About HART-TISH PARK at APPLEGATE LAKE
Overview Located in southwest Oregon in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Hart-Tish Park is surrounded by a variety of landscapes, boasting nearby volcanic peaks, rivers and old-growth forests. Hart-Tish Park offers several acres of beautifully groomed lawn sloping down to the shores of Applegate Lake. Visitors can spot the peaks of the majestic Red Buttes Wilderness while looking south over the lake.General Store with lengthy nonalcoholic drink selection w/no sugar drinks as well, large snack selection as well as camping, fishing, outdoor amenities, worms, ICE CREAM, ice and more sold. Boat Ramp. Fish Cleaning Station. Stand up paddleboard and kayak rentals. Bathrooms. Truck with trailer and car parking. Camping and dry RV sites all with easy access to the lake. Recreation Hart-Tish Campground sits on the shores of Applegate Lake, a popular recreation lake located north of the Red Buttes Wilderness Area. Visitors enjoy swimming, cycling, boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, world renown fishing and hiking the various trails near the lake. There is a trail that goes 18.5 miles around the lake, with two short sections that are back on the road, as well as various trails close to the lake that are popular with mountain bikers due to the trails and choices of climbs having trails for every level. Collins Mountain Trail, named for the family of Freeman and Sophia (Lewis) Collings, sisters who moved to the area in the mid-1870s from the Forest Creek/Kanaka Flat area, begins at the Hart-Tish Park picnic area. The trail crosses Upper Applegate Road and drops down to Grouse Creek, where it passes an abandoned miners' cabin and several mines, as well as an inactive Bigfoot trap. Leaving Grouse Creek, the trail climbs steeply for one mile to the ridge top, gaining 1,000-foot elevation, and begins a long traverse of the western slope of Collins Mountain. Panoramic views of Applegate Lake and the Siskiyou Crest are seen at several locations along the trail. The
How to Get There
From Jacksonville Oregon, take Highway 238 west. Go 7 miles, then turn left at Ruch on Road 859. Continue 14 miles, passing Applegate Dam. About 3/4 of a mile past the dam turn left into the park entrance. The check-in is at the general store at the bottom of the hill.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to HART-TISH PARK at APPLEGATE LAKE
Heading to HART-TISH PARK at APPLEGATE LAKE? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for HART-TISH PARK at APPLEGATE LAKE?
No central reservation system listed for HART-TISH PARK at APPLEGATE LAKE. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233186) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to HART-TISH PARK at APPLEGATE LAKE?
From Jacksonville Oregon, take Highway 238 west. Go 7 miles, then turn left at Ruch on Road 859. Continue 14 miles, passing Applegate Dam. About 3/4 of a mile past the dam turn left into the park entrance. The check-in is at the general store at the bottom of the hill.
How do I contact HART-TISH PARK at APPLEGATE LAKE?
You can reach the park at phone: 5418999220 or email: info@applegatelake.com.
References & Official Resources
