Cabin rentals near La Grande, Oregon sit between the Wallowa and Blue Mountain ranges at elevations of 2,700 to 7,000 feet. The region has four distinct seasons, with winter temperatures often dipping below freezing and summer highs reaching the 80s. Many cabins in this area require advance reservations up to 9 months before arrival, particularly for summer weekends.
What to do
Mineral soaking pools: Grande Hot Springs RV Resort offers natural hot spring soaking tubs for relaxation. "The soaking pools were amazing. They even had a twilight soak. Very peaceful and relaxing campground," notes one visitor who also observed "huge bull frogs, tadpoles, and fish" along the nature trail.
Mountain biking: At Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort Campground, the ski lift transforms into a mountain biking lift during summer weekends. "The campground is on a property that becomes a ski resort in the winter (it's at over ~7000 ft). The campground was immaculately maintained and had lots of recreation options."
Historical exploration: The Emigrant Springs area offers educational programs about local history. "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," explains a family who visited for a reunion.
What campers like
Private river sites: Park At The River offers dry camping spots directly on the river. "We opted for a river site which is dry camping but much quieter and a bit more dispersed," notes one camper who appreciated the setting despite others occasionally "encroaching on our site trying to get at the river."
Mountain views: The valley setting around some cabins provides panoramic views. "Visiting in April on a Sunday to do day use has defined my idea of heavenly. The snow-covered peaks, the clean air, the sounds of the spring birds, and the silence are magical," reports a visitor to Grande Hot Springs who also noted "pool noodle friendly" hot tubs.
Stargazing opportunities: Remote cabins offer exceptional night sky viewing. According to one visitor to Fry Meadows Guard Station, "This place is out in the wilderness and there is no light pollution. Watching the stars is awesome here. There are also a lot of wildflowers everywhere."
What you should know
Highway noise: Several cabins at Emigrant Springs sit near Interstate 84. "This campground is TOO close to the highway and too noisy even with ear plugs or music. We could barely sleep nor have a conversation while sitting across each other for breakfast," warns one tent camper, though others note "the bathrooms were very clean, great trails and the interpretive center was very educational."
Seasonal weather variations: Higher elevation cabins experience significant temperature changes. The visitor to Fry Meadows Guard Station noted, "The rest of the country was in a heatwave, but I was quite pleasantly comfortable up there, elevation of 4123 feet."
Bathroom facilities: Facility quality varies widely across cabin locations. At A-Frame RV Park, "Heated washrooms, showers included in cost!" reports one visitor, while another mentions, "The bathrooms are a bit small and cramped, but for one night it worked just fine."
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: Look for parks with ranger activities. "The Jr rangers program for the children was wonderful and hands on," according to a family who held a reunion at Emigrant Springs.
Activity clusters: Wallowa Lake State Park Campground offers multiple family-friendly features. "You can practically walk to the alpine tram, you're right on Wallowa lake, there's a great marina and lake access for your boat or SUP, and you're just a few minutes drive to Joseph," explains a visitor who also warns "this is a busy location. Sites fill up fast."
Pet-friendly options: For families with dogs, some campgrounds provide dedicated pet areas. At A-Frame RV Park, "The dog park on the back forty was seriously about 40 acres," according to a visitor who also noted "very clean" showers and laundry facilities.
Tips from RVers
Early reservations: Book cabin accommodations months ahead for summer stays. "Sites book up months in advance. This wasn't ideal but our neighbors were very friendly. The campground and surrounding areas were worth it," notes a Wallowa Lake visitor.
Site selection: Request sites away from highways when possible. "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," advises a camper who stayed at Emigrant Springs.
Access considerations: Some cabin locations have challenging approach roads. "If you approach the campsite from the East, be prepared for a bumpy road. The road from the West (LaGrande) is much better even if it takes you a few miles out of the way," advises a Grande Hot Springs visitor.
