Malheur National Forest campsites range in elevation from 2,800 to 4,300 feet, creating temperature variations that affect camping conditions throughout the season. The forest straddles the Blue Mountains and features three distinct mountain ranges: the Strawberry Mountains, the Aldrich Mountains, and the Malheur Range. Camping areas frequently experience afternoon thunderstorms during summer months, with temperature drops of 20-30 degrees possible between day and night.
What to do
Wildlife watching at dusk: Big Creek Campground offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. "Grouse were busy with mating calls (flapping wings) from near by fallen logs," notes one visitor who camped at Big Creek in May.
Bike forest trails: The Strawberry Mountain area provides numerous biking routes. A camper at Big Creek Campground shared that it's a "Great site to stay awhile and bike in the Strawberry Range topped with whip cream this time of year."
Wade in the John Day River: The shallow portions near Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site are popular with families. One camper mentioned "a nice walking path next to a creek that some children were playing in."
Hike to Strawberry Lake: Access wilderness trails directly from camping areas. A visitor at Strawberry Campground reported: "From the campground, you can take the trails to the lake, which was a fun hike."
What campers like
Creekside camping spots: Many sites feature running water access. At Strawberry Campground, visitors appreciate "a beautiful creek running through the campsite and great large pine trees."
Quiet seclusion: The remote location provides peaceful camping experiences. One reviewer described Strawberry Campground as having "nice sites with lots of separation and easy access to a trailhead."
Evening wildlife visits: Regular deer sightings occur at dusk in several camping areas. A camper at Strawberry Campground noted: "We even got a visit from a few deer every night around dinner time. They kept their distance but still came within 20 feet to check us out."
Free hot showers: Some established campgrounds provide unexpected amenities. At Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site, a visitor emphasized the "Fabulous free hot showers!" and mentioned that "Sites have paved parking, tables and fire pits."
What you should know
High elevation temperature fluctuations: Night temperatures drop significantly even in summer. A Starr Campground visitor warned that while camping in the region "it got very cold at night."
Road conditions vary significantly: Forest Service roads can be challenging for standard vehicles. A camper attempting to reach Strawberry Campground shared: "It's accessed from a nine or ten mile dirt road, a bit of a challenge to navigate the last mile."
Livestock encounters: Free-range cattle appear throughout the forest. At Fawn Spring Dispersed Camping, a camper reported: "Lots of cows... funniest thing ever! One woke me up when it was sniffing at the tents rain cover!"
Site availability varies seasonally: Mid-week camping offers better site selection. A reviewer at Starr Campground noted: "Stayed here on a Wednesday night and there were only a couple other campsites taken but I have a hard time believing it gets much busier on the weekends."
Tips for camping with families
Pack kids' entertainment: Limited organized activities means bringing your own fun. A Strawberry Campground visitor advised: "I had my 9 year old nephew with me for this trip and was thankful I brought our bikes and games. Since the campground wasn't busy, there weren't other kiddos for him to play with."
Watch for creek drop-offs: Some sites have steep embankments. A family camping at Strawberry Campground cautioned: "There's a steep drop off next to some sites that goes right into the creek. Keep an eye on kiddos or pick a site farther away from the creek if you're worried about that."
Consider noise factors: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. A review of Depot Park mentioned it's "off the main drag" and has a "big lawn is well watered" plus "a museum and playground" adjacent to the camping area.
Pack extra layers: Temperature variations require preparation. One camper at Strawberry Campground shared: "We didn't realize it was still so chilly at the end of May and were thankful for our extra layers and warmer sleeping bags we packed just in case."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra work to set up. A visitor to Depot Park noted: "Not to hard to level, but kind of tight on some corners for my 30' motor home."
Consider staying at county parks: Alternative options provide good amenities. At Grant County RV Park, a camper found "Shaded pull through and easy back in sites. Good value. Stream running next to the sites. Close to town."
Accessibility limits large rigs: Many forest campgrounds can't accommodate big RVs. At Wickiup Campground, a visitor described it as "small and full of trees. It was very shady, quiet, and clean."
Be prepared for temperature extremes: High elevation camping means significant cooling. A camper at Fawn Spring Dispersed Camping reported: "We ended up at this spot after finding roads closed by snow farther up the hill. It got very cold at night. We were fine in our bus, but our traveling partner had his water bottle freeze in his tent."
