Dispersed camping and established campgrounds surround the small community of Seneca in eastern Oregon's Grant County. The area includes a mix of Forest Service campgrounds, RV parks, and primitive sites where visitors can experience the natural beauty of the Malheur National Forest. Timbers Inn and RV Park provides full hookup sites within Seneca itself, while dispersed options like Fawn Spring offer free camping in more remote forest settings. Nearby developed campgrounds include Starr Campground, Wickiup Campground, and Oregon Mine Campground, most offering basic amenities for tent and RV camping. Several historic guard stations, including Murderers Creek, are available as rental cabins for those seeking rustic accommodations with more shelter.
Camping seasons typically run from May through October or November for most established sites in the region, with winter closures common due to snow and freezing temperatures. Forest roads accessing dispersed camping areas may become impassable during wet spring conditions or winter months. Many campgrounds feature vault toilets but limited drinking water access, requiring campers to bring their own supply. The Malheur National Forest and surrounding public lands contain numerous primitive camping opportunities, but visitors should check current fire restrictions during summer months. One camper noted: "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."
Campgrounds near Seneca provide varied terrain and experiences based on elevation and location. Lower-elevation sites along creeks offer fishing opportunities and shade trees, while higher forest sites provide cooler temperatures and proximity to mountain recreation. Several visitors mention wildlife viewing as a highlight of camping in this area. Starr Campground receives positive reviews for its accessibility and quiet atmosphere, though some mention its proximity to the road. According to reviews, Murderers Creek Guard Station cabin offers a unique experience with propane heat and a kitchen, making it suitable for off-season stays. The cabin "comes with propane heat and powered appliances, so no need to sacrifice meal quality or comfort," according to one review. Fawn Spring dispersed camping area offers solitude but has mixed reviews regarding access and conditions.
$24 - $26 / night
"This is always such a great place to stop when traveling between Idaho and western Oregon. It has lots of shade, lawn, and hedges that offer privacy between the large camp sites."
"In general, Oregon State Parks are great. This is another nice one with plenty of tent and RV sites available. Bathrooms and showers on-site."
"Nice area close to the road. Plenty of room for my small trailer. Though it was close to the road it wasn’t very noisy. I camped in site 9 so 1/4 mile away from the road. Only issue last role of TP."
"great location. sites 1-6 are pretty close to the main road, but tidy little sites, a pit toilet. no running water."
"Good little tucked away site with spring water, fire pits and lots of empty space for my truck. Make sure to stop at the sign, we went about 2-3 extra miles looking before we came back lol"
"It’s a bit of an uphill drive off 15, but it’s a pretty good gravel road. There was a fair amount of litter from what looked like a hunting group when we arrived, but we took it with us."
$15 / night
"After a full day, driving, we were having trouble finding a place to stay near John Day, Oregon. All of the very few campgrounds available we’re already full."
"Stream running next to the sites. Close to town. It is next to the fairgrounds, but very quit when no events. Good place to spend the night while traveling through"
$50 / night
"In the spring, I imagine you can fish the creek behind the cabin. The Wildlife
If you hike a little off trail, there's plenty of wildlife to be seen."
"The area is beautiful but the creek is so very tiny and back behind the cabin. It has a vault toilet that was very clean but we may have been lucky since it is not cleaned between guests."
"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."
"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."
$50 / night
"We ran across this nice little campground (CG) looking for a place to walk our pups. Idlewild is located an easy 30 minute drive north of Burns, OR. "
"This is a basic USFS campground north of Burns, Oregon off of 395. There are few campgrounds off this highway so we always camp here. The fee is $10."
"There are toilets but no water (there’s a creek so boil or treat the water there), close to the road, and a good basecamp for hiking or horseback riding in the area."
GuideWe went here for a wedding. RV parking was basically in a large open field (no formal sites). The facilities were really nice though, the giant fire pit was cool, and the caretakers were friendly. The drive in and the landscape around was gorgeous. The creek is kind of marshy so I think that’s why the mosquitos were so bad. Definitely no service out here, but saw lots of wildlife and the way in and out.
GuideWe called the number (owner’s personal cell) to make an overnight reservation on our way East. When we arrive Cathi personally greeted us, was incredibly nice, and gave us the run-down. The sites were pretty close to each other for us, but they were pull-thru and it was fine for an overnight. The grounds were pretty with lawns and flowers. The flush bathrooms/showers were clean. Each site had a nice picnic table. There were no fires allowed but not sure if that was seasonal or not. Also in walking distance to a little store and an easy drive to a grocery store. Would definitely stay here again for an overnight! Cathi is doing a great job with this place :)
GuideThis campground was easy to find and access. We registered online and were able to check in and get our assigned spot via email. The host came out and offered us a pull through spot which was super helpful since we got in after dark. There was no water and the bathroom/shower build was also turned off. Ok for a quick stop if you are staying awhile I would suggest something other than a gravel parking lot.
TravelerCamp spots excellent. Ranger is not real friendly. Camp host was told to by ranger to not water going to turn brown anyway. Beautiful place. Sites level. Water elec avail at each site dump site available.
GuidePrimitive camp. Nice views, pull in is flat enough, and there is 0 road noise.
TravelerWe came out in the dark, so didn’t get a prime spot. There are several areas to camp. We passed 2 other campers in our way in. There is a place to camp on the left, in the trees before the gps coordinates and many beyond the coordinates.
GuideCampgrounds nice, unfortunately a good chunk of the sites are reservation only and you don't have service up there so picking a site when you get there can be hard. The first come first serve sites are nice but some are close together, and some were left in poor condition with food all over the ground. Lake is very peaceful and still, nice to swim in! Overall nice but plan ahead well and go on an off day it was still very full on a Sunday afternoon into Monday
LegendWe 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. It was right next to the bathrooms but that was ok for us. The hot showers were lovely. The camp host was super nice. We enjoyed sitting outside on a hot evening. There is even a laundry. The only reason for not giving 5 stars, is that the neighbor’s rooster woke us up at about 4:30 am. If you are not a light sleeper you’d be fine here. We’d stay again if we were passing through but may use ear plugs.
GuideThe first reviewer nailed it with the basics: about two acres of crushed gravel (like a parking lot), no green. But if you need a break from the drive for a night or more, this is the place. Food and other resources are nearby, some walking distance (food). I'm staying three nights to recover from driving fatigue. I'm in no hurry to get anywhere, so that helps. For one night or more, rest, freshen up, full hookups, cheap, yeah, this is it.
It's surprisingly empty, for a Saturday (see pic). 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. I didn't have a reservation until the day of, then once here, extended another two days.
Internet is available, but slow, maybe the time of day (early, mid, late evening). Works though, just wait a bit. Off Highway 20 one block, enough to cancel traffic noise. Restrooms and showers are clean, really clean, almost brand new.
Camping sites near Seneca, Oregon provide access to the diverse terrain of the Malheur National Forest at elevations ranging from 4,700 to 7,000 feet. The region experiences cool mountain nights even in summer, with temperatures often dropping below 40°F after sunset. Forest Service roads accessing remote camping locations typically open in late May, though higher elevation sites may remain inaccessible until late June depending on snowpack conditions.
Strawberry Mountain hiking trails: Access several trails from Strawberry Campground, including routes to Strawberry Lake with 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," notes camper Ash C.
Wildlife viewing: The area around Seneca offers opportunities to spot wild horses, deer, turkeys and other wildlife. "We ended up hiking to Horse Mountain (about 3.5 miles from the cabin), and saw wild horses early in the morning. We also saw mule deer and turkeys," reports a visitor to the region.
Fishing in local streams: Several campgrounds provide creek access for fishing. "The long side of the campground is the John Day River with a nice little nature path," explains Nancy M. about one nearby site. Several creeks in the area contain crayfish that children enjoy catching during summer months.
Cool mountain retreats from summer heat: Higher elevation sites offer temperature relief during hot months. "Off the beaten path, but well worth it! Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor," notes Chris B. about Strawberry Campground.
Solitude and spacious sites: Most campgrounds in the region offer well-separated camping spots. "Large spots with hardly anyone around. Beautiful trees everywhere," shares Rhonda S. about Idlewild Campground located 40 miles south of Seneca.
Natural surroundings: Campers appreciate the forest and water features. "It had plenty of fairly flat ground for our 26" skoolie. It got very cold at night," mentions Thomas B. while describing their experience at a dispersed camping area. Many sites feature streams, creek access, and mature pine forests.
Weather extremes: Temperatures fluctuate dramatically in this region, even in summer. "We were fine in our bus, but our traveling partner had his water bottle freeze in his tent," notes a camper staying at Fawn Spring Dispersed Camping area.
Road conditions: Access to more remote camping areas requires appropriate vehicles. "The road was slick. The ruts and holes in the road began to increase. When I was about 2 miles away from Strawberry Campground, I turned around. I just didn't trust my Mazda 3 to make it without bottoming out or getting a flat tire," shares Mary G.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping options lack water sources and bathroom facilities. "Basic USFS campground, no reservations, all first come basis. Large semi secluded sites in pine forest. Clean pit toilets with hand sanitizer. Abundant dry firewood on the ground," describes Betty B. about a forest service campground in the region.
Safety near water features: Some campgrounds have creek access with hazards. "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. about Strawberry Campground.
Pack additional activities: Due to remote locations, children may need entertainment options. "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.
Water recreation opportunities: Several creeks provide spots for children to wade and explore. "My kids loved playing in the water and catching crayfish," shares a camper about their experience at a riverside camping area near Seneca.
Site selection for larger rigs: Most camping areas near Seneca accommodate smaller RVs only. "Shaded pull through and easy back in sites. Good value. Stream running next to the sites," explains Dave B. about Grant County RV Park, one of the few locations suitable for larger vehicles.
Full hookup options: Limited full-service RV sites exist in the area. "Small RV park with large, level pull thru sites. Nice grass areas to relax in. Full hookup....water, electricity, sewer, but no shower or flush toilets," reports Rich J. about Timbers Inn and RV Park in Seneca.
Road accessibility concerns: Carefully research routes before traveling with larger RVs. "It's gets a bit adventurous, but we just kicked it into 4 wheel drive and had no trouble getting there," shares a camper about accessing a remote campground. Many forest roads become impassable for larger vehicles after rain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at the Seneca RV park?
The RV park near Seneca offers essential amenities for travelers. At Burns RV Park, you'll find full hookup spots, though spaces can be somewhat limited in size. For those looking for alternatives in the region, Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground provides clean showers, restrooms, large campsites with privacy hedges, and access to walking trails along the river. Most RV parks in this region are well-suited for big rigs and typically provide water, electric, and sewer hookups.
Where is the Seneca campground located in Oregon?
Seneca is a small community in eastern Oregon, located in Grant County along Highway 395. While not a campground itself, several camping options are available in the vicinity. Timbers Inn and RV Park is situated near Seneca, offering a convenient base for exploring the area. The surrounding region includes the Malheur National Forest which contains numerous camping opportunities like Murderers Creek Guard Station, a short drive from Seneca.
What camping is available near Seneca, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Seneca, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 93 campgrounds and RV parks near Seneca, OR and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Seneca, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Seneca, OR is Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Seneca, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Seneca, OR.
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