The Ophir area offers several primitive camping locations along Oregon's southwestern coast between Port Orford and Gold Beach. Campsites range from 300 to 1,200 feet in elevation, with most locations situated along river corridors. Winter camping brings heavy rainfall with potential road access issues, while summer months typically see temperatures between 65-80°F with significantly drier conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lobster Creek Campground provides excellent Rogue River fishing access with a boat ramp for anglers. "The river is a good fishing spot, according to some local fisherman we met in the morning following our stay," notes Anton Y. about Lobster Creek Campground.
Swimming spots: Find deep swimming holes during summer at dispersed sites. "The water is crystal clear and was refreshing in August. It gets deep on the left side of the beach area so you can properly swim if you want to," explains a camper about Elk River "Stony Beach" Dispersed Camping.
Hiking access: Rock Creek campground offers nearby trail access within forest settings. "There is a lovely trailhead very close to the campground," mentions Sara R. about her experience at the campground.
What campers like
River proximity: Many sites feature direct water access for recreation. "Awesome little campground in the thick of the forest that backs up to the Elk River," writes Diana T. about Sunshine Bar Campground.
Natural swimming areas: Several sites have natural swimming features. At China Flat Campground, "The river runs right by the sites and one has a nice rope swing," according to Jon.
Night sky viewing: Dark skies make for excellent stargazing opportunities. One camper at Lobster Creek noted they "set up for the night at the tent sites where we had a nice dinner with a beautiful night sky above us."
Wildlife encounters: Campers report seeing various animals including salamanders and owls. Jennifer A. from Sunshine Bar Campground shares that "The campsite was clean and even had some salamanders and hooting owls at night."
What you should know
Road conditions: Some sites require navigating difficult access roads. "The dirt path from the main road down to the beach is very short but a bit steep and with some big dips when I was there so very low-clearance vehicles might have an issue getting in and out," reports a camper about Elk River dispersed sites.
Fire restrictions: Check current regulations as they change seasonally. "For camp fires, make sure to check the local regulations. When I was there they had a burn ban and the forestry guys came through somewhat regularly to check. They will ticket you if you break the rules. $250 fine I believe."
Limited services: Most camping areas lack amenities. At Daphne Grove, a camper notes "there is poison oak. no showers. no hookups," despite giving the site a 5-star rating.
Internet connectivity: Digital nomads should note connectivity limitations. "Very dense in a valley spot, starlink would not work great for a work day," reports Ciara W. about one dispersed camping area.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming: Some sites have shallow water areas ideal for children. "Perfect balance between a structured campsite and a dispersed campsite. Approx. 15 campsites right on the river," mentions Kris C. about Daphne Grove.
Nature exploration: Several campgrounds offer opportunities for wildlife viewing and plant identification. At Rock Creek - Rogue River, "This is a very small campground surrounded by lush trees and a flowing creek," notes Petra P.
Seasonal berry picking: Late summer brings wild blackberry harvesting opportunities. "There are a bunch of blackberries to snack on and it is a really pretty spot," shares a camper about one riverside location.
Mailboat tours: Kids can watch tour boats pass by at certain river campsites. "Right along the Rogue River so you get to watch 'Mailboat' tours go by - lots of fun for the kids," reports Chad L.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most campgrounds near Ophir have space constraints for larger rigs. "It's a little small for big trailers (I did see some trailers tho) but perfect for tents," explains Brittney G. about Lobster Creek Campground.
Water access with RVs: Some sites allow RV camping directly on gravel bars. "You can walk down to the river to fish, where there were also RVs camping on the beach. Tent camping is limited to very few sites but it looked like there was plenty of rv space."
Alternative options: When tent camping locations are full, nearby areas may accommodate RVs. "It doesn't look like you can camp on the gravel bar, so be sure to nab a site," advises Annie C. about campground organization.
