Malheur National Forest offers diverse camping options at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 feet. Summer temperatures drop significantly at night, often falling 30-40 degrees from daytime highs. Most forest service campgrounds are small and rustic, with fewer than 15 sites each that accommodate both tents and smaller RVs on dirt or gravel surfaces.
What to do
Hike to Strawberry Lake: The trail from Strawberry Campground leads to alpine scenery and waterfalls. "Great place! A creek, bumpy gravel road might not work for sedan always, but worth a try. Tons of hiking, including a closer one to strawberry lake with stunning views and a waterfall further if you want," reports Ash C.
Explore forest service roads: The roads around Fawn Spring Dispersed Camping offer excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. "Lots of cows… funniest thing ever! One woke me up when it was sniffing at the tents rain cover!" shares Christopher, highlighting unexpected animal encounters.
Mountain biking: Trail networks near Big Creek Campground provide options for cyclists. "Great site to stay awhile and bike in the Strawberry Range topped with whip cream this time of year," notes Hollis F., referencing the snow-capped mountains visible from many trails.
What campers like
Secluded creek access: Many visitors appreciate the running water at Starr Campground. "Nice, secluded campground right off the road. Sites 7+ are definitely in a better spot and have more privacy," explains Kara H., noting the preferred camping locations.
Free hot showers: Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site offers uncommon amenities for the region. "Fabulous free hot showers! Nice campground. Sites have paved parking, tables and fire pits. There is also a hiker biker camp area," writes Connie C., highlighting features rarely found at forest campgrounds.
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds remain accessible during colder months. "We got caught in rain, sleet, snow, and graupel all in one day but that's hardly the campground's fault. If you can get up the sketchy and rough road, it's a beautiful site," shares Andrew S. about Strawberry Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many forest roads become challenging after precipitation. "It started with approximately 6 miles of gravel road...no problem. Then the road became a forest road...no problem. Then it began raining. It looked as though the area had experienced rain recently. The road was slick," explains Mary G. about the approach to Strawberry Campground.
Dispersed camping boundaries can be confusing: Wickiup Campground provides established sites, but nearby dispersed areas have unclear markers. "It was very shady, quiet, and clean. There was, unfortunately, cow poop all over the place, luckily, we had a shovel. I believe that is a seasonal issue," notes Sara R. about grazing allotments in the area.
Temperature fluctuations: Campers consistently report dramatic temperature drops at night. "We didn't realize it was still so chilly at the end of May and we're thankful for our extra layers and warmer sleeping bags we packed just in case," shares Heather B., emphasizing the need for cold-weather gear even in late spring.
Tips for camping with families
Pet-friendly trail options: For pet friendly camping near Malheur National Forest, consider trails with gradual elevation gains. "Since I was real young my family would always go here and we have a camp spot that we called the hilton. I will always go there for the rest of my life," says Robert R. about Wickiup Campground, a family tradition spot.
Creek safety awareness: Several campgrounds feature creeks with variable water levels. "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," advises Heather B.
Bring entertainment: Remote locations mean limited activities beyond nature exploration. "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," recommends Heather B.
Tips from RVers
Dump station locations: Grant County RV Park provides full hookups and dump facilities. "Self service kiosk, $30 a night full hook ups. Pull throughs and back in sites. Showers and bathrooms are clean and across a grass area," notes Jim M.
Generator regulations: Most forest service campgrounds restrict generator use to specific hours or prohibit them entirely. "We just stopped for the night and it worked well. I checked in late and it was a little confusing. Had a hard time getting the PIN to access the bathroom," reports Jack P. about Grant County RV Park's after-hours procedures.
Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for most forest campgrounds. "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," explains Andrew S. about Strawberry Campground's facilities.
