Oregon / Jackson County / Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

Hart-tish Park At Applegate Lake

Closed — Closed for winter. Typically operates seasonally, closing in late fall and reopening in spring. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

Hart-Tish Park at Applegate Lake is located in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest in southwest Oregon, where the Cascade Range meets the Siskiyou Mountains. The campground occupies several acres of groomed lawn that slopes down to the lake shore, with views south to the Red Buttes Wilderness peaks. Seven walk-in tent sites are set approximately 75 yards from parking with carts provided for gear transport, while eight RV sites back directly to the lake shoreline in the day-use parking area. Applegate Lake serves as the recreational centerpiece, popular for swimming, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The campground operates an on-site general store offering camping supplies, snacks, drinks, and ice cream, plus paddleboard and kayak rentals. A boat ramp and fish cleaning station serve anglers and boaters. An 18.5-mile trail system circles the lake, with shorter sections on roads, providing opportunities for hiking and mountain biking at various skill levels. The Collins Mountain Trail begins at the Hart-Tish picnic area and climbs 1,000 feet to traverse the western slope of Collins Mountain, passing an abandoned miners' cabin, mine adits, and an inactive Bigfoot trap built in 1974. The trail offers panoramic views of Applegate Lake and the Siskiyou Crest.

Directions

From Jacksonville, take Highway 238 west for 7 miles, then turn left at Ruch onto Road 859. Continue 14 miles, passing Applegate Dam. About 3/4 mile past the dam, turn left into the park entrance. Check-in is at the general store at the bottom of the hill.

Nearby Campgrounds