Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area overlooks the Rogue River’s scenic Lost Creek Reservoir, a popular destination for hikers, bikers, anglers and boaters.
The park is about 40 miles from Crater Lake National Park, and makes an excellent jumping-off point for an exploration of southern Oregon.
A boat ramp and moorage facility in the day-use area serves visiting boaters. The marina near the day-use parking lot offers a store and boat rentals. Call 541-560-3646 for information.
Anglers troll the 10-mile-long reservoir all year for trout and bass. A fish cleaning station is located next to the boat launch.
Stretch your legs on 5½ miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of bike paths within the park. The trails connect the day-use area with the campground and connect with other trails outside the park. A trail near the Group Camp restroom crosses a bridge and leads to a small, scenic waterfall.
Joseph Stewart is near the U.S. Forest Service’s Upper Rogue River hiking trail, which connects with the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail near Crater Lake.
Picture yourself in a campsite overlooking the reservoir with wildlife, large conifer trees, and mountains surrounding you.
The park is accepting reservations up to 30 days in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Some services are reduced due to Covid-19.
A large day-use area features a flat, sandy swim beach (no lifeguards), expansive green lawn, horsehoe pits and volleyball courts. Two group picnic areas available for reservation (closed summer 2020).
Log onto Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for the latest fishing reports, regulations and license requirements. Or call (503) 947-6000 for more information.
Log onto Oregon State Marine Board for permit information and guidelines. Or call (503) 378-8587 for information and questions.
The Marina, located in our Day Use Area, has a convenience store, cafe, boat rentals and offers moorage for visiting boats. Log onto their website for more information regarding hours and rental rates, or call them at (541) 560-3646.
Joseph Stewart State Park
35251 Highway 62
Trail, Oregon 97541
Latitude: 42.68193 N
Longitude: -122.6156 W
Water levels at Lost Creek Lake are managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. You can read more about how they manage water or look at a teacup diagram that shows the current reservoir water level.
Campsites are limited to eight people and only two extra vehicles per site to protect natural resources.
There is a wide variety of wildlife in this area. Bald Eagles and Osprey are seen soaring above the lake, while Rainbow Trout and Bass are jumping out of the lake. Small critters like raccoons, foxes, skunks and squirrels will bounce around the campground, while lots of deer roam around. During the Winter and Spring seasons, Black Bears and Cougars have been spotted in the area.
Yes dogs are allowed. Your pet needs to be physically restrained, meaning you must be holding them, holding onto their collar, or have them on a leash no longer than six feet. The exceptions
are if your pet is in an off-leash area or inside your vehicle, tent, or camper. The off-leash area is located outside of D loop next to the volleyball court.
Following construction of Lost Creek Dam and Lake on the Rogue River, this park lies on land leased from the Army Corps of Engineers and opened its doors on June 16, 1978. 151 electric campsites along with 50 tent sites form the campground, while the day use area boasts a marina, store cafe and boat moorage facilities.
The park is named after Joseph H. Stewart, who was the leader of the pear industry in Southern Oregon. In 1885, Stewart moved to the Rogue Valley from Illinois and purchased 160-acre property outside of Medford, now known as "Eden Valley Orchard." Joseph Stewart began planting pears, apples, prunes and almonds, and only 5 years after he started, he began shipping fruit on railcars throughout the nation. In 1898, Stewart and his son-in-law A.J. Weeks, purchased land where the park is today. Together they planted pear and apple orchards and an English Walnut grove, most of these trees can still be found in the park.
