Camping areas near O'Brien, Oregon offer options along Highway 199 at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 feet. The region experiences warm, dry summers with temperatures often reaching 90°F, while spring and fall bring milder conditions. Winter camping remains available at lower elevations, though higher spots may close due to occasional snowfall.
What to do
River access activities: At Laughing Alpaca Campground, campers enjoy direct access to the Illinois River. "Our kids enjoyed the river and used the park's kayaks and paddle boards (for free!)," notes one visitor. The campground provides stairs to the river, making water activities easily accessible.
Redwood exploration: Redwood Meadows RV Resort serves as an excellent base for redwood adventures. Located "just minutes away from the national park," this campground puts you close to multiple trails. One family shared: "We drove Howland hill road and did short hikes and did a horseback ride up into the redwoods with Crescent Trail rides."
Beach combing: The coastal campgrounds provide ocean access for collecting shells and watching wildlife. "There's a secret beach where the seals feed and you can sit on the beach to watch the perfect sunset!" explains a camper at Kamp Klamath. Walking trails near most coastal campgrounds lead to uncrowded beaches even during peak season.
What campers like
Riverside spots: Riverpark RV Resort in Grants Pass gets praise for its waterfront sites. "About 1/3 of the campsites are adjacent to the Rogue river and all of the others have a view of the river," explains one camper. Another notes, "Site 8 was an upgrade for us newbies. Riverfront and pristine."
Fishing access: Indian Creek RV Park caters to fishing enthusiasts with proximity to the Rogue River. "Mainly fishing guys. Some are guides and will take you out fishing the rogue river," reports a camper. The park remains popular with anglers throughout summer and fall seasons when salmon runs peak.
Wooded privacy: Ramblin' Redwoods Campground offers sites surrounded by mature trees. "This campground is truly in the woods. Most sites are very shady and spacious," notes a reviewer. Another camper shared: "The lots are well kept and plenty of space available for big rigs. Check weather conditions before coming here if its raining it gets really muddy."
What you should know
Seasonal conditions: Campgrounds at higher elevations may close during winter, while those along Highway 199 remain open year-round. "We sat and waited until 1:30pm for someone to remove the barricade before we went to the office to ask when the dry camp area would open," reports a visitor about seasonal transitions at one coastal park.
Noise considerations: Lighthouse Cove RV Park offers oceanfront sites but has a distinctive sound feature. "The site is also near a lighthouse jetty that produces a tone every 7 seconds or so, non-stop. At times we were able to ignore it, but it was certainly harder to ignore at other times," explains one camper.
Bathroom facilities: Cleanliness and availability vary significantly between rv parks near O'Brien. A reviewer at Southern Oregon RV Park notes: "Showers were clean and had nice pressure and hot water was plentiful." However, at another facility, "The bathrooms were not cleaned once. This was evident as the same shit explosion that remained on the toilet seat the entire time we stayed there."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Klamath River RV Park offers dedicated play areas for children. "They have a small play structure with swings for the kiddos. Which my daughter enjoyed," shares a parent. The park also features "tetherball pole with playground" according to a recent visitor.
Free activities: Some campgrounds provide complimentary recreation equipment. One Laughing Alpaca visitor mentioned, "They let us use their paddle board. Again awesome experience," while another noted their grandchildren "played till late" at the pool table. These amenities help families extend their outdoor time without additional costs.
Safety considerations: Campgrounds vary in their security measures and proximity to busy roads. "There's a coastguard station kitty corner to the tent area and there's only a shortish fence from your tent area and the main road," warns one camper about a specific site configuration. Families should check site maps when booking to secure spots away from highways.
Tips from RVers
Big rig access: Southern Oregon RV Park accommodates larger motorhomes with carefully designed sites. "Sites are level with grass and fire pits. There is a walking bike trail that goes along Bear Creek to Ashland," reports one RVer. However, be aware that "if the weather is warm, there is not much shade."
RV site surfaces: Many rv parks around O'Brien feature grass rather than concrete pads. "Sites are on grass, mainly pull through and had full hook ups," notes a Klamath River RV Park visitor. Another camper at Riverpark mentions, "The sites are kinda close but if you can get a site right on the river, it feels like you have much more room."
Utility reliability: Wi-Fi and power connections vary between facilities. "The wifi does work but not when everyone is in their campsites using it," explains one reviewer. Another mentions, "We had a full hook up, but were unable to choose our site and were put directly next to the highway," highlighting the importance of requesting specific sites when possible.
