Tall ponderosa pines and the sound of moving water set the tone at Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site, a small, first-come-first-served campground along the upper Wood River corridor near Fort Klamath. Twelve sites sit close together in a single loop, with three pull-through spots and nine walk-in tent sites separated from the parking area by a fence. The layout keeps things compact. Campers who arrive later in the day during summer weekends may find the campground at or near capacity, though several reviewers note that many of the vehicles parked here belong to paddlers using the site as a put-in rather than overnight campers.
The river running through the campground draws kayakers and anglers, and the water is notably clear. Cold is an understatement: as Sarah S. puts it, "the water is FREEZING cold," even in August. Mosquitoes can be heavy around sunset, particularly in summer, so bug spray is worth packing. One reviewer documented an encounter with a habituated bear at the campsite, noting the absence of bear boxes as a concern. Food storage should be treated seriously here.
There is no potable water on-site, so campers need to bring their own or plan to filter from the river. Vault toilets are available and reviewers generally describe them as clean. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings. Cell service is essentially nonexistent on both major carriers. The campground accommodates RVs up to 65 feet, though only a couple of sites realistically fit larger rigs. Nearby alternatives include Crater Lake Resort to the south and Sun Pass Dispersed, Winema National Forest to the north for campers wanting more space or hookups.
The site runs from mid-April through October at $11 to $14 per night. Campers looking for more seclusion can explore the forest roads adjacent to the park, which offer dispersed options with additional buffer from neighbors. Stock up on groceries before leaving the highway, as supply options near the campground are limited.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsJackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site is located in Oregon near Fort Klamath
Dispersed CampingAddress
46000 Hwy 97 N
Chiloquin, OR 97624
Coordinates
42.73793658 N
121.97973582 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/27/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/27/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/27/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/27/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 16 min from Medford, OR
- 1 hr 42 min from Grants Pass, OR
- 1 hr 57 min from Bend, OR
- 2 hrs 41 min from Eugene, OR
