Tent camping near Jacksonville, Oregon offers access to diverse mountain and forest environments ranging from 2,000 to over 7,000 feet in elevation. The area sits where the Siskiyou Mountains meet the Cascades, creating varied camping conditions between the western and eastern sides of the region. Summer temperatures can reach 100°F in lower elevations while remaining 15-20 degrees cooler at higher altitude camps.
What to do
Hiking access: Mount Ashland Campground connects directly to the Pacific Crest Trail and several shorter hiking routes. "Lovely place, lovely drive in. Spots are scattered and hard to find at night. Had dear running around while I was setting up the tent. Pit toilets, hiking close by, accessible in any vehicle," notes Noie V.
Water activities: Swimming and non-motorized boating at Squaw Lakes provide cooling relief during summer months. One camper shares, "This is truly an Oregon gem. Swimming, non-motorized boating, fishing, hiking, trail cycling, you name it, this place has it."
Creek exploration: Carberry Campground offers creek-side camping with small swimming holes. "I went the first weekend in December and stayed one night. Had the whole place to myself and set up in one of the spots closest to the creek. There are fire pits and picnic tables at each spot," reports Jeannea P.
What campers like
Affordability: Free camping at Mount Ashland Campground offers budget-friendly options with basic amenities. "We enjoyed staying at Mt. Ashland. It is a marked campground that is FREE. Simply follow the road past the ski area and you will find it," shares Hannah H.
Solitude: Off-season camping provides exceptional privacy at many sites. A Cave Creek visitor notes, "Every time I have went its just me or one other camper. Love it, but its bear country so be careful with your food. The night sky up here is simply breathtaking."
Dark skies: Higher elevation camps offer exceptional stargazing opportunities away from city light pollution. "The sunsets are GORGEOUS and stargazing is amazing but it is WINDY and I mean, drops 20 degrees windy, rocks the van windy," explains Abby M. about Mount Ashland.
What you should know
Weather extremes: Mountain campgrounds experience significant temperature drops at night, especially at higher elevations. At Beaver Creek Campground, "The creek running along the campground was perfect for an afternoon splash when it gets hot and provides a nice ambiance at night," according to Craig M.
Water availability: Most primitive campgrounds require bringing your own water supplies. "Bring your own water!! The view alone is worth it for at least a night, can see all the way to Mt. Shasta, truly spectacular!!" advises lhasa G. about Mount Ashland.
Access challenges: Many campgrounds have limited spots and tight access roads. For Cave Creek, one camper warns, "Despite its close location to the Caves, it is extremely hard to take any type of RV there. The road is paved, but Extremely Narrow with limited visibility. So this one is really for tent campers only."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Applegate Lake provides designated beach areas suitable for children. "Weather was perfect and the lake water level was great. It's got a great beach area for kids to swim and play. Full of huge trout," mentions Diana D.
Space considerations: Some sites offer limited tent space despite scenic settings. For Squaw Lakes, a camper advises, "Pack-in/Pack-out, with the option to hire the camp host and his four-wheeler to drop your gear off at your site. You'll have to walk in."
Wildlife awareness: Multiple campgrounds report regular deer and small animal sightings, enhancing the nature experience but requiring proper food storage. At Mount Ashland, one camper reported, "Had dear running around while I was setting up the tent."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many forest service campgrounds have uneven parking areas requiring leveling blocks. At Mount Ashland Campground, Onyx E. shares, "This campground is really only set up for tent campers. The place to park for vehicles is far from level. Even with camper jacks I was sleeping at an angle."
Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Jacksonville accommodate smaller RVs only. "There's about 3 camp spots you can pull up to with nice fire pits and tables. Not meant for big campers or large RV's. Bumpy 1/4 to the campground and very tight turnaround spots in the pull in areas," explains Abby M.
Turn-around limitations: Narrow forest roads often lack adequate space for larger vehicles to turn around. Laura M. notes about Mount Ashland, "There did not appear to be a good turn around so it is advisable to walk up the road to assess to see if your rig has a space or will even fit."
