Cottonwood Canyon State Park offers glamping and cabin camping options near Condon, Oregon, providing visitors with comfortable accommodations in Oregon's high desert. Located along the John Day River at 1,200 feet elevation, this remote area experiences dramatic temperature shifts between day and night. Visitors should prepare for extreme conditions that can include blistering summer heat exceeding 100°F and winter temperatures well below freezing.
What to do
Hiking trails: Explore the Pinnacles Trail or Lost Corral Trail at Cottonwood Canyon State Park, each over 8 miles roundtrip along the John Day River. According to Julie P., "There are some really great hikes you can do nearby... The scenery is gorgeous on both hikes- you follow along the river (John Day River)."
Kayaking and river activities: Paddle the calm sections of the John Day River at Maupin City Park, where boat tie-ups are available directly into the campground. Kristina G. notes, "Boat tie-ups are available on the river that lead directly into the campground, so you don't have to pull up your boat for the night, and unloading is simple on the concrete dock."
Stargazing: Experience exceptional night skies in this remote region. As Shawn M. observed at Cottonwood Canyon, "The beautiful moonlight set one side of the canyon aglow and the clear sky was filled with stars. I didn't need my rain fly, so could enjoy finding the constellations as I lay in my tent."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Witness native animals in their natural habitat at Cottonwood Canyon. One camper reported, "In the morning, I awoke just before dawn when my dog sat bolt upright and intently watched with me as an elk cow walked through our campsite."
Off-roading trails: Bring your ATVs and dirt bikes to Morrow County OHV Park near Heppner for extensive trail systems. Jacob V. reports, "If you ride ATVs, dirt bikes or side by sides there are over 300 miles of trails over 9,000 acres here."
Riverside camping: Select sites directly alongside the water at Macks Canyon Recreation Site for fishing access and river views. Sarah S. shares, "We got an awesome site along the river, site 11. The view of the river was amazing and we watched lots of fishing boats and rafting boats go by."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Prepare for strong gusts throughout the canyon areas. Erik H. notes about Cottonwood Canyon State Park, "Be prepared for some wind due to topography." James W. confirms this at Macks Canyon: "As before the wind kicks up (strong) around 7:30p to 8:30p."
Road conditions: Access to some remote sites requires driving on rough roads. Logan K. describes Macks Canyon Recreation Site: "About 20 miles of gravel road will take you here and some small Rockwall to semi-worry about." Another visitor warns, "I have never experienced a washboard road as bad as this was for 6-7 miles. I thought the doors were going to blow off the truck."
Seasonal considerations: Visit during spring or fall to avoid extreme summer heat. Sarah S. explains, "I waited until after October to go because they don't allow fires from June 1-Sept 30. The campground itself is very open with really no privacy between sites but that is to be expected in this sort of landscape."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose family-friendly Crow Butte Park for dedicated play areas. Benjamin B. recommends, "This campground is close to home for us and a really nice place for the kids to play."
Swimming spots: Find safe water access points for children along the Columbia River. Ben B. notes, "Spent a fun weekend here. Site was easy to back into. Clean and level. Lots of shade and grass. Allows pets (on leash) fun little park for the kids and nice little beach for swimming."
Free equipment rentals: Utilize the complimentary bikes at Cottonwood Canyon for family exploration. Caitlin S. shares, "We brought our own bikes but if you don't bring yours, they offered loaner bikes and there were little bike workstations on the grounds."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Book early to secure prime yurt camping or cabin sites near Condon, Oregon during peak seasons. At Maupin City Park, Russ H. advises, "We stayed in an 18 foot trailer. The sites are a little tight for ginormous 36 foot trailers with multiple slideouts. We fit just fine."
Hookup options: Penland Lake offers primitive RV parking with lake access. Be aware of limited amenities, as Ashton B. notes, "The campsites near the lake are tent sites with a parking area... If you go further into the campsites area you will find a dirt road and a few more campsites near the water. Very tight and looks difficult to get an rv in, but there was a small one parked there."
Security precautions: Take extra care with valuables at public campgrounds. One visitor to Maupin City Park warns, "At about 2am, I was woken up by footsteps outside our trailer window... So at 2:15 this morning, I was outside hauling all of our gear into the trailer."
