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Best Tent Camping near Halfway, OR

386 Reviews

Tent camping options in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest surrounding Halfway, Oregon provide access to high-elevation wilderness areas with alpine lakes and forest settings. Fish Lake Campground, situated at 6,990 feet elevation, offers designated tent sites with metal fire pits and vault toilets for $6 per night. Backcountry tent sites can be found at Aneroid Lake and Mirror Lake, requiring hikes on established trails from trailheads accessible by forest service roads.

Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from late spring through fall, with Fish Lake open June to October and Hidden Campground available May to October. Primitive sites typically lack drinking water, requiring campers to carry their own or filter from streams and lakes. The high elevation means nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months. Sites generally include fire rings where permitted, but several backcountry areas enforce fire restrictions. A camper noted, "Late spring was a perfect time to spend a couple days in the mountain wilderness. Wildflowers were in bloom and temperatures were moderate during the day and a little cold at night."

Dispersed tent camping opportunities exist alongside West Eagle Creek south of the West Eagle Meadows trailhead on Forest Road 77. These sites provide more solitude than established campgrounds but require self-sufficiency. Hurricane Creek Campground features secluded tent sites with the creek creating natural white noise, though the water moves too quickly for swimming. Access to many backcountry tent sites involves travel on gravel roads followed by hiking trails. The nearby Eagle Cap Wilderness offers extensive backpacking possibilities with alpine lakes suitable for tent camping. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Mirror Lake is big with lots of dispersed sites, but when we arrived on Friday evening we felt lucky to find a place. The lake was so full and the sound carried over the water so much that you could hear conversations."

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Best Tent Sites Near Halfway, Oregon (50)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Halfway, OR

33 Photos of 50 Halfway Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Halfway, OR

386 Reviews of 50 Halfway Campgrounds

  • Paige P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Wolf Creek Reservoir

    Sweet Spot

    A 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.

  • C
    May. 21, 2022

    Southwest Shore Campground

    Lovely Spring Camping

    There are picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets. No water. Lots of birds singing and wonderful views. The lake is dry, but the scenery is amazing. Very clean and the sites are spacious and well separated. I’d come back.

  • E
    Aug. 4, 2019

    Rainbow Point

    Open and grassy campsites

    Nice grassy sites, water right there, vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables, tent camping or RVs. Not a lot of shade but cools down nice at night. Lots to do nearby!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 11, 2025

    Hazard Creek Dispersed Camping

    Nice spot off the beaten path

    Nice flat spot with a stone fire ring. Hazard creek nearby isn't too loud and sounds great. Not much firewood is around as its all been picked already.

  • Jim B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 10, 2021

    Hurricane Creek Campground

    A lovely place

    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. 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.

  • Amanda C.
    Aug. 24, 2021

    Amanita

    Good camping close to Town

    This is a typical campground with Vault toilets, no showers, no water or electric hookups. However, it is just a couple miles from nice dining, mountain biking, and hiking.

  • Hannah O.
    Mar. 16, 2021

    North Fork Catherine Creek Campground

    Peaceful and free to camp

    Lovely location in the mountains of Oregon. We drove a few thousand feet up a gravel road to get to this campsite. Easy access for my little sedan. I typed the latitude and longitude (found on the website) into my gps but lost service maybe 15 or 20 minutes before we arrived. Luckily it still was able to track our location and tell us “you have arrived” but as the campsite description said, these sites are spread out along the road, so it took us an extra 10 or 15 minutes to find the site we were going to stay at. The easiest campsites to find are at the trailhead of the North Fork Catharine Creek trail, which has a large parking lot with a minimal parking fee. The vault toilets are at this parking lot. For us, we crossed the bridge right before the parking lot and found a pull-off loop that had a few trailers with what seemed to be seasonal campers. They were cheerful and friendly. We went to the very back of the loop and found a nice secluded spot that was literally yards from the river. It was a primitive spot; it had no picnic table and only a fire ring made of rocks but since we had chairs we didn’t mind.

    The forest floor was extremely easy to drive stakes into, and the river made a lovely background noise to fall asleep to.

    The only thing I didn’t like was a couple bags of trash sitting on the side of the loop. We figured they were from the seasonal campers who put them at a distance so they didn’t have to deal with the smell. Not a great idea since an animal could get into it though. That’s something to keep in mind; THERE IS NO DUMPSTER so you have to pack all trash back out.

    We stayed in the middle of July and it was delightfully cool, in the mid 70s during the day and dropped down to the upper 40s over night.

    All in all a lovely overnight trip. I would go back.

  • Brandon K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Farewell Bend State Recreation Area Campground

    Riverside desert experience

    Farewell bend is a day use state park and campground located near Huntington Oregon and nestled on the Snake River.

    The park is a dry desert setting with yellowing grasses, tall spiny trees and sand dunes. The snake river is a deep emerald green flowing with foam from the upriver reservoir.

    The campground has three large loops that can accommodate the largest of personal busses down to the classic sleeping bag. There are electric and water connections, a sewer dump and a boat launch. There are a couple of rentable waterfront cabins available on C-loop.

    Many fisherman come here to enjoy the well stocked waters, keep an eye out for the other river wildlife commonly seen, rattle snakes. Other water sports are welcome here, boating and waterskiing happens all day long. The dunes across the river are a popular off-road and motorized fun location.

    The river is pretty much inaccessible from the campgrounds, the day use area allows for access to the rocky beach, but the waters edge is not clean sadly, polluted with litter and river foam.

    The park is a very warm and sunny Oregon escape with little to no cellular service.

  • Erica H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2020

    Oasis Recreation Site

    Great Overnight Stay!

    I ended up here because the Farewell Bend State Park campground was full. It’s right along the Snake River and borders an established campground to the east. There are two picnic tables/fire rings, one on either side of the boat launch. The spots are right on the water and sunset/sunrise are gorgeous! No potable water, and no trash collection, so you must pack it out. Perfect for an overnight stay when passing through the area. The only downside is the frequent sound of trains. They are in the distance, but definitely noticeable.

Guide to Halfway

Tent camping near Halfway, Oregon offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.

Some prices for tent camping range from $6 to $0

  • The Fish Lake Campground charges a modest fee of $6 per night, providing access to beautiful views and fishing opportunities.
  • Boulder Park Campground is a well-reviewed spot that offers free camping, making it a great choice for budget-conscious campers.
  • At Hidden, you can enjoy a peaceful stay without any fees, surrounded by nature and river access.

Tent campers should check out Fish Lake Campground

Tips for tent camping near Halfway

  • Arrive early at West Eagle Meadow Campground to secure a spot, as it can get busy during peak seasons.
  • Be prepared for a bit of a drive to Tamarack Campground, as the journey leads you through beautiful landscapes that are worth the effort.
  • Bring your own water and supplies when camping at Paradise Campground, as amenities are limited, but the natural beauty makes it a rewarding experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fishing opportunities are available at Fish Lake near Halfway, Oregon?

Fish Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities in a high-elevation alpine setting. For anglers seeking additional options near Halfway, Thief Valley Reservoir Campground provides access to a locally popular rainbow trout fishery. Though it can get windy (expect to be blown off the water by noon most days), spring fishing can be particularly productive. The reservoir is free to camp beside, with basic amenities including a vault toilet but no running water. For stream fishing, Hurricane Creek Campground offers access to a fast-moving creek in a beautiful, shaded setting.

Where are the best tent camping spots near Fish Lake in Halfway, Oregon?

Fish Lake Campground offers excellent tent camping in a beautiful pine forest at 6,990 feet elevation. The developed campground has designated sites with metal fire pits, vault toilets, and on-site water for $6/night. For those seeking a more primitive experience, dispersed camping is available in the surrounding area along NFD Road 66. Another great option is West Eagle Meadow Campground, which provides quiet, shaded campsites around a paved loop that makes a good base for exploring the area.

When is the best season for tent camping at Fish Lake near Halfway, Oregon?

The best season for tent camping at Fish Lake near Halfway is summer through early fall when high elevation access (6,990 feet) is reliable. Given its alpine setting, the campground typically opens after snow melts, usually by late June. For alternative timing, consider Moss Springs Campground on the edge of Eagle Cap, which is accessible earlier in the season. Late spring through summer is ideal at Two Pan, where you'll find four spots with picnic tables and fire pits that serve as an excellent gateway to the Wallowa Mountains when Fish Lake might still have snow.

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