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Camping near Umatilla National Forest

345 Reviews

Camping in Umatilla National Forest ranges from developed sites to more remote spots in the Blue Mountains. Grande Hot Springs RV Resort sits close to the forest boundary with full hookups and natural hot spring pools where you can soak after hiking. Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area connects campers with history - you can walk sections of the actual Oregon Trail from your campsite. Bears live throughout the forest, so hanging food or using bear canisters is necessary at all camping areas. Jubilee Lake Campground fills up fast because of its good fishing and the pretty forest lake it surrounds. Summer weekends book up months ahead, especially July through August when families camp most. May and September typically have better weather and fewer people competing for spots. The small town of Joseph and Wallowa Lake sit within driving distance and make good day trips from forest campsites. Trail difficulty in the forest varies widely from short nature walks to backcountry routes that take all day. Winter camping is possible but challenging - many forest roads don't get plowed, and some campgrounds close entirely from November through April. Checking the forest service website for current conditions saves headaches before you drive out.

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Best Camping Sites Near Umatilla National Forest (112)

    1. Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area

    25 Reviews
    Meacham, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 983-2277

    $20 - $200 / night

    "Oregon always has beautiful state parks. This one is no different. It is close to Hwy 84, so there is road noise. The campsites don't seem to be as on top of each other as some places."

    "It was a welcome dose of green after a long day of brown along the interstate through Idaho and western Oregon. The cabin was rustic, the shower house was in good repair with nice hot showers."

    2. Grande Hot Springs RV Resort

    40 Reviews
    Union, OR
    23 miles
    Website

    "We enjoyed the great walking paths around the perimeter of the park to walk our dogs. The pool and hot tub are heated geothermally and are warm, soothing, and oh, so relaxing."

    "The tent and yurt sites are beautifully situated next to a stream full of cattails and lily pads. Wild deer roam nearby and horses graze in the fields around the park. Not far from town either."

    3. Hilgard Junction State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    La Grande, OR
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 551-6949

    $10 / night

    "Although this park is near the highway, it makes for a great day visit or overnight camping. The river is very close and the Umatilla National Forest is a just a short drive up the river."

    "There is a trail if you head North that winds up and puts you on the Oregon trail, I biked it on my ebike, it is pretty strenuous and bumpy."

    4. McDougall Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Weston, OR
    14 miles

    "McDougall is a small mountain community located in the blue mountains above Weston, Oregon. There is a small neighborhood consisting of permanent RVs, cabins and shanties."

    "Either these are not the correct coordinates, or the trail has been overgrown. We’re car camping here for one night and it’s a lovely spot!"

    5. Spring Creek Campground

    8 Reviews
    La Grande, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 963-7186

    "It’s direct access onto the road from the highway exit. It’s a rough road about 1.2 miles, that’s bumpy and has lots of pot holes. Snow coverage on the road was minimal, max 2”."

    "Arrived around 5pm on a Saturday in October and 3 spots were available - the others filled up after me. Quiet and beautiful while being close to the highway."

    6. Minam State Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Wallowa, OR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 551-6949

    "Near the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa rivers, this is a perfect base camp for exploring the waters and towns of the Wallowa mountains."

    "I had originally intended on staying at one of three closer campgrounds that I ultimately rejected and made the decision to drive on to Minam State Park. Was I ever happy I did."

    7. Jubilee Lake Campground (Or) — Umatilla National Forest

    11 Reviews
    Elgin, OR
    20 miles
    +1 (509) 522-6290

    $17 - $24 / night

    "The campsites are a decent size, however when it is busy you do feel like you are right next to your neighbor. This really didn't bother my family and I because we were gone most of the day."

    "The bugs were not bad even though we were close to the water and it was late summer. We could walk to the water from our campsite in just a minute or so which was awesome!"

    8. Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed

    6 Reviews
    La Grande, OR
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 962-8500

    "Primitive dispersed campsites with rock fire rings right off the highway. Down side is it's a little too noisy for my taste."

    "Many options for private pull-offs once you drive past established NF campgrounds—likely tough to do without high clearance and/or 4WD when wet. Only “traffic” was the occasional ATV/OHV."

    9. Umatilla Forks Campground

    2 Reviews
    Umatilla National Forest, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 522-6290

    "The campground is divided into 2 sets of 4 with one set of spots further up the road in a different unmarked entrance."

    10. Hu - Na - Ha RV Park

    1 Review
    Elgin, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 437-2253

    "The park is right on the edge of town. Nestled between a river and a horse farm he will hear a rooster everyday you will hear a donkey. There are wild turkey in the area but they're quite quiet."

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Recent Reviews near Umatilla National Forest

345 Reviews of 112 Umatilla National Forest Campgrounds

Guide to Umatilla National Forest

Camping near Umatilla National Forest, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're in an RV, tent, or cabin, there are plenty of spots to enjoy nature and unwind.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. Campers have enjoyed the nature walks, with one reviewer mentioning, "The nature walk is nice, and the views are great" at Grande Hot Springs RV Resort.
  • Fishing: The rivers and lakes in the region are great for fishing. One camper at Minam State Recreation Area said, "Great fishing during trout season."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A visitor at Pilcher Creek Reservoir noted, "Saw a ton of wildlife too (bring your bear spray)."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at Hilgard Junction State Park Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms were clean and providing all needed functionality."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites. One visitor at Jubilee Lake Campground said, "The camp sites are perfect. Enough privacy in between, nice amount of room."
  • Friendly Staff: Good service can make a difference. A camper at Wildhorse Casino remarked, "Staff was professional and kind."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds are near highways, which can be noisy. A visitor at Oregon Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area warned, "The freeway noise is deafening!"
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Bird Track Springs noted, "If you don't need much, this campground is awesome and affordable."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs in some areas. One camper at Grande Hot Springs RV Resort mentioned, "There were so many mosquitoes we couldn’t go outside the RV."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with play areas. A reviewer at Grande Hot Springs RV Resort suggested, "There is a horseshoe area, but otherwise, no play equipment."
  • Bring Games: Keep kids entertained with outdoor games. A camper at Jubilee Lake Campground mentioned, "The lake was pretty busy, but it’s easy to find places on the water to have to yourself."
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds don’t have markets nearby. A visitor at Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park noted, "Not close to stores for any extras."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups. A camper at Pendleton KOA said, "Each space has grass and a pad to park on."
  • Level Sites: Look for level sites for easier parking. A reviewer at Pilcher Creek Reservoir mentioned, "Some of the sites aren't terribly level."
  • Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to keep the peace. A visitor at Wildhorse Casino noted, "Mostly quiet (except for semi-trucks parking for the night)."

Camping near Umatilla National Forest, Oregon, has something for everyone. With beautiful landscapes and a variety of campgrounds, you can find the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Umatilla National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, Umatilla National Forest offers a wide range of camping options, with 112 campgrounds and RV parks near Umatilla National Forest and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Umatilla National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Umatilla National Forest is Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area with a 3.5-star rating from 25 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Umatilla National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Umatilla National Forest.

What parks are near Umatilla National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 parks near Umatilla National Forest that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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