Thielsen Forest Camp

Thielsen Forest Camp is a free Forest Service campground that provides a great place to camp for travelers on a budget. This relatively small campground only contains 5 car/ tent sites, but it is often completely unused. The forest is surprisingly thick despite being logged in the past, and shade exists most times in each site. No potable water or flush toilets can be found at Thielsen Forest Camp, which may dissuade visitors, but water from adjacent Thielsen Creek is easily filtered (or boiled), and the vault toilet is not frequently used. Occasionally there is no toilet paper in the campground's only bathroom, so it is always a good idea to bring your own or travel down the road to any of the other nearby campgrounds.

The location of Thielsen Forest camp makes it a great place to stay if you are planning to hike Mount Thielsen, visiting Crater Lake, or exploring some of the many waterfalls along Highway 138. Toketee Falls is a mere 17 miles west from this campground with other waterfalls such as Clearwater, Watson, and Whitehorse even closer. The Mount Thielsen Trailhead is only an 8-mile drive, and Crater Lake is less than 25 miles away.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) can be credited for constructing this long-lasting campground. Though originally there was a camp already established here, in the 1930s the CCC greatly improved the facilities by constructing the sturdy wood-slab tables and the hardy stone stoves and fire pits. The CCC was tasked with improving the roads in the area which, at the time, were rough and narrow. In this process several camps and stations were established that provided bases for the workers and their families. Two stations still exist today as visitor centers in Glide and Diamond Lake.