Looking for the best campgrounds near Malheur National Forest, OR? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Malheur National Forest campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Oregon camping adventure.
"Off the beaten path, but we'll worth it! Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor. Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed."
"Nice sites with lots of separation and easy access to a trailhead. Multiple vault toilets available as well as water taps that I don’t think are potable but good enough to rinse dishes."
$26 - $34 / night
"This is always such a great place to stop when traveling between Idaho and western Oregon. It has lots of shade, lawn, and hedges that offer privacy between the large camp sites."
"In general, Oregon State Parks are great. This is another nice one with plenty of tent and RV sites available. Bathrooms and showers on-site."
"Big Creek was swollen with run off and grouse were busy with mating calls (flapping wings) from near by fallen logs.
Easy back-in sites for rv's, tables, fire pits, clean pit toilets. "
"little pond with camp sites surrounding. no portable water but next to the John day river, and clear to filter. bathrooms were really clean, sites were tidy. really nice spot"
$15 / night
"After a full day, driving, we were having trouble finding a place to stay near John Day, Oregon. All of the very few campgrounds available we’re already full."
"Stream running next to the sites. Close to town. It is next to the fairgrounds, but very quit when no events. Good place to spend the night while traveling through"
"Good little tucked away site with spring water, fire pits and lots of empty space for my truck. Make sure to stop at the sign, we went about 2-3 extra miles looking before we came back lol"
"It’s a bit of an uphill drive off 15, but it’s a pretty good gravel road. There was a fair amount of litter from what looked like a hunting group when we arrived, but we took it with us."
"Nice area close to the road. Plenty of room for my small trailer. Though it was close to the road it wasn’t very noisy. I camped in site 9 so 1/4 mile away from the road. Only issue last role of TP."
"great location. sites 1-6 are pretty close to the main road, but tidy little sites, a pit toilet. no running water."
ScoutFull hookups. 30/50 amps power. Camp area clean. Large sites.
GuideCampgrounds nice, unfortunately a good chunk of the sites are reservation only and you don't have service up there so picking a site when you get there can be hard. The first come first serve sites are nice but some are close together, and some were left in poor condition with food all over the ground. Lake is very peaceful and still, nice to swim in! Overall nice but plan ahead well and go on an off day it was still very full on a Sunday afternoon into Monday
LegendWe stayed here as we had plans to visit John Day Fossil Beds National Monument the next day. We pulled our class B onto a lovely grassy FHU site. It was right next to the bathrooms but that was ok for us. The hot showers were lovely. The camp host was super nice. We enjoyed sitting outside on a hot evening. There is even a laundry. The only reason for not giving 5 stars, is that the neighbor’s rooster woke us up at about 4:30 am. If you are not a light sleeper you’d be fine here. We’d stay again if we were passing through but may use ear plugs.
GuideThe first reviewer nailed it with the basics: about two acres of crushed gravel (like a parking lot), no green. But if you need a break from the drive for a night or more, this is the place. Food and other resources are nearby, some walking distance (food). I'm staying three nights to recover from driving fatigue. I'm in no hurry to get anywhere, so that helps. For one night or more, rest, freshen up, full hookups, cheap, yeah, this is it.
It's surprisingly empty, for a Saturday (see pic). The few that are here seem to be long-term, as the size of their propane tanks demonstrate. But that's only a few and the camp has many, many more open spots. I didn't have a reservation until the day of, then once here, extended another two days.
Internet is available, but slow, maybe the time of day (early, mid, late evening). Works though, just wait a bit. Off Highway 20 one block, enough to cancel traffic noise. Restrooms and showers are clean, really clean, almost brand new.
GuideNice little park with full hookups! Very clean and Green
GuideComfortable park near the river in John Day for and overnight stop over.
GuideAfter a full day, driving, we were having trouble finding a place to stay near John Day, Oregon. All of the very few campgrounds available we’re already full. Even this campground, which is part of the fairgrounds, appeared to be full and it had prior reservations on to remaining Spots. As we were about to leave, the host of the campground caught up with us and said that since we had a short motorhome(24 foot) that there was one spot remaining. The people we dealt with were very friendly and helpful. I think the host realized how tired we were and made a special effort to invite us to stay.
TravelerVery well maintained area. Bring your own firewood, the forest floor is extremely clean. There’s 4 sites on this road and a restroom at the end. We were car camping but most sites have smaller trailer access.
GuideIt’s only two free camp sites unless there’s more up the road I didn’t check. There was too mosquitoes for me, probably because there is a stream next to sites. It seemed clean and quiet though, the sound of stream was nice, and one vault toilet was there, no AT&T cell service. We saw a garter snake near the stream. Theres also a caution sign for ticks. I didn’t end up staying though because of the bugs. I ended up going to Big Bend Campground which was nice and by the river didn’t have trouble with bugs there. $5 though.
Camping near Malheur National Forest, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Malheur National Forest, Oregon, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Malheur National Forest?
Malheur National Forest offers several excellent camping options. Idlewild Campground - Malheur is a standout choice located off Highway 395, offering spacious sites and a vault toilet for $10 per night (half price with access passes). For those seeking a unique experience, Murderers Creek Guard Station provides cabin accommodations with propane heat and powered appliances, perfect for small groups. Other notable options include Strawberry Campground south of Prairie City, which offers a quieter experience and serves as a good base for exploring the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness area.
What amenities are available at Malheur National Forest campgrounds?
Amenities vary across Malheur National Forest campgrounds. Blue Mtn Sno Park offers free camping from May through October with an accessible pit toilet and a large, flat parking area suitable for any size RV. Union Creek Campground provides more developed facilities with electric and water hookups at some sites, flush toilets, and a dump station. Most forest campgrounds feature basic amenities like vault toilets and fire rings. Water is typically available during the summer months but is often shut off in late fall and winter. Some sites have picnic tables, while others maintain a more rustic experience.
Is camping allowed at Malheur Lake in the National Forest?
Malheur Lake is actually part of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, not Malheur National Forest, and overnight camping is not permitted within the refuge boundaries. For lakeside camping in the region, Southwest Shore Campground at Phillips Lake offers a delightful alternative with 13 non-reservable sites in a beautiful setting near Baker City and Sumpter. For those preferring developed facilities near water, Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground provides spacious, shaded sites along the John Day River with clean restrooms, showers, and a riverside trail, though it can be noisy due to proximity to the road.
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