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Galesville Reservoir is a water reservoir in Southern Oregon about 8 miles off of I5 at exit 88. Galesville is known for the fishing and water recreational activities but also has a great little campground. It’s not as popular as other lakes in Southern Oregon, making it a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy a break from the heat.
This post is going to cover all the ins and outs of Galesville Reservoir! Here’s what you can look forward to in this quick read — accompanied by some photos of Galesville too!
- What can you do at Galesville Reservoir?
- Galesville Reservoir Fishing
- Parking at Galesville
- Galesville Reservoir Camping
- Bathrooms and Facilities at Galesville
- Swimming at Galesville
- Having pets at Galesville Reservoir
- Bringing kids to Galesville Reservoir
- How to get to Galesville Reservoir
- What to pack for a day at Galesville
What Can You Do At Galesville Reservoir?
Can I fish at Galesville Reservoir?
Yes, more on fishing at Galesville below. 🙂
Can I kayak or stand-up paddleboard at Galesville?
Paddleboarding is what brought us to Galesville! Galesville Reservoir is the perfect place for both paddle boarding and kayaking. The lake isn’t too big, so it’s easy to go across from one side to the other — and even with the wind, the paddling wasn’t too bad!
Can I wakeboard and tube at Galesville Reservoir?
Yes! I have the best memories of going to Galesville with friends when we were younger and tubing and wakeboarding. Now, the reservoir isn’t that large, so maybe it’s not for the crazies, but it’s never been too crowded in our experience and is great for a day out on the boat!
Can I use my personal watercraft (Jet Ski, Sea-Doo, Waverunner) at Galesville?
PWC’s are allowed on the lake. And in fact, the last time we were there we saw a number of them scooting around. With the size of Galesville, I’d say PWC’s are better than other water sports on larger boats.
Galesville Reservoir Fishing
Can I fish at Galesville Reservoir?
Yes! Fishing is meant to be really good at Galesville! It’s known for its bass and seasonal rainbow trout!
What kind of fish are in Galesville Reservoir?
Bass and seasonal rainbow trout seem to be the top dogs at Galesville. There’s an image below of what fish are at Galesville Reservoir, but this post also goes into great depth about what to expect when fishing at Galesville.
Is it catch and release at Galesville?
You can certainly catch and release, however, you can also keep the fish!
Can I fish in the day-use area at Galesville Reservoir?
You can fish on the shore of Galesville as well as from boats. The day-use area is right near the boat launch. Honestly, I’d say to not fish in the day-use area and instead walk around to a different less crowded part of the shoreline.
Parking at Galesville
Do I have to pay for parking at Galesville Reservoir?
In theory, there is a day-use fee for parking at Galesville. It’s $5.00 or free with a Douglas County parks pass. Although, when we went in May of 2021, there were no fee envelopes, and the fee box had a sign that they weren’t currently charging. To play it safe, bring five dollars cash and a pen to fill out the fee envelope, just in case you do in fact have to pay.
Is there limited parking at Galesville Reservoir?
The parking area at the Galesville Reservoir boat ramp is quite large. There are loads of spaces for both cars and boats with trailers. In fact, they have two parking lots, one for day use and one for the boat launch.
Is it easy to turn around a trailer at Galesville Reservoir?
Yes. The parking lot at Galesville is really large and has wide loops and pull-through trailer spots. It’s a boat launch after all, so it’s made for people pulling trailers. Just be sure you go past the day-use parking and straight to the boat launch to find the bigger parking area.
Is there shade to park in?
Shade is very limited at the Galesville day-use parking area. There is some shade at the car park parking area, and in the afternoon a line of the parking spots at the boat launch is in the shade. However, don’t expect any! Bring some Reflectix for your windows to keep your car cool while on the water.
Galesville Reservoir Camping
Is there a campground at Galesville?
Yes, there is a campground at Galesville Reservoir. The campground is called Chief Miwaleta County Park Campground. You can find and reserve sites here. They offer 20 full hookup sites, one group camping site, 13 tent campsites, and a couple of cabins.
Are there RV hookups at Galesville Reservoir?
Chief Miwaleta County Park and Campground has 20 RV sites. These are all full hook-up sites and are a mix of pull-through and back-in sites. When booking through their website, you can choose what kind of RV you have and the size, and then the map of sites will show you which ones will work with your trailer/rig.
What about the Galesville Reservoir Cabins?
The campground at Galesville offers three different cabins. You can book through their website here.
Be sure to bring your own bedding, kitchen, and bathroom supplies.
Is there free camping near Galesville Reservoir?
We have not stayed for free near Galesville Reservoir, as we currently live only about 45 minutes away. However, there are always ways to camp for free in the United States, and you better believe we have a post on it.
Check out how to find free campsites, and maybe even one near Galesville Reservoir here.
Bathrooms + Facilities at Galesville Reservoir
Are there bathrooms at the Galesville boat launch/day-use area?
Yes. There is a vault toilet at the parking area of the boat launch/day-use for Galesville. However, this is quite a walk up from the water. If you have urgency when using the bathroom, check out a portable toilet like this one (we have this one and love it), and a toilet shade like this. That way, you and your kiddos can stay on the water all day long!
Are there bathrooms at the campground?
Well yes, certainly! However, some sites are further away than others from the bathrooms, so be sure to check the park map and pick one close by a toilet if need be!
Are there bathrooms on the water at Galesville?
The bathrooms for the water access points at Galesville are not close to the water at all. It’s a good 5-minute walk uphill to the vault toilets. If you have kiddos with you or you have urgency when using the bathroom, grab a portable toilet like this.. we have ours in the car all the time!
Is there a place to buy food at Galesville?
No, there is nowhere to buy food at Galesville or really even close to the reservoir at all. The closest place to buy groceries or go out to eat is Canyonville, so be sure to pack plenty of food and drinks for your time at Galesville.
Swimming at Galesville Reservoir
Is it safe for children to swim in Galesville Reservoir?
Yes, the water is calm and the access to the water is rather flat. It’s also pretty shallow along the edge of the water. Obviously, we always recommend having life jackets for your kids that can’t swim and never leaving your children by the water alone.
Can my puppies swim at Galesville?
Yes! Bring the pups, the water is great!
What does the swimming area at Galesville Reservoir look like?
The day-use area at Galesville is a bit muddy and clay-like. The red dirt will likely stain, so be sure to bring dark clothes and towels. Access to the swimming area is a couple of minutes walk down a slight slope from the trail. Honestly, not too bad!
Having Pets at Galesville
Can my pets be off-leash at the Reservoir?
Yes. In fact, you’ll likely see many pets at Galesville. It’s a great place to bring the dogs!
Are pets allowed in the Chief Miwaleta Campground?
Yes, there are even pet-friendly cabins to rent too!
Can my dog be in the day-use area at Galesville Reservoir?
Yes. The day-use swimming area is a great place to have pets.
Is there shade for my animals?
There is no shade in the parking area or the swimming area at Galesville. So be sure to pack your own shade for yourself and your animals.
Bringing the Kids to Galesville Reservoir
Galesville Reservoir is a great place to bring the kids. The water is really calm, and it’s not too busy with the rowdier crews. We recommend bringing something for shade, especially with kiddos, as there isn’t any shade. And also packing a portable toilet — as the bathrooms are a ways away from the water.
If you have water floaties, be sure to pay attention to the wind, as it can get pretty windy and sweep the floaties (even with kids in them) away.
There is a small playground at both the day-use and the campground that’s great for kids!
How to Get To Galesville Reservoir
Galesville is 8 miles, about 10 minutes, off of I5. To get to Galesville Reservoir, you take exit 88, at Azalea and stay on Upper Cow Creek Road for 8 miles.
Here’s the exact link to Galesville day-use and boat launch for you to Google Map it!
Save this post on Galesville Reservoir Camping and Day Use Here
