Best Glamping near La Grande, OR

Quaint campground with a neat western theme on its office, corresponding laundry and spa/shower building. Check in was easy to include being given a local paper other tour/restaurant type information. We had pull through site126 with FHUs, which was a little narrow but doable getting our 39’ Vilano 5th wheel into place. Great water pressure(about 100 psi) so we needed our regulator. They had a dump station and also sold propane. There was fenced playground and swimming pool available as well. Out the back gate near our site was a large area to walk your dog complete with poop bags. WIFI was so-so/normal for this type of campground. The park is well off the interstate so there was no road noise, but we did notice trains off and on durning the day and night, but the noise was not too bad.

We loved this little first-come, first-serve campground. It's small and squeezed in between the creek, mountain highway (only 2 lanes) and steep hillside with some grazing cattle on the other side. The cattle and road noise was okay for us at night, but if you are a light sleeper it might not be for you. There is plenty of shade with all the trees and it does get a little dark earlier because of all the shade. While the toilet facilities are a bit older, they flush and are clean where it counts. We stayed at campsite 5, which seems like an odd choice since it's right next to the welcome signage and fee drop box, but we really liked it because we were able to spread out along the side of the creek with our tent as well as our Big Agnes shade/bug screen we have as well. No fires allowed this time around, but we were fine with our camp stove on the picnic table. There were a few water spigots around and a trash can for each site. It was lovely listening to the creek all day (and waking up to it). A good number of spots in the middle of the campground seemed better suited to small-medium pull behinds since there wasn't as much separating the individual sites. The sites around the edges had a bit more privacy since they abut the edges of the creek or heavier brush. The day use area is a short 1/2 mile drive up the road or a 1 mile hike (0.5 there and 0.5 back) and we saw a few families enjoying the picnic and creek area over the weekend. We saw people using it as a one-night stopover on longer trips and a few campers stayed a few nights like we did. Besides the short hikes and a bit of splashing around in the creek in the day use area there isn't a lot to do in the area (no cell service on Verizon) besides relaxing. The creek side has been undergoing some restoration work so it's not a free-for-all access anywhere. It seems to be working since at campsite 5, being right next to the creek, we had plenty of critters - plenty of butterflies, a few more spiders than I usually notice. There were the usual gnats, mozzies, bees, wasps, and flies too, but no more than any other campground, as well as some creek specific ones since we were so close to the creek - I want to say mayflies or something similar. We also saw plenty of birds, snacking away on bugs in the trees or grass, as well as a few hummingbirds that really liked when the park ranger had put some sprinklers on to water the grass.

We headed this way to get away from smoke caused by the 2020 Central Oregon fires.  It was a great choice.  Still hazy long distance views but had great views of the stars at night.  Peaceful and lovely spot.  We paddled on the lake, hiked around it, drove up to the top of the ski area for the view and part of our group hiked down from there.  We were able to drive through the campground with the 27' trailer we had rented but none of the spaces would have accommodated us (that we could see). We were lucky, though, they let us stay in the group camp since there were no reservations for a few days.  It was a little snug, but worked out beautifully.    The campground proper looked very pretty as well.

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, ATT 4g/1-2b (no booster)

Dirt & grass

Campground:

Not for bigger rigs. 4 spots fairly close together, picnic tables, pit toilets.  Loop in is tight, and while we are only 34' long, we're 13.8 on truck and had to do some creative maneuvering to get ourselves back out. Cell signal here was almost non existent, and fairly dense tree cover if using solar.

There was one spot on the left before getting to the Campground we could have fit into, but again, dense tree cover. Didn't check cell signal here.

There is supposed to be more spots past the campground,  but we haven't taken the bikes out yet to explore. 

Signboard:

Easily found a spot, even on Labor Day weekend (Friday).  This area could handle 4 or 5 rigs. Cell signal better, but still bounced in/out a bit. We stayed here 2nts to get past the holiday weekend.  Picked up a lot of micro trash, spent shells, and broken bottles. This is also the area where a lot of a sxs park for Day Use. VERY dusty area.

2nd Spot:

WOW what a difference.  After we decided to hang out in the area for a bit longer, we knew we had to move off the main road as the dust was making our solar pout. As you come in, just before the signboard there is a road going up a hill to the right. It looks intimidating,  but can be done going slow in 4wd. We found 3 great spots up there without going back very far. 

There are spots further back, as we saw people pulling trailers out, but we haven't explored them yet. We chose the 1st spot on the left for the full solar and gorgeous view of the meadow, tree line, and mountains in the distance. Cell signal comes in stronger on this ridge, but still a little fickle without a booster... note to self, get booster. Picked up medium sized and micro trash here, as well as bullet casings and broken bottles... and a special thanks to whomever left a bag of rotting frozen chicken wings...that was fun, but the view is worth it, and SO MUCH LESS dust.

There is a spot across (right side of road) where we've had over nights pull in late, but they left by 9am and both were very quiet setting up. Other than them, and the people from further back pulling out after the weekend, we've been alone up here.

There is a GORGEOUS spot further up on the right, but I couldn't get any signal.

From all but the campground,  you will hear road noise. I84 is just beyond the trees. I pretend it's waves (don't judge), my husband uses ear plugs. We've both had no issues sleeping.  

If we had only had the 1st 2nts experience I would say we would only be back as a last minute overnight, having discovered this other area, yep we'd be back no problem. 

As with all boondocking,  scouting out is the key.