Thielsen Forest Camp

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground typically closes in late fall or early winter due to snow and reopens in late spring or early summer, depending on snowpack and road conditions.

About

Thielsen Forest Camp is a small, free camping area featuring five sites situated along Highway 138 in the Diamond Lake Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest. This historic location served as a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and now provides rustic camping opportunities for visitors exploring the southern Oregon Cascades. The campground's location makes it an ideal staging point for outdoor recreation. Hikers can access the Mount Thielsen Trail nearby, leading to spectacular views of this dramatic volcanic peak known as the "Lightning Rod of the Cascades." The campground is also conveniently located for day trips to Crater Lake National Park and the numerous waterfalls along the scenic Highway 138 corridor, including the famous Toketee Falls and Watson Falls. As a primitive forest camp, amenities are basic but adequate for self-sufficient campers. The site offers vault toilets but no potable water, so visitors must bring their own supply. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system and no fees. Maximum stay is 14 days, and the campground is accessible to vehicles up to 25 feet in length. Due to winter snow and road conditions at this elevation, the campground operates seasonally and closes during winter months.

Directions

From Glide, OR, take Highway 138 eastbound toward Diamond Lake for 55.5 miles. Thielsen Forest Camp is on the left side of the highway.

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