Dispersed camping near Ukiah, Oregon provides access to the Blue Mountains and the rugged terrain of northeastern Oregon. The area sits at elevations ranging from 3,200 to 5,000 feet, creating distinct temperature variations between day and night even in summer months. Most primitive camping areas remain snow-covered until late May, with higher elevation sites sometimes inaccessible until mid-June.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Multiple creeks around Umapine Campground provide angling options throughout the summer. According to a visitor, "Campground is in a ponderosa forest right in between two creeks, Squaw and Umapine, so anglers were happy and it's easy to get a nice cool respite if the weather is oppressive."
Hiking trail access: The network of trails surrounding Big Creek Meadows Camp offers routes through diverse terrain. One hiker noted, "This site has great access to a ton of trails... I could easily imagine camping here for weeks and taking advantage of all the incredible trails through the varied Idaho scenery."
OHV routes: Forest roads throughout the region accommodate off-highway vehicles, with several campgrounds serving as staging areas. The primitive roads require preparation, as one camper observed, "This campground seems to be an increasingly significant favorite for ATVers (there are a bazillion trails around) but it does not open until May, so leave your snowmobile at home."
What campers like
Stream-side sites: Camping alongside water features provides natural cooling and ambiance. At Welch Creek Campground, one visitor reported, "Stayed there late summer. Had the place to myself. Easy turn around. Creek is clear and very cold. There are picnic tables."
Shade coverage: The dense forest canopy at Gold Dredge Campground offers respite from summer heat. A camper mentioned, "Drove through on a 'scouting' mission. There is not enough sun spots for me. When I camp I prefer a just about even mix of sun and shade."
Solitude potential: Many sites allow campers to escape crowds, particularly during weekdays. One review stated, "Quite camp along creek. Had the place to myself," highlighting the area's suitability for those seeking privacy in the national forest.
What you should know
Water conditions: Lake camping requires awareness of seasonal water quality. At Penland Lake, a visitor warned, "It smelled awful and wasn't really the ideal wading water but we made it work. Unfortunately, when we got out of the water we found leeches attached to our feet."
Campsite atmosphere: Some locations have distinct characteristics affecting comfort. One camper described their experience at Oriental Campground: "When we pulled into this site while on a scouting expedition, it looked really spooky to me! Trees were all creepy looking. Tons of shade."
Recreational conflicts: Different user groups sometimes create tensions at multi-use sites. A hiker at Big Creek Meadows Camp commented, "It's hard to enjoy the peace and quiet you might be looking for as a hiker when you have people tearing around at 40 MPH and revving their engines."
Tips for camping with families
Multiday planning: The remote location requires thorough preparation. "I like remote campgrounds but man, this one felt especially far away from everything. If coming here, I would say you should allocate at least two days if not more to take advantage of everything nearby."
Activity options: Oriental Campground provides tent camping access with basic amenities. However, families should note the environment, as one visitor commented, "Only two spots had lots of sun and one of those two was overgrown with grass and weeds."
Wildlife awareness: The area hosts various birds and small mammals rather than dangerous predators. A visitor observed, "There are no major threats from large animals that I'm aware of, just a lot of fun birds, trees, geological formations from 15 million years ago, the works."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Umapine Campground, RV options are limited but available. "There are eight sites of varying sizes, but only one is a pull through," reported one RVer who surveyed the area.
Space limitations: The best tent camping near Ukiah, Oregon sometimes includes tight quarters for larger vehicles. One camper noted at Penland Lake, "The tent sites were extremely close to each other and the water... Very tight and looks difficult to get an RV in, but there was a small one parked there."
Seasonal access: RV campers should verify road conditions before departure. A visitor mentioned, "You can do pretty much anything here from kayaking to fishing to swimming and overnight camping," though seasonal roads may limit access during shoulder seasons.
