Best route Eureka, Ca to Crater Lake, - Big Rig Friendly

[lbaldwin]

I'm in a 43 ft motor home plus toad near Euraka, ca on HWY 101. Wanting to get to Crater Lake, Oregon.

Is my best bet to take Hwy 299 from Acarta to Redding Or to go on up to Oregon on the 101 to Gold Beach and take OR 61 or US 42 or 38 across to I5 and back down.

Also open for big rig friendly campgrounds close enough where Crater Lake could be a day trip.

Headed North towards Portland than Seattle/Tacoma from there.

Ca 199 is out based on Ca bus/truck restrictions.

Thanks,

Lee

[twogypsies]

With our 40' MH we've stayed at Joseph H. Stewart State Rec Area (big sites) on Hwy 62 from I-5. 62 is good for big rigs and it's a easy day trip to Crater. Another good place for big rigs is Collier Memorial State Park on Hwy 97 near 62.

Sorry, can't help with the route from 101.

[ctundra]

you will need to head north on US 101 to near Coos Bay, OR., go east on SR42 to I-5, south on I-5 to SR62, head NE on SR62 to get to Crater Lake. Although, plan to camp near Medford and take SR62 for day trips to the lake. SR299 from Eureka to Redding (I-5) is not advisable in a rig of your length. Near Crater Lake, just 15 min. drive, there is one campground/rv park called Diamond Lake that will handle 45' rigs, however, probably won't be open for business until first of May. Call ahead...

[avid_dk]

Originally Posted by ctundra

you will need to head north on US 101 to near Coos Bay, OR., go east on SR42 to I-5, south on I-5 to SR62, head NE on SR62 to get to Crater Lake. Although, plan to camp near Medford and take SR62 for day trips to the lake. SR299 from Eureka to Redding (I-5) is not advisable in a rig of your length. Near Crater Lake, just 15 min. drive, there is one campground/rv park called Diamond Lake that will handle 45' rigs, however, probably won't be open for business until first of May. Call ahead...

All excellent advice! Diamond Lake is closed till May 17th. There is an RV park near Prospect, OR that I know nothing about. There are also some Forest Service campgrounds on the Upper Rogue River. Here is an RV Park reviews link for several.

Driving to Crater Lake from Medford is not a short trip. Having said that, we make the drive frequently. You might check out Rogue Elk County Park. Also Joseph H Stewart state park at Lost Creek Lake is another possibility.

edit: OBTW- It is going to snow around these parts this evening and definitely will snow at Crater Lake. I don't recommend Highway 62 in the snow.

[Not a Clue]

We stayed in Grants Pass and made a day trip to Crater Lake.

[Chiefly1]

Collier Memorial State Park is a picturesque park on the Williamson River with full hookups and is next to an historic pioneer village and early logging equipment museum. It is a really nice campground! Crater lake is close and makes for an easy day trip. Taking 101 is a pretty drive that I've done with a 40' and toad but take your time and enjoy the host of interesting things to do/see along the way. While you will have to cut over a bit north of Crater Lake I'd still do it.


Bill & Christine
40 ft Revolution LE Diesel Pusher & Honda Fit Sport
Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum

[avid_dk]

People drive up from CA to stay at Valley of the Rogue State Park between Medford and Grants Pass. Also people rave about Emigrant Lake County Park just a few miles outside of Ashland. Finally even Oregonians "go on" about Seven Feather Resort, Casino and RV park. It is about a two hour drive from there.

[Dasmoeturhead]

101 to 199 into Oregon. Then from there I-5 towards Medford, Or. I've done a bunch of times. It's the fastest way, and very scenic also.

[Dasmoeturhead]

I wasn't aware of the length restrictions. We have a 5th wheel, so It doesn't apply to use. 299 from Eureka to Redding to I-5 to Medford is a long haul.
Beautiful but long. There's also several steep, and long grades. Still it's a good road, and easy to navigate. As mentioned before Diamond Lake is very nice. We are regulars at Fish Lake Campground. Very woodsy, on a nice rainbow trout infested lake, and they also have a pretty good restaurant on site. Enjoy your trip to our Home-20

[biosensai]

Make it a two day trip. Take 299 to Redding. Number of nice parks in the area. Premier (where we currently are) is right on your way. Just north of town is Mountain Gate. Also a very nice park. Last fall, we intended to stay at Crater Lake RV in Prospect, but smoke from fires was too heavy. From my research that park was the best in the area. I talked to the owner a couple of times. Very much so liked what I heard. We wound up at Seven Feathers. Absolutely spectacular. Too far to drive to Crater Lake from there for me, although people did.

Keep in mind that you have to cross the coastal mountains to get inland from the coast at some point. From my experience, 299 is the easiest. Just take your time & enjoy the beautiful scenery.

[Dasmoeturhead]

We like 7 feathers. We've stayed there several times. Very clean and top notch. If you have a CB radio you can call them on ch 13 and arrange for a free shuttle ride to the Casino, or even into town. They will even let you bring your dog on the shuttle. Behind the casino is a nice river to fish in also. Our Lab was chasing Salmon in it last time we were there.

[twogypsies]

There are much closer places to Crater Lake than Seven Feathers.

[lbaldwin]

All,

Thanks for all the information. We ended up coming across 299. It was a 'slow' trip not because of traffic - but i pulled over when i could to let other traffic by and i / we took our time.

If you are new to your rig and or to mountain driving (descents, hills and turns) I would not recommend this drive. My brake buddy went south shortly after that trip - but not sure I can blame it on the highway.

Even though I used my exhaust brakes when I could, I still felt more comfortable using the 'service' brake as well to keep my speed at my comfort level.

We stopped in Redding for the first night and drove onto into Grants Pass the 2nd day and then did a day trip from there up into Crater Lake. Yes, it had just snowed - so we could not see the lake in all of it's glory - But the drive up to the lake was like a 'winter wonderland'.

Thanks to all you posted.

[1ciderdog]

Sounds like you did it right and enjoyed.