43 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Wickiup Campground accepts pets in both tent and RV sites throughout its forested camping area near Seneca. The campground permits leashed dogs at all times while maintaining clean, shaded spots with established fire rings. Fawn Spring Dispersed Camping offers a free alternative for pet owners seeking more remote accommodations, though facilities are minimal with no toilets or water hookups. Several campers report cow encounters at these pet-friendly sites, with one noting their dog was startled when a cow sniffed their tent rain cover during the night. Grant County RV Park provides more developed options with full hookups, shaded pull-through sites, and designated pet areas along its riverfront property in nearby John Day.
Strawberry Campground features accessible pet-friendly campsites with nearby hiking trails suitable for dogs, though the access road requires high-clearance vehicles during wet conditions. The campground sits alongside Strawberry Creek with vault toilets and space between sites for pet comfort. Wildlife regularly visits these camping areas, requiring proper food storage and pet supervision, particularly during evening hours when deer approach within 20 feet of camps. Temperature variations affect pet comfort significantly, with some campers reporting overnight freezing even in spring months. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash policies but offer ample space for exercising pets on surrounding trails and creek access points.
"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."
from $26 - $34 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $6 - $9 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Big Creek was swollen with run off and grouse were busy with mating calls (flapping wings) from near by fallen logs. Easy back-in sites for rv's, tables, fire pits, clean pit toilets. "
from $8 / night
GuideAccess road is well maintained gravel. Campground was uncrowded on a July Saturday night. Lots of water and pit toilets. Access to the river but it's fast moving so I'd worry about kids and pets. Mosquitos showed up en masse at dusk. Lots of shade. Definitely worth $5.
LegendThis is in Burns/Hines Oregon. This town is basically a stopover between Boise/Treasure Valley and Bend, Oregon. This park is well suited just for an overnight on the road. The whole property is graveled. All the hookups are in great shape and the whole place looks new-ish. The water pressure is about 100PSI, so use your regulator unless you want to risk popping your plumbing at some place or another. The town has many restaurants, fast food, convenience stores, car parts, car washes, etc. There is a pet park. The host/manager was very down to earth and helpful and greeted us in his golf cart as soon as we pulled up. I recommend this place for a quick/clean stopover. We'll use it again to break up our driving hours. There's not much to see or do in Burns/Hines. The WIFI is excellent coverage and strength and speed. Supports WIFI 6.0. Verizon 3bars.
TravelerThis 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. Super clean showers and restrooms, dog friendly, and a nice trail to walk along next to the river. Yes, the sites closer to the road are noisier due to traffic, while the ones closer to the river are the buggiest in the summer, but if you want hook ups, easy access, and an RV dump and don't mind paying for all these amenities, this is the place. We stayed in site 9, which has a super long paved and level driveway giving you lots of peace and quiet.
GuideOur truck broke down just outside of Burns and we ended up having our travel trailer towed to this RV park, as it was the only place we could stay for the week while waiting to get our truck repaired. We had a full hookup spot, which was super nice, but the spot itself was pretty small. This is typical of many RV parks I have been too - good amenities but small spot.
There were some other spots in the park that were slightly larger and had picnic tables, but ours did not. We had only a tiny plastic table with 2 chairs, but we were so close to the RV next to us that we were basically either looking in their window or we would have to be right next to the "road'. Not ideal so we didn't spend much time outside.
There was room here for all sizes of campers - from tents (I saw I guy on a bicycle who tent camped for the night) to giant motorhomes with cars towed behind. The park hosts were all extremely nice and helpful, given our circumstances. They also gave us a military discount since my husband is a veteran.
Restrooms and showers were fairly small (only 2 toilets and 2 showers in each bathroom) but I think most folks used the facilities in their RVs. The shop/office sells propane and ice, so we were able to restock on both (plus they have wine and ice cream if you need a little splurge).
The park is right off of the highway so you may get some truck/traffic noise but it didn't seem to bother us city folks too much. :)
Wifi was fairly decent and you can get some local channels in the TV, if those things are important to you.
Dog and kid friendly, but there is really not much for either to do here.
Overall, this suited our purpose, in that we had a nice safe place to stay while our truck was repaired, but I'm not sure I would stay here just for kicks. Close to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge and a great stopover if you need a night to rest while driving through the high desert of Oregon.
TravelerThe Cabin
Besides the pullout couch leaving a lot to be desired, this little guard station was wonderful. Perfect for two, this cabin comes with propane heat and powered appliances, so no need to sacrifice meal quality or comfort. We were here for Thanksgiving and it was great to be able to explore the Malheur National Forest during the crisp days, and come back to a warm cabin late in the afternoon. 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. 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. Maybe it is because it was November, but there were very few people out exploring the area.
The Terrain
The forest was super easy to move through, and if you're driving from western Oregon, the terrain is quite an amazingly unique site given its golden hills and red rocks. All in all, I highly recommend staying here for a nature filled getaway.
LegendWe 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. Traveling north, the original entrance is now closed but signage takes you to the new entrance about 1/4 mile up the road. Down by the original entrance is pull through site 1, which is the only paved site in the CG. Most of the sites are more suited for tents but there are sites that will handle small RVs. There is a nice trail system that runs out the back of the CG near site 1. If you want to get away from it all, this is a great CG.
GuideThis was a great little campground for getting away from the Memorial Day crowds. Over the weekend we stayed, there were only 2 or 3 other campers as well.
Just south of Prairie City, this was a good location to explore the surrounding Strawberry Mountain wilderness and John Day Fossil Beds. As the road turns to a forest road, it’s gets a bit adventurous, but we just kicked it into 4 wheel drive and had no trouble getting there. 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. They kept their distance but still came within 20 feet to check us out.
From the campground, you can take the trails to the lake, which was a fun hike. The vault toilets were clean and the Ranger came around every day to check in. The only thing I would change is the temperature. 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.
Tips for camping here:
*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 so we needed some fun stuff to do between hikes and outings.
*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.
*The campground was a bit dusty so bring stuff to wash up when needed.
*Lots of wildlife in the area so make sure to keep your food and other items locked up so the critters don’t get into it.
*Bring your own firewood, as there isn’t a camp host to buy it from.
RangerThis really is an RV spot. Yes, you can tent camp here but it's expensive ($24 for Oregon residents, $34 for out of staters) and it's right next to the road. It's loud. Really loud. Wake you up when you're sleeping loud.
That said, it does have all amenities: good Verizon service, firewood for sale, hot showers, tables, fire pits with grills, etc. And it's close to town. So for that it could be the right fit for people needing all that.
For me, I'd skip it, especially if you're in a tent.
ScoutThe Magone Lake campground was great! It is a nice sized lake and campground but not overwhelming or too busy. We stayed at the group site which had its own private loop and lots of space if you have kids, dogs, etc. The lake is a great size with a trail all around it and it’s easy to walk. You can fish there as well.
Campgrounds near Seneca, Oregon offer diverse camping opportunities in the mountainous terrain of eastern Oregon at elevations between 4,600 and 6,000 feet. The Malheur National Forest surrounds this remote area with ponderosa pine forests and mountain streams, creating a cooler retreat from summer heat. Temperatures typically range from 40°F at night to 80°F during daytime, with freezing conditions possible through late spring.
Explore mountain biking trails: The Strawberry Mountain range features several biking options for outdoor enthusiasts. Near Big Creek Campground, campers find "nice biking trails if you want to explore" with seasonal features like "whip cream topped" mountains during spring runoff periods. The campground serves as a practical base for cycling adventures.
Visit the John Day Fossil Beds: The national monument sits approximately 30 minutes from Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site. As one camper noted, "We stayed at Clyde Holliday for one night on the way to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The campground is conveniently located near the town of John Day and is adjacent to the John Day River."
Go fishing for crayfish: The John Day River system offers opportunities for simple fishing activities. Families at Clyde Holliday enjoy catching crayfish in the adjacent river. One camper reported, "My kids loved playing in the water and catching crayfish. There is a nice trail to walk on in the park."
Secluded sites with wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer close encounters with local wildlife. At Strawberry Campground, campers report deer sightings during evening hours. One reviewer wrote, "Off the beaten path, but well 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. Right along strawberry creek, beautiful, quiet. Trails to explore, wildlife to see."
Quiet forest settings: The dog friendly campgrounds near Seneca feature peaceful, wooded environments. Starr Campground receives praise for its tranquil atmosphere: "Stayed here on a Wednesday night and there were only a couple other campsites taken but I have a hard time believing it gets much busier on the weekends. Nice, secluded campground right off the road."
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, many campgrounds maintain serviceable facilities. At Idlewild Campground, visitors appreciate the upkeep: "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 vault toilets and seasonally a camp host with firewood. Standard clean vault toilets and water during high season."
Road conditions can be challenging: Access roads to several campgrounds require appropriate vehicles. Strawberry Campground access presents difficulties: "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."
Temperature fluctuations: The mountain elevation causes significant temperature changes between day and night. One camper at Idlewild reported gathering "abundant dry firewood on the ground" to combat evening chill. Even in warmer months, temperatures can drop unexpectedly.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October or early November. Slide Creek Campground offers year-round access but may have limited accessibility during winter months. A visitor noted its location: "This area is on your up to strawberry campground, its nice and clean and quite! Slide horse has areas for your horses."
Choose river-adjacent sites: Campgrounds along waterways provide natural entertainment for children. At Clyde Holliday, "there is a nice walking path next to a creek that some children were playing in. this is a very well maintained site in terms of the landscaping and the bathrooms and showers."
Pack games and activities: The remote nature of pet-friendly campgrounds near Seneca means limited entertainment options. Bring bikes, games, and other diversions to keep children occupied between outdoor adventures.
Consider tepee accommodations: Unique lodging options add excitement to family trips. One family reported: "We stayed 3 nights in one of the teepees at Clyde Holliday State Park. The site backs up to the John Day river (very mellow in August). My kids loved playing in the water and catching crayfish."
Select appropriate campgrounds for your rig size: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. Grant County RV Park offers "shaded pull through and easy back in sites" with full hookups, making it suitable for various RV sizes.
Check site leveling before setup: Most forest service campgrounds have natural, uneven surfaces. At Big Creek Campground, campers note "easy back-in sites for RVs, tables, fire pits, clean pit toilets."
Consider noise factors: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. One RVer at Clyde Holliday noted: "Site#25 backed up to hwy 26; daytime passing vehicle noise could be loud. Night vehicle noise wasn't an issue."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Seneca, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Seneca, OR is Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Seneca, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 43 dog-friendly camping locations near Seneca, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
