About this campground
Take a trip back in time on the historic Sterling Mine Ditch Trail. The ditch carried water from the Little Applegate River to operate hydraulic giants used on Sterling Creek for gold mining. Construction of the 26.5-mile-long ditch in 1877 employed up to 400 workers, many of them Chinese laborers. Today, the ditch is used by hikers, trail runners, equestrians, and mountain bikers of all ages and abilities. The trail passes through oak and ponderosa pine woods, madrone groves, fir forests, and open grassy areas with excellent views of the mountains and Little Applegate River. The spring wildflower show is spectacular! Know Before You Go Open year-round for hikers and trail runners. Equestrians and mountain bikers should avoid using the trail after significant rains. Wolf Gap trailhead is closed to mountain bikes year-round. Day-use only. Seven trailheads allow for trips of various lengths. Restrooms and water are not available; carry your own water. Dogs are allowed and must be under control. Respect private property and stay on trails. Watch for ticks, poison oak, rattlesnakes, and other trail users. Point of Interest The trail is maintained with help from the Siskiyou Upland Trails Association (SUTA) and community volunteers.
Getting there
From Jacksonville, Oregon: Follow Highway 238 for 7.6 miles; turn left on Upper Applegate Road. After 2.8 miles, turn left on Little Applegate Road. Drive 3 miles to intersection with Sterling Creek Road. To access the Bear Gulch, Tunnel Ridge, and Little Applegate trailheads, continue on Little Applegate Road. To access the Grub Gulch, Deming Gulch, Armstrong Gulch, and Wolf Gap trailheads, turn left on Sterling Creek Road.
Activities
- BIKING
- HIKING
- HORSEBACK RIDING
- DAY USE AREA
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Woodrat Mountain ParaglidingBureau of Land Management4 mi
- Beaver Sulphur Group CampgroundRogue River-Siskiyou National Forest6 mi
- MCKEE BRIDGE COMMUNITY KITCHENRogue River-Siskiyou National Forest7 mi
- Acorn Woman Peak LookoutRogue River-Siskiyou National Forest8 mi
- FLUMET FLAT GROUP CAMPGROUNDRogue River-Siskiyou National Forest8 mi
- JACKSON CAMPGROUND ON THE APPLEGATE RIVERRogue River-Siskiyou National Forest8 mi
Explore more Oregon camping
Sterling Mine Ditch Trail/ACEC doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Oregon campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse Oregon camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.