83 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest surrounding Murphy, Oregon offers numerous tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. Cedar Bloom provides walk-in tent sites with river access, while Cave Creek Campground near Oregon Caves National Monument features tent-only camping with spacious sites for multiple tents. Josephine Campground and Little Falls Campground in Selma offer primitive tent camping experiences with basic amenities. Squaw Lakes, located within driving distance of Murphy, provides both drive-in and walk-in tent sites in a natural setting with water access.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables, with vault toilets available at established sites. Road conditions vary significantly, with many campgrounds requiring travel on gravel or dirt roads that may become difficult during wet weather. Campers should bring their own drinking water, as most sites lack potable water sources. Forest Service campgrounds typically allow stays up to 14 days within a 30-day period. Seasonal access affects many sites, with higher elevation areas like Mount Ashland only accessible during summer months due to snow. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage.
Tent campers frequently report peaceful experiences even during peak season. According to reviews, Cave Creek Campground offers "campsites spacious enough for multiple tents" with "several water stations near the campsites." One visitor noted that Little Falls Campground was "so quiet at night" with regular ranger patrols providing added security. Spalding Pond Campground features five tent sites, each with "private picnic tables and fire pits with metal grates," making it suitable for family camping trips. Backcountry tent camping opportunities exist throughout the national forest lands, offering solitude for those willing to hike in with their gear. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most primitive tent sites, allowing for a true disconnect from technology.
"Great for kids with a river on site nearby. One part of the river is designated as a nudist-friendly beach but is well-marked. Several showers and compost toilets available and picnic tables."
"The children running around were so happy here - it feels like a safe place to be, tucked away in a private area of Cave Junction."
from $60 - $95 / night
Check Availability"This is truly an Oregon gem. Swimming, non-motorized boating, fishing, hiking, trail cycling, you name it, this place has it."
"not alot 0f people come here and I like it. very mellow. lots of wildlife."
from $25 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Lovely little tent only( i guess you could get a camper up here). This place was closed for the longest time and i think people forgot it was there when it re-opened."
"Overflow and walk to your site. One is a small back in, camper van, suV, truck. The other is a double site, good for small 10ft less RV. We have a 5x8ft CcT so we fit amazingly in the double site."
"So quiet at night only heard some noise from the other camps. We extremely felt safe as the park ranger checked on us in the morning"
"Beautiful hiking trails throughout the area. We like to camp here especially in the snow!"
"It is the closest I have come to backpacking camping while car camping. Not going to lie, the complete tranquility somewhat ruined the camping by the redwoods since we were right by a busyish road."
"They have 5 camping spots each with their own private picnic table and fire pit with metal grate. They stock the pond each year with legal trout and there is some native catfish and crawfish as well!"
"On the near side, is a picnic spot with a pit toilet. Across the bridge, there is a campsite downriver with a pit toilet. "
TravelerSo quiet and amazing facilities. Plenty of options mid week in October, but no water to wash hands or drink. Part of campground is closed for winter season, Ranger came around at 9:30a for payment. Can hear some road noise but didn’t bother us.
TravelerVery large open area along the river. Pick a spot and enjoy. No water or electricity. Pack out your trash. $5 per vehicle
TravelerThe campground sits right on the river and even though it is near the road, there is not much traffic. At night it was super quiet. The camp host was friendly and the bathrooms were clean and there is a nice trail along the river.
TravelerIt's a beautiful camp, but there is a conflict between their (gov run) website information and in park board. Some sights are first come first serve, but some can be reserved online, but aren't marked, so there can be a reservation for a first come first serve spot. I've been there three times, the last wasn't bad, but twice the above issues caused inconvenience to my camp. Still a beautiful place, though
GuideQuosatana Campground is situated on a bank of the Rogue River. It is a beautiful setting, with several campsites overlooking the river.
The camphost Pete is diligent in keeping the grounds clean, but has been forced to maintain the facilities on a shoestring budget (got DOGE?). Consequently, while the restrooms are clean, the wash basins in them are inoperable, and one entire restroom building is out-of-order.
The potable water (no hookups) is a little brown in color due to the presence of a lot of iron in the water. Pete explained that the mineral filter for the water supply hasn't been replaced in five years.
Rather than use the iron-hardened water, we opted to drive to nearby Arizona Beach off of Hwy 101 to refill our van's water tank (the water at Arizona Beach is free, excellent, and the spigot there is even threaded; the spigot is located near the beach's vault toilets). Arizona Beach is a ~ 40 minute drive from Quosatana Campground, but is well worth the drive, even without needing water. It has black sand!
The campground is bordered by a forest of myrtle trees, and there is a faint trail starting from the west side of the campground that wanders through the seemingly primordial woods. We actually got lost on this trail (did I say that the trail was "faint"?), but we found our way back to our camp site simply by using the river as a guide. It was in fact a wonderful walk.
One detractor were the generators being run all day by some of the RV campers. It's the campers' right to do so, but that doesn't mean I have to enjoy listening to them all day, nonetheless. At least those with generators were compliant with the quiet-hours rules.
TravelerI needed a cheap and last minute place along my route. This was $15 for just me and my tent. I got a great spot near the river, which you can hear flowing. There is a short path from the site I was at, 17, which leads to the river which is gorgeous and cold but not cold enough to be painful. There is a bathroom but currently no potable water so bring your own. It was first come first serve starting October 5th
LegendSpent 3 nights here while going to the Shakespeare festival in Ashland. Overlooking Emigrant lake which was pretty low. Recommend trying to book sites 1-14 as there is shade trees. Sites were level but water and electric was towards the front of the site and our hook ups are at the back of the trailer so we weren’t able to back into as far as we would have liked but it worked showers and bath were clean and hot water.
RangerAsphalt paved roads / sites appear relatively new. 10% occupied on Friday night in early October. Very quiet except for occasional birds and honking geese. Very dark at night with stars. Get shower code from Host at entrance station. Most sites close to level but used blocks to fine-tune. Site pavement a little narrow but all wheels fit for 24' Class C dually. Nice Views but water Very low this time of year.
GuideMy dog and I were traveling between Crater Lake and the coast to start a PCH trip. This park was the perfect midway point and we stopped by without reservations bc they only take them online three days in advance. I’m pleased with the amenities: very clean flush toilets and showers! Great atmosphere and helpful camp host. Recommend!
Tent camping near Murphy, Oregon centers around the Illinois River watershed with access through gravel forest roads in the Siskiyou Mountain foothills. During summer months, temperatures can reach into the 90s, while spring brings wildflower blooms across meadows in previously burned areas. Many primitive sites lack reliable cell service and require campers to pack out all waste.
River swimming and fishing: Cedar Bloom provides river access with both shallow areas for wading and deeper swimming holes. As one camper notes, "Great for kids with a river on site nearby. One part of the river is designated as a nudist-friendly beach but is well-marked."
Stargazing opportunities: Onion Mountain Lookout sits at 4,000 feet elevation, creating ideal conditions for night sky viewing. "You can see the milky way clearly," reports one visitor who found the astronomical viewing worth the $40 campsite fee.
Hiking to Oregon Caves: Visitors can access Oregon Caves National Monument via a 2.5-mile trail from Cave Creek Campground. Though RVs aren't recommended due to narrow access roads, tent campers appreciate the proximity to this natural attraction.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the area feature well-separated camping areas, particularly at walk-in sites. At Josephine Campground, campers "park your car in the lot and carry your gear a few yards to the different sites," creating natural separation between neighbors.
Wildlife viewing: Squaw Lakes provides opportunities to observe local fauna in a quiet setting. One camper mentioned, "not alot of people come here and I like it. very mellow. lots of wildlife."
Sound of flowing water: Several campgrounds position tent sites near creeks or rivers. At Sixmile Campground, one family reported, "We slept right by a creek and that was the only beautiful sound we could hear. No planes, no cars, no other people."
Limited facilities: Most sites around Murphy have minimal amenities. Tin Can Campground has no toilets or potable water but offers complete solitude. "It sits on a year round creek. You will most likely have the whole place to yourself," explains one reviewer.
Remote locations: Many campgrounds require driving on forest service roads with variable conditions. Access to Josephine Campground includes crossing the Illinois River bridge, where nearby dispersed sites "requires 4X4 with high clearance and is not level."
Weather considerations: Snow can make higher elevation sites inaccessible until late spring. For winter camping enthusiasts, some lower elevation sites remain accessible year-round, with one camper noting they "like to camp here especially in the snow!"
Water play options: Little Falls Campground offers kid-friendly spots for water activities. The campground provides a safe environment with regular patrols, as one camper mentioned, "We extremely felt safe as the park ranger checked on us in the morning."
Fishing with kids: Spalding Pond Campground features stocked fishing waters appropriate for beginners. "They stock the pond each year with legal trout and there is some native catfish and crawfish as well," making it an engaging activity for children.
Gear transportation assistance: Some campgrounds offer help with equipment. At Squaw Lakes, there's "the option to hire the camp host and his four-wheeler to drop your gear off at your site," which can be particularly helpful when camping with children.
Size restrictions: Cave Creek campground roads pose challenges for larger vehicles. Despite its appeal, "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."
Alternative accommodations: For those wanting RV-accessible options with amenities, Cedar Bloom offers both RV spaces and alternative accommodations. One visitor noted, "The mini A-frames and dome look very cool, even from a distance."
Water access points: When selecting an RV site, consider proximity to water sources since many campgrounds lack hookups. Cedar Bloom provides shower facilities with unique amenities, as one camper described, "one which has an incredible view of the river. The shower water was hot and refreshing."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Murphy, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Murphy, OR is Cedar Bloom with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
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