Klamath National Forest Campgrounds Winding Down for Season

Curly Jack campground Klamath National Park

Press release from the Klamath National Forest:

Cooling temperatures and shorter days bring fewer visitors to the Klamath National Forest looking for camping opportunities. As a result, campgrounds across the forest will begin to shut down until next spring.

Many Salmon/Scott River Ranger District campgrounds will be closing for the season on October 17, including Indian Scotty, Kangaroo Lake, Carter Meadows, Hidden Horse, Trail Creek, East Fork, Matthews Creek, and Idlewild.

Cleaning, water, and garbage services will be discontinued as of the same date at all other sites across the Salmon/Scott River District including Hotelling, Red Bank, Mule Bridge, Big Flat, Lovers Camp, and Jones Beach. These sites will still be available for camping, but campers must plan on packing out their trash.

A few campgrounds are closing October 17 on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District as well, including Curly Jack, Tree of Heaven, and the Sarah Totten downriver group site. Grider, Mount Ashland, and Norcross campgrounds will remain open a little longer, closing on November 15. All other campgrounds on Happy Camp/Oak Knoll are open year-round, though no services like trash, water, or cleaning are offered. O’Neil and West Branch remain closed indefinitely for repairs.

Campgrounds on the Goosenest Ranger District, including Martin’s Dairy, Martin’s Dairy Horse Camp, Shafter, and Juanita Lake, will be closing on October 18.

“It was a busy season for camping here on the Klamath,” said Klamath National Forest Recreation Officer Jennifer Womack. “All of the use at our recreation sites kept our recreation crews very busy. I am very proud of the strong work that our crews did to keep these sites maintained for the public.”

Dispersed camping is always an option on Klamath National Forest lands. Just as in the campgrounds that remain open year-round but without services, campers need to make certain to practice Leave No Trace principles.

• Pack it in, pack it out: Make sure to pack out all trash and garbage.
• Dispose of human waste properly. Digging a cat hole is an acceptable method in most situations. Dig holes 6-8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, and fill it in when finished.
• Plan ahead and prepare. Call one of our offices during business hours or check the Klamath National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/klamath to find out the latest fire restrictions, area closures, and any other pertinent information.

Stage One fire restrictions do remain in effect on the Klamath and will be in place until conditions are consistently cooler and wetter. This means campfires are only permitted within developed recreation sites and wilderness areas, along with other prohibitions. For more information on fire restrictions, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices/?aid=74644.

More information on Leave No Trace outdoor ethics can be viewed at https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/.

Campgrounds on the Klamath National Forest will re-open for the 2023 season in May.