Chinquapin Group Campground sits in the Siskiyou National Forest at 1,883 feet, a spacious meadow site designed for reunions, school trips, and group gatherings. The campground runs along Grayback Creek and offers potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. Reviewers love the swimming hole with a rope swing and the nearby trail, though they note that day hikers legally pass through the parking and restroom area to reach the public trail and swimming spots.
Chinquapin is a group campground situated on a large meadow at the former CCC camp site and is used for reunions, church camps, school field trips and scouting events. It is adjacent to historic structures and interpretive resources.
Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring brings mild, stable weather (daytime highs commonly 55–75°F, nights 35–45°F) and peak creek flows, making trails and riparian areas around Grayback Creek lush and full of wildflowers — ideal for hiking, wildlife viewing, and group nature programs. Trails are green and cooler than midsummer, while mosquitoes and ticks are manageable early in the season; crowds are moderate compared with summer weekends. If you want the best mix of comfortable temperatures, scenery, and active creek-side ro
Peak months: May, June, September
Avoid: December, January, February
Elevation1883 ft above sea level
Natural Features and SceneryGrayback Creek defines the campground, flowing past the meadow and feeding a popular swimming hole downstream. The site opens onto flat tent space surrounded by forest, with trails winding through riparian areas thick with spring wildflowers. A massive Port-Orford cedar. Oregon's 56th State Heritage Tree. Anchors the parking area near the entrance. Wildlife is common, and berries grow wild in season. The creek runs full and cold in spring, quieter by late summer.
Programs & ActivitiesThe site is located at the former Camp Oregon Caves CCC camp and includes the historic Grayback Ranger Station; the Grayback Interpretive trail provides interpretive/historic context adjacent to the campground.