141 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around La Grande, Oregon span from established campgrounds to dispersed sites across public lands. Hilgard Junction State Park Campground offers riverside tent and RV sites approximately 10 miles west of La Grande along Interstate 84, while Grande Hot Springs RV Resort provides full hookups, cabins, and yurts just 5 miles southeast of town. Morgan Lake, situated in the foothills above La Grande, offers free primitive camping with lakefront sites for tents and smaller RVs. The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest surrounding the area contains multiple dispersed camping areas and established campgrounds like Bird Track Springs and Spring Creek.
Seasonal considerations significantly affect camping in this region, with many campgrounds open from late spring through early fall. Hilgard Junction typically operates from mid-April to mid-October, while higher elevation sites may have shorter seasons due to snow and road conditions. The steep, rough access road to Morgan Lake requires careful driving even with passenger vehicles. "The road up to this campground is VERY steep—definitely smelled my brakes on the way down. But that's the only downside to this nice FREE campground just outside of LaGrande," noted one visitor about Morgan Lake.
Waterfront camping represents a major draw throughout the area, with sites along the Grande Ronde River at Hilgard Junction and lakefront positions at Morgan Lake receiving particularly positive reviews. Several campgrounds feature picnic tables and fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply during dry summer months. Noise levels vary considerably—Hilgard Junction experiences some highway noise from nearby I-84, while Morgan Lake offers more solitude despite being relatively close to town. "Beautiful campground. Maybe 15 sites, and totally free. 3 day camping limit. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Pit toilets are available, but no potable water. Almost every site has lake frontage," according to feedback for Morgan Lake. The mix of amenities ranges widely, from primitive sites with vault toilets to RV resorts with full hookups, hot springs, and shower facilities.
"Level w easy entry/exit. Hot spring on site in wildlife preserve across the road. Many trains pass by about a quarter mile away and we didn't mind the relatively low noise trains."
"Approach the park from the La Grand/Baker Highway. One we arrived, we found the folks very nice. There were very few frees so shade is lacking. Ice is available at the park."
"Hilgard junction is a small 18 site campground just below highway 84 west of La Grande. It is right on the grande ronde river which was cool and peaceful when we were there."
"Hilgard Junction is a small, Riverside day use area, travel rest-stop and campground at the junction of I-84 and Highway 244 on the Grande Ronde river at the base of Mt. Emily."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Wallowa-Whitman NF NF 21
aka Spring Creek Campground
La Grande, OR
45.2125.6N, 118.1843.3W (Campground)
45.3679N, 118.2972W (signboard)
45.36944, -118.29997 (2nd spot)
14 Day limit
V 4g/2-3b"
"It’s direct access onto the road from the highway exit. It’s a rough road about 1.2 miles, that’s bumpy and has lots of pot holes. Snow coverage on the road was minimal, max 2”."
"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."
"Primitive dispersed campsites with rock fire rings right off the highway. Down side is it's a little too noisy for my taste."
"I liked the Interpretive Center across the street, it was a nice easy walk."
"If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, staying here in March is plausible. There was about a foot and a half of snow, but the bathrooms were still accessible. It’s cold, but fun!"
from $5 - $10 / night
Check Availability"But that's the only downside to this nice FREE campground just outside of LaGrande, OR. I had the whole place to myself mid-week in May. You're up high, so beautiful view of the sky."
"The sites are nice and most are lake front. There were a few other campers but none near our site. The road up is steep and bumpy gravel but we managed in our two wheel drive van."
"We stayed at Fox Hill Campground over Thanksgiving night (driving from Hells Canyon), and it turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly peaceful stop."
"Not a lot to choose from around LaGrande but we did grab a spot here for the night. A bit of local traffic going by but wasn’t bad once it got dark. Summer months might be a different story."
from $66 - $78 / night
Check Availability"Oregon always has beautiful state parks. This one is no different. It is close to Hwy 84, so there is road noise. The campsites don't seem to be as on top of each other as some places."
"It was a welcome dose of green after a long day of brown along the interstate through Idaho and western Oregon. The cabin was rustic, the shower house was in good repair with nice hot showers."
from $22 - $92 / night
Check Availability"Although there’s not a ton of spots, it’s lovely and was a quiet solitude away from the road but not too far. Saw a ton of wildlife too (bring your bear spray)."
"Most of the sites overlooked a beautiful lake stick among the hills, and we’re in decent shape with a fire ring, table and little grill."
GuideWe stayed one night here in a camper van. Pulled in on the 4th of July around 6pm and still had choices for a spot. Sites were decently sized and all had access to the river. Parking is above the site so a bit more lugging of things is needed. A bathroom, no water, quiet, easy, just what we wanted. Only $10.
GuideWe stayed at Wallowa State Park for one night thanks to a Dyrt Alert. Highly recommend the A45 site and that side of the loop as you back up into the forest. While the campground was packed, it was surprisingly quiet. We enjoyed being able to pop over to the day use area to paddle board and having easy access to water and the bathrooms. We stayed here to prep for a backpacking trip and it was nice to have a guaranteed, reserved spot.
TravelerGreat campground. It is clean and has fun activities such as trails and scavenger hunt papers. The showers are clean and warm.
TravelerCamped here the last weekend of June and I was worried about getting a first-come, first-served spot. But the campground was almost empty! A short beautiful walk down to the lake, wonderful views, and clean sites. Highly recommend!
GuideIf you come in from i84, one parking lot is for the reservoir beach access, the second lot has about 8 parking/camp spots, some with picnic tables and the site does have a vault toilet. You can access the reservoir beach by following a path down the hill. Be mindful of having fires, which I believe there are restrictions there and they had signage. 7 day limit.
LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT. I picked up a bunch of trash and fishing line, please if packing in, pack it out. Great views of mountains and wildlife. Saw a beautiful osprey!
GuideLots of long-term residents settled in this campground-sites with well-established gardens and personally painted signs and other decor with their site number. Laundry and restrooms are clean and staff are visibly at work maintaining the campground. I have was in a large site with a patio that had tables, chairs, gas grill, gas fire pit and a lawn.
GuidePlenty of campsites spread out in the forest, some were a bit overgrown - it looked like they haven't been used in a while. Not crowded even on the weekend. Felt safe traveling here alone. I liked the Interpretive Center across the street, it was a nice easy walk.
TravelerI wanted a quick stop on a road trip ànd this was just fine. There is road noise in the distance but was great for our needs of just having a decently quiet ànd secluded space to pull of ànd car camp.
RangerWow, this place is a breath of fresh air given the condition of so many KOA Journey campgrounds. This place is well kept with basic amenities. As always the staff is super friendly and helpful.
Attached our pictures to help you see what this campground is all about. A picture is easily worth a thousand words!
Campsites near La Grande, Oregon benefit from the area's diverse terrain where the Grande Ronde Valley meets the Blue Mountains at elevations ranging from 2,700 to over 7,000 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F and winter lows frequently below freezing. This variability creates different camping windows depending on elevation, with higher sites often inaccessible until late May.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide access to productive fishing waters. The Grande Ronde River near Hilgard Junction State Park Campground offers river fishing. "The river is very close and the Umatilla National Forest is a just a short drive up the river," notes Lindsey W.
Mountain biking trails: Fox Hill area features numerous mountain biking options. "Lots of trails! There's some trash. I enjoyed the sounds of people enjoying themselves. Others may not," reports Kim J. about Fox Hill Campground by MERA Motocross Track.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Saw huge bull frogs, tadpoles, and fish. Also saw mule deer," writes Cheryl S. about her stay at Grande Hot Springs RV Resort.
Mineral hot springs: Take advantage of therapeutic mineral soaking at select locations. "The hot tubs are small, but it really doesn't matter if no one is there. They are pool noodle friendly when it's not high occupancy," explains Beth M. about her day-use experience at Grande Hot Springs.
Free camping options: Several no-cost camping spots exist within a short drive of La Grande. At Pilcher Creek Reservoir, visitors appreciate the value: "Free camp site just a short drive from the interstate (~8 miles). Be aware the road leading to the camp is mostly gravel... each site comes with a metal fire pit, standing grill, and picnic bench," according to Julian R.
Riverside camping: Waterfront sites allow for cool relaxation during summer months. Campers at Spring Creek Campground appreciate "4 large sites with level spots, fire ring, picnic tables, vault toilet. Quiet and beautiful while being close to the highway," according to Emily C.
Hot spring pools: The mineral pools receive consistently positive reviews. "The soaking pools were amazing. They even had a twilight soak. Very peaceful and relaxing campground," writes Cheryl S. about Grande Hot Springs RV Resort.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good spacing between sites. At Bird Track Springs, Raymond V. notes, "Cheap, well-spaced sites, most of them shaded. Vault toilet. Great for an overnight stay!"
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigating unpaved roads. For Pilcher Creek Reservoir, Jordon R. advises: "About 25 minutes off the freeway, last 2 miles are gravel. Beautiful setting and deserted. Plenty of room for any size RV."
Highway noise levels: Proximity to Interstate 84 affects some camping areas. At Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area, Tiffany L. recommends: "If you choose to stay here I would definitely go for a site away from the freeway. Ours was in B loop and you could hear all the vehicles cruising on by on I-84."
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "Pulled in and the site looked great and was in a very convenient location, however is closed for the season. Facilities all looked neat and tidy. Maybe next year!" notes Jacob B. about Hilgard Junction State Park.
Variable cell service: Mobile coverage fluctuates throughout the area. At Wallowa-Whitman NF 21, Hayley M. reports: "Camped in the first spots behind the Spring Creek Info sign and had good phone service (verizon) and an uneventful night."
Swimming areas: Several locations provide safe swimming options for children. Hilgard Junction State Park sits along the Grande Ronde River, which Brandon K. describes as having "crystal clear water runs this high in the Grande Ronde, making for fun swimming and water play."
Educational opportunities: Some sites offer learning activities. Jenny M. recalls at Emigrant Springs: "The park rangers were so nice. They had informed classes about animals in the forest. The Jr rangers program for the children was wonderful and hands on."
Day-use alternatives: When campgrounds are full, day-use areas provide family-friendly spaces. "Even if you are traveling through the day use area is a great place to stop and stretch your legs," suggests Steven G. about Hilgard Junction State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Kids often enjoy spotting local animals. At Bird Track Springs, one camper reports: "We loved it here... We heard coyotes howling at night," offering an exciting but safe wildlife experience.
Hookup availability: Various levels of RV services exist throughout the area. At Grande Hot Springs RV Resort, Richard H. found "very nice RV park, very clean and well maintained. Roads and all sites are gravel. All sites are pull through and can accommodate large RVs."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer sanitary dumps. Travis T. warns about Hilgard Junction: "For some reason the app says there's rv dumps here when there isn't any."
Winter access: Some areas remain accessible during colder months. Madi C. shares about Bird Track Springs: "If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, staying here in March is plausible. There was about a foot and a half of snow, but the bathrooms were still accessible."
Level site challenges: Finding flat parking can be difficult at some locations. Kristi R. notes about Pilcher Creek Reservoir: "There are pull through and back in sites that would accommodate good-sized rigs, although some of the sites aren't terribly level."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping sites near La Grande, Oregon?
La Grande offers diverse camping options for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Hilgard Junction State Park Campground is a peaceful 18-site campground located right on the Grande Ronde River, just west of La Grande off I-84. For those seeking a more remote experience, Moss Springs Campground sits about 9 miles up a forest service road from Cove (14 miles from La Grande), offering access to the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Other options include Bird Track Springs for drive-in camping, Red Bridge State Wayside with riverside sites, and Spring Creek Campground for smaller rigs. The La Grande area provides an excellent mix of state parks, forest service campgrounds, and RV resorts within a short drive of town.
Is there free camping available near La Grande, Oregon?
Yes, free camping options do exist near La Grande for budget-conscious travelers. Spring Creek Campground in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest offers free primitive camping with a 14-day limit. This campground features dirt and grass sites, though it's not suitable for larger RVs. Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed provides free dispersed camping opportunities for those comfortable with fewer amenities. Pilcher Creek Reservoir also offers free camping with basic facilities including water access and toilets. When using free camping areas, remember to practice Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and check for any seasonal fire restrictions before your trip.
What activities and attractions can I enjoy while camping in La Grande?
The La Grande area offers abundant recreational opportunities. At Wallowa Lake State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing, water sports, and stunning mountain views that make you feel like you're in the Rockies. Anthony Lake Campground provides excellent paddling opportunities, hiking trails around the lake, and access to a ski area with panoramic views. Water enthusiasts will appreciate the Grande Ronde River for fishing, swimming, and floating. Hikers can explore the nearby Eagle Cap Wilderness, with Moss Springs serving as a gateway to backpacking adventures in the Little Minam. The charming university town of La Grande itself offers cultural attractions, while the surrounding mountains and forests provide wildlife viewing, photography, and stargazing opportunities.
What RV camping options with hookups are available near La Grande?
Grande Hot Springs RV Resort is a premier option for RV camping near La Grande, featuring approximately 100 pull-through sites with full hookups. The resort offers level sites with easy entry/exit, gravel roads, and grass strips between sites. Amenities include an on-site hot spring in a wildlife preserve across the road and a refreshing pool. For those seeking alternatives, La Grande Rendezvous RV Park provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces. For travelers willing to venture a bit further, Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park offers another full-hookup option with additional entertainment amenities.
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