Malheur National Forest RV camping options span elevations from 4,000 to 9,000 feet across eastern Oregon's diverse terrain. Most RV campgrounds near Malheur National Forest experience hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions. Water conservation is necessary at many sites during peak summer months when natural water sources may be limited.
What to do
Wildlife viewing near Burns: Burns RV Park offers a convenient base for exploring Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. "Drove out to do the Steens Mountain loop, see the Round Barn, etc. Love this area and nice to come back to a comfortable site. Love all the quail, squirrels and listening to coyotes at night," notes camper Jill R.
Visit historical sites: The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is accessible from Fish House Inn and RV Campground. Camper Kim G. shares, "We 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."
Explore ghost towns: The semi-ghost town of Sumpter offers a glimpse into Oregon's mining history. Lawrence M. at Gold Rush RV Park mentions, "Awesome stay, near semi ghost town of Sumpter, OR."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many RV parks maintain exceptional cleanliness standards. Gerard M. staying at Fish House Inn notes, "The bathrooms and showers are exceptionally clean and nice...they even include cloth hand and bath towels for you to use!"
Riverside locations: Several campgrounds feature water access. Dave B. mentions Grant County RV Park has a "Stream running next to the sites. Close to town." This provides both scenic views and recreational opportunities.
Shade from summer heat: Trees provide essential relief during hot summer days. Jim M. describes Grant County RV Park as "Secluded with trees and a large grass area," offering natural protection from the intense eastern Oregon sun.
Spacious sites: Quail Ridge RV Park offers ample space despite its simple layout. Greg K. observes, "It's surprisingly empty, for a Saturday. 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."
What you should know
Water pressure variations: Some RV campgrounds at Malheur National Forest require pressure regulators. Mike E. at Quail Ridge RV Park cautions, "The water pressure is about 100PSI, so use your regulator unless you want to risk popping your plumbing at some place or another."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely throughout the region. Rich J. at Timbers Inn and RV Park suggests using it as a "good home base for exploring the area" since connectivity may be limited while traveling.
Seasonal closures: Water systems at some parks shut down during colder months. Melanie A. notes that at Quail Ridge RV Park during late fall, "There was no water and the bathroom/shower build was also turned off."
Tree sap concerns: Trees providing shade can sometimes create maintenance issues. Rachel H. warns about Burns RV Park: "Our back in spot was under trees that drip sap. We have sap on our rig and our tow."
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options: Sumpter RV Park offers family-friendly activities. Anthony T. recommends, "Sumpter has a lot to offer and we can't wait to go back do the train and hopefully rent a side by side and explore the trails in the area."
Small-town exploration: Dayville offers unique shops within walking distance. Charyl B. shares about Dayville South Fork RV Park: "Dayville is a very cute little town, with cute lil shops! Great location to stay to explore the area!"
Onsite games: Some Malheur National Forest RV campgrounds provide entertainment options. Joey and Lauren T. mention Burns RV Park has "lots of camping games available to play and there's 3 dog areas."
Pet areas: Multiple campgrounds accommodate pets with designated spaces. Amanda W. notes Burns RV Park offers "yard games on site too for convenience and fun!" making it suitable for the whole family.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven sites at some locations. Kelsey G. at Burns RV Park notes, "Our site was unlevel so we needed our levelers."
Access considerations: Some parks offer pull-through options for easier parking. Jack P. at Grant County RV Park shares, "I checked in late and it was a little confusing. Had a hard time getting the PIN to access the bathroom."
Overnight stops: When traveling through, consider parks with easy highway access. Jill R. found Hitching Post RV Park "perfect for what I needed. Full hookups, easy parking, nice view of a local ranch in the back, deer everywhere!! It was also super quiet all night."
Long-term stays: For extended visits, look for parks with stable utilities. Melissa S. recommends Gold Rush RV Park: "We stayed at The Gold Rush RV park in Sumpter, OR for one week. We absolutely loved our stay. The park was clean, and the restrooms/laundry room was spotless."
