Dispersed and established campgrounds near Hines, Oregon sit at elevations around 4,100 feet in the high desert region of southeastern Oregon. Summer temperatures can reach over 90°F while winter nights often drop below freezing. Seasonal wildlife sightings are common at several pet-friendly camping areas, with deer frequently spotted at dawn, even in more developed sites.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at Malheur Wildlife Refuge: The area provides excellent bird watching opportunities, particularly in spring. "Love this area and nice to come back to a comfortable site. Drove out to do the Steens Mountain loop, see the Round Barn, etc," notes a camper from Burns RV Park.
Stargazing in open spaces: Clear desert skies offer spectacular night views. A visitor at Sagehen Hill Road noted, "Woke up to wildflowers and birdsong. Had 3 bars on T-mobile." Another camper mentioned the "High Desert Peace" and that "There are several areas to camp."
Hot springs soaking: "The hot springs are open 24/7 which is nice. There is a nice changing room/restroom," explains a visitor at Crane Hot Springs. Another adds it's "Great for camping, Great for hot spring soaking" with "a large natural hot spring pool."
What campers like
Natural shade trees: Forested campsites provide relief from summer heat. "The sites are spread out and not close together," notes a camper at Burns RV Park. At Idlewild Campground, visitors appreciate that "Large spots with hardly anyone around. Beautiful trees everywhere."
Pet-friendly spaces: Many campgrounds welcome dogs with minimal restrictions. "There is a huge fenced area with new, clean bathhouses," notes a visitor at Harney County Fairgrounds. "There are huge areas to walk or run your dog" and the facilities are well-maintained.
Wildlife encounters: Morning animal sightings enhance the camping experience. "Within 5 minutes of arriving we had a deer walking through our camp site," reports a camper at Yellowjacket Campground. Another visitor mentioned "Love all the quail, squirrels and listening to coyotes at night."
What you should know
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds have unusually high water pressure. According to a camper at Quail Ridge RV Park, "The water pressure is about 100PSI, so use your regulator unless you want to risk popping your plumbing at some place or another."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies throughout the region. At Sagehen Hill Road dispersed camping area, one camper noted having "3 bars on T-mobile" while others report spotty coverage in more remote locations.
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving. "Gravel road in with some washboard but not bad. Level spots around some with trees," reports a camper about Sagehen Hill Road. Be prepared for unpaved access roads to more remote camping areas.
Weather extremes: Temperature swings can be significant. A camper at Idlewild Campground shared, "Since we were there in October, we didn't need the shade," highlighting seasonal variations. Summer days frequently exceed 90°F while nights can be quite cool.
Tips for camping with families
Animal watching activities: Children often enjoy observing local wildlife. At Bosch's Big Bear RV Park, one camper noted the campground is "up on a hill with a great view" where wildlife viewing is possible from your campsite.
Safety considerations: Remote locations require extra preparation. "We pulled in and the front desk lady was super nice can't remember her name but gave us a lil tour of all the amenities," shared a visitor at Crane Hot Springs, appreciating the orientation to facilities.
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities. "They have camp items and alcohol for sale until 6pm. There are laundry, shower & bathroom facilities, and yard games on site too for convenience and fun!" reports a camper at Burns RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Be prepared for uneven terrain. "Our site was unlevel so we needed our levelers," notes a camper at Burns RV Park. Another mentioned at Bosch's Big Bear RV Park that "Easy to maneuver on the property, into and out of the sites. Sites are spacious. Yet close together."
Hookup variations: Full service sites aren't universal. "We chose site 18 as it had the lowest sewer connection, as most were 4 to 6 inches or more above the ground," observed a visitor at Harney County Fairgrounds, noting the importance of checking connection heights when setting up.
After-hours arrival: Some dog-friendly campgrounds near Hines have self-service check-in. At Bosch's Big Bear RV Park, a camper shared, "We arrived after 1:00 PM, but no one was in the office. There are 10 FHU sites that are pull throughs," noting that late arrivals should look for instructions at the office.
