The Umpqua National Forest region near Myrtle Creek, Oregon sits at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet, creating varied camping microclimates throughout the area. Seasonal rainfall averages 30-50 inches annually, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F during daytime hours. Campers should note that many forest service roads accessing tent camping areas require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after spring rains.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Dumont Creek Campground provides direct access to calm, deep water fishing spots suitable for anglers of all skill levels. A camper noted, "Water is slow but deep, great for kids of all ages. Beach is rocky, not sandy."
Waterfall hiking: From Lake In The Woods Campground, take the short trail to Hemlock Falls for an accessible natural feature. "The short hike to Hemlock Falls is beautiful and worth it," writes Brant T. Another reviewer mentions, "On the back side and at the entrance of the campground there are trails you can hike to waterfalls. They are gorgeous and worth the drive."
Cave exploration: White Creek Campground offers unique geological features within walking distance. "It has a trail that takes you to a cave," explains Stephen T. The campground also features two beach areas, one situated beneath a cliff overlook.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Island Campground offers sizeable tent areas with natural buffers. "Sites are large with lots of trees, but not all sites are level. My favorite sites were 2 and 6 because of the size, easy water access, and levelness," reports Annie C.
Natural water features: The sound of flowing water drowns out nearby highway noise at several locations. At Island Campground, "The location is gorgeous right next to the water. There is a bit of highway noise but it is mostly drowned out by the river," according to Jordie G.
Winter accessibility: Some areas offer year-round camping opportunities, unlike the seasonal May-October restrictions common to many campgrounds. "Winter or summer its gorgeous," writes Kayleigh W. about Lake In The Woods, though visitors should note the lack of running water in colder months.
What you should know
Fire safety: Follow current fire restriction information, which can change rapidly during summer months. A camper at Elliott State Forest Dispersed mentions, "It was super damp and rainy while we were there so we're unable to start a fire."
Limited facilities: Most sites have minimal amenities and require self-sufficiency. For Lake In The Woods, a camper advises, "No running water though, so bring your own."
Road conditions: Forest service roads can be challenging, especially for lower-clearance vehicles. One camper described the Rogue River Dispersed area: "Title refers to the potholes. Lots of potholes! But the sites—aside from one, which was practically a crater—were awesome from what I could tell."
Poison oak awareness: Several campsites contain this irritating plant. At Island Campground, "The paths down to the water have some poison oak growing by them so be careful."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly water access: For the best tent camping near Myrtle Creek, Oregon with kids, consider sites with safe water entry points. White Creek Campground "has two beaches, one under a beach," according to a reviewer who adds it's "great for family trips."
Space considerations: Family groups need room to spread out. At Lake In The Woods Campground, "The marked camping spaces are huge with a lot of space between you and the next closest site," notes Nicole M.
Wildlife encounters: Dawn and dusk wildlife viewing can entertain children. At Rogue River Dispersed camping, one camper reported, "An owl swooped right through our camp site and scared the crap out of us."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many forest campsites cannot accommodate larger recreational vehicles. At Island Campground, a reviewer cautions, "Because of the size and the way the road loops on itself this is NOT a campground for rigs over 22'."
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks as many sites sit on uneven ground. Annie C. notes at Island Campground, "not all sites are level."
Boondocking options: For self-contained RVs, Rogue River Dispersed offers free camping with river proximity. "We took a right and found multiple sites to pull into right off the main forest service road. Accessibility is dependent on your rig but we found several spots easily accessed by our 26ft class c," shares Laura M.
