Best Campgrounds near Harper, OR

Eastern Oregon's Harper area provides a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping options along the Snake River and Owyhee Reservoir. Bully Creek Park and Bully Creek Reservoir County Park near Vale offer developed camping with electric hookups, showers, and RV accommodations. For those seeking more remote experiences, the Owyhee-Dispersed area and Juntura Hot Springs Dispersed camping provide free primitive sites with minimal amenities. Lake Owyhee State Park features two campgrounds—Indian Creek and McCormack—with cabins, RV sites, and tent camping options along the reservoir shoreline.

The camping season in this region typically runs from April through November, with some sites like Farewell Bend State Recreation Area remaining open year-round. Summer temperatures can be extremely hot, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions. Most dispersed sites lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Cell service is limited or non-existent in many areas, particularly around Lake Owyhee State Park. Reservations are recommended for established campgrounds during peak summer months. A visitor noted, "There is no cell phone reception, nada, none. For us, this makes it a great place to get away for the weekend and unplug from everything."

Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Harper region. The Snake River and Owyhee Reservoir provide opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming. Lake Owyhee State Park receives consistently positive reviews for its combination of water recreation and desert landscape. One camper described it as "Awesome campground in southeastern Oregon. The hot springs are perfect, the lake is awesome for boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, etc." Farewell Bend State Recreation Area offers historical interest with Oregon Trail exhibits alongside its riverside camping. Campgrounds with hookups tend to attract RV travelers, while the more remote dispersed sites appeal to tent campers seeking solitude. Goat head stickers can be problematic in some areas, particularly at Farewell Bend, affecting both humans and pets.

Best Camping Sites Near Harper, Oregon (52)

    1. Bully Creek Park

    5 Reviews
    Harper, OR
    16 miles
    +1 (541) 473-2969

    "We were there when it was smokey from the fires in Western Oregon."

    "Pull through sites on the edge of the lake. Sites 29 and 31. Cons=no Verizon service, No Wifi, goat-heads stickers in dog’s feet in campsite, bathroom smelly near fish cleaning"

    2. Bully Creek Reservoir County Park

    5 Reviews
    Harper, OR
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 473-2969

    $15 / night

    3. Farewell Bend State Recreation Area Campground

    46 Reviews
    Huntington, OR
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 869-2365

    $24 - $66 / night

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

    "Living in Idaho near the border of Idaho, I was looking for a great catfishing spot on the Snake River. I found this campground along the Snake just on the other side of the border - eastern Oregon."

    4. Owyhee-Dispersed

    9 Reviews
    Adrian, OR
    24 miles
    Website

    "Was driving thru to seattle from the Midwest. My last stop! Easy to find. No signal and no fires allowed due to BLM land. Was a brisk 12° in mid/late November. A few campers."

    "Also, people really need to learn how to not leave trash behind. There is no cell service so you really get to just enjoy the scenery."

    5. Juntura Hot Springs Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Harper, OR
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 473-3144

    "Getting there from the coordinates on this app was easy, although maps said I would have to walk I was easily able to drive a small trailer in all the way back."

    6. Indian Creek Campground — Lake Owyhee State Park

    7 Reviews
    Adrian, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 339-2331

    $31 - $63 / night

    "The lake is great for those with watercraft, but make sure you acquire an invasive species permit (even non-motorized equipment)."

    "We added a video to this review showing the drive  to Indian Creek CG about a mile further up the road. We are seasoned 5th wheelers and went slow with no problem."

    7. Cow Hollow Park

    9 Reviews
    Adrian, OR
    25 miles
    +1 (541) 473-2969

    $5 / night

    "The hosts were kind enough to let me stay the evening anyway because it’s so far off the beaten path and I’m self-contained in my car with no need for amenities."

    "I’m traveling with two big dogs who hate the heat, it’s been over a 100° for about a week around the region and this place made it bearable."

    8. Vale Valley RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Ontario, OR
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 494-1316

    $45 - $499 / night

    "Beautiful, quiet park located in Vale Oregon. Large pull through full hookup sites with plenty of yard space and space between RVs. Gameroom with a billiards table, ping pong table, and cornhole."

    9. McCormack Campground — Lake Owyhee State Park

    6 Reviews
    Adrian, OR
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 339-2331

    $22 - $31 / night

    "Awesome campground in southeastern Oregon. Even on a busy Memorial Day weekend, able to find a spot last minute."

    "We stayed at site 40 at McCormack Campground of Lake Owyhee State Park. We called a few hours I heard and were told that there were several walk up so it’s available."

    10. Owyhee River - Below Dam - Owyhee Dam Park

    4 Reviews
    Adrian, OR
    23 miles

    "If you want the site in the pictures, which was fairly quiet other than a few people checking if it was open, take the first right after the bridge and follow the trail down."

    "Just follow Owyhee Lake Rd along the river and you will find spaces to set up your tent or RV. It is a bit deserty, so beware of snakes. You will find quite a few places before the tunnel."

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Recent Reviews near Harper, OR

259 Reviews of 52 Harper Campgrounds


  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Succor Creek State Natural Area Dispersed

    Amazing canyon views

    First you start with a 20 mile gravel road that is pretty wash boarded over much of it. I would recommend airing down your tires so you still have your fillings when you get to the campsite. Campsite is in a canyon with beautiful views and an amazing sunrise. It looks like there are about 15 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, but I also see areas where people have made other sites perhaps when the place gets busy. The creek is running slowly, but there is water in it. One pit toilet.

  • Kay
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Cow Hollow Park

    Looks like a ghost camping spot

    The scenery is gorgeous, but getting a hold of the camp host, good luck. I tried two different numbers and nothing. We even sat around for an hour just waiting for someone. There were like 4 or 5 rv's, but not a single person in site. It has a huge grass area, that when you walk through it you can tell it was a field at one point. There are also good size kind of deep whole all through the grass. There is also two softball fields that are pretty small. It also has a play ground by each field. A bunch of picnic tables. I seen two brick like BBQ station, a horse shoe set up, one fire pit spot. It does have a bathroom, men's acme women's. When you walk in it seems to be decent. The first stall door does not latch closed, the second stall doors but you have to kind of mess with it a little bit. Then you have the shower stall. It's not very wide at all. Pretty dark so it could use better lighting. The first Sexton of it has a wooden table that you can set your stuff down on. After you wipe off all of the spider webs. Then the shower part is a small square that has a curtain. It you ever decide to use the show make sure to wear sandles. Who knows what's bn on the floor. I know that concrete can't rust, but it looks really brown and black. The water pressure isn't all that great. The website says that it's $5 a night, but when you get there it says way different. So it is misleading. It is pretty quite until the farmers and semi drivers are out driving around and working. It says they are supposed to have wifi, not sure about that.

  • Kay
    Sep. 13, 2025

    River Haven RV Park

    Beautiful, but to expensive

    This is a beautiful place to camp, extended stay, or even live. It use to be way cheaper. The bathrooms have showers and are well kept, it also a building to do your laundry.

  • Kay
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Old Fort Boise RV Park

    Nice spot

    Great spot to stop for a night or two. The town people are friendly. Great place for kids with the play ground. It has automatic sprinklers in the grass so it's best to put up your tent in the gravel. It has bathrooms with showers. I would recommend to where sandles. While taking a shower

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Snake River RV Resort

    Nice, Relaxing

    I really can't add much more about this place except that I felt relaxed, enjoyed the grass, shade, views and staff friendliness. The other reviews provide all the plusses I would have stated. I added some pictures that hadn't been shared yet.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Riverside RV Park

    Small, Open, City-Owned

    While staying at another Homedale-local RV park, I found this park while exploring the town. There weren't any reviews, so I thought I'd help out and at least provide some basic information. There are about 10 pull-through sites and a couple back-in sites. All of them have water and 30/50 service. There's a dump station on site for a donation of $5. The site fee is signed as $25/night; it seems that self-registering is the only way, as it also appears to be on a first-come basis. There is a single building with restroom/shower for men & women. Not especially clean though. No laundry, but I saw a laundromat in town. The entire park is gravel, no shade. There's a public road along the river, between the river and Park. It also appears that the riverfront and boat launch are public, and not under any control of the park itself. The City park next door is a gem! Not much shade, but the grass is green and inviting. While I was there, I saw someone throwing Frisbee into baskets mounted on posts throughout the park. Next to the park is the (presumably) high school football/track stadium. I imagine the entire area, from the riverfront, the RV park, stadium and parking lots are all City-owned. I didn't see any camp host, manager or maintenance person, but there were two rigs on site that hadn't moved in a while. If it's City owned, a possibility for questions and issues might be City Hall, in town (3-minute drive from park).

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    River Haven RV Park

    Never Heard Back From Them

    I thought I'd give this place a try, even though there were no reviews. From the pics on the website, it seemed like worth a chance. I called using the number on The Dyrt, but it wasn't a working number. I got on the campground website, found a different number to call (they don't take reservations online) and it was answered by a machine which directed me to use their email to send them an 'ask,' showing my interest in staying there. They were supposed to respond with an application for me to complete and send back in, for their approval. It's been two days and I haven't received a response from them. Lots of hoops to park for a few nights! Good luck to anyone else who tries.

  • Rachele B.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Caldwell Campground and RV Park

    Very Nice location

    The bathrooms and showers are excellent! Clean, secure. The lakeside location and walking trails are beautiful. Feels like living outside of town but still close to everything town offers.

  • Mark H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    River Point RV Park

    👍

    Checked in at 4:45 and met at the door with invite to movie, popcorn in the evening. Free breakfast in the mornibg.. Friendly staff, clean sites and great for one night stay 👌


Guide to Harper

Camping near Harper, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the Snake River: Many campers enjoy the scenic views along the river. One visitor at Farewell Bend State Recreation Area mentioned, "Clean and quiet campground right on Snake River."
  • Fishing and Kayaking: The area is great for fishing and kayaking. A reviewer at Rivers Edge RV Park noted, "I enjoyed the fact that you can kayak from the camp area on the Snake River."
  • Hiking: There are trails nearby for hiking enthusiasts. A camper at Indian Creek Campground — Lake Owyhee State Park shared, "The views are breathtaking and the park is surrounded by BLM land for plenty of hiking opportunities."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds lack basic amenities. A visitor at Cow Hollow Park noted, "The bathrooms could be cleaned more often."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Chukar Park Campground warned, "We were swarmed by mosquitoes."
  • Road Conditions: Some access roads can be rough. A reviewer at Bully Creek Park advised, "If you’re following geocoords... the road is a disaster, don’t do it."

Tips for camping with families:

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure the campground has the right hookups for your RV. A reviewer at Rivers Edge RV Park appreciated, "They have water, but it is a very high concentration of arsenic in it."
  • Arrive Early: To secure a good spot, especially during busy weekends. A camper at Farewell Bend State Recreation Area noted, "Worked well for us."
  • Be Prepared for Weather Changes: The area can get windy and hot. A visitor at Bully Creek Park said, "It can be very hot in the summer here and my experience was it was very windy in the late afternoon and evening."

Camping near Harper, Oregon, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Harper, Oregon located?

Harper is a small unincorporated community in eastern Oregon, located in Malheur County near the Idaho-Oregon border. It sits along Interstate 84, approximately 27 miles west of Ontario, Oregon and about 70 miles west of Boise, Idaho. The community is situated in a high desert environment characterized by arid landscapes with the Snake River running nearby. The area is historically significant as part of the Oregon Trail route, with Farewell Bend State Recreation Area Campground located in the vicinity, where pioneers historically bid farewell to the Snake River as they continued their westward journey.

What campgrounds are available near Harper, Oregon?

Several campgrounds are available within driving distance of Harper, Oregon. Union Creek Campground near Baker City offers electric and water hookups, a dump station, and flush toilets at an elevation of 4,097 feet. It's located on Phillips Reservoir with hiking trails and decent cell service. Country Corners Campground & RV Park provides a well-maintained oasis near the Idaho-Oregon border along I-84. Other options include Exit 3 RV Park, Bully Creek Reservoir County Park, and Lake Owyhee State Park's campgrounds. For those seeking natural settings, the Owyhee region offers several dispersed camping opportunities with varying amenities and access points.

What camping is available near Harper, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, Harper, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 52 campgrounds and RV parks near Harper, OR and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Harper, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harper, OR is Bully Creek Park with a 4-star rating from 5 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Harper, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Harper, OR.