Recreation


Two hikers on a trail through an open meadow leading into a coniferous forest.

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Want to kick back and relax under shady pines by a sparkling lake? Looking for a "base camp" for a day of hiking, boating, white water rafting, fishing, or swimming? Want to just get out of the house for the day for a nice picnic in the great outdoors? If so, the Klamath National Forest can offer you that and more!

With nearly one million acres for your enjoyment, relaxation, and exploration, you can experience the solitude of the wilderness or enjoy camping near others in developed campgrounds. Camp in densely forested woodlands or open meadows, discover secluded flats along river banks and enjoy panoramic views of majestic mountains.

A continuing goal of the Klamath National Forest is to make these recreational opportunities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Juanita Lake Campground Becomes “Reservation Only”

Originally, a first come, first served campground, the popular Juanita Lake Campground located within the Goosenest Ranger District of Klamath National Forest is moving to a reservation only system through Recreation.gov or by phone 1-877-444-6777. No more driving all the way to the campground only to find it full; beginning next week campers can reserve their dates and favorite campsite and guarantee it will be waiting for them when the campground opens in early June. More information.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Recreation Conditions Report

Area Name Status Area Conditions
Bear Lake Trailhead Unreachable Unreachable 5/18/23 There is a landslide on the road to the trailhead blocking access.
Beaver Creek Campground Open Open 5/18/23 Campground is open.
Benjamin Creek Trailhead Open Open
Big Flat Campground Closed Closed Closed for winter but will re-open in June if weather conditions allow.
Big Flat Trailhead Unreachable Unreachable
Bingham Lake Trailhead Open Open 5/22/23 Trailhead accessible but trail may be snowy.
Boulder Creek Trailhead Open Open
Box Camp Trailhead Open Open 5/17/23 Trailhead is accessible but trail may be snowy.
Carter Meadows Campground Closed Closed Expect later than usual opening date due to accumulated snow.
Carter Meadows Summit Trailhead Open Open 5/29/23 Trailhead is accessible but trails are snowy.
Cecil Lake Trailhead Open Open
China Gulch Trailhead Unreachable Unreachable 5/29/23 Snowdrifts remain. Projected access in June.
Cold Spring Trailhead Unreachable Unreachable 5/18/23 Trailhead is closed and inaccessible because of a landslide on Forest Road 45N78.
Cook and Green Pass Trailhead Open Open
Curly Jack Campground Open Open 5/18/23 Campground is open.
Deacon Lee Trailhead Open Open
Deer Mountain / Chuck Best Snowmobile Park Open Open
Duck-Eaton Trailhead Open Open 5/29/23 Trailhead is accessible. Lakes remain under snow.
East Fork Campground Open Open 5/15/23 Campground is open for the season.
Elbow Springs Trailhead Open Open 5/30/23
Etna Summit Trailhead Open Open 5/29/23 Trailhead is accessible but trails are snowy.
Fish Lake Trailhead Open Open 5/29/23 Trailhead is accessible but trails are snowy.
Fort Goff Campground Open Open 5/18/23 Campground is open.
Four Corners Snowmobile Park Open Open
Fox Creek Ridge Trailhead Open Open 5/24/23 Trailhead may be accessible, however Lakes remain under snow.
Garden Gulch Trailhead (MMW) Open Open
Garden Gulch Trailhead (TAW) Open Open
Goosenest Trailhead Open Open
Grider Creek Campground Closed Closed
Grider Creek Trailhead Open Open
Grouse Gap Picnic Area Unreachable Unreachable 5/18/23 Inaccessible due to snow.
Happy Camp Town Trailhead Open Open
Hidden Horse Campground Closed Closed 5/17/23 Expected to open in June due to accumulated snow.
High Point Trailhead Open Open
Hotelling Campground Open Open 5/15/23 Campground is open.
Hotelling Trailhead Open Open
Humbug OHV Recreation Area Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed
Idlewild Campground Open Open 5/15/23 Campground is open for the season. Non-potable water only.
Indian Scotty Campground Open Open 5/15/23 Campground is open for the season with all services.
Johnsons Hunting Ground Trailhead None None 5/29/23
Jones Beach Picnic and River Access Open Open Limited services during winter season.
Juanita Lake Boating Site Open Open
Juanita Lake Campground Closed Closed Due to accumulated snow and water system upgrades in process, the campground will open in early June. This campground is moving to a reservation only system through www.recreation.gov or by phone 1-877-444-6777. No more driving all the way to the campground only to find it full; beginning May 15, campers can reserve their dates and favorite campsite and guarantee it will be waiting for them when the campground opens in early June.
Juanita Lake Picnic Site Open Open
Juniper Flat OHV Area Closed Closed Juniper Flats OHV area is closed until further notice due to vandalism, excessive littering, and other illegal activity.  Please contact the Goosenest Ranger District for additional information.
Kangaroo Lake Campground Closed Closed Expect later than usual opening date due to accumulated snow.
Kangaroo Lake Trailhead Unreachable Unreachable
Kelly Lake Trailhead Open Open 5/29/23 Remaining snowdrifts melting fast.
Kelsey Trailhead Open Open
Klamath National Wild & Scenic River Open Open 5/18/23 High water conditions.
L. China Point River Access Closed Closed Road closed due to landslide.
Little North Fork Trailhead Open Open
Long Gulch Trailhead Open Open 5/29/23 Trailhead is accessible but trails are snowy.
Lovers Camp Campground Open Open Corral water shut down for winter.
Lovers Camp Trailhead Open Open
Martins Dairy Campground Closed Closed Expect later than usual opening date due to accumulated snow.
Martins Dairy Horse Camp Closed Closed Expect later than usual opening date due to accumulated snow.
Matthews Creek Campground Open Open 5/17/23 Open for the season. Non-potable water.
Middle Boulder Trailhead Open Open
Mt. Ashland Campground Unreachable Unreachable 5/18/23 Closed for winter but will re-open in mid-June if weather conditions allow.
Mt. Ashland area Pacific Crest Trail Unreachable Unreachable 5/18/23 Inaccessible due to snow but will re-open in mid-June if weather conditions allow.
Mule Bridge Trailhead Open Open
Mulebridge Campground Open Open No winter service.
Music Creek Trailhead None None 5/29/23 Trailhead may be accessible but trails are snowy.
No Mans Trailhead Closed Closed 5/18/23 Road to trailhead closed due to a landslide.
Norcross Campground Open Open 5/18/23 Campground is open. No water.
Norcross Trailhead Open Open 5/18/23 Trailhead is open. Be aware that the 2021 McCash Fire severely impacted the trails around this trailhead.
ONeil Creek Campground Closed Closed 5/18/23 Closed until further notice.
Orr Lake Campground Open Open
Paradise Trailhead Open Open
Paynes Lake Trailhead Open Open
Poker Flat Trailhead Open Open 5/29/23
Pumice Crater and Crater Glass Flow Geologic Area Open Open
Red Bank Campground Open Open 5/15/23 Campground is open. Tentatively closed in June for Salmon habitat restoration.
Sarah Totten Campground Open Open 5/18/23 Campground is open. No water. Boat ramp open.
Scott Mountain Trailhead Open Open 5/29/23 Trailhead is accessible but trails may be snowy.
Seiad - Pacific Crest Trail Open Open 5/18/23 Open and accessible.
Shackleford Trailhead Open Open
Shadow Creek Campground Closed Closed Decommissioned.
Shafter Campground Closed Closed Closed for winter but will re-open in May if weather conditions allow.
Shafter Picnic Site Closed Closed Closed for winter but will re-open in May if weather conditions allow.
South Fork Trailhead Open Open
South Russian Trailhead Open Open
Sulphur Springs Campground Open Open 5/18/23 Campground is open.
Sulphur Springs Trailhead Open Open Be aware that the 2021 McCash Fire severely impacted the trails that lead to the Marble Mountains Wilderness.
Taylor Lake Trailhead Open Open 5/29/23 Trailhead may be accessible but trails are snowy.
Trail Creek Campground Closed Closed Expect later than usual opening date due to accumulated snow.
Trail Creek Trailhead Open Open
Trail Gulch Trailhead Open Open 5/29/23 Trailhead may be accessible but trails are snowy.
Tree of Heaven Campground Open Open 5/18/23 Campground is open but water is non-potable.
Tyler Meadows Trailhead Open Open
West Branch Campground Closed Closed This campground and bridge to the campground were burned severely by the Slater Fire in September 2020.

Spotlights

Juanita Lake Campground

Juanita Lake Boat Dock & Dam

Campers will need to plan ahead to make reservations.

Juanita Lake offers a unique combination of recreation opportunities. The campground has 23 campsites and one 50 person group camp. The 55 acre lake is regularly stocked with trout and has a bass and catfish population. There is a 1.5-mile paved, barrier free trail that circles the lake with two fishing jetties for easy access to the lake.

Pack it in, pack it out. To address bear problems in the campground, the garbage cans in the campground are being locked until a solution can be found to prevent bear tampering. Please, store your trash in an enclosed space and take it with you when you leave. Help us keep the campground clean and protect wildlife and visitor safety.

Water is non-potable until further notice. Do not use the water for drinking or cooking without first bringing it to a full boil.

Bear Advisory

Please follow bear-safe practices for food storage and camp cleanliness. More information about bear safety.

Recreation Areas

Highlights