FIRSTLY, do NOT take Sykes Creek Road or May Creek Road to access this campground. Google Maps will try to take you on the shortest (mileage) route. Both of those roads are treacherous and take more than twice as long as predicted by Google Maps. Coming from Wimer, stay on Evans Creek Road until you see the sign for Elderberry Flats, then turn left and continue about 9 miles to the entrance. It's paved the entire way.
We stayed at this campground the weekend after Labor Day 2022. There are 11 spaces: two were occupied but abandoned, two appeared to be occupied by folks living there (beyond the 14 day mark), and three were being used by campers (including ours). At least five of the campsites are next to the creek with easy access for wading, etc (some portions appear to have small swimming holes). There are walking paths (unpaved) that can also be accessed by OHVs. There is a pit toilet in the campground plus another one in the day use area. Your best bet is to bring your own toilet facilities; the pit toilet in the campground was "well-used".
The site we used was clean of debris, very spacious; more than enough space for our two tents, two easy-ups, corn hole game, and four vehicles in the driveway (including our Scamp) with still a lot of space. The provided picnic table was sturdy, coated metal mesh and offered a handicap space at each end. The fire ring was a metal barrel with a sturdy grate.
The first three days there was no sign of wildlife…no squirrels or chipmunks, no birds, etc. It was eerie. By the fourth and fifth days, the wind picked up and the birds and critters showed themselves. We didn't seem to have any issue with mosquitos although, when eating, there were a few bothersome flies and bees and some gnats.
There are several options for boon-docking along West Fork Evans Creek Road but in the camp ground there were regular drive-throughs by some authority who were aware of the abandoned camps and the folks over staying the 14 day limit. I say this because a few locals rolled their eyes when I said we were going to Elderberry Flats and gave warnings that we may encounter some less desirables. There were some questionable "campers and campsites" but we didn't have any trouble at all.
We stayed here in May of 2021. It was still a little early for camping in Southern Oregon so it was a bit chilling but it was still great. The campsites are large and easily accommodated our truck and small Scamp trailer. There were about a million trails for easy hikes (or motorbikes, etc) and beautiful meadows a stones-throw away. The camp itself had plenty of large trees for shade (and fallen trees for firewood). I think it's the Rogue River that runs through it but it's so small compared to down river that it's hard to tell. I can't wait to go back to the beautiful seclusion we found here.
This is a great campground on the shore of Clear Lake. There is pretty easy access to the lake and a small boat launch for canoes and kayaks. There are no motor boats on the lake. We had a double-site (17) and would stay again. Some of the other spots seemed short (the vehicle parking area) but all had plenty of room for the actual campsite. The host was fantastic and joined us for a song or two with a guitar accompaniment (Eppie, your voice is so rich!) There were very clean vault toilets and an old-fashioned hand pump for water. We hiked all the way around the lake even though we only intended to see the start of the Makenzie River. It is a good, long walk along a (mostly) easy trail. The lake was clear and a lovely greenish turquoise color. A great place to paddle around or fish.
We're stayed two nights at this campsite. It appears to be a defunct campground from the 1940's from the look of the now-crumbling fire pits. There is also evidence of a restroom. However, having zero services does not make your stay here any less amazing (if you don't mind pooping in the woods…lol!) There is a lot of fallen dead wood for your fire. The sites are well-spaced and easy to access with a mid-sized trailer. We pull a tiny Scamp behind a Dodge Ram. At least three of the seven (?) sites are above the river but there is not "easy" access (short, steep trails). The area is full of OHV trails and there's plenty of easy hiking around the site. We would go there again in a heart-beat for the seclusion and the beautiful setting even though we got rained out on the third day.
We didn't actually stay here. We just want people who filter the app for dispersed camping to know that this is NOT dispersed.