Dispersed tent camping surrounds Cove, Oregon within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, with most primitive sites located along Forest Road 21 and surrounding forest service roads. Elevation in this area ranges from 3,200 feet in Cove to over 7,000 feet at higher camping locations, creating diverse camping experiences across seasons. Weather patterns can change rapidly, with summer afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August.
What to do
Creekside hiking access: The Two Pan trailhead serves as a gateway to Eagle Cap Wilderness day hikes, with one camper noting it's "next to a creek, lots of wildflowers, many birds chirping" and "would be fantastic to visit again, stay for a bit longer, and go backpacking."
Fishing opportunities: Thief Valley Reservoir Campground provides access to "a locally popular rainbow trout fishery" that can be "beautiful in the spring." The reservoir is adjacent to a wind farm, and as one camper warns, you might "get blown off the water by noon most days."
Horse camping: Several areas accommodate equestrians with specialized facilities. Two Pan has "tie ups for horses and hay holders," and one camper observed "some hay left over that attracted a deer very close to us." The campground is designed with four spots specifically for horse camping, each with picnic tables and fire pits.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple camping areas offer chances to spot native wildlife. At Boundary Campground, "the hike along the creek is nice" and "people bring their horses down here." At Two Pan, campers report close deer encounters and potentially hearing "what may have been a bear growling at night."
What campers like
Quiet seclusion: Williamson Campground offers peaceful tent sites with natural sound barriers. As one visitor explains, "The river is a great backdrop and sound. Space for 1 tent easily…maybe a 2nd in some. Good trees for hammock."
Small riverside camps: Walla Walla Forest Camp provides intimate camping with "just 4 sites, 2 with great river access." A camper appreciated "how big and private our site was," noting they chose site 4 which was "tucked back a little way, which we liked."
Numerous dispersed options: When tent camping near Cove, Oregon, Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed offers extensive camping choices. One camper observed "there are 100s of spots to camp" throughout the area. Another mentioned the "many options for private pull-offs once you drive past established NF campgrounds."
Easy roadside access: For quick overnight stays, dispersed camping areas provide convenient options. One camper called their site "close spot from the highway for easy camping on a roadtrip" with "open forest area spots, pretty quiet." Another noted they found "a level site for my van with neighbors not too close."
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access to many tent camping areas requires driving unpaved roads. For West Eagle Meadow Campground, "getting there is a bit of a chore: about 20 miles of dirt track, but well worth the effort." At Wallowa-Whitman NF 21, roads can be "tough to do without high clearance and/or 4WD when wet."
Water availability: Most campgrounds lack potable water. At Walla Walla Forest Camp, there are "places to dip your feet, but the water at this location is too fast and cold to swim in." Williamson Campground has a "nice little river near the campsites for gathering water or cooling off."
Site privacy differences: Campgrounds offer varying levels of seclusion. West Eagle Meadow features "camps spaced around one paved loop up the hill in the trees above the meadow." At Wallowa-Whitman NF 21, "sites are far apart but some lack privacy."
Weather considerations: Be prepared for changing mountain conditions. At Thief Valley Reservoir, expect wind as it's "right next to a wind farm." One camper experienced "late spring was a perfect time" at West Eagle Meadow with "temperatures moderate during the day and a little cold at night."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife encounters: Two Pan Campground provides educational wildlife opportunities where families might spot deer coming quite close to camp. One camper reported that "hay left over attracted a deer very close to us as we camped."
Bug preparation: When camping with children in lower elevation sites, insects can be an issue. At Walla Walla Forest Camp, one camper advises to "bring bug spray and check for ticks!" They noted their site was "swampy" and "furthest from the water," making it more mosquito-prone.
Water safety awareness: Keep children away from fast-moving creeks. As one camper at Hurricane Creek Campground cautions, "if dogs were to get in the creek that would be all she wrote. That creek is appropriately named as it really moves."
Trailhead proximity: For families wanting to combine camping with day hiking, Two Pan Campground offers convenient trail access, with one visitor noting "access to the trail is a short walk from the camp."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV accommodations: While tent camping near Cove is plentiful, RV options are more restricted. At Hurricane Creek Campground, some sites are "accessible by car only (no trailer turnaround)."
Leveling requirements: At Hurricane Creek, one RVer had to use "leveling blocks" at a riverside site but found it "so worth it" as they "could hear nothing but the rushing river."
Campsite selection strategy: When arriving at Wallowa-Whitman NF 21, one camper suggested they "would have driven further down into the woods if I had more time to set up as we got here late." Another advised finding "easy and vacant find for a last minute change to our route."
Site size limitations: Most campgrounds have modest-sized sites. At Hurricane Creek, "the campsites are spaced quite far apart, some only large enough for a tent" and West Eagle Meadow has "campsites essentially a driveway with a picnic table, suitable for small trailers or tents."
