getting swept away."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Schroeder Park includes playground equipment within the camping area. A visitor notes, "Plenty of areas to swim, playground for the little ones and spacious even with quite a bit of people there."
Swimming safety: When visiting campsites near Gold Hill with children, scout swimming areas carefully. At Cantrell Buckley Park, a reviewer cautions, "though kids should be closely monitored near the water" due to river currents.
Tent site selection: For families in tents, site selection is crucial. At On Sacred Grounds Relaxation Retreat, a small campground with only three sites, families find more privacy and quiet compared to larger campgrounds. A visitor describes it as a "Beautiful, quiet retreat" with both RV electrical (30 and 50 amp) and tent options available.
Off-season camping: Winter camping remains viable but requires preparation. Most campgrounds including Valley of the Rogue stay open year-round. One visitor describes their winter experience: "Our GPS wanted to take us up to Exit 48 on I-5N, but we followed the website instructions and the State Park signs off I-5 and took Exit 45B. You will go through the rest area before coming to the gate leading into the campground areas."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: At Valley of the Rogue State Park, RV sites vary in size and accessibility. One RVer notes, "Loop F has only water & electric but sites are better spread out and worked fine for our short stay. Each area had a shower house."
Hookup availability: RV campers should verify hookup types before arrival. According to a visitor at Valley of the Rogue, "They have 158 camp sites of which most are full hookup or partial hookup, with some pull through options."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds present access difficulties for larger rigs. A Cantrell Buckley visitor cautions, "The road in is paved but very narrow with deep potholes. There are many trees that are close to the campground loop that make navigating through and backing into a spot a bit tough. We found a spot in our 26' class C but there were some sites we wouldn't have been able to back into."
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer dump stations for travelers. Holiday RV Park provides this service even for non-guests: "For 8 bucks we were able to dump, rinse and fill up our fresh water (Two different hoses duah). With the close proximity to both I-5 and HWY 99 we found the park surprisingly quiet."
