Camping near Richland, Oregon offers access to the Snake River, Hells Canyon, and surrounding forested mountains. The area sits at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 feet with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F along the river while mountain campgrounds stay cooler. Most campgrounds open from late spring through fall with limited winter access due to snow at higher elevations.
What to Do
Water recreation at Snake River: The Snake River Campground provides direct access to swimming and fishing. "A few miles from Huntington Oregon, but there are 12 miles of unpaved road to reach the camp. You drive the whole way along the Snake River and arrive at a beautifully kept area with many level spots...fresh eggs for sale and wonderful hosts," according to Steve M.
Fishing opportunities: Woodhead Park in Hells Canyon Recreation Area caters specifically to anglers. "If you fish and have a boat this is it!! Nice big spots, great facilities but the terrain is super steep, not much in the way of 'beaches' and ability to enjoy the water without a boat," notes Mike M.
High-elevation hiking: Fish Lake Campground sits at nearly 7,000 feet with trails connecting to the surrounding wilderness. "Beautiful lake and views! Fish Lake Campground is up above Halfway, OR. It is a pine forested high elevation (6,990ft) Campground on NFD Rd. 66," reports Jim F.
What Campers Like
Easy river access: Hells Canyon Recreation Area Copperfield Campground provides direct water access. "We love this place... this is our go-to campground and one of our favorites. Kids can go swimming and fishing or just hung out by the water!" shares G K.
Tranquil forest settings: McBride Campground near Halfway offers a quieter alternative to busier lakeside campgrounds. "Older campground with several forested spots along a muddy creek. Nice dog walking and biking forest roads directly off campground. Pit toilets, non potable water source, fire pits," writes Cheryl M.
Clean facilities: Hells Canyon Recreation Area - Woodhead Campground maintains well-kept restrooms and fish cleaning stations. "Beautiful large campground with full hookups. They also have a fish cleaning station and very clean bathrooms. Nice trails for hikes/walks," says Katie M.
What You Should Know
Heat considerations: Summer temperatures can reach extreme levels in canyon areas. A camper at Copperfield Campground advises, "I would not recommend going during summer as the heat is unbearable unless you have a camper with an A.C., and even then, the cooler has an issue with keeping up with the heat."
Mosquitoes can be problematic: Farewell Bend State Recreation Area campers report seasonal insect issues. "Well-kept state park. No playground for kids. Dog park. Very quiet. Right on the highway but it's not loud at all. Very many mosquitos, like swarms of them," warns Beth L.
Access road challenges: Many pet friendly campgrounds near Richland, Oregon require travel on unpaved roads. "This campground is approximately 18 miles down a series of dirt roads in the Payette national forest. Road condition was fairly good," reports Mike E. about Spring Creek Campground.
Tips for Camping with Families
Dog-friendly areas with space to roam: Farewell Bend State Recreation Area Campground includes dedicated pet areas. "Though not free like the dispersed camping the dog and I were doing the days before this, it was a treat to have warm showers, bathrooms, a fenced dog exercise area, the security of other campers," shares Emma K.
Kid-friendly lake access: Lookouts for smaller children around steep shorelines. "The park is large and the sites are well spaced. You can walk down the long grass to the river and down steps to the water. Or just sit around camp and squirrel watch!" notes Dani K. about Farewell Bend.
Plan for hot weather activities: Bring cooling equipment for summer camping with pets and children. "If you choose to camp during the summer, I would recommend a fan, and a mister is a must!" advises a GoldDust D.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Larger RVs need to research site dimensions. "We did not camp but visited the place to check it out for our next camping," notes G K. about Woodhead Campground, highlighting the importance of scouting locations.
Hookup availability varies: Wallowa Lake State Park Campground offers full hookups but has limitations. "Easy back in to our fairly level site. Unfortunately they had water hookups shut off for winter (after we made our reservation, but before we arrived). So we had to venture back out to the design acted water fill campsite our first morning," shares Amancay B.
Dump station capacity: Monitor dump station usage during peak seasons. "They ask that you don't offload a full black/grey tank at your site, as the septic system can't handle it... in my experience, the dump site may not be able to handle it either," warns a Wallowa Lake camper.
