1 campground with availability this weekend
Tent camping options throughout the Malheur National Forest region of Oregon provide a mix of established campgrounds and backcountry opportunities. Strawberry Campground, located along a creek with trail access to Strawberry Lake, offers tent sites in a wooded setting. Several small primitive tent campgrounds like Middle Fork, Looney Spring, and Trout Farm provide additional established options for tent campers seeking designated sites.
Road conditions can present challenges for accessing some tent campsites, particularly those at higher elevations or after rain. Strawberry Campground requires navigation along approximately 6-9 miles of dirt and forest roads that become increasingly rough near the campground. A camper noted, "It's accessed from a nine or ten mile dirt road, a bit of a challenge to navigate the last mile." Many tent campgrounds feature basic amenities like vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables, but drinking water is rarely available. Campers should come prepared with ample water supplies or water filtration equipment to use at nearby creeks.
Tent sites in this region offer notable solitude and natural experiences. The area's tent-only walk-in sites provide separation from RV camping areas and motorized recreation. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campsites along creeks like those at Strawberry Campground provide peaceful settings with wildlife viewing opportunities. "We picked a site next to the creek in the back and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. We even got a visit from a few deer every night around dinner time." Several campgrounds connect directly to hiking trails, including access to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Weather can change rapidly at higher elevations, with visitors reporting experiencing "rain, sleet, snow, and graupel all in one day" even in warmer months, making proper tent setup and rain protection essential for successful tent camping experiences.
"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."
"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."
"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"
"Fairly close to the highway, so there's some road noise, but this highway doesn't have much traffic. Clean vault toilets."
"This is a “primitive campground” but the natural surroundings are more than worth the sacrifice of a few creature comforts."
"All sites were pack in, but we had backpacking gear so it worked out. Pit toilets and the ranger comes by daily."
TravelerWe have camped here many times over the years. Last year they were closed for renovation. Love the heated bathrooms, especially in the off season. Nice trails along the river. Fall color is excellent. Just a few miles from town, groceries, restaurants. Services.
Guidehot springs 10/10. no service, and extremely rough road. i was the only one there mid day, some hunters on the hill stopped me on the way out and harassed me about traveling alone/inviting them to swim with me. i do not recommend this spot if you are a solo female traveler. some cool spots to camp, great springs, but weird people with no service had me turn around and find a new spot.
TravelerA variety of site sizes/deapthes that all seemed to be easy to get into. Road noise near the highway could be annoying for light sleepers. Nice hiking path to a wayside to the west along the river.
GuideWe stayed here in early October, hoping the mosquitos would be gone so late in the year, but they were still out in force.
The potable water to the campground has been shut off since August 2026, with no time frame given as to when it will be turned back on.
The vault toilets are... "vintage," with the lock to the door on one of the two outhouses not working. However, the camp host is at least diligent in keeping the outhouses clean.
There are only about a dozen campsites, but there were only two other parties camping at Chukar Park the night we were there, so finding a good site was still easy. Some of the sites are situated along a bank of the north fork of the Malheur River, and the setting with the river and mature cottonwoods is exceptional - or would be without the mosquitos. We spent most of our time inside our van.
The price is certainly right: $5 / night, or $2.50 / night if you have a Natl. Parks and Federal Lands Pass. Only cash is accepted, and the sites are all first-come first-serve.
ScoutIt's 5 miles off highway 20 up a washboard gravel road. The campsites are nicely spaced with trees between most sites. It's primitive with no hook ups and pit toilets. I was there in early Oct and the water spickets were still working. The price of $5 was perfect (1/2 price for America the Beautiful pass holders). Can't beat that! No cell service.
TravelerSite #27 great view of lake. Cost $8 with senior pass. Hiked around lake great trail with awesome views. Saw 8 otters playing and swimming in lake and a couple of grouse on the trail. Only negative is gravel road in, just go slow.
GuideAccess via primitive road on east bank of river to cross small channel to island hotspring. Half dozen campsites on this road. West bank road goes miles up into BLM land popular camping for hunting
TravelerThis is a decent affordable campground with two pit toilets and only costs $8 per night. No fresh water.
There are larches/tamaracks here but unfortunately they hadn’t changed to their fall colors yet when I was there.
TravelerUnfortunately, the water here smelled like death. The camp host was super nice and pleasant and came to warn me before I filled my fresh water tank. She even offered me free firewood because of the bad water. She said that someone is testing it daily and it somehow passes. I had rinsed my hands in preparation to fill, and I could not get the smell off for hours, so I don’t know how it passed! In light of the water situation, I decided to stay at a cheaper dry camp further down the highway.
Tent camping near Malheur National Forest provides opportunities in small, secluded campgrounds nestled between 4,000-7,000 feet elevation. The region experiences significant temperature variations with summer nights dropping into the 40s even when daytime temperatures exceed 80 degrees. Many campgrounds connect directly to wilderness trail systems for extended backpacking opportunities.
Hiking to alpine lakes: From Strawberry Campground, access trails leading to Strawberry Lake and beyond. "There was a beautiful creek running through the campsite and great large pine trees. Clean bathrooms," notes Joel M. The campground serves as a gateway to multiple wilderness trails.
Fishing opportunities: Trout Farm offers sites surrounding a small pond with additional fishing access to the John Day River. Kate W. reports: "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."
Wildlife observation: Multiple campgrounds provide wildlife viewing opportunities. Chris B. at Strawberry Campground notes the area offers "Trails to explore, wildlife to see." The diverse forest ecosystem supports deer, elk, and numerous bird species throughout the camping season.
Creek-side camping: Several campsites position directly alongside flowing water. At Elk Creek Campground, Erico found: "On the plus side, our site was adjoining Elk Creek." The sound of flowing water provides natural white noise for sleeping.
Temperature relief: Higher elevation campgrounds offer escape from summer valley heat. Chris B. explains that Strawberry Campground "Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor. Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed."
Local knowledge sharing: At Looney Spring Campground, Allison W. discovered: "Almost everyone else there was local to the region and it was a lucky thing for me, because they were quite friendly and generous with their knowledge." Campgrounds often serve as information exchanges for trail conditions and area insights.
Unpredictable weather patterns: Mountain camping requires preparation for rapid weather changes regardless of season. Andrew S. reports from Strawberry Campground: "We got caught in rain, sleet, snow, and graupel all in one day but that's hardly the campground's fault."
Road accessibility challenges: Many campsites require navigation of rough forest roads. One camper at Middle Fork Campground notes it's a "Nice little campground right on the Middle Fork John Day River. Fairly close to the highway, so there's some road noise, but this highway doesn't have much traffic."
Water filtration necessity: Potable water remains scarce at most campgrounds. Kate W. at Trout Farm Campground notes: "no portable water but next to the John day river, and clear to filter." Campers should bring sufficient water or reliable filtration systems.
Map verification: Campground locations can be difficult to locate. Mia warns about Elk Creek: "Spent an hour driving to this spot, the pin took us through private properties and even after trekking through some rough roads it stopped us at a closed road."
Pack entertainment: Limited facilities require bringing activities for children. Heather B. at Strawberry Campground advises: "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."
Safety considerations: Creek access requires supervision. "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," notes Heather B. about Strawberry Campground.
Wildlife education opportunities: Campgrounds provide chances to teach children about nature. Jennifer A. recommends: "My friend and I snagged a beautiful FCFS site here on out way out towards Tillamook and a coastal hike. We were quite please with the scenery."
Site selection strategies: At Elk Creek Campground, Lee A. advises checking campground status before arrival: "Dropped in to check out the site. Was listed as closed (due to covid) there's discrepancies with what is open/closed."
Walk-in requirements: Some campgrounds require carrying gear from parking areas to campsites. Erico found at Elk Creek: "It was a long way from our vehicle lugging our gear to the campsite." RVs requiring hook-ups should avoid most forest campgrounds as services are limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find tent camping spots in Malheur National Forest?
Malheur National Forest offers numerous tent camping options. Strawberry Campground provides secluded sites with good separation between campers and access to hiking trails in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Oregon Mine Campground offers simple sites in a remote setting with nearby hiking opportunities and wild horses in the area. For water proximity, consider dispersed camping at Social Security Point Trailhead which has four sites along a road leading to a water access point. The forest also features several other campgrounds with varying amenities and accessibility.
When is the best time of year for tent camping in Malheur National Forest?
Late spring through early fall (June to September) offers the most reliable weather for tent camping in Malheur National Forest. Looney Spring Campground is popular with locals during summer months when conditions are favorable. Billy Fields Forest Camp experiences mosquito activity near its stream during warmer months. Be prepared for variable mountain weather year-round - campers at Strawberry Campground have reported snow, sleet and rain even during traditional camping seasons. Higher elevation areas may not be accessible until late spring due to snowpack, while lower elevation sites can be visited earlier. Memorial Day through Labor Day represents the peak season when most facilities are open and maintained.
What are the camping regulations for Malheur National Forest?
Malheur National Forest follows standard US Forest Service regulations. Most developed campgrounds like Middle Fork Campground and Elk Creek Campground operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Pack-in sites are common at some locations. Campfires are permitted in designated rings but may be restricted during high fire danger periods. At dispersed sites, practice Leave No Trace ethics and use existing fire rings. Most campgrounds have vault toilets but limited or no potable water - water from streams and creeks should be filtered or treated. Some areas require self-issued wilderness permits for backcountry camping. Check with the Forest Service office for current regulations and seasonal closures.
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