Glamping in Murphy, Oregon offers overnight stays in yurts and cabins along the Rogue River, with most locations providing quick interstate access. The region sits in the Siskiyou Mountains at elevations between 1,000-2,000 feet, creating a microclimate that stays warmer than nearby mountain areas but cooler than the valleys. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from July through September, while winter nights often drop below freezing.
What to do
Swimming holes: access for cooling off. At Grants Pass KOA, visitors enjoy a natural swimming hole with a waterfall. "The swimming hole is amazing complete with a waterfall," notes Dawn C., who calls this location "our favorite KOA over all we have stayed at across the nation."
Disc golf: free course nearby. Smoke on the Water campground provides access to disc golf facilities. According to Jessica D., "there is a pretty good 18 hole disc golf course" adjacent to the property, making it a cost-effective activity option during your glamping stay.
Biking: paved trails for all ages. The area features extensive paved greenway trails accessible from multiple glamping locations. Charlotte L. mentions that at Valley of the Rogue, "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."
What campers like
Highway convenience: easy stops for travelers. Valley of the Rogue State Park Campground provides accessibility for travelers along I-5. Kathy B. notes, "This is a great first night stopping point when heading south from Portland on I5. So close to the hiway. Nice spots and a view of the river."
Natural shade: temperature control. Sunny Valley Campground offers tree coverage that helps moderate summer heat. Travis A. mentions, "Beautiful little area with lots of trees to keep you cool," highlighting how the natural canopy improves the glamping experience during hot months.
River proximity: water activities. Most glamping sites provide river access for various activities. According to Greg W., Griffin Park features "large lawn for the kids to play, river access, could not have been better," demonstrating how water access enhances the glamping experience.
What you should know
Highway noise: audible at many sites. Several glamping locations along I-5 experience road noise. Salem L. from Valley of the Rogue notes, "This was close to the freeway, so yeah definitely noise but everyone we met was really nice."
Cash payments: plan ahead. Some county parks require cash for payment. Laura M. explains that at Schroeder Park, "Park takes cash payments at kiosk near the entrance" and "Self check in if you have no reservations, one night at a time due to people reserving online."
Site privacy varies: research layouts. Privacy between glamping sites differs significantly between locations. At Schroeder Park, Laura M. observed, "The no hookup side has more interesting characters staying there, it's just wide open parking spots with zero privacy or trees or shade cover, while the hookup side is nicer, has a more parklike setting with trees."
Reservation timing: plan during peak season. During summer months, securing glamping accommodations requires planning. Sara R. mentions about Valley of the Rogue: "We visited during the week in August and the got the very last campsite available."
Tips for camping with families
Dog amenities: designated areas. Lake Selmac County Park and several other locations provide pet-friendly accommodations. Kelly N. highlights that Valley of the Rogue offers a "Fenced off leash dog park" along with other family amenities that make glamping with pets more convenient.
Playground access: energy outlets. Multiple glamping sites include play areas for children. Robin K. notes that Schroeder Park has a "Dog park for your furry friends and kids play area," providing recreation options directly on site.
Seasonal programs: ranger activities. Some parks offer structured activities during peak months. Andy H. shared that Valley of the Rogue provides riverside experiences where "You can take out a paddleboat, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, or inner tubes" for family recreation.
Shade evaluation: summer comfort. When glamping during hot months, site selection impacts comfort. MickandKarla W. noted that at Valley of the Rogue, "these shade trees were a blessing as they protected us from the unusually high temperatures the Pacific Northwest was experiencing."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: uneven terrain. Some glamping locations require additional equipment for comfort. Laura M. observed at Whitehorse County Park that "Sites are so unlevel that I don't think our leveling blocks would have made a dent," indicating preparation is necessary.
Power availability: amperage options. RV glamping sites offer varying hookup capacities. Charles S. noted about Medford-Gold Hill KOA: "Pull thru sites are short my 35 footer and car just fit. Multiple sites car were sticking in to the road making it a little close pulling out in the morning."
Infrastructure conditions: aging systems. Some glamping locations experience maintenance challenges. Semi H. shared that Valley of the Rogue is "Starting to show signs of wear" and "The power stations are breaking down, the maintenance staff has trouble fixing things because they have no parts."
Dump station access: departure planning. Not all glamping sites with RV options have dump stations. Johnny G. notes that Valley of the Rogue "has a separate dump station that is clean and well kept," which affects departure scheduling for luxury RV glampers.