Phillips Lake offers dispersed camping options within a 20-minute drive from Baker City, Oregon. Situated at elevations around 4,000 feet, camping areas provide access to the Powder River and mountain terrain. The region experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters with substantial snowfall, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Social Security Point Trailhead offers lakeside access where campers can fish for local species. "There looks to be 4 sites in the trees, but if you keep driving down it'll take you towards the lake, which is where I camped. Wide open, great sunset views!" shares Evan W.
Mountain biking trails: Access mountain bike paths directly from Social Security Point. "There is also a mountain bike trail at the end of the road with varying degrees of difficulty," notes Casey B.
Historic exploration: Visit nearby Sumpter to learn about the region's mining past. While staying at Southwest Shore Campground, camper Phil&Melinda O. mentioned "Baker city was just about 20 minutes away along with the old gold mining town of Sumpter about 10 minutes away."
What Campers Like
Spacious camping areas: Union Creek Campground offers well-separated sites. "The sites were perfectly spaced out, the restrooms were clean, and the scenery was beautiful!" notes Emma N.
Clean facilities: Restroom cleanliness stands out across several campgrounds. At Pilcher Creek Reservoir, Julian R. found that "There are vaulted toilets on either side of the camp, and each site comes with a metal fire pit, standing grill, and picnic bench."
Wildlife viewing: The Baker City area provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. Kennedy F. at Pilcher Creek Reservoir mentioned, "Saw a ton of wildlife too (bring your bear spray)," while at Social Security Point, Jennifer W. reported, "Lots of wildlife. Had coyotes go through the area last night which was pretty loud, and we think we've been hearing elk bugling."
What You Should Know
Variable road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require attention. For Grande Hot Springs RV Resort, Bill B. advises, "If you approach the campsite from the East, be prepared for a bumpy road. The road from the West (LaGrande) is much better even if it takes you a few miles out of the way."
Cell service availability: Connectivity varies between campgrounds. At Pilcher Creek Reservoir, Kristi R. notes "T-Mobile was good. Able to stream."
Water levels fluctuate: Lake levels can change significantly throughout the season. At Union Creek Campground, Rod D. observed "Water in the lake is way down, lowest it has been in 50+ years."
Tips for Camping with Families
Hot springs access: A-Frame RV Park provides family-friendly amenities. Susan N. mentions "Dog Friendly with a 14 acres off-leash dog park! Washrooms were small but very clean."
Reservation timing: Popular summer weekends fill quickly. "We came in early October, and had lots of space to ourselves," reports Elizabeth S. at Grande Hot Springs RV Resort, indicating shoulder season camping provides more availability.
Pack supplies accordingly: Most campgrounds have limited services. Cameron notes that at Pilcher Creek Reservoir, "There was a working water pump at the campsite," but many sites require bringing your own water.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Various Baker City campgrounds accommodate different RV sizes. At Mtn View RV Park, MickandKarla W. reported, "The pad was plenty long enough for our 40' 5th wheel and our F450. The utilities were in the middle of the pad, which made it nice for our one-night stay."
Water pressure considerations: Be prepared for high water pressure at some hookup sites. "Great water pressure (about 100 psi) so we needed our regulator," advises MickandKarla W. at Mtn View RV Park.
Satellite reception limitations: RVers relying on satellite connections should note potential obstructions. "There are a lot of mature trees so satellite could be iffy depending on your site," mentions MickandKarla W.
