Camping

There are no public campgrounds along the coast between Humbug Mountain [1], just south of Port Orford [2], and Harris Beach [3], at the northern entrance to Brookings [4]. But campsites east of Gold Beach [5] up the Rogue River provide wonderful spots to bed down for the night.

Those taking the road along the Rogue should be alert for oncoming log trucks, raft transport vehicles, and other wide-body vehicles. In addition to the public campgrounds listed, there are many private RV resorts up the north bank of the Rogue.

Foster Bar Campground

Foster Bar Campground (Siskiyou National Forest, Gold Beach Ranger Station, 1225 S. Ellensburg Ave., 541/247-6651, www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou [6], open year-round, flush toilets available May–Oct., $5) is located 30 miles east of Gold Beach on the south bank of the Rogue. Take Jerry’s Flat Road east for 30 miles to the turnoff for Agness. Turn right on Illahe Agness Road and drive three miles to camp.

Campsites here come equipped with drinking water, toilets, disabled-accessible facilities, picnic tables, fire rings, and a boat ramp. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. The campground is generally open March–November but dates may vary depending on the weather.

This is a popular spot from which to embark on an eight-mile inner-tube ride to Agness. It’s also where rafters pull out, so the parking lot may be jam-packed. The rapids are dangerous—wear a life jacket. You are also within walking distance of the trailhead of the Rogue River Trail [7].

Lobster Creek Campground

Lobster Creek Campground (541/247-3600, www.fs.fed.us/r6/rogue-siskiyou [6], $5) is nine miles east of Gold Beach [5] via Forest Service Road 33. This campground is open year-round and has three tent sites, three trailer sites, one group site, picnic tables, fishing, and flush toilets—but no drinking water. Ask the Forest Service for directions to the Schrader old-growth trail nearby.

It is a gentle one-mile walk through a rare and majestic ecosystem that is under siege in other forests throughout the state. Also nearby is the world’s largest myrtle tree.

Honeybear Campground and RV Resort

Honeybear Campground and RV Resort (34161 Ophir Rd., Ophir, 541/247-2765 or 800/822-4444, www.honeybearrv.com [8], open year-round, $16–27) is not up the Rogue; it’s nine miles north of Gold Beach on U.S. 101, then two miles north on Ophir Road—but it could just as well be in the Black Forest. The owners have built a large rathskeller with a dance floor. Six nights a week during the summer, there are dances here with traditional German music.

Check out their version of Oktoberfest. Locals praise the Honeybear’s on-site delicatessen for its homemade German sausage.

There are 20 tent ($18) and RV ($30) sites, picnic tables, flush toilets, hot showers, firewood, a launderette, and ocean views.