• Hart-Tish Park is a fantastic place for camping and picnicking, with access to the lake and hiking trails
• The park area used to be a frontier, with the Collings brothers mining nearby in the 1850s and 60s
Hart-Tish Park, Day-Use Area, and campground sit on the bank of Applegate Lake in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest 27 miles southwest of Medford near the Oregon-California border.
This scenic location has plenty of outdoor adventures in beautiful southern Oregon nature. The area is home to volcanic peaks, old-growth forests, and meandering rivers. If you look towards the south of the lake, you might even catch a glimpse of the majestic Red Buttes Wilderness peaks.
Hart-Tish Park is a perfect base camp to explore the lake and the surrounding area. It is a fantastic place for swimming, boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, and just getting away from the city.
The day-use part of the park includes several acres of beautifully groomed lawn slopping down to the beach. There is a picnic area with tables, grills and fire pits. The park has flush restrooms and drinking water.
The day-use area costs $7 to visit. There is a small building that also functions as a general store, where you can pay the fee. You can also rent equipment like paddleboards and kayaks here.
Boating and Swimming
The Hart-tish Park has a separate area for swimming and a boat ramp. The boat ramp is closed when the water level is low.
Applegate Lake is open for both motorized and non-motorized boats, but the speed is limited to 10 mph.
Hiking
Collings Mountain Trailhead starts at the park, named after two brothers who mined in the area in the 1850s and 60s.
Da-ku-be-te-de Trail and Grouse Loop Trail are also located nearby and will take you through the scenic southern Oregon nature, including the unique barkless Pacific Madrone.
Camping and Lodging
Hart-tish Park campground has 7 tent sites and 8 RV spots right by the lake. The camping area is set among the trees creating a comfortable shade to avoid the scorching sun. Each campsite has a grill, fire pit, and picnic table.
Tent sites sit about 75 yards from the parking area. There are carts to transport your camping gear easily. The RV parking spots are separated from the day-use area for a more peaceful environment for campers.
Reservations can be done online through Recreation.gov
Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay in Jacksonville
Hart-Tish Park | Facts
Open: Year-round
Managed by: Forest Service
Location: Applegate Valley, Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic sites, campsites, drinking water, boat ramp
Activities: Boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, camping, horseback riding, hiking, and nature viewing
Distance from the parking: Short
Road access: Any passenger vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes
Elevation: 1,900 ft (579 m)
Hart-Tish Park is located:
- 28 miles southwest of Medford
- 40 miles southwest of Ashland
- 110 miles southeast of Roseburg.
Body of water: Artificial lake
Surface area: 988 acres
Shoreline: 18.5 miles (29.8 km)
Maximum depth: 225 ft (69 m)
Water Characteristics
Depth: Deep and shallow
Beach: Varies
Water T° (summer): Warm
Adventures Nearby
Directions to Hart-Tish Park
From Medford,
- Take OR-238 West
- Turn right onto OR-238 West/E California Street and follow it for 7.8 miles
- Turn left onto Upper Applegate Road and follow it for 15.7 miles.
Phone: 541-899-3800
fs.usda.gov