Tipsu Tyee Campground

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Peace & QuietSummer Destination

Quick Facts

2,051 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

2,051 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Tipsu Tyee Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

"No Fees are required for this site."

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Campground Map

Tipsu Tyee Campground

42.0355, -123.1255

Driving directionsFrom Jacksonville, OR, travel South on Highway 238 to Ruch, OR, and turn left on to Upper Applegate Road. Continue about 15 miles to Applegate Lake and turn left on County Road 959 (traveling across the dam). Continue along County Road 959 about 3 miles and turn right on to Forest Road 100. Continue about 0.5 mile along Forest Road 100 to Squaw Arm Parking Area. Hike about 1.25 mile west along Payette Trail to the Campground.

The campground is accessible only via the Payette Trail #970 or by boat. It is not accessible by vehicle. "Hike about 1.25 miles west along Payette Trail to the Campground."

Nearby places

Jacksonville, OR (Approximately 15 miles and about 1.25 miles of hiking)

Best Time to Camp at Tipsu Tyee Campground

Experience the dramatic seasonal tapestry of Southern Oregon's wilderness throughout the year. Winter transforms Tipsu Tyee into a snow-laden wonderland, with accumulations reaching over a foot during peak storms, creating a crystalline landscape for the hardy few. As spring melts into summer, the campground awakens under increasingly warm skies, with July and August temperatures climbing into the balmy 89-93°F range—perfect for lake swimming and lazy afternoons. Spring and fall paint the surrounding forest in transitional hues, offering mild temperatures punctuated by occasional rain showers that keep the landscape lush and vibrant.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Accessible by hiking or boat in warm months; boating and hiking are available.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Fall likely offers pleasant weather and scenery though no seasonal reviews provided.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring offers fresh scenery but variable conditions and access; no review trend data.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Winter brings >1ft snow; access and services in winter are not detailed and may be limited.

Planning Tips

About Tipsu Tyee Campground

Tucked away on the pristine shores of Applegate Lake, Tipsu Tyee stands as a hidden sanctuary for those seeking true wilderness escape. This remote campground rewards adventurous souls who arrive either by navigating the scenic Payette Trail #970 or by boat across the shimmering waters. As a primitive camping destination with no fees, it offers an authentic back-to-nature experience where the only currency is respect for the untamed landscape. Boaters should check current lake levels before embarking on their journey to this secluded haven.

Tipsu Tyee Campground offers primitive camping experiences suitable for tent campers.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic seasonal tapestry of Southern Oregon's wilderness throughout the year. Winter transforms Tipsu Tyee into a snow-laden wonderland, with accumulations reaching over a foot during peak storms, creating a crystalline landscape for the hardy few. As spring melts into summer, the campground awakens under increasingly warm skies, with July and August temperatures climbing into the balmy 89-93°F range—perfect for lake swimming and lazy afternoons. Spring and fall paint the surrounding forest in transitional hues, offering mild temperatures punctuated by occasional rain showers that keep the landscape lush and vibrant.

Natural Features and SceneryPerched at the water's edge where forest meets lake, Tipsu Tyee offers a front-row seat to nature's daily performance. Ancient conifers tower overhead, their branches creating a natural cathedral that filters sunlight into dancing patterns on the forest floor. The crystalline waters of Applegate Lake lap gently at the shoreline, inviting early morning paddles through rising mist or sunset swims in the golden hour. Wildlife tracks crisscross the soft earth, while osprey circle overhead and deer emerge at twilight to drink from the lake's edge.

Geological RegionNestled within the majestic Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Tipsu Tyee occupies a special corner of Oregon's diverse geological tapestry. Here, the ancient forests that blanket the surrounding mountains give way to the aquatic wonderland of Applegate Lake, creating a unique ecosystem where terrestrial and aquatic worlds converge. This dynamic landscape, shaped by millennia of natural forces, offers visitors a glimpse into the raw beauty of the Pacific Northwest's untamed wilderness.

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Check-in

Open 24 hours/day

Check-out

Open 24 hours/day

Stay Limit

"Maximum length of stay: 14 days"

Groups

No group sites are available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layout5 campsites (tent-sites) with picnic tables, and fire pits.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-in only; reservations are not available.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features are mentioned. The campground is accessible only by hiking or boating, which may limit access for some individuals.

Site SizeStandard tent sites.

PrivacyPrivacy levels are not specified; likely moderate due to the small number of campsites.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational opportunities at Tipsu Tyee Campground are centered around outdoor activities. Campers can enjoy motorized boating on Applegate Lake and hiking along the Payette Trail #970, which provides access to the site.

HikingHiking is a primary activity, with the Payette Trail #970 serving as the only land-based access route to the campground. The trail is suitable for day hikes.

BoatingMotorized boating is permitted on Applegate Lake, providing an alternative means of accessing the campground.

Policies & Safety

Hazards & Alerts"No potable water is available. Campers should bring their own water or purification systems." Additionally, wildlife encounters are possible, and visitors are encouraged to follow Leave No Trace principles as no garbage disposal is available.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.