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Best Tent Camping near Christmas Valley, OR

140 Reviews

Tent campgrounds around Christmas Valley, Oregon provide remote desert camping experiences with views of nearby lava fields and geological features. Green Mountain Campground offers tent sites on a high plateau with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Christmas Valley Sand Dunes area and Lost Forest/Dunes/Fossil ACEC provide primitive tent camping with direct access to unique terrain and geological formations.

Road access to most tent sites requires driving on washboard gravel roads that may be difficult for low-clearance vehicles. Green Mountain Campground features basic amenities including a vault toilet described by campers as exceptionally clean. Most tent campgrounds in the area lack potable water, so campers must bring their own supplies. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry summer months. The terrain consists primarily of sandy, uneven ground with limited natural shade in this high desert environment. Sites typically offer minimal development with some areas having established fire rings while others require visitors to select their own parking and setup locations.

The tent camping experience in the Christmas Valley area provides exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. Many tent sites serve as convenient bases for exploring geological features like Crack-in-the-Ground, a volcanic fissure that maintains temperatures approximately 30 degrees cooler than the surrounding landscape. Wildlife sightings are common at primitive tent sites, particularly after dark. Tent campers should prepare for temperature extremes, with summer days reaching 100 degrees and nights dropping significantly. Solitude varies by location, with OHV enthusiasts frequenting the sand dunes areas while more remote forest sites offer greater quiet. A visitor commented, "Stayed two nights in this great isolated spot - the first night we were the only ones there, which gave us one of the best sunsets and moon rises we have ever seen."

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Best Tent Sites Near Christmas Valley, Oregon (28)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Christmas Valley, OR

4 Photos of 28 Christmas Valley Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Christmas Valley, OR

140 Reviews of 28 Christmas Valley Campgrounds

  • Robert D.
    Sep. 30, 2023

    East Lake Campground

    A great camping spot by the lake.

    Our first time here at East Lake Campground in the last week of September 2023 just 1 day before the park closed for the season. Because East Lake Campground is 6500 feet in elevation the nights were very cold, from 44 to 31 degrees but normally the days were in the morning windy and about 62*. The camp has 29 sites and NO hookups.

    There is flush toilets, NO showers, but had drinking water. East Lake also had 1 boat launch but the water was very low, some 40' down from the edge of the bank to the water. Great fishing and a great place for kayaks. Each site has a picnic table and fireplace. Most Sites on the lake side has pull-thru that were about 50' long. Some back-in sites were only 35'. Very quite campground and not too close to each others camp site. We camped at East Lake Campground in a Travel Trailer.

    Restrooms Flush toilets, faucet water. No hookups, No electric, No water hookup, No sewer hookup. You can fill your water tank FREE at the ($10) Dump Station so you don't have the weight in your rig. Dog-friendliness Lots of space to run and play.

  • R
    May. 8, 2021

    Green Mountain Campground

    Surprisingly nice BLM campground

    High camp with great views. Road from Christmas Valley is all washboard until Crack park, then it gets better. For BLM, it’s nice. Cold May morning at 17 degrees.

  • Pat S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Little Crater Campground

    Right on Paulina Lake

    This CG is right on Paulina lake in the middle of Newberry Crater. There are 50 sites along the shoreline. They all have the standard picnic table and fire ring. We had the first site on the left as you enter the CG. It had a great view of the lake and surrounding ridgeline and Paulina Peak. It also allows for a wonderful sunset.

    The campground is generally crowded. The sites are decent but you will have other campers relatively close, The CG is easily accessed by foot, car or boat. It does have a boat ramp. RV's / Campers can get into most sites. There are 5 Vault toilets, drinking water, no showers, no hook ups. each site is in close walking distance to the lake. The CG is accessible to various trails in the area including the Big Obsidian Flow trail. A bonus hike should be taken to the Paulina Lake hot springs on the north side of the lake. You can also get to the hot springs by boat.

  • Gabrielle S.
    Jul. 5, 2018

    Green Mountain Campground

    Remote campground with amazing views

    Spent two nights in this great isolated spot- the first night we were the only ones there! The second night we were joined by several people who had car tents but we never felt like we were on top of one another. Wonderful flat area at the top of a hill that boast amazing views of the valley- gave us one of the best sunsets and moon rises that we have ever seen! There is a central pit toilet for all of the sites to share.

    There is a fire tower a short distance away from the sites that you can walk up to the base of and hike around. Sites are also close drive to "Crack-in-the-Ground", which is a fascinating lava formation that makes for a good spot to hike around for half a day.

    The road up to the site is washboard, so be prepared for a bumpy drive. There is a small store at Christmas Valley before the turnoff that has the essentials, including an emergency eyeglass repair kit when my husband was head butted by the dog. Oops!

  • Nicolaus N.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Crack-In-The-Ground

    Short hike. Neat feature!

    This location is primarily used for day hikes.

    Ccoming from hwy 14 near Christmas valley the turn off for crack in the ground is a gravel road. When we took it was freshly grated, but as you go along there are some rough patches where it may be difficult to pass with a small car or a vehicle with low clearance. There are sparse opportunities to fit two vehicles on this road once you make the left up the hill.

    The parking area is marked and well kept, including the restroom (basic vault toilet).

    Trailhead is opposite of parking where there is room for maybe 10 vehicles.

    This is a very dry and open area. As you travel down the trail maybe .25 miles there is a trail log box where you can sign in as well. Picnic benches are available here (2).

    From here you can see the Crack in the Ground! Start your journey into the crack where it is nearly 30 degrees cooler. Quite nice on a 100 degree day!

    This is a down and back trail through the crack, but you also may return on trails above ground level.

  • James J.
    Aug. 18, 2019

    Pine Mountain Campground

    Great campsite, but watch out for the ground squirrels.

    We stayed here for three days, two nights. We took our 4 cylinder Hyundai up here packed full, and the gravel road leading up to the campsite was well maintained.

    The campsite itself was clean and beautiful. There were very few people using this place, so for the most part we were almost totally alone. There is no garbage service; Plan on packing your garbage out. There was one restroom with a vault toilet. No water either, so bring plenty.

    The wildlife was beautiful. There were chickadees that kept flying up to us, and these really cute golden mantle ground squirrels. They are cute, but watch out! One will distract you pretending to be cute and friendly, but then there's another one or two getting into everything you leave within their reach. They will steal your food. When you catch them, they'll run away with their fat little faces full.

    They never really run far away either. They have tunnels and nests everywhere in the campground, so they'll hide and wait till you're not paying attention anymore. BAM, THEY'RE STEALING YOUR FOOD AGAIN!

    There was a sharp shinned hawk who kept coming by our camp. My wife thought it wanted our small dog, but I think maybe it was looking for those chickadees that kept coming around.

    The night sky was beautiful. Whether you're an astronomer, or just a casual star gazer, it's worth the drive down here. There's an observatory run by a local University here, and they offer tours to the public on weekends. You can call and inquire about how crowded the site is, weather, and other things.

    There were some noisy campers having a party who arrived on our second day. They were kinda loud, and they kept walking all over the campsite which kinda distracted from the whole experience, but for the most part we were alone. There were fire rings and picnic tables at all the spurs. Some of the spurs we kinda close to each other, but there was hardly anybody here, so that made up for it.

    We didn't get any cell service with Sprint here. That's fine with me though, I'd rather not use my phone.

    Overall, I loved this place and I will definitely go back.

  • E
    Aug. 12, 2020

    Pine Mountain Campground

    Peaceful

    About 6 miles on a washboard gravel road up to 6,000’ elevation. Primitive sites, but mostly level. Vault toilet, no water. U of O’s Pine Mountain Observatory is at the same site, currently closed for Covid. Cows will visit occasionally, but overall very relaxing. Excellent star views from your hammock or up on top of the mountain next to the radio towers lol.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2022

    Marster Spring Campground

    Quiet & Away from it All

    For a small campground, which could only accommodate small RV’s and tenters, this campground has everything you might need. Along the banks of Sage Hen Creek, this intimate campground offers well-spaced out sites, with a fire ring and picnic table each. The two vault toilets were very clean and well stocked. The campground has trash, a returnables bin and drinking water. 

    With the large ponderosa pines overhead we had to be strategic about our parking situation for our camper’s solar array. In many of these situations we set out our portable panel so that we can keep our camper in the shade and still collect solar energy to keep our small battery charged. 

    There are plenty of hiking trails and opportunities for cycling and fishing throughout the National Forest area. There was a recent forest fire on the other side of the creek so the views are stunning in their own haunting way. Just a few miles back down the road, the town of Paisley has a few services, a small cafe, gas station/ convenience store, post office and of course a drive-thru barista. The closest larger town is Lakeview with a few more services, but don’t try to do your laundry there!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2023

    Auger Creek Dispersed

    Down a Canyon - Not good for RV Travel

    This campsite is dry camping.  Silver Creek may be dry, as it has been since 2021.  No facilities other than a picnic table.  No Cell, No WiFi, etc.  If you like totally 'being away from it all,' this is your place, if you can get there.

Guide to Christmas Valley

Tent camping near Christmas Valley, Oregon, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures, perfect for those looking to escape into nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • The Green Mountain Campground features basic facilities like pit toilets and ample space for tents, making it a great choice for a peaceful retreat.
  • At the Crack-In-The-Ground, visitors can enjoy picnic tables and a vault toilet, providing essential comforts while exploring the fascinating geological formations nearby.
  • The Summer Lake State Wildlife Area allows tent camping with access to toilets, making it convenient for wildlife enthusiasts.

Explore these local attractions

  • The breathtaking views from Green Mountain Campground overlook a vast Pleistocene lava field, perfect for photography and nature appreciation.
  • Just a short drive from Green Mountain Campground, the Crack-in-the-Ground offers a unique hiking experience through a dramatic lava fissure.
  • The nearby Lost Forest/Dunes/Fossil ACEC is an intriguing area for those interested in fossil hunting and exploring diverse ecosystems.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Hiking enthusiasts will love the trails at Crack-In-The-Ground, where a short hike leads to a cool, shaded crack in the earth, ideal for escaping the heat.
  • The BLM Christmas Valley Sand Dunes is a popular spot for off-highway vehicle (OHV) adventures, offering a thrilling experience for those looking to explore the dunes.
  • For a more tranquil experience, the Green Mountain Campground provides a serene environment for stargazing and enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Christmas Valley, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Christmas Valley, OR is Green Mountain Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Christmas Valley, OR?

TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Christmas Valley, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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