Free Camping Along the Klamath River
Portuguese Creek River Access is a free, dispersed camping area offered by Klamath National Forest. It's a small area with a few sites just big enough for cars, vans, and pickup trucks. Trailers under 20 feet may be able to fit in. It's difficult to find because there are no signs marking this from CA-96. The map maker below notes where the entrance from the highway is.
Particulars
GPS: 41.8620, -123.2477
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Reservations: First come, first served
Camping Fee: None
Permit: None
Max stay: 14 consecutive days, maximum 30 days per calendar year
Amenities: None
Camping at Portuguese Creek River Access
Entrance to this river access and camping area is located along CA-96, about 3.7 miles from Seiad Valley, CA.
Because of the unique geology of this area, early miners in the mid to late 1800’s used a method called hydraulic mining. Large monitors (metal nozzles) were connected to hoses and pipes that gradually got smaller and smaller. This created great pressure that, when aimed at the hillside, washed tons of dirt, rock and gold into the miners sluice boxes where the gold was collected. The river access here has an information board and a gravel ramp to the water’s edge.
Other Campsites Within 20 Miles Radius
- Savage Rapids River Access, Seiad Valley, CA, Oak Knoll Ranger District
- Sluice Box River Access, Seiad Valley, CA, Oak Knoll Ranger District
- Blue Heron River Access, Hamburg, CA, Oak Knoll Ranger District
- Brown Bear River Access, Horse Creek, CA, Oak Knoll Ranger District
- Bridge Flat Campground, Fort Jones, CA, Scott River Ranger District
- Sulphur Springs Campground, Happy Camp, CA, Happy Camp Ranger District
- Norcross Campground, Happy Camp, CA, Happy Camp Ranger District
- Grider Creek Campground, Seiad Valley, CA, Oak Knoll Ranger District
