The best waterside campgrounds near O'Brien, Oregon

O'Brien draws in campers looking for waterside escapes, and with over 1,200 options, you’re spoiled for choice. Rivers and creeks criss-cross the area, so you’ll find sites where you can wake up steps from the water. The average night runs $55, but you can snag a spot for as little as $15. Showers and toilets are common, and most sites allow campfires—key after a day spent swimming, hiking, or watching wildlife. Local favorites include Cedar Bloom (1,798 reviews), Cornerstone Ranch (530 reviews), and Redwood Retreat (286 reviews)—all places you’ll hear locals rave about for their easy access to water and laid-back atmosphere. If you’re serious about a waterside camp in O’Brien, you won’t run out of options or things to do.

95% (5.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

O'Brien draws in campers looking for waterside escapes, and with over 1,200 options, you’re spoiled for choice. Rivers and creeks criss-cross the area, so you’ll find sites where you can wake up steps from the water. The average night runs $55, but you can snag a spot for as little as $15. Showers and toilets are common, and most sites allow campfires—key after a day spent swimming, hiking, or watching wildlife. Local favorites include Cedar Bloom (1,798 reviews), Cornerstone Ranch (530 reviews), and Redwood Retreat (286 reviews)—all places you’ll hear locals rave about for their easy access to water and laid-back atmosphere. If you’re serious about a waterside camp in O’Brien, you won’t run out of options or things to do.

95% (5.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Camp Jade River

96%

(284)

28mi from O'Brien · 1 site · Tent, RV · Crescent City, CA

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.

2. Free Your Mind Camping

90%

(101)

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

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.

3. Hidden Forest Get-away

96%

(357)

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

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.

4. Lower Lake Farm Camp

96%

(163)

29mi from O'Brien · 5 sites · RVs · Crescent City, CA

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!

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%

(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

Spalding Pond Campground

18mi from O'Brien · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

Ludlum House Campground

21mi from O'Brien · 1 site · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

Briggs Creek Campground

21mi from O'Brien · 3 sites · in Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest

Stories from the community

R

Robin

October 2025

19 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Camp Jade River

Beautiful spot right along the water! So pretty with the falls colors. Nothing nearby (including cell service) so be sure to stock up before you get close.

J

Jordan

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Jade River

Beautiful camping site with a good view of the river. would book again.

H

Holly

October 2025

Tent

3 nights at Camp Jade River

Loving this beautiful campsite, peaceful and over the water.

J

Jenn

September 2025

4 ft travel trailer

3 nights at Camp Jade River

Our 2nd time here. Awesome place, beautiful river.

B

Bryan

September 2025

Tent

2 nights at Free Your Mind Camping

We really enjoyed our stay! It was beautiful, private, and only 20 minutes from the Redwood Forest. We’re so happy we found such a nice place to camp for two nights!

T

The Inked Agent

September 2025

25 ft Class C

With kids

1 night at Lower Lake Farm Camp

This was a great place to stay. Jose was responsive to my questions and it was Very quiet

C

Cheryl

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Jade River

What a gorgeous spot!! Easy to find. Several areas to enjoy ourselves. Huge area for the dogs to run and play. Lots of shade. Wonderful view of the river from the deck. Comfortable seating in several places. Property is very well kept. Even the outhouse was the cleanest I’ve ever been into! Can’t wait to find the time to go again !!

N

Nicole

September 2025

Tent

With pets

5 nights at Camp Jade River

Absolutely the best place to camp - hands down my ALL TIME NEW FAVORITE! Beautiful area, gorgeous river, lots of trees for shade, enough room to fit a huge family reunion of people comfortably and we only had 5. Yes the path down to the river was tricky, not difficult if you are steady on your feet but if you are not, you may find the path troublesome. I found the little outhouse to be scarier than the river trail. If you have your own portable toilet, bring it. It will save you lots of scary moments with spiders and bees. The only thing I wish we would of had but didn't, were some SOLAR LIGHTS to put up along the path down to the deck. It would have made the walk much easier in the dark. All in all, it was a wonderful 6 days! Looking forward to booking my spot again for next year soon as I don't wanna miss out on camping here again. I'm sure as soon as word gets out how great it is here, booking a week-long reservation will be hard to do! Thank you Tyler for sharing your amazing property with us. We made some awesome memories! It was an unforgetable adventure!

Devon

September 2025

24 ft Class C

2 nights at Lower Lake Farm Camp

We loved our stay at Carolyn’s place! 1 miles from the beach and close to great hiking. The farm animals and pups are fun too ☺️

M

Mary

September 2025

21 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to Lower Lake Farm Camp

Quiet, family farm like vibes. Safe and secure. Carolyn was an attentive host.

G

Giselle

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

3 nights at Camp Jade River

Such an awesome weekend! Incredible beautiful, pictures don’t do it justice. My cousin proposed to his girlfriend here and she LOVED it. Feels like you’re in a movie, the water wasn’t as cold as we thought it would be. 10/10 recommend, we’re definitely going back!

I

Isaac

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Free Your Mind Camping

Excellent tent camping out of the way wilderness spot for a low key private feeling camp!!!

V

Vincent

August 2025

20 ft Class B

With kids

Weekend Trip to Lower Lake Farm Camp

The campsite was great, close to the beach and to the redwood national park. Jose and Carolyn were very helpful and responsive. We had the camp to ourselves, could be crowded if fully booked, but the location is perfect and the hosts very nice!

Debi

August 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Camp Jade River

We always love our stay at Tyler's magical Camp Jade River!!

M

Michaela

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camp Jade River

Tyler’s place was perfect for our family camp trip. It was spacious, clean, fairly private and has a beautiful private swimming hole. Highly recommend!!

K

Kenna

August 2025

Tent

Group trip

4 nights at Camp Jade River

Absolutely perfect spot on the river!! Easy to get to and plenty of privacy.

T

Terry

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Hidden Forest Get-away

Tent camping here was surreal. My fiancé, mother and I stayed here just for the night while on our way to California from Washington and it was lovely. Rebecca was very kind and gave perfect directions for anyone who would struggle getting to the property. They even had lights hung up in the camp sites which gave the whole place an amazing vibe.

L

Loron

August 2025

22 ft travel trailer

5 nights at Lower Lake Farm Camp

We absolutely can recommend staying here. About 1.5 miles to a public beach that had few people and miles of beach to walk. About 10 minutes to the Jedidiah Smith Redwoods National Park visitor center. Quiet location and welcoming hosts.

V

Vanessa

August 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Free Your Mind Camping

Kirk was great! Greeted us at the campsite, gave us great directions to the Redwoods. Over all had a nice stay.

Nathan

July 2025

17 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to Hidden Forest Get-away

We camped with kids and our dogs and had a really relaxed weekend. The portapotty was clean. Shower was nice too. Hosts were very communicative and accommodating.