I-5 to 97 on Oregon Hwy 138

[Janss]

We plan to leave the central Oregon coast beginning Oct. 1st to return to AZ. Driven most routes in past years. Thinking about Hwy 138 to Hwy 97. This is a good road to drive, right? But I notice both Diamond Lake RV Park and Collier Mem State Park both close for camping on Oct. 1. Is beginning of October too late to drive this route safely (i.e. snow unlikely)? Where could we stay overnight (need electric hookup)? We'd really like to see Diamond Lake. Already seen Crater Lake, but of course would enjoy again.

[J_herb]

Janss wrote:
Very good information from you all. Thank you. We need electric at higher elevation, so Diamond Lake USFS CG would be out. But Susan Creek looks nice, and I'll check out the parks in Chiloquin. Glad to know some folks have driven 138 in October. I'll carefully check the weather when the time comes.

Thanks again!

Susan Creek CG. doesn't have elect sites but it's only 930 foot elevation and is a very nice CG.
We leave this Monday for camping along Hwy. 138 for a few days than on to the coast.

[Janss]

Very good information from you all. Thank you. We need electric at higher elevation, so Diamond Lake USFS CG would be out. But Susan Creek looks nice, and I'll check out the parks in Chiloquin. Glad to know some folks have driven 138 in October. I'll carefully check the weather when the time comes.

Thanks again!

[J_herb]

Janss wrote:
We plan to leave the central Oregon coast beginning Oct. 1st to return to AZ. Driven most routes in past years. Thinking about Hwy 138 to Hwy 97. This is a good road to drive, right? But I notice both Diamond Lake RV Park and Collier Mem State Park both close for camping on Oct. 1. Is beginning of October too late to drive this route safely (i.e. snow unlikely)? Where could we stay overnight (need electric hookup)? We'd really like to see Diamond Lake. Already seen Crater Lake, but of course would enjoy again.

Do Hwy.138 at least two times a year and Oct. is a good time to drive it. Don't know if you want or need elect ? because Susan Creek CG is 30 miles east of Roseburg on 138 and is a nice BLM CG.
Or Diamond Lake USFS CG. is open all of Oct. we camped their in Sept and in Oct. and it gets cold at night but it's not bad.

[2gypsies1]

We've done 138 from Roseburg to 97 a couple times in mid-October with no issues. It's a beautiful time. Just check the forecast for conditions. 138 is along the Umpqua River and it's not high elevation.

Crater Lake Visitor Center is open through October and they are much higher than 138.

The reason Collier State Park closes Oct 1 to camping is because they have to winterize all the water lines before freezing temps. This takes time.

Here are some RV parks at Chiloquin on Hwy 97 and it would be a easier drive to check out Diamond Lake than Roseburg. For a day trip from Roseburg because 138 follows the river it's a curvy, slower drive than Chiloquin would be.

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/oregon/chiloquin

[Janss]

Thanks for the suggestion Joppy. But all three reviews from last year mention lots of goose p--p "EVERYWHERE", tracking into their trailer, etc. I think I'll pass on that.

[Joppy]

There is a rv park on hwy. 138 about 20 miles from Roseburg. It's called Elk Haven. They have a website.

[Janss]

Lauren..Did you stay at Rising River RV Park or Twin Rivers? Looks like both have good reviews on rvparkreviews.com.

[Lauren]

There is a nice park in Roseburg and the 138 is a nice drive.

[Janss]

Thank you to all for your input. I guess we'll just stay in the RV by Roseburg and take the car for a day trip drive east on 138.

[donn0128]

By middle Sept things usually start to freeze up east of the cascades. So yea, parks start closing no later than Oct 1.

[cpaulsen]

Collier usually has one loop open but closes the other one because of lack of campers.

[MarkTwain]

Janss wrote:
We plan to leave the central Oregon coast beginning Oct. 1st to return to AZ. Driven most routes in past years. Thinking about Hwy 138 to Hwy 97. This is a good road to drive, right? But I notice both Diamond Lake RV Park and Collier Mem State Park both close for camping on Oct. 1. Is beginning of October too late to drive this route safely (i.e. snow unlikely)? Where could we stay overnight (need electric hookup)? We'd really like to see Diamond Lake. Already seen Crater Lake, but of course would enjoy again.

Hwy. 138 to I-5 is a good route. Never had towed on Hwy.97, only driven in a car. The fact that Diamond Lake Park and Collier Men Park are closed would be a red flag for me. I suspect the closures are related to the weather conditions. I would watch the Oregon weather cam web sites to actually see the weather and road conditions when you plan on driving there. If you just plan stay on I-5, at Canyonville stay at the 7Feathers RV Park.