Glamping near Kimberly, OR

The John Day River area offers camping and glamping options close to Kimberly, Oregon, situated at approximately 2,600 feet elevation in the high desert region. The area features dramatic temperature variations, with summer days often exceeding 90°F while dropping to the 50s at night. Camping sites range from established state parks to rustic forest service cabins.

What to do

River activities: At Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor, campers can enjoy Camas Creek which is "currently damned by a local beaver and therefore good for a dip." The creek offers cooling relief during hot summer months.

Off-road adventures: Morrow County OHV Park provides extensive terrain for motorized recreation with "over 300 miles of trails over 9,000 acres." This destination caters specifically to those with ATVs, dirt bikes and side-by-sides.

Nature walks: Several campgrounds offer walking paths along waterways. One visitor at Ukiah-Dale noted the campground was "beautiful forested" while lacking formal hiking trails: "Only bummer for me (having dogs) is that there aren't any trails."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms at the area campgrounds. At Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor, visitors note "the bathroom has automatic lights and electric outlets and is kept very clean."

Creek access: Water features rank highly among camper preferences. One reviewer at Ukiah-Dale highlighted the "beautiful forested campsite with clean flush toilets next to a creek," making it "a great overnight stop" for travelers passing through.

Spacious sites: Campers value room to spread out. One visitor to Grant County RV Park described "shaded pull through and easy back in sites" noting it was a "good value" with a "stream running next to the sites."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area operate on different reservation systems. Some operate first-come, first-served while others require advance booking. As one camper noted at Grant County RV Park, "I checked in late and it was a little confusing. Had a hard time getting the PIN to access the bathroom."

Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Ukiah-Dale operates "mid April to mid October," while Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground runs "March 1 to November 30."

Campsite selection strategies: Location within campgrounds can significantly impact your experience. At Ukiah-Dale, one visitor advised "The sites by the road are actually best IMHO because they are biggest and offer the best shade."

Tips for camping with families

Water play options: Shallow river areas provide natural entertainment for children. At Penland Lake, one visitor noted "We found a nice place to wade our feet in the water and play fetch with the puppers," though they cautioned about potential leeches in some areas.

Playground access: Families appreciate campgrounds with built-in recreation. Morrow County OHV Park offers a "huge playground and lots of different types of camping available" making it "great for families."

Wildlife watching considerations: While wildlife viewing can be exciting, parents should be aware of potential encounters. Ukiah-Dale has posted "a bear a cougar warning sign" which one camper noted is "the normal for the Blue Mountains."

Tips for RVers

Hookup availability: RV hookup options vary significantly between campgrounds. Deer Creek Guard Station Cabin offers limited hookups but does have a sanitary dump, while Grant County RV Park provides "full hook ups" with "30$ a night" pricing.

Site dimensions: RV travelers should verify site sizes before arrival. One camper at Grant County RV Park mentioned there are "pull throughs and back in sites" that accommodate various RV sizes.

Road noise considerations: Highway proximity can impact sleep quality. As one reviewer warned about certain campgrounds, "Spaces were all level and gravel with full hook-ups (20/30/50 amp)" but the campground was "next to the road" which can be noticeable especially for light sleepers.