Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Elgin, OR is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Elgin is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"Primitive dispersed campsites with rock fire rings right off the highway. Down side is it's a little too noisy for my taste."
"Light sleepers would have a hard time here due to highway noise but overall good rest stop. My dog wouldn’t stop trying to eat all the horse poop around the camp site."
$29 / night
"This space provides a locked gate to give you privacy and peace of mind! Minimal light pollution will provide you gorgeous starry skies. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love!"
"First off - you will need a higher clearance vehicle to reach this campground, and signage may be limited so make sure you know your step by step directions beforehand."
"Moss Springs is a quiet campground on the edge of the Eagle Cap about 9 miles up the a forest service road from Cove, OR (which is about 14 miles past La Grande)."
"We scheduled three nights here but after two nights of amazing lightning storms, we skipped the third night. Still, this is a beautiful place, very private, secluded, and shady."
"We car camped in this small campground along Hurricane Creek after getting rained out on a backpacking trip up to Eagle Cap. There are 13 sites, 3 of which are handicap accessible."
"Space for 1 tent easily…maybe a 2nd in some. Good trees for hammock."
"Nice little river near the campsites for gathering water or cooling off."
RangerA handful of great places to camp for the night- very clean and well taken care of so please leave no trace. Just a spot and a table, no water, restrooms ect.
RangerLane Creek campground is in the Umatilla Forest off Hwy 244 (Between HWY 395 & I-84). Between milepost 10 & 12. It has 7 camp sites with vaulted toilet. No water or garabage, but have picnic table and fire ring, with level gravel site for trailers (can pitch a tent). One out of the 7 sites can hold a large RV of 35ft. Town of Ukiah is west about 8 miles and has a dump station for RV at a park in middle of town off HWY 244. Great Elk hunting area lots of forest road to drive around.
GuideWe scheduled three nights here but after two nights of amazing lightning storms, we skipped the third night. Still, this is a beautiful place, very private, secluded, and shady. The fast-moving creek creates a soothing white noise that we found calming. The campsites are spaced quite far apart, some only large enough for a tent. No hookups, but there is a clean vault toilet. We planned to hit the nearby hiking trail, but when we got to the trailhead, the parking lot was completely packed. When we go there again, we will stay and relax at the campground.
GuideThe campground is somewhat primitive. There are flushing toilets on the lower loop, vault toilets on the upper loop. no showers, but you can refresh in the lake. The nights get chilly, so be prepared with warm socks and a beenie, especially if you’re tent camping.
There are no power boats allowed on the lake, so it is raft, kayak paddle board friendly.
The path around the lake is an easy walk, just don’t expect to sit on a bench and enjoy the view of the lake, the trees have grown up.
ScoutThe location of the campground is off to the left-hand side of highway 82 (if coming from Elgin) and down a long gravel road. The sites are spaced enough to where you aren't crowded but there still isn't much privacy. Apple trees are everywhere, bringing tons of butterflies and bees to the campground. The bathrooms looked well maintained. The river is nice to swim in or for rafts/kayaks but as for fishing, we didn't have much luck aside from mountain whitefish. Overall a good campground for overnight.
LegendI like remote campgrounds but man, this one felt especially far away from everything. If coming here, I would say you should allocate at least two days if not more to take advantage of everything nearby.
Campground is in a ponderosa forest right in between two creeks, Squaw and Umapine, so anglers were happy and it’s easy to get a nice cool respite if the weather is oppressive.
Picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets, but no hookups.
This campground seems to be an increasingly significant favorite for ATVers (there are a bazillion trails around, you can see them on the maps downloadable for Pro Dyrt members) but it does not open until May, so leave your snowmobile at home.
There are eight sites of varying sizes, but only one is a pull through.
GuideWe tent camped for the weekend in mid-July. The plan was to camp at Jubilee Lake, but it was full when we arrived Friday evening. Target Meadows is just a short drive from the lake, but there were plenty of sites available. The campground is heavily wooded with beautiful evergreens. Sites are private and well spaced. This is a rustic campground, so there is no water or power. Amenities include (very clean!) pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits with cooking grates. There is a lot of dry timber on the ground, so it is easy to collect your own firewood. There is easy access to hiking, including Burnt Cabin trailhead. Most campsites are trailer friendly, including a few with drive-through access. We really enjoyed the area and will be back again!
TravelerCame here for an overnight stop while traveling through the area. Solid spot - 4 large sites with level spots, fire ring, picnic tables, vault toilet. Arrived around 5pm on a Saturday in October and 3 spots were available - the others filled up after me. Quiet and beautiful while being close to the highway. Perfect and pleasant for my overnight stop
ScoutEvery time we camp here it has been quiet, wild life comes around to say hi. Vault toilets, no water, no trash pickup. Always clean,,, Nice place...
Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Oregon, Elgin offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Elgin, Oregon campgrounds for tent campers?
Tent campers near Elgin can find basic but functional amenities at several campgrounds. West Eagle Meadow Campground offers sites arranged around a paved loop in the trees, equipped with one clean vault toilet, though there's no water, electricity, or sewer connections. At Big Springs Campground, you'll find dry camping with vault toilets, and each site includes picnic tables and fire pits. Most campgrounds in the area are rustic, focusing on natural settings rather than modern conveniences.
Where are the best tent camping spots near Elgin, Oregon?
The Elgin area offers excellent tent camping in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Hurricane Creek Campground provides beautiful, secluded sites with spacious layouts and the soothing sounds of a fast-moving creek. For those seeking more remote experiences, Two Pan offers four spots with picnic tables and fire pits, serving as an excellent gateway to wilderness trails. The campground includes horse tie-ups and is located about 11 miles down a gravel road, providing true forest immersion.
When is the best season for tent camping in Elgin, Oregon?
Late spring through early fall offers the best tent camping near Elgin. Moss Springs Campground, located about 9 miles up a forest service road from Cove, is particularly beautiful during spring and summer when accessing the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Late spring brings moderate daytime temperatures with cooler nights and blooming wildflowers at Thief Valley Reservoir Campground, though be prepared for wind. Summer provides warm weather for exploration, while early fall offers pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds before winter snowfall makes access difficult.
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