Located along the southwest shoreline of the artificial 988-acre Applegate Lake in the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest, Carberry Swim Area and Carberry Group Campground together offer a peaceful setting for swimming, camping, and enjoying the outdoors.

About 27 miles south of the historic town of the historic city of Jacksonville, this area is surrounded by forested hills, rocky formations, and flowing water, making it an excellent choice for both day visitors and overnight campers.

Whether you come for a refreshing swim or a quiet night under the trees, Carberry is a relaxing place to slow down and enjoy southern Oregon’s natural beauty.

Carberry Swim Area and Campground - Things to Do

This spot is fantastic for many water activities including swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing. At the same time, the surrounding area is a paradise for camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, and just getting away from your daily routine.

Swimming and Other Water Activities

Carberry is a sandy beach with big rocks and boulders rising from the ground. Here, you can see forested hills, beautiful rocky formations, and a bridge. Cougar Creek cascades into the lake, sometimes forming a small seasonal waterfall.

The area is a popular spot for swimming and enjoying the lake in warm weather. The water can be quite pleasant in summer, and floating devices are allowed in the designated swim zone.

While Carberry doesn’t have a formal boat ramp, people often bring kayaks or paddleboards and launch them from the shore or nearby access points to enjoy paddling on Applegate Lake.

Swimming

During the summer months, the water warms up, reaching around 80°F (27°C) in August, making it comfortable for swimming.

The water becomes deep fairly quickly, so care should be taken with children and less experienced swimmers. A large submerged rock sits just offshore and is often used as a resting spot by swimmers. Some visitors also jump from nearby rock ledges, but water levels and conditions can change, so caution is always advised.

Fishing

Applegate Lake offers good fishing opportunities both from the shore and from boats. The reservoir has an average depth of 83 feet, with a maximum depth of about 225 feet, and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and landlocked Chinook salmon. Trout fishing is generally best during winter and spring.

Carberry Swim Area does not have a boat ramp, so fishing here is limited to the shoreline. Anglers can catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and crappie in shallow areas, with summer being the best season for these species.

Carberry Group Campground near the Swim Area is a private, group-only campground with a locked gate. The campground features 10 tent sites, vault toilets, and no drinking water, with wheelchair-accessible facilities and trails.

Reservations should be made at least 2 or more days in advance via Recreation.gov.

For more comfortable accommodations, consider staying in nearby Jacksonville, Grant Pass, or Medford.

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay in Jacksonville

Lodging in Grant Pass

Lodging in Medford

Open: Year-round
Managed by: U.S. Forest Service

Amenities (Swim Area): None
Facilities (Campground): Vault toilet, seasonal garbage disposal, no drinking water
Activities: Fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and nature viewing

Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: None
Campground reservation: Reservations are required at least 2 or more days in advance

Elevation: 1,900 ft (579 m)

Applegate Lake is located: