3.4010 reviewsPrice
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
14 campsites
Season
Open from early May ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
14 campsites
Season
Open from early May ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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42.0238, -123.1587
Lake-focused campers who haul their own water and don't mind close neighbors will do well here. Applegate Lake is steps away for bass fishing, kayaking, and the Hart-tish swim beach, and the Da-ku-be-te-de trail starts nearby. Off-season it's free.
Campers who need running water or any privacy should reconsider. Sites on this un-terraced hillside sit close together with little buffer, and you're hauling in every drop you'll drink. First-come, first-served means no guarantee on busy summer weekends either.
Reference information about Watkins Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Sites are located on Applegate Lake. There are wheelchair accessible facilities.</p><h2>Facilities</h2><ul><li>14 campsites (tent-sites) with picnic tables, and fire pits</li><li>1 group campsite (20-50 people)</li><li>No drinking water</li><li>Vault toilet</li><li>Garbage disposal available during operating season</li></ul><p><strong>Seasonal information:</strong> The site is free and open during the off-season as a walk-in site (parking at the gate, and proceeding on foot). No services or water are available during the off-season. Please pack out all trash and remember to <a class="offsiteicon" href="https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles" target="_blank">Leave No Trace</a>.</p>
The elevation is 2,000 ft. The campground, one of five in the Applegate Lake Recreation Area and located on a hillside above Applegate Lake, consists of walk-in tent sites only. The campsites are well shaded by young Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine. The sites are located up the hillside with no terracing, so pitching a tent on level ground may be a challenge. A few campsites on top of the hill have a limited view of lake. Rogue River National Forest 278
Open early May through mid-September
Applegate Lake is 1,400 acres. Swim beach and boat ramp available at Hart-tish Boat Ramp. Powerboats limited to 10mph. Hiking: There are several trails in the RA, but at this campground there are: Da-ku-be-te-de Trail #940 (foot, mountain bike, & horse) - 4.5 miles Collins Mtn. Trail #943 (foot, mountain bike & horse) - 7 miles Fishing: Small and Largemouth bass, Rainbow and Steelhead trout
Applegate Lake is 1,400 acres. Swim beach and boat ramp available at Hart-tish Boat Ramp. Powerboats limited to 10mph.
From Applegate, OR, take State Rt. 238 east 7.4 miles to Upper Applegate Star Ranger Station sign. Turn right at sign onto Applegate Rd. and go 18.4 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.
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The campground operates early May through mid-September. Summer brings the warmest weather, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F and cool nights in the low-50s°F. This is when swimming, boating, and fishing work best. Expect moderate crowds on holiday weekends. Long evenings are good for campfires and stargazing. Autumn brings crisp air and quieter conditions before the campground closes for winter.
Open early May–mid-Sept; warm days, swimming, boating and peak recreation in summer.
Watkins Campground offers a variety of basic amenities. The 14 campsites feature picnic tables and fire pits, and there is one group campsite suitable for 20-50 people. The campground does not have drinking water available, and potable water needs to be brought in by campers. Vault toilets are provided and are wheelchair accessible. During the operating season, garbage disposal is available, but campers are required to pack out all trash during the off-season when no services are available. Fire pits are the only designated locations where campfires are allowed.
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