Glamping near Baker City, Oregon offers distinctive experiences in the high-desert terrain of Eastern Oregon, where elevation ranges from 3,400 to over 7,000 feet. The area contains diverse ecosystems from sagebrush plateaus to alpine forests in the surrounding Elkhorn and Wallowa Mountains. The climate features warm, dry summers with cool nights and cold winters, making late spring through early fall the optimal camping season.
What to do
Hiking the Elkhorn Crest Trail: This 23-mile National Recreation Trail runs along the Elkhorn Range ridgeline with trailheads accessible from Anthony Lake. "Lots of really good hikes, waterfalls, but cold water if you want to swim," notes a visitor to Union Creek Campground.
Fishing at Unity Lake: The reservoir provides opportunities for catching trout in a less crowded setting. As one camper at Unity Lake State Recreation Site shared, "Another camper offered us freshly caught trout as they had too much for their group."
Mining history exploration: Visit nearby Sumpter, a historic mining town with a preserved dredge. "Nearby Sumpter is a neat little town with lots of history. Be sure to tour the Dredge," recommends a visitor who stayed at Union Creek Campground.
Soaking in mineral hot springs: Natural hot springs provide therapeutic relaxation after outdoor activities. A visitor to Grande Hot Springs RV Resort noted, "The hot tubs are small, but it really doesn't matter if no one is there. They are pool noodle friendly when it's not high occupancy."
What campers like
Private, secluded campsites: Many campgrounds offer significant spacing between sites. At Wetmore Campground, campers appreciate that there are "Lots of space between spaces. In the trees. Clean pot toilet."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area's diverse habitats support numerous bird and animal species. One visitor to Grande Hot Springs RV Resort noted, "The resort lies next to a wildlife refuge. There are many birds," while another mentioned seeing "mule deer" during their stay.
Clean facilities despite remote locations: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. At Mountain View RV Park, a camper observed, "Bathrooms were nice and very clean. Cute little store in the office. They also had a nice pool."
Peaceful atmosphere: The remote nature of many sites provides quiet camping experiences. A visitor to Catherine Creek State Park Campground described it as "Very pretty and open for camping," while noting it was "right on the road, which could be busy in the summer."
What you should know
Water levels fluctuate seasonally: Lakes and reservoirs can experience significant changes. A camper at Farewell Bend State Recreation Area observed, "Water in the lake is way down, lowest it has been in 50+ years."
Weather can change rapidly: At higher elevations, conditions vary quickly. A visitor to Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort Campground reported, "We stopped by Anthony Lakes on our way back to the Willamette Valley from Baker City. The campsite is on a property that becomes a ski resort in the winter (it's at over ~7000 ft)."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor or no connectivity. A Catherine Creek State Park visitor noted "Not much for Verizon cell signal," while another camper at Unity Lake mentioned, "We could not get the CG Wifi to connect, but we did have 2 bars on Verizon."
Insects can be prevalent: Mosquitoes are common, especially near water. One camper at Farewell Bend warned, "Very many mosquitos, like swarms of them," while another visitor mentioned dealing with "gnats, mozzies, bees, wasps, and flies."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible short trails: Several campgrounds offer easy hikes suitable for children. At Bates State Park, visitors note "nice short trails, and local history of the site" and appreciate that "There are very interesting signs telling about the logging history of the area as well as a playground and nature trails."
Water activities with caution: Lakes and streams offer recreation but require supervision. A camper at Union Creek mentioned, "Access to lake very large boat ramp and docking," while another noted the "cold water if you want to swim."
Wildlife awareness: Small animals may be attracted to food. One visitor to Anthony Lakes warned, "Lots of chipmunks, so watch what you leave out (even momentarily)."
Historical learning opportunities: The area offers educational experiences about Oregon's past. A Bates State Park visitor noted the park "has an interesting history. It was the site of the Bates Lumber Mill company town."
Tips from RVers
Water pressure considerations: Some campgrounds have extremely high water pressure. At Mountain View RV Park, campers warn, "Great water pressure(about 100 psi) so we needed our regulator," and another noted, "As the water pressure here is around 100 psi, you need to use a reducer."
Pull-through accessibility: Many sites accommodate larger RVs. A visitor to Catherine Creek observed, "A good number of spots in the middle of the campground seemed better suited to small-medium pull behinds since there wasn't as much separating the individual sites."
Weather protection: High winds can affect comfort at exposed sites. A Farewell Bend camper shared, "We had reserved a spot in C loop with a view of the water but it was so windy when we got there the site was not very comfortable. The camp host graciously let us move up to B loop, since it wasn't very busy mid-week."
Seasonal limitations: Not all facilities remain open year-round. An early visitor to Farewell Bend noted, "Only the Brownlee loop was open in mid-March. There were plenty of sites to choose from with great views of the river. The water was of at sites, but the sites and bathrooms were good."
