Thielson Forest Camp

Umpqua National Forest is home to Thielson Forest Camp, a small, free Forest Service site just off Highway 138 in the Diamond Lake area of Oregon. The campground sits at over 3,000 feet elevation, shaded by large conifers, with Thielson Creek running through the area. There are at least four individual sites, each with a fire pit or stove and a picnic table. Low-hanging branches are a known hazard for taller vehicles, and RVs longer than 25 feet will not fit the access road.

Campers consistently mention the well-maintained fire infrastructure, including stone fireplaces and enclosed fireboxes at some sites. No water is available on-site, so all water must be packed in. There is a toilet near the entrance. No trash service runs here, so campers carry out what they bring. Cell service is available, and the campground lists WiFi as an amenity. Highway 138 runs close by, and some road noise carries into the sites. Mosquitoes are a factor in summer, though multiple reviewers note they are less prevalent here than at lakeside sites.

The location works as a staging point for several nearby destinations, including Umpqua Hot Springs and Crater Lake. Windingo Pass and Gravel Pit are both within half a mile for campers who need alternatives. Pets are welcome. As Meghan O. notes, there is "plenty of trees for hammock camping," and the free cost makes it a practical choice for tent campers and small-vehicle travelers who want a base in the campgrounds near Diamond Lake corridor without paying for a developed site.