The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness near Seneca offers secluded tent camping areas in densely forested terrain. Strawberry Campground provides primitive tent sites along a creek in the Malheur National Forest, while Oregon Mine Campground offers free dispersed camping near wildlife viewing opportunities. Trout Farm Campground provides sites near the John Day River with clean facilities and good access to fishing opportunities.
Road conditions to tent campgrounds vary significantly, with several sites requiring high-clearance vehicles on rough forest service roads. Strawberry Campground access involves approximately 6 miles of gravel followed by more challenging forest road conditions that may be impassable for standard passenger vehicles, especially during wet weather. Most primitive tent campsites have vault toilets but no potable water sources. Fire restrictions commonly apply during summer months, and campers should verify current regulations with the Forest Service before visiting. Billy Fields Forest Camp and Crescent Campground provide picnic tables and vault toilets but no drinking water.
Tent campsites in this region offer proximity to hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities. The area features multiple trail access points, including connections to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness trail system where backpacking opportunities abound. Many tent sites sit adjacent to creeks or small waterways, providing natural white noise and fishing access. According to one visitor, "It's only two free camp sites unless there's more up the road. The sound of stream was nice, and one vault toilet was there." Sites at higher elevations deliver cooler temperatures during summer months, with temperature drops of approximately 20 degrees compared to valley locations. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer frequently visiting campsites in the evening hours and wild horses occasionally spotted in the Oregon Mine Campground area.
"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."
"There is nice hiking in the area in this simple campsite in the middle of nowhere."
"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"
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.
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.
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.
GuideSeveral spots are very secluded and quite nice. Little water and no garbage but a great place to camp.
ScoutAdequate overnight spot. Behind store. Some noise from Hwy 20. $30 a night for electric. Bathrooms in store when it’s open. Decent AT&T signal. Gas at store.
Tent campsites near Seneca, Oregon provide access to the rugged Strawberry Mountain ecosystem at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80°F during daytime hours while dropping into the 40s overnight. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October due to winter snow conditions that make forest roads impassable.
Hiking to Strawberry Lake: From Strawberry Campground, access the trail to Strawberry Lake for day hiking options. "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," reports Heather B.
Wildlife viewing: Observe native wildlife including deer and wild horses. At Oregon Mine Campground, visitors often spot free-ranging horses. "We woke up to them grazing in our camp ground! We also got to watch a modern Cattle Drive!" notes Patty R.
Creek fishing: Many sites provide stream access for trout fishing opportunities. "Little pond with camp sites surrounding. No portable water but next to the John Day River, and clear to filter," explains Kate W. about the fishing access at Trout Farm.
Temperature relief: Campgrounds at higher elevations provide escape from summer heat. "Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor. Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed," writes Chris B. about camping at Strawberry Campground.
Natural soundscapes: Creeks provide ambient background noise at many campsites. "There was a stream next to sites. It seemed clean and quiet though, the sound of stream was nice," explains Stephanie F. about her experience at Billy Fields Forest Camp.
Solitude and seclusion: Most campgrounds remain uncrowded even during peak season. "This 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," notes Heather B. about her Strawberry Campground experience.
Road conditions: Many access roads require high-clearance 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," warns Mary G.
Limited cell service: Most camping areas have no cellular coverage. Patty R. advises about Oregon Mine Campground: "No water, no garbage service, and no cell service. For us...no problem! We do carry an InReach Emergency communication device that we can always get an emergency message out."
Water sources: Most sites require bringing your own water or treating natural sources. "No portable water but next to the John Day River, and clear to filter. Bathrooms were really clean, sites were tidy," notes Kate W. about Trout Farm campground.
Wildlife education opportunities: Children can observe deer and other wildlife from safe distances. "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," shares Heather B. from her Strawberry Campground experience.
Pack extra activities: Some sites offer limited natural entertainment for children. "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.
Creek safety: Some campsites feature steep drop-offs near water. "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," cautions Heather B. about Strawberry Campground.
Site accessibility: Last portions of forest roads may challenge larger vehicles. "It's accessed from a nine or ten mile dirt road, a bit of a challenge to navigate the last mile," notes Joel M. about reaching Strawberry Campground with an RV.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly and affects road conditions. "We got caught in rain, sleet, snow, and graupel all in one day but that's hardly the campground's fault. If you can get up the sketchy and rough road, it's a beautiful site," advises Andrew S. about Strawberry Campground.
Insect protection: Some campgrounds have significant mosquito populations during certain seasons. "There was too mosquitoes for me, probably because there is a stream next to sites," reports Stephanie F. about Billy Fields Forest Camp.
Frequently Asked Questions
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