The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Jack-Ash Trail is a proposed trail system that will connect the towns of Jacksonville and Ashland, Oregon. Jacksonville is about 80 miles southwest of Crater Lake National Park. Phase 1 created 4.5 miles of new trail up and over Anderson Butte. This section connects the historic Sterling Mine Ditch Trail to other roads and trails in the area. The trail offers numerous panoramic views of the surrounding Rogue Valley. When in the area, you might want to visit the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland or catch a show at the outdoor Britt Festival in Jacksonville.
The BLM is a federal agency that manages 245 million acres, which is about one-tenth of the US’s total land mass. BLM RV camping is one of the most pristine and inexpensive ways to see all that the country has to offer. The BLM offers numerous developed campgrounds. In addition, dispersed Bureau of Land Management free camping is allowed on the majority of designated land.
This trail is used by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Bikers and equestrians are asked to not use the trails after significant rain to avoid damaging the trail. The average grade is four percent, but some areas have a 28 percent grade. There is no potable water along the trail, so be sure to carry plenty as the summers can reach over 100 degrees.
Length: 8.5 miles
Intensity: Difficult
The Ashland Watershed Trails are located in the Ashland watershed that covers over 15,000 acres of land southwest of Ashland. You can find easy, flat trails as well as difficult trails with a 15 percent grade. The White Rabbit Loop is a mere 1.8 miles long. For hardy hikers and bikers, the Ashwag Loop 1 trail covers more than 30 miles.
Length: 45+ miles
Intensity: Easy to very difficult
The Britt Ridge Loop is easily accessed from the Britt parking lot. It is primarily used by hikers and is a popular trail for birders. Mountain bikers sometimes use this trail to access longer, more difficult trails in the Britt trails system.
Length: 1.1 miles
Intensity: Easy
Forest Park Trail System is just outside of Jacksonville and offers more than 30 miles of multi-use trails in the Jackson Creek Watershed. Kiosks have maps that detail the different trails including length and difficulty. The Cantrall Creek Trail is an easy 1.7-mile out-and-back hike, and the Forest Park Outer Boundary Loop covers 12.6 miles of hilly terrain.
Length: 30+ miles
Intensity: Easy to difficult
This trail’s summit offers breathtaking views of Ashland and the surrounding valley. It’s a popular trail, so expect to encounter dogs and people.
Length: 4.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Southern Oregon has lots of rivers and lakes where you can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating. Applegate Lake is a manmade lake that offers campgrounds, swimming areas, and boat launches. Motorized boats are allowed, and paddleboarding, canoeing, and fishing are also popular activities at this lake. Emigrant Lake also offers recreational facilities both on and off the water.
You are almost guaranteed to see deer when you hike, bike, or drive in this area. Plenty of woodland creatures lurk nearby, including porcupines, skunks, coyotes, and foxes. Along rivers and creeks, you may spot beavers or otters. Black bears and cougars also populate these forests. Birds commonly seen include herons, bald eagles, osprey, egrets, woodpeckers, geese, and ducks.
Lithia Park in Ashland is a fabulous location for a picnic. The Britt Gardens also offers shady picnic areas. Many of the local parks have covered pavilions and barbecue grills. Many restaurants in Ashland and Jacksonville offer picnic lunches to go.
Many BLM trails, including the Jack-Ash Trail, allow equestrian activities. If you don’t have your own, you can find operations that offer trail rides.
While there is no BLM RV camping at Jack-Ash Trail, there are plenty of places to camp in the area. If you’re looking for a beautiful setting with loads of amenities, check out Ashland’s Creekside Campground. Full-hookup sites start at $40 per night, and amenities include a camp store, a fenced off-leash dog area, a dump station, a seasonal outdoor heated pool, basketball courts, and a recreation room. Larger rigs may be more at home at Southern Oregon RV Park, which is right off the freeway for easy access. Standard sites start at $38 per night and have 60-foot pull-throughs, and premium sites have a 75-foot pull-through. Amenities include concrete walking paths, two fishing ponds, and an off-leash dog run.
There’s plenty of free BLM camping in southern Oregon that you can find by searching "BLM camping near me." Be sure to read any posted signs about camping. Some of the BLM land in this area is part of a watershed, so dispersed camping in those areas is not allowed.
When looking to camp in the area around the Jack-Ash Trail, note that some portions of the trail are on private land, so be courteous. Most trailheads do not have any facilities, so be sure to bring plenty of water and plan on packing human waste out. When camping anywhere in Oregon, be sure to check the fire danger level. Even developed Bureau of Land Management campgrounds may prohibit campfires when the fire danger is extreme. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Whenever heading out into the great outdoors, remember to tread lightly. Be sure to pack out all trash and waste. If no facilities are available, many areas require you to pack out human waste. Remember that this is public land, so do your part to ensure it can be enjoyed for many generations to come.
From Jacksonville, head east on E California Street, which turns into S Stage Road, for 2.5 miles. Turn right onto Griffin Creed Road and go 2.5 miles before turning left to stay on Griffin Creek Road. In one mile, go straight to continue onto Anderson Butte Road. Starting at 4.3 miles along Anderson Butte Road, you’ll find several access points to the Jack-Ash Trail. The Medford BLM District Office is located at 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504.
Ready to visit Jack-Ash Trail? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
