Valley of the Rogue State Park sits alongside Interstate 5 near Gold Hill at an elevation of approximately 1,100 feet. The park stretches along the Rogue River, creating a convenient stop for travelers with mixed climate conditions that include hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Highway noise can be heard throughout most camping areas due to proximity to I-5, though river sounds help offset this background noise.
What to do
Creek swimming and waterfall access: Grants Pass KOA offers a natural swimming hole complete with a waterfall. "We hiked down to creek with deep pools and swam," notes one visitor at Grants Pass KOA, while another mentions it's "a nice KOA with a really nice swimming hole."
Biking on paved trails: The extensive paved trail system supports cycling throughout the area. "You can bike into the nearby towns while staying on a safe trail," reports a camper at Valley of the Rogue State Park, adding "each day we either hiked or biked the local trails. The bike trail goes on for many miles and is quite enjoyable."
Dog-friendly activities: Multiple campgrounds feature designated off-leash areas. "There are several off leash dog areas," states a camper about Grants Pass KOA. Another visitor to Sunny Valley Campground mentions, "There's also a dog park, which my dog loved!"
Soaking in mineral waters: "Developed hot pool for day use, with a discount if you are staying there overnight. Sauna and steam room available," explains a visitor at Jackson Wellsprings, where natural spring waters provide therapeutic bathing options.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain high standards for bathrooms and showers. "Clean hot showers were super appreciated," notes a camper at Valley of the Rogue State Park, while another visitor to Sunny Valley Campground observed it was "safe, clean, and well put together."
Varied accommodation options: From standard sites to specialized lodging. "You can camp in your tent, RV, one of their awesome cabins or a teepee!" shares an enthusiastic visitor about Grants Pass KOA. For more intimate glamping in Gold Hill, Oregon area, On Sacred Grounds Relaxation Retreat offers limited sites with a visitor noting they "loved the scenery and teepee."
Convenient travel stop: Many campgrounds serve as practical overnight locations. "This is a great first night stopping point when heading south from Portland on I5. So close to the highway," explains a visitor about Valley of the Rogue State Park, while another camper describes it as "perfect since we only had 5 days to travel the whole Pacific Coast."
Riverfront access: Water features prominently in camping experiences. "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," mentions a camper at Valley of the Rogue State Park.
What you should know
Highway noise levels: Most campgrounds near Gold Hill have some traffic sounds. "The park is near a highway, so if you're the camper who wants to sit outside your camper and read a good book to the sounds of nature, this might not be great," a visitor to Valley of the Rogue State Park points out, though they added "the river noise somewhat drowned out the traffic noise."
Mineral water characteristics: Natural springs have distinct properties. At Jackson Wellsprings, visitors note "historic mineral water soaking facilities onsite appear to be clean; note that they, and the restrooms, have the sulphur odor normally associated with natural springs."
Varying site privacy: Campground layouts offer different levels of seclusion. "The sites are kind of close together, there isn't much privacy," notes a camper at Valley of the Rogue State Park, while another visitor to Schroeder Park described it as "basically a large parking lot" with "no privacy- you can see everyone's business."
Site conditions: Some campgrounds have maintenance issues. "Our site was not level and had muddy ruts we needed to work around," reports a visitor to Jackson Wellsprings, while another camper at Valley of the Rogue State Park mentioned "their infrastructure. The power stations are breaking down."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature children's play areas. "Sunny Valley Campground has a pool, bouncy House playground and horseshoes," reports a visitor. Another family-oriented amenity at Valley of the Rogue State Park includes a "fenced off leash dog park, bike trails, fishing, clean bathrooms and showers."
Family-friendly swimming options: Safe water access points for children. "The sites are kind of close together, there isn't much privacy. The showers and other amenities are really nice. Our campsite was about a 2 minute walk from the river," notes a visitor to Valley of the Rogue State Park.
Seasonal programs: Some parks offer structured activities. "The park has a lot of nice features, including the river and hiking trails, it also has a kids program, campfire nights and the camp hosts are very helpful," explains a camper at Valley of the Rogue State Park.
Family accommodation selection: Look for specific sites better suited for children. "Unless you sleep on a cot by yourself, avoid site b2," advises a visitor to Valley of the Rogue State Park, suggesting some locations work better for families than others.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing and access: Many campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "Very clean and big rig friendly. I have a 38' fifth wheel and it was no problem!" reports a visitor to Valley of the Rogue State Park. At Joseph H. Stewart County Park, campers note "sites are huge and well kept with asphalt pads."
Hookup availability: Utility connections vary between campgrounds. "Water is good. T mobile and att work really well. There is also a separate dump station that is clean and well kept," explains a camper at Valley of the Rogue State Park, while another mentions "our site was partial HU but they do have full HU sites" at Sunny Valley Campground.
Seasonal considerations: RV camping availability changes throughout the year. Schroeder Park RVers note that "half the sites were closed for the season which made for a quiet stay," suggesting strategic timing can enhance the camping experience.
Site selection tips: Certain locations within campgrounds offer better experiences. "Lower loop spots seemed nicer than the upper loop," advises a visitor to Grants Pass KOA, providing insight for RV site selection that might not be apparent when booking.
