Selma and Lake Selmac
Selma sits on the Redwood Highway (US-199) north of Kerby and Cave Junction, on the drive in from Grants Pass. It's a small, unincorporated community with its own post office, and it has two good reasons to stop: Lake Selmac just east of the highway, and the Illinois River Road heading west.
The Illinois River Road (Forest Road 4103) starts in Selma and runs west into the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The Store Gulch picnic site is about 9 miles out, with a short trail down to the river. That road, the swimming holes, and the trails beyond are covered on Rivers.
Lake Selmac
Lake Selmac County Park is run by Josephine County Parks, which manages the lake and most of its campgrounds. The camping and day-use area covers about 300 acres around the water. Day use is open from sunrise to sunset, and the county charges a parking fee for day visitors.
Camping. The county campground is split into loops named for birds: Osprey, Heron, Teal, Eagle, and Mallard. There is also a horse camp and several group shelters. If you'd rather not pitch a tent, the county has 5 yurts at the lake, 4 in the Osprey loop and 1 in the Mallard loop. Each is furnished, with electricity, lights, and a heater, and sleeps 5. Yurts are by reservation only.
To book, call Josephine County Parks at (541) 474-5285 and choose option 1. Reservation staff answer Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can book from 3 days to 9 months ahead, and stays are limited to 14 nights in a row. Check-in is at 2 p.m. and check-out is at noon. Once you're at the campground, the county takes cash only, so bring some. Rates change, so ask when you book.
Fishing. The county lists fishing as one of the park's main activities and links to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's trout stocking schedule. ODFW stocks rainbow trout in late winter and spring, and the lake also holds largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. Check the current ODFW regulations for limits before you fish.
Boating. State rules cap motorboats at 10 mph on Lake Selmac, which suits kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. There is a boat ramp in the park. The lake has a problem with Eurasian watermilfoil, an invasive water weed. Volunteers and county parks workers pulled it out by hand at the main boat ramp in June 2026, and one reviewer found the water better for wading than swimming because of the weeds.
On land. The park has nature trails and an 18-hole disc golf course. In October 2026, county parks staff and volunteers finished new tee pads on 13 of the 18 holes, with the rest planned.
The Resort at Lake Selmac
On the other side of the lake, the privately run Resort at Lake Selmac has RV sites, tent sites, and cabins, plus a small store that sells bait, tackle, and day fishing licenses. Listings say it also rents boats in season. The resort organized the volunteer milfoil cleanup in June 2026. It's at 2700 Lakeshore Drive, and the phone is (541) 597-2277. See resortatlakeselmac.com for current rates and rentals. More places to stay are on Stay.
Getting here
Selma is on US-199 between Grants Pass and Kerby. Lake Selmac is a short drive east of the highway on Lakeshore Drive. For road conditions, see Getting here.
On the map in Selma
- Lake Selmac County Park: Josephine County's lake park near Selma, with campground loops, 5 yurts, a boat ramp, nature trails, and disc golf.