Hidden Gem Near Diamond Lake, Crater Lake, Umpqua Hot Springs, and Thielson
Beat the crowds at nearby and better know campgrounds like Thielsonn View and Diamond Lake. This free campground is beautifully appointed thanks to the forest service who has used the spot since the 1930s. This Campground has the nicest compoating bathrooms of any campsite I've ever visited, as well as beautifully built stone fireplaces, some with fire boxes. Massive, ancient trees tower over the campgrounds as a flat, even driveway winds theough the woods and several wpacious, private sites.
Plent of space for tents and car camping, though not suitable for RVS except maybe booneocjing at the front two sites. Plenty of trees for hammock camping. Plentiful firewood to gather. Just off 138, convenient to Umpqua Hot Springs, Diamond Lake, and Crater Lake. No mountain views but you are very close to viewing points.
Some road noise and no water available, but that's a minor concession for the quality of the picnic tables and fireboxes, not to mention the light filtering through the trees. Fewer mosquitos, too, than when you are right on the lake, though you'll still want plenty of bug spray in the summer.