Camping options near La Grande, Oregon range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites in the surrounding Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Located in the Grande Ronde Valley at 2,785 feet elevation, the area experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters with significant snowfall. Most forest service campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, though some sites at lower elevations remain accessible year-round.
What to do
Fishing in mountain streams: Spring Creek Campground provides access to multiple fishing spots during trout season. "There is a small campground with 6 sites mostly good for campers or tent in a grove of trees with a vaulted outhouse. In the surrounding aria there are plenty of dispersed campsites that can hold any size RV," notes one camper at Spring Creek Campground.
Mountain biking from ski lifts: During summer weekends at Anthony Lake Campground, the ski lift transforms into a mountain biking lift. "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," reports a visitor who appreciated the recreational diversity.
Wildlife viewing: Minam State Recreation Area offers excellent wildlife observation opportunities. "Whitetail doe with 2 fawns frequented the campground. Lots of fishing, some small trails and wound up walking down the dirt road with dogs as there was literally no traffic and the views were so outstanding," shares a camper who discovered unexpected natural treats like apple trees along the dirt road.
What campers like
Natural hot springs: The mineral-rich soaking pools at Grande Hot Springs RV Resort provide therapeutic relaxation. "The soaking pools were amazing. They even had a twilight soak. Very peaceful and relaxing campground. Nature trail along the creek was cool. Saw huge bull frogs, tadpoles, and fish. Also saw mule deer," explains a visitor who enjoyed both the pools and wildlife.
Privacy between campsites: Catherine Creek State Park Campground offers well-separated sites. "Very pretty and open for camping, but without services, when I visited in April. There is a sweet hike that starts right at the bridge," mentions a visitor to Catherine Creek State Park Campground.
River access: Many campers appreciate direct water access at Spool Cart Campground. "Only myself and another campsite occupied during the weekend I was there. My site was a single (#4) and had nice river access. Bring your own water and take your trash with you. Toilets were clean, stocked with tp, and smelled of vanilla!" reports a satisfied visitor.
What you should know
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigating unpaved roads. At Spring Creek Campground, a camper notes: "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."
Highway noise levels: Some glamping sites near La Grande have highway noise. At Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area, "The road noise is extreme; very loud. If you can get past that the place is really sweet. The sites have water fire pit and picnic table and lots of trees for privacy."
Limited cellular service: Cell coverage varies significantly throughout the region. One camper at Spring Creek Campground reported: "Cell service is serves is sporty from 3 bars to none." Prepare for limited connectivity at most forest sites.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Children can observe various animals in their natural habitat. "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," shares a family who visited Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area.
Swimming options: Several campsites offer safe swimming areas for children. At Minam State Recreation Area, "We did not see the pull off for this one and ended up in a small town that helped us out. There is a building at the front where you can rent stuff and buy stuff. We went on a little walking trail that led us down the river."
Safety considerations: Parents should be alert near water features. "This site is close to the main road so must watch kiddos and dogs at all times. It is also close to the river, so watch those kiddos," advises a parent who stayed at Catherine Creek State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Not all glamping locations near La Grande accommodate large RVs. At Anthony Lake Campground, one RVer observed: "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)."
Water pressure awareness: RV campers should note water pressure variations. At Mountain View RV Park, "Great water pressure (about 100 psi) so we needed our regulator. They had a dump station and also sold propane."
Winter accessibility: Some RV-friendly sites remain open year-round with snow maintenance. One winter camper at Spring Creek Campground noted: "It's plowed in the winter. There wasn't much snow here on January 5-6th, 2025. Snow coverage on the road was minimal, max 2"."
