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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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!"
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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."
