Head of the River Campground
Located 50 minutes northeast of Chiloquin, OR, Head of the River Campground is a rustic forest camp situated at the headwaters of the Williamson River at the base of the hillside. The pure, spring-fed river flows by the rustic campground. There are five campsites and one vaulted toiled. Amenities include picnic tables and camp fire rings. June and July are heavy mosquito months, so bring bug spray. There are no official trails for hiking at Head of the River, but you can walk down to the bank. Fly-fishing opportunities abound nearby; check the State of Oregon fishing regulations for precise locations. Head of the River is a popular campground for hunters in the fall.
More like this: first-come in Oregon · free in Oregon · tent only in Oregon
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | No fee |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | 05/15 to 10/15; 10/16-05/14 Open with reduced services |
| Forest | Fremont-Winema National Forest |
| Fees | No fee |
| Rules | Due to small turn arounds, RV's not recommended. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 42.7324° N, 121.4184° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCoyote Rx
16 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 24 mi |
| Outdoor gear | The Ledge Outdoor Store ↗ | 39.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 3.9 miMtr44656200.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 4.5 miMtr44542300.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 4.5 miMtr44546232.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Fremont-Winema National Forest.
- inFremont-Winema National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,815,968 acres
- 14.1 miKlamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 46,953 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Head of the River Campground?
No. Head of the River Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Head of the River Campground?
Nothing. Head of the River Campground is listed as free. No fee
Source: Forest Service
Is Head of the River Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season 05/15 to 10/15; 10/16-05/14 Open with reduced services.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Head of the River Campground?
Head of the River Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Head of the River Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Williamson River Campground (22.8 mi, first-come), Thompson Reservoir (22.9 mi), and East Bay Campground (23.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby