The best campgrounds near O'Brien, Oregon with swimming

Looking for the perfect camping experience near O'Brien, Oregon? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 650 options available, you're sure to find the ideal accommodation to suit your preferences. Whether you're into whitewater paddling, wildlife watching, or horseback riding, there's something for everyone. And with popular amenities like cooking equipment, toilets, and showers, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Don't just take our word for it – check out the top campsites with rave reviews: Cedar Bloom (1299 reviews), Sunset Bay Meadows (279 reviews), and Cornerstone Ranch (267 reviews). Plus, with an average price per night of $48 and options as low as $20, camping has never been more affordable. Get ready to embark on your next outdoor adventure with Hipcamp!

95% (5.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds near O'Brien

Looking for the perfect camping experience near O'Brien, Oregon? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 650 options available, you're sure to find the ideal accommodation to suit your preferences. Whether you're into whitewater paddling, wildlife watching, or horseback riding, there's something for everyone. And with popular amenities like cooking equipment, toilets, and showers, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Don't just take our word for it – check out the top campsites with rave reviews: Cedar Bloom (1299 reviews), Sunset Bay Meadows (279 reviews), and Cornerstone Ranch (267 reviews). Plus, with an average price per night of $48 and options as low as $20, camping has never been more affordable. Get ready to embark on your next outdoor adventure with Hipcamp!

95% (5.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds near O'Brien

1. Mystic Forest Campground

98%

(942)

40mi from O'Brien · 25 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Mystic Forest is a small, family-run campground between Klamath, CA, and Crescent City. We have 50 acres of beautiful forest sprinkled with redwood trees. We have restrooms, showers, a game room, a mini golf course, horseshoes, and a half-mile trail. We are pet-friendly. At the office you can find some grocery and redwoods souvenirs. Our laundry facility will be closed indefinitely for repairs starting on August 10th.

2. Cornerstone Ranch

97%

(758)

43mi from O'Brien · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Cornerstone Ranch is a pristine Ranch of about 500 acres on the Rogue River and against the Pacific Ocean offering too many experiences to count. You can even bring your horse... FYI, Hipcamps map for site locations is not correct. Two go next to the driveway and the other four follow the creek. From the South GPS is very accurate to our driveway. Coming from the North, GPS may drop you a few driveways away as that is the property line. Keep driving about another 1/8th mile until you see the large red "Cornerstone Ranch" sign. That is our driveway. Welcome... The ranch offers 6 different campsites. Campfires are allowed (outside of burn bans), and there is a toilet in off season and Port-A-Potties during the summer on site as well. Reviews from guests: "During the night we could hear Elk and the nearby nature! When we woke up we got to visit with the horses, use the really clean port-potty, and chat with Bonnie and Chris the Hosts. They have tons of recommendations, but our favorite was the Indian creek cafe across the river. The areas so great and clean and the host cares about their guests! Would recommend!"

3. Cedar Bloom

98%

(3025)

6.8mi from O'Brien · 158 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Cedar Bloom was purchased in the spring of 2017 by Spirit Weavers Gathering as a place of peace and healing, for all walks of life. Spirit Weavers is an annual women's gathering which happens once a year each June. We host over 1,200 women in just two weeks on the land. Our beautiful forested land is located in Southern Oregon, in a small town off the 199 Redwood Highway. The land which we call home is 100 acres of beautiful protected forest and sits upon a mile of the Illinois River. We are very fortunate to be surrounded by a widely diverse population of flora and fauna. As caretakers of this sacred land, we feel a strong responsibility to honor our plant and animal allies by not only protecting them and their habitat, but also to help educate others about what lives and grows here by providing people with opportunities to experience the beauty of these plants and animals for themselves. For this reason, We are honored to host the many different groups who will gather here on this land for learning and communing with the nature that flourishes here. We feel very fortunate to be involved in this process of helping promote a sustainable and abundant future for all living things on this planet by sharing knowledge and skills from the human past that can make a sustainable lifestyle a reality for everyone everywhere. This is our home and we are happy to share it with you!

4. Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

92%

(31)

736 sites · O'brien, Oregon

The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is made up of 1.8 million acres and spans from the Western Cascades to the Siskiyou Mountains. With somewhere between 60 to 100 inches of rain per year this escape is filled with a diversity of green and a lone Rogue River. Port Orford Cedar and Douglas fir practically litter the mountainous, and meadow landscapes. Lakes and streams (200 miles of them) aren’t too uncommon, and the forest boasts the tallest Pine tree in the World (we’re not kidding folks). The Ponderosa Pine stands at 268.35ft, which is a little bit taller than your average industrial wind turbine.

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5. Six Rivers National Forest

97%

(29)

281 sites · Hoopa, California

This park gets its rather self-descriptive name from the six beautiful rivers that flow through its borders, but don’t the name fool you. There is a lot more than just rivers to check out here. More than a million rambling acres of forest take you through foggy and mystical redwood landscapes. Further inland, miles of towering Douglas firs, glacial peaks, and hidden pools just wait to be discovered. Of course, the rivers are the main attraction. You can’t go two feet without tripping over a perfect swimming hole. After your dip, there are plenty of warm rocks to lay out on. Oh, and if the natural beauty doesn’t get you: this was the place where they first spotted Bigfoot. Yeah, the original footage that basically made everyone believe in the hairy bi-ped. That, on its own, is reason enough to check it out

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6. Redding Ranch - Williams Escape

25mi from O'Brien · 7 sites · Tents, RVs

This is a flat quiet field in the heart of Williams Oregon. Beautiful wine country and outdoor recreation activities surround us!! The Oregon Caves, Rogue River and Crater Lake, are all within a good day trip making this a good base for any adventurists. Valley view with some ponds and clear night skies!!!

7. Camp Jade River

96%

(284)

28mi from O'Brien · 1 site · Tent, RV

The rugged terrain of far northern California is one of the few mostly untouched places left to retreat to. Come dwarf yourself under the magnificent giant redwoods and be struck with awe by the mesmerizing jade colored Smith River. The property is a mere 20 minutes from some of the world's tallest trees. Come check out Stout Grove, a rarely crowded gem of the Redwood National and State Parks. The grove is a part of Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park which is the least developed and most impressive park of the four. From your campsite you will have a lovely view of a large bend of the Smith River. It boasts impressive runs of chinook and steelhead, and is host to many other native species. Keep an eye out for bear, mink, and otters! And secure any food or attractants at night. Our property gives you the chance to disconnect from daily life and recalibrate. Use our site as an extended getaway for some peace and quiet, or a launch point to the variety of local attractions. 

8. Sustainable Ecovillage

84%

(91)

17mi from O'Brien · 5 sites · Lodging

The Smith River Complex Fire took our property on August 16th, 2023. Updates on our progress here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fucaTaOwf5c PLEASE NOTE, 4WD is required in order to access the sites. Please message me if you have any questions prior to booking. Sustainable Ecovillage is an off-grid project for sustainable living. If you are looking for a unique experience and up for rustic accommodations among goats, chickens, a permaculture food forest with a few off-grid perks, we welcome you to join us in our mountainous, wilderness paradise! Our 160-acre property is surrounded by about a million acres of National Forest. Our neighborhood is all made of trees, huckleberry bushes and animals. We love it here. It is very remote, peaceful, and functionally sustainable in its focus. The closest neighbor is a Buddhist Hermitage about a mile up the forestry road. Also, supposedly, Sasquatch live here! (it is the epicenter for documented sightings). Most visitors to the area are interested in spending time in the redwoods – we are about 30-45 minutes from the nearest entrance to Jedediah Smith Park, home of Stout Grove and other beautiful redwood hikes. Driving into Crescent City, about 45-60 minutes, winds you right through the "gentle giants" on your way to or from Redwood National Park. We are self-sufficient, and sustainable in a relatively primitive set-up, especially after the fire this year. It's mountainous and remote, and we have a community agreement about no smoking (of any kind) on our land.

9. Ossia Village Farm

98%

(312)

28mi from O'Brien · 8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Ossia Village Farm is a 5-acre collaborative and ever evolving farmstead with big visions, lots of passion and willingness to try the untried. Explore the emergent veggie and flower gardens, stroll through meadow pathways, pick abundant hydrangeas, feed the farm animals and search for turtles in the duck pool, or take a moment of quiet meditation in the patch of redwoods onsite. Ossia is playful base camp for adventures to the river, redwoods and ocean beaches. Amenities include flushing toilets and shower in the bathhouse, drinking water, shared electric hot water kettle, mini fridge, charging ports and charcoal grill at the hospitality center (bring your own stove and dishes), and a communal fire pit.

10. Klamath National Forest

91%

(28)

288 sites · Greenview, California

Explore the pristine wilderness bordering California and Oregon among the Klamath Mountains.

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11. Alfred A. Loeb State Park

100%

(2)

3 sites · Harbor, Oregon

Set up camp or hike among myrtlewoods and redwoods at this Southern Oregon park.

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12. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

99%

(120)

70 sites · Hiouchi, California

Hike, camp, or fish in the shadow of ancient redwoods at this Northern California park.

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13. Valley of the Rogue State Park

100%

(3)

23 sites · Foots Creek, Oregon

Camp on the banks of the Rogue River.

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14. Smith River Surf Camp

91%

(37)

29mi from O'Brien · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

This is a beautiful 2.8 acre secluded group campsite with a geodesic dome, just minutes away from the ocean, giant redwood forests, and the beautiful Smith River. Surfing, paddling, hiking, biking, ocean or river activities abound. Surrounded by pastures, with frequent herds of elk roaming nearby and sometimes through the campsite itself. This is a primitive campsite. It is a grassy area to park your campervan or set up your tent. While work is going into the site to improve it's functionality, it is not up and running yet. we have a toilet onsite and tables where you can set up your kitchen, however there are no showers and you wil need to pack it in and out. You will certainly enjoy this nature getaway!

15. Out’n’About treehouse treesort

93%

(7)

5.1mi from O'Brien · 25 sites · Lodging

Out’n’About is a treehouse resort located right next to the siskiyou national forest. The 40+ acre property is partially forested with horse pastures and meadows. There are 15 rentals, of which most are treehouses built in oak groves or Douglas fir trees. There is a main lodge where breakfast is served. Outside there is a shared kitchen pavilion with additional bathrooms. There are numerous bbqs, picnic tables, and a shared fire pit. There is a fresh water swimming pool, a ping pong table, tree trampolines, and tons of swings for the kids of all ages. For additional fees we also offer massage, horse back riding, ziplining and arts classes.

16. Sanctuary on the River!

95%

(43)

37mi from O'Brien · 4 sites · Tents, Lodging

This property is 12.62 acres of organic farm, gardens and forest. It backs up to BLM (public) land so there is ample room for roaming. There is also a winery on the property producing all organic and wildharvested fruit, berry and flower wines. You are welcome to visit the tasting room when we are open, and we are called Wild Wines if you want to look us up.The pond and river are wonderful spots in the summer. We have a sauna as well, but we typically only use it in the winter when having a fire is safe. Inquire for availability and fee.There are a few people living here in separate structures, and everyone is friendly!  

17. Forested creekside campsite

99%

(289)

38mi from O'Brien · 1 site · Tent, RV

Single campsite on 72 acres along beautiful Jumpoff Joe Creek.  Shaded, adjacent to romantically lighted timber-frame private covered bridge (no traffic).  Very secluded, but only 1/2 mile from I-5 (no freeway noise, though).  Private "beach" area and kid-friendly water play area with wild creatures (turkey, deer, fish, crayfish, water striders, turtles, frogs, etc.). Picnic table, tent spots, and fresh water spigot.  Short hiking trails (watch out for poison oak!).  Best for tenting, smaller RV's, tree tents, or rooftop tents.  About 100 yards from nearest structure. 3 nights max except by private arrangement.    NO smoking/vaping/marijuana.  NO wood fires, but propane fire-ring is available -- bring your own propane tank or pay $5 extra to use my propane tank if available.  Good cell service from Google Fi/USCellular.  WiFi available on porch of owner's house by request. Hey there! I'm a single dad with 2 teen-kids, medical professional, who enjoys country living and sharing it with others. I've lived in far-Northern CA and Southern Oregon my whole life, except for school/training, so State of Jefferson is my home. We bought this land in 2017, when it was just brush, poison oak, and a rotten bridge. Hey there! I'm a single dad with 2 teen-kids, medical professional, who enjoys country living and sharing it with others. I've lived in far-Northern CA and Southern Oregon my whole life, except for school/training, so State of Jefferson is my home. We bought this land in 2017, when it was just brush, poison oak, and a rotten bridge.

18. Smith River Retreat

98%

(166)

21mi from O'Brien · 1 site · Tent, RV

This beautiful spot on the Smith River was once an old mining claim. The property boundaries actually go half way out into the river. The present house was built in 1957 and has been remodeled a few times since. The host retired from teaching 11 years ago and spends much of her time improving the landscaping and gardening, while playing with her giant Shiloh Shepherd.

19. Lower Lake Farm Camp

96%

(163)

29mi from O'Brien · 5 sites · RVs

Our little farm has full hook-up sites with septic, great water, 30 amp electric, WiFi. We are located halfway between Brookings, OR and Crescent City, CA near the Wild and Scenic Smith River, Tolowa Dunes State Park, Lake Earl Wildlife Area, and Kellogg Beach (1.3 miles from camp) on the Pacific Ocean. The beautiful redwoods and Jedidiah Smith State Park are just minutes away. So many outdoor activities available nearby; Kayaking, swimming, surfing, fishing, hiking, biking, horse riding, bird watching, beach combing, and all the outdoor activities you can imagine. The farm animals are friendly, they love goodies and scratches (kitchen scraps, and Shiloh the horse loves carrots and apples!) Kids should be accompanied by an adult. Please close gates behind you!

20. Woods, Waves & Wags/Hipcamp

89%

(66)

40mi from O'Brien · 7 sites · Tents, Lodging

GLAMPING near the REDWOODS and OCEAN! Near Prairie Creek National Park. A private home property with an active Airbnb and now Hip Camp! Come pitch your tent ,Car camp, or book a room! Very Close to the Beach and Redwoods and "Trees of Mystery" Park. We have Yard games, Fire pits, and are Dog friendly!.

Camper favorites near O'Brien

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Lower Lake Farm Camp

96%

(163)

29mi from O'Brien · 5 sites · RVs

Our little farm has full hook-up sites with septic, great water, 30 amp electric, WiFi. We are located halfway between Brookings, OR and Crescent City, CA near the Wild and Scenic Smith River, Tolowa Dunes State Park, Lake Earl Wildlife Area, and Kellogg Beach (1.3 miles from camp) on the Pacific Ocean. The beautiful redwoods and Jedidiah Smith State Park are just minutes away. So many outdoor activities available nearby; Kayaking, swimming, surfing, fishing, hiking, biking, horse riding, bird watching, beach combing, and all the outdoor activities you can imagine. The farm animals are friendly, they love goodies and scratches (kitchen scraps, and Shiloh the horse loves carrots and apples!) Kids should be accompanied by an adult. Please close gates behind you!

Woods, Waves & Wags/Hipcamp

89%

(66)

40mi from O'Brien · 7 sites · Tents, Lodging

GLAMPING near the REDWOODS and OCEAN! Near Prairie Creek National Park. A private home property with an active Airbnb and now Hip Camp! Come pitch your tent ,Car camp, or book a room! Very Close to the Beach and Redwoods and "Trees of Mystery" Park. We have Yard games, Fire pits, and are Dog friendly!.

Serene Spot for Design Lovers

98%

(57)

36mi from O'Brien · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

When I closed my Glamping Business in Big Sur, CA, in 2016 I was looking for a new place to call home and the universe told me to check out Southern Oregon. Being German, I fell in love with the Applegate Valley because it reminds me of the German Alp Region of Algovia ("Allgaeu"). We are a tiny community here on my 7 acres of land including a couple of sweet dogs. My favorite spot ever since I discovered this property has been the barn and I have finished renovating it during Covid Lockdown. I am looking forward to hosting people who love nature and the quiet, who would like to unplug from the urban bustle and who have a passion for design and unconventional living spaces. I think you will love staying here and enjoying the amenities that are waiting for you. I look forward to welcoming you! Learn more about this land: NEW 2024: SMALL INTEXT POOL TO COOL OFF in the Summer :-)) Mountain Views on Private Property in the Heart of the Applegate Valley. Only minutes drive from restaurants, Canytrall Buckley Park with River Access, The Applegate Lake (Swimming, Paddleboarding), Hiking Trails, Wineries, a small supermarket and a famous paragliding spot. Come park your camper van or trailer on my 7 acre property. I am an Interior Designer and have converted the former mule Barn into an Outdoor Summer Living Space with dining room, living room, kitchen and patio. Attached to  the barn are an outdoor shower with hot water as well as a composting toilet.  Al Fresco Dining, Showers in the Sunset and occasional outdoor movie nights are waiting for you here on the Hill in the beautiful Applegate Valley. If you play the guitar, feel free to bring it along, we have had fun times with small gatherings in the evenings on the patio. Please note: I live here and so you will see me around daily, usually I tend the gardens or you can find me around the barn. However, I will respect your privacy! The dogs who live on the property are usually free roaming and they will for sure come visit you, they are all friendly. I am emphasizing this, because if you are scared of dogs, are not used to dogs or do not like dogs, my place (unfortunately) might not be the right spot for you :-(.

Coastal Forest Farm Camp

97%

(105)

29mi from O'Brien · 1 site · RV

Coastal Forest Farm is a 13-acre family farm. The farm is complete with a seasonal pond, open pastures, and a forest. The forest includes ferns, a variety of mushrooms (please don't touch them unless you are knowledgable about mushrooms), flowers, and mossy-covered old-growth Sitka trees. At night you can hear the sounds of the ocean nearby and the frogs in the forest.

Hidden Forest Get-away

96%

(357)

40mi from O'Brien · 5 sites · Tents, RVs

Elk Haven Ranch consists of 40 acres at the base of a mountain range that is BLM federal land. There is an elk herd and of course deer on the property. This property is a haven for them, no hunting is allowed. If you are looking to throw a Frisbee with your dog in a forested and meadow setting, without tons of campers right next to you, then this is your place. Room to roam, fresh water April through September and easy access to a common electricity plug-in where you can charge your cell phones and air mattresses on the electric pole by the entry gate. If you are looking to play games, just ask us for the corn hole or horse shoes, or help yourself to the games already out and available. Let us know what your goals are and we will do our best to accommodate for your stay.

New Hope Homestead

95%

(21)

28mi from O'Brien · 3 sites · Tents, RVs

1927 farm house acreage with original milking house across the street. At that time, there was only a dirt road leading to the property. 5 acres remains, but original property lines were considerable and reached all the way to Williams highway. House was remodeled and a new septic was installed in 2019. Original 1920s hilled acreage homestead with mature fruit trees, garden area, sloped pasture, seasonal pond, and friendly chicken neighbors. RV driveway parking spot is close to main road and the land owner's family home. Dispersed tent camping available in the pasture (New composting toilet added 2023!) Located mere minutes from the city of Grants Pass, with convenient access to amenities, shops, grocery stores, and outdoor recreational activities; yet far enough out of town for all those lovely rural nature vibes. Applegate and Rogue River fishing, paddling, rafting, hiking, wine tasting, etc within a short commute. Covered car/truck parking negotiable. Guests love staying here: "Beautiful views from this location. Miranda is a perfect host. She met us upon arrival & showed us the ropes. She left us fresh eggs from her flock of adorable chickens & even shared her garden with us. Grants Pass is a beautiful little town located close to the Rogue River. We were there in the fall & I was in awe of the beautiful trees every time we ventured out."

Free Your Mind Camping

90%

(101)

23mi from O'Brien · 4 sites · Tents, RVs

Welcome to the Wild West Coast! Where the mountains meet the sea. The campground is remotely located on private property and perfectly located for excursions to the Pacific Ocean, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, the Smith River National Recreation Area, and the Pacific Coast Ranges and mountain lakes such as the Devil's Punchbowl, Buck Lake, and Raspberry Lake. Relax and free you mind while camping on 120+ acres of private property under starry skies with almost no light or noise pollution. You are not alone on the mountain as other people live here in the wild. You only have access to the campground and a nearby pond. A locked gate with code access. The road to get there is two and a half miles up the mountain, the first mile is paved and the other mile and a half is gravel. The road is maintained by the county and used daily by others that live and work here. In the surrounding area you can enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, surfing, beachcombing, birdwatching, and countless other outdoor activities. French Hill Trail is a few more miles up the mountain road. The campsites have picnic tables and fire rings, and campers are provided with 5 gallons of potable water. An outdoor, COLD-water Artesian shower, out in the open mountain air with the wild things and an outhouse with a compost toilet are also provided. Bundles of firewood are available for an extra charge when you book your campsite. The campsites are set within a deciduous and pine forest at about 1913 feet in elevation. There is a pond on the property, but its purpose is for wildlife habitat ONLY, so water activities are NOT allowed. NO swimming, NO fishing, NO boating, NO trapping, etc. The wild things live here! The property owner has a dog, three cats, and a menagerie of yard birds such as turkeys, peacocks, guinea hens, chickens, ducks, geese, etc. They do make noise! Kirk has lived off-grid for over twenty years and holds a wealth of information about the Gasquet/Del Norte County area. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the property is that it has had documented Sasquatch encounters over the past twenty years that have been published in "Tribal Bigfoot" (D. Paulides 2009). Kirk can tell you about his experiences with this and other phenomena on the property.

Trillium Wilderness Retreat

98%

(24)

42mi from O'Brien · 54 sites · Lodging

Trillium is a former wilderness community and retreat center tucked into a vast valley of the Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon. From ridge-top to riverside, guest are immersed in pristine nature, breathtakingly fertile and rugged landscape. Over the past 40 years, Trillium has been a multi-faceted community, education & birthing center. The history of this place is vast, rich and honored. TRILLIUM’S FIRST COMMUNITY Trillium was home to a community since the 1970’s. This community was unique in that it sustained on its own functioning without a “guru,” which was popular of that time. Trillium birthed many babies along the hippie trail, as well as many entrepreneurial ventures. Most notable of these ventures was Unicorn Domes, now known as Pacific Domes located in neighboring Ashland, OR. GRANDMA’S TROUT FARM Chant, a founder of the Trillium’s first community, tells the story of coming upon the land while out on a camping trip. The story flows like a fairytale, having a sense of awe and deep resonance of home in this place. At that time, the land was home to a trout farm, and thus many holding ponds and water features were created in Birch Creek, meandering south through the valley to feed the Little Applegate River. Our office, Cedar Barn, was filled with tanks of small trout, while the waterwheel containing them still remains on the old barn you’ll see as you enter the parking lot. APPLE ORCHARD While we don’t know much about it, there is a story of 2 sisters and their apple orchard. As we continue to explore and rehabilitate the valley, we have discovered a variety of old legacy apple trees in unexpected places. These trees were likely displaced during one of the old floods through the valley, but have held on (sometimes to the edge of a slope) and continue to produce fruit…an inspiring example of the resilience of this land. NATIVES, CHINESE IMMIGRANTS & MINERS This part of the world is gold-mining land, and there are even still claims upriver today! As with any monetary venture, there is ingenuity as well as tests of integrity. The peaceful natives of this land, the Dakubetedes were all but obliterated, while Chinese immigrants were exploited for their engineering genius and labor to construct the 26.5 mile Sterling Mine Ditch. This ditch had a “clean out” that emptied through our valley, thus named “Muddy Gulch.” It’s deep ruts are still quite evident, both physically and energetically. We seek to learn and heal these parts of our history on this land.This description of the history, lightly touching on these atrocities, can be found on the BLM website: “Long before the appearance of European settlers, Sterling Creek and the Little Applegate River area were traditional homelands of the Dakubetede people. This group was also known as the Applegate Creek Indians and was part of the Rogue River Indians, a name applied to the people of the Upper Rogue River and its tributaries. The Dakubetedes utilized an abundance of berries, seeds, roots, fish, and game throughout the year to maintain a diverse diet. The Dakubetedes spoke a dialect of the Athabascan language group, unusual for the tribes in interior southwest Oregon. The Dakubetedes took part in the Rogue River Indian Treaties of 1853 and 1854 that resulted in their removal from their homelands to the Grand Ronde and Siletz Indian Reservations in northwest Oregon. When gold was discovered in 1854 on Sterling Creek, prospectors poured into the area. At first, they panned for gold along the creek, but this proved to be inefficient in extracting the gold that was buried under layers of rock and soil. Hydraulic mining, using a powerful jet of water, promised better returns for large scale mining; they just needed more water. In 1877 miners built the Sterling Mine Ditch to redirect water from the upper reaches of the Little Applegate River to the Sterling Creek Mine. The ditch followed the contours of the rugged slopes of Anderson Butte and lost only 200 feet in elevation over its 26.5 mile length. Using hand tools, up to 400 workers, most of them probably Chinese, completed the ditch in just 6 months, at a cost of $70,000. The ditch carried water to the mine, and the trail alongside it provided access for ditch maintenance. During peak operation, hydraulic mining on Sterling Creek blasted away up to 800 cubic yards of soil and rock each day. Impacts to fisheries and water quality were immense, and generations would pass before the hydrologic balance and fish habitat in Sterling Creek would recover. The mine discontinued operations in the 1930s, and the ditch and trail became overgrown with brush and trees. The Sterling Mine Ditch Trail (SMDT) is a marvel of late nineteenth century engineering. Be sure to see the tunnel, dug as a shortcut through the ridge at the top of the Tunnel Ridge access trail! You can also see old flume remnants while hiking along sections of the trail. As you drive along Sterling Creek Road, you can see piles of stones and boulders along the creek that were left by hydraulic mining as soil was washed away in the search for gold. In addition to gold, the layers of soil and rock also yielded bones and tusks of elephants and other ancient inhabitants of the area.” GLACIERS AND BIODIVERSITY The biodiversity of the natural world is immense in our PNW pocket, and especially at Trillium. This description, and more info, can be found on the World Wildlife website under ecoregion, “Klamath-Siskiyou.” “Biological DistinctivenessThe Klamath-Siskiyou ecoregion is considered a global center of biodiversity (Wallace 1982), an IUCN Area of Global Botanical Significance (1 of 7 in North America), and is proposed as a World Heritage Site and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Vance-Borland et al. 1995). The biodiversity of these rugged coastal mountains of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon has garnered this acclaim because the region harbors one of the four richest temperate coniferous forests in the world (along with the Southeastern Conifer forests of North America, forests of Sichuan, China, and the forests of the Primorye region of the Russian Far East), with complex biogeographic patterns, high endemism, and unusual community assemblages. A variety of factors contribute to the region’s extraordinary living wealth. The region escaped extensive glaciation during recent ice ages, providing both a refuge for numerous taxa and long periods of relatively favorable conditions for species to adapt to specialized conditions. Shifts in climate over time have helped make this ecoregion a junction and transition zone for several major biotas, namely those of the Great Basin, the Oregon Coast Range, the Cascades Range, the Sierra Nevada, the California Central Valley, and Coastal Province of Northern California. Elements from all of these zones are currently present in the ecoregion’s communities. Temperate conifer tree species richness reaches a global maximum in the Klamath-Siskiyous with 30 species, including 7 endemics, and alpha diversity (single-site) measured at 17 species within a single square mile (2.59 km2) at one locality (Vance-Borland et al. 1995). Overall, around 3,500 plant species are known from the region, with many habitat specialists (including 90 serpentine specialists) and local endemics. The great heterogeneity of the region’s biodiversity is due to the area’s rugged terrain, very complex geology and soils (giving the region the name "the Klamath Knot"), and strong gradients in moisture decreasing away from the coast (e.g., more than300 cm (120in)/annum to less than 50 cm (20 in)/annum). Habitats are varied and range from wet coastal temperate rainforests to moist inland forests dominated by Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Pinus ponderosa, and P. lambertiana mixed with a variety of other conifers and hardwoods (e.g., Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Lithocarpus densiflora, Taxus brevifolia, and Quercus chrysolepis); drier oak forests and savannas with Quercus garryana and Q. kelloggii; serpentine formations with well-developed sclerophyllous shrubs; higher elevation forests with Douglas fir, Tsuga mertensiana, Abies concolor and A. magnifica; alpine grasslands on the higher peaks; and cranberry and pitcher plant bogs. Many species and communities have adapted to very narrow bands of environmental conditions or to very specific soils such as serpentine outcrops. Local endemism is quite pronounced with numerous species restricted to single mountains, watersheds, or even single habitat patches, tributary streambanks, or springs (e.g., herbaceous plants, salamanders, carabid beetles, land snails, see Olson 1991). Such fine-grained and complex distribution patterns means that any losses of native forests or habitats in this ecoregion can significantly contribute to species extinction. Several of the only known localities for endemic harvestman, spiders, land snails, and other invertebrates have been heavily altered or lost through logging within the last decade, and the current status of these species is unknown (Olson 1991). Unfortunately, many invertebrate species with distribution patterns and habitat preferences that make them prone to extinction, such as old growth specialist species, are rarely recognized or listed as federal endangered species. Indeed, 83 species of Pacific Northwest freshwater mussels and land snails with extensive documentation of their endangerment were denied federal listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1994 (J. Belsky, pers. comm. 1994).Rivers and streams of the Klamath-Siskiyou region support a distinctive fish fauna, including nine species of native salmonids (salmon and trout), and several endemic or near-endemic species such as the tui chub (Gila bicolor), the Klamath small-scale sucker (Catostomus rimiculus), and the coastrange sculpin (Cottus aleuticus). Many unusual aquatic invertebrates are also occur in the region.”

Public campgrounds near O'Brien

Little Falls Campground

11mi from O'Brien · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

Josephine Campground

11mi from O'Brien · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

100%

(1)

Grayback Campground

13mi from O'Brien · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

The top of Bolan Lake, around a 3.5 mile round trip hike.

Bolan Lake Campground

13mi from O'Brien · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

Chinquapin Group Campground

13mi from O'Brien · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

Cave Creek Campground

14mi from O'Brien · 18 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

100%

(1)

North Fork Campground

15mi from O'Brien · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Six Rivers National Forest

100%

(3)

River Bench Campground

15mi from O'Brien · 8 sites · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

100%

(1)

Sixmile Campground

15mi from O'Brien · 4 sites · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

Store Gulch Campground

15mi from O'Brien · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

West Branch Campground

16mi from O'Brien · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Klamath National Forest

100%

(2)

Patrick Creek Campground

16mi from O'Brien · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · in Six Rivers National Forest

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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Bryn

2 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Ossia Village Farm

I car camped at the farm and had a wonderful night. I will definitely go back! The farm is beautiful, the animals are sweet, and it was very peaceful. Highly recommend.

Justin

3 weeks ago

21 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Forested creekside campsite

It was conveniently located just off I5 as stated by others. We had a quiet & peaceful night and morning. There is a nice little walking path that my dog appreciated. The bridge lights weren't on which kinda bummed me out as I would have liked to see it lit up, but I was glad they were off as soon as we settled in. Shower was disconnected for winter, but I love the idea and want to borrow it on my own property! I didn't use the firepit, but it would be nice for a group. The campsite isn't totally level and is down a steepish hill. If there was a lot of snow I might be concerned about getting out. All in all we had a great 1 night stay and it was exactly what we hoped for when booking.

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Ryan

3 weeks ago

With pets

1 night at Sustainable Ecovillage

Absolutely loved our stay! The views, surrounded by nature, the wood burning sauna, there is so much to love! I will definitely be back.

Richard

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Forested creekside campsite

I loved the sound of the creek and ran into a doe and two of her fawns in the morning. This will be even more beautiful during the summer. I went in the late autumn.

a

alexa

November 2025

Tent

3 nights at Ossia Village Farm

My boyfriend and I camped here with the intent to visit Brookings OR, the campground was so beautiful we didn't end up going lol! Dar, the campsite host, was super friendly and welcoming. The animals are really friendly and we loved staying here. Amenities included flush toilets, hot showers, kitchen area with power, shared firepit. We're already planning our next trip here!

K

Kia

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cedar Bloom

Large area to work with. Also, warm showers on the river have an absolutely gorgeous view of the river. However, it is outside and you can see the highway from the shower… meaning the highway can see you. There could be better paths and signage to follow, but once you get a gist of the area it’s very easy to find everything. The hosts are very accommodating. They had an employee drop of the firewood we purchased from the camp store. Also there was a full community kitchen that came in handy for things we forgot. We just washed them all and put them back when we were done.

Dayna

November 2025

27 ft Class C

With pets

Weekend Trip to Forested creekside campsite

Marcus’s property is absolutely beautiful. Easy to access down a gravel road, nice flat and wide site for our 26 foot Class C with a slide, stunning surroundings, super private and quiet. We loved everything about it and can’t wait to come back.

A

Adiel

November 2025

Tent

With pets

4 nights at Mystic Forest Campground

Great location, surroundings, and amenities. So much to do and see all within an hour drive. Will definitely stay here again.

C

Coco

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mystic Forest Campground

The campground was amazing! It was just as beautiful as the pictures and had great amenities. The showers and game room were perfect. We didn't spend much time at the campground itself because there were so many beautiful hikes and things to see around the area. I would definitely recommend staying here!

J

Jorge

November 2025

Tent

1 night at Forested creekside campsite

Close to the main road but very quiet. Nice ambience with the string lights and sounds of the creek. Saw a few deer during my stay. Happened to be rainy during my stay but the big trees offered some cover and the covered bridge was another nice place to stay dry. Bathroom was clean.

E

Elizabeth

October 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Mystic Forest Campground

Nice host. Large forested tent area. Clean bathroom.

Janice

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Mystic Forest Campground

We loved our stay here!! The land is absolutely gorgeous, being right in the Redwoods and literally around the corner from the Trees of Mystery. The hosts, Patrick and Maya, were the sweetest humans and so much fun to chat with! They have a stocked camp store, a game room with tons of books, and ping pong and such, and a ton of cool Redwood trees and tree stumps scattered throughout the camp. Our tent site, #16, was just inside the forest but felt very private on the other side of the trees from the RVs. We are really looking forward to paying them another visit!

D

Deva

October 2025

19 ft campervan

1 night at Cornerstone Ranch

pasturelands. Calm, quiet, peaceful, with the burble of a creek and beautiful horses to gaze at. Great facilities, nearby and fantastic communication with Bonnie and Chris.

R

Ryan

October 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Cedar Bloom

Utterly amazing. The tea house, sauna, river, grounds, everything is 10/10. Would def stay again!

Kerry and Kevin

October 2025

21 ft campervan

1 night at Coastal Forest Farm Camp

I absolutely love this Hipcamp! It's so private (you have your own driveway and gate) and feels very safe. Surrounded by trees and farmland. Lots of cute little amenities to enjoy while there. The ground is level enough that you can just pull right in and set up. The host is very kind and responsive. Also, I think there's an owl that lives here, and he was a joy to listen to. Highly recommend.

B

Bonnie

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cedar Bloom

Stayed in one of the A-frames with my two small dogs for a weekend and had a lovely time. It was a stormy, rainy couple of days in October, so I didn’t get to explore the property or surrounding area much, but that ended up being perfect since I had just come to relax anyway. Once I got set up inside (with some string lights, a hot water bottle, and a good book), it felt nice and cozy. I was glad to have brought the hot water bottle and a couple of extra blankets, b/c the temps inside were roughly the same as they were outside. The transparent panels make it feel like you’re sleeping among the trees, and the sound of rain on the roof was wonderful. The roof is corrugated steel, so the first time an acorn pinged off it I just about jumped out of my skin, but we got used to it quickly. Ultimately I think those noises were part of the charm. Saw some beautiful deer and lots of wild turkeys. As a woman camping solo, I felt very safe. The property isn’t completely remote (it’s tucked next to a neighborhood and there’s a private residence onsite) but it still has a peaceful, wilderness feel, especially in late October when there were fewer visitors. For anyone curious (since I couldn’t find this info beforehand), each A-frame has its own fire ring and picnic table. Thank you for the great weekend!

D

Diego

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mystic Forest Campground

Amazing campsite. Loved that it’s so close to a ton of trails. Beautiful scenery all around can’t wait to come back!

S

Sheila

October 2025

With pets

1 night at Cedar Bloom

I love this place. I’ll stay here any chance I get. It’s lovely. Spacious camp sites. Hot tea and coffee area. The river. The outdoor showers. And the A frames are so cool! But I recommend arriving in the daylight if it’s your first time. I came after dark and I’m pretty sure I would have been lost if I didn’t already know my way around. It’s not well lit at night. Makes for good sleep— but def bring a head lamp.

D

Drew

October 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Free Your Mind Camping

Easy to book! Needed a safe place to rest during a road trip and found this site. It was clean and well maintained. Would come again for a longer stay 💗

P

Paula

October 2025

10 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Cedar Bloom

Lovely spaces and everything! The only tricky part for me was getting in the gate as I hadn’t printed or saved the instructions and my phone was not being helpful! Note to self - print or save the instructions before leaving - of course!