Paige P.
Ranger
RangerWolf Creek Reservoir
Sweet Spot
A handful of great places to camp for the night- very clean and well taken care of so please leave no trace. Just a spot and a table, no water, restrooms ect.
Best Tent Campsites near Umatilla National Forest
Tent camping near Umatilla National Forest ranges from free dispersed primitive sites to campgrounds with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets across Oregon's Blue Mountains. Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 offers free dispersed camping with multiple sites spread throughout the forest, while Hurricane Creek Campground provides picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets for tent campers. The Moss Springs Campground, located about 9 miles up a forest service road from Cove, serves as a gateway to the Eagle Cap Wilderness.
Many forest access roads require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain when conditions deteriorate. A visitor commented, "You will need a higher clearance vehicle to reach this campground, and signage may be limited so make sure you know your step by step directions beforehand." Sites typically feature basic amenities - some with fire rings and established tent pads, but most lack drinking water. Vault toilets exist at established campgrounds like Williamson and Hurricane Creek, but dispersed areas require campers to practice proper waste disposal. Several campgrounds close during winter months, with most operating between late spring and early fall depending on snowmelt.
Tent campsites vary significantly across locations. Sites along waterways like the Williamson Campground offer natural white noise from flowing water and potential fishing opportunities. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "The river is a great backdrop and sound. Space for 1 tent easily…maybe a 2nd in some." Primitive dispersed sites often provide greater separation between campers but may experience unexpected traffic. Some areas suffer from litter issues, while others remain pristine. Most tent sites sit under partial or full forest canopy, providing natural shade during summer months. Star-viewing opportunities are exceptional in the more remote areas where light pollution is minimal. Highway noise affects some sites closer to main roads, while backcountry tent locations offer deeper solitude.
Best Tent Sites Near Umatilla National Forest (35)
1. Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed
10 ReviewsLa Grande, OR16 milesWebsite+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."
"Light sleepers would have a hard time here due to highway noise but overall good rest stop. My dog wouldn’t stop trying to eat all the horse poop around the camp site."
2. The High Road Cabin (two) TENT Spots
1 ReviewMeacham, OR13 milesWebsite+1 (541) 240-9252$29 / night
"This space provides a locked gate to give you privacy and peace of mind! Minimal light pollution will provide you gorgeous starry skies. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love!"
3. Blue Mtns North/Grande Ronde River Basin Area
2 ReviewsMeacham, OR16 miles4. Andies Prairie Sno-Park
Be the first to review!Umatilla National Forest, OR10 milesWebsite+1 (541) 278-37165. Mottet
1 ReviewBennington Lake, WA22 milesWebsite+1 (509) 522-6290"First off - you will need a higher clearance vehicle to reach this campground, and signage may be limited so make sure you know your step by step directions beforehand."
6. Bone Spring Campground
1 ReviewDixie, WA24 miles+1 (541) 278-37167. Boundary
1 ReviewLostine, OR28 milesWebsite+1 (541) 426-49788. Moss Springs Campground
1 ReviewCove, OR29 milesWebsite"Moss Springs is a quiet campground on the edge of the Eagle Cap about 9 miles up the a forest service road from Cove, OR (which is about 14 miles past La Grande)."
9. Hurricane Creek Campground
9 ReviewsJoseph, OR43 milesWebsite+1 (541) 426-5546"We scheduled three nights here but after two nights of amazing lightning storms, we skipped the third night. Still, this is a beautiful place, very private, secluded, and shady."
"We car camped in this small campground along Hurricane Creek after getting rained out on a backpacking trip up to Eagle Cap. There are 13 sites, 3 of which are handicap accessible."
10. Williamson Campground
2 ReviewsEnterprise, OR37 milesWebsite+1 (541) 426-5546"Space for 1 tent easily…maybe a 2nd in some. Good trees for hammock."
"Nice little river near the campsites for gathering water or cooling off."
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Umatilla National Forest
15 Photos of 35 Umatilla National Forest Campgrounds
Tent Camping Reviews near Umatilla National Forest
348 Reviews of 35 Umatilla National Forest Campgrounds
Cindy U.RangerLane Creek
Small but great for hunting
Lane Creek campground is in the Umatilla Forest off Hwy 244 (Between HWY 395 & I-84). Between milepost 10 & 12. It has 7 camp sites with vaulted toilet. No water or garabage, but have picnic table and fire ring, with level gravel site for trailers (can pitch a tent). One out of the 7 sites can hold a large RV of 35ft. Town of Ukiah is west about 8 miles and has a dump station for RV at a park in middle of town off HWY 244. Great Elk hunting area lots of forest road to drive around.
- Jim B.
GuideHurricane Creek Campground
A lovely place
We scheduled three nights here but after two nights of amazing lightning storms, we skipped the third night. Still, this is a beautiful place, very private, secluded, and shady. The fast-moving creek creates a soothing white noise that we found calming. The campsites are spaced quite far apart, some only large enough for a tent. No hookups, but there is a clean vault toilet. We planned to hit the nearby hiking trail, but when we got to the trailhead, the parking lot was completely packed. When we go there again, we will stay and relax at the campground.
- John 'n Sara D.Guide
Jubilee Lake Campground (Or) — Umatilla National Forest
Peace & Quiet!
The campground is somewhat primitive. There are flushing toilets on the lower loop, vault toilets on the upper loop. no showers, but you can refresh in the lake. The nights get chilly, so be prepared with warm socks and a beenie, especially if you’re tent camping.
There are no power boats allowed on the lake, so it is raft, kayak paddle board friendly.
The path around the lake is an easy walk, just don’t expect to sit on a bench and enjoy the view of the lake, the trees have grown up.
allison W.
LegendUmapine
Middle of Nowhere!
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.
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.
Picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets, but no hookups.
This campground seems to be an increasingly significant favorite for ATVers (there are a bazillion trails around, you can see them on the maps downloadable for Pro Dyrt members) but it does not open until May, so leave your snowmobile at home.
There are eight sites of varying sizes, but only one is a pull through.
Paul A.RangerUmatilla National Forest Winom Creek Campground
Primitive campground with a nice stream
Nice flat campground developed for OHV and equestrian activities. 22 mi SE of Ukiah on FR 52. No drkg wtr, just vaulted toilets. Winding narrow road to the site. This was our first night over on our 3 month camping trip to the EAST coast after leaving Portland. This June 7th night we were the only campers at this site. We had driven the Blue Mountain byway from I-84 exit 147. Beautiful day of touring the countryside in Eastern Oregon. The campsite had fire rings and Picnic tables.
- Nick B.Guide
Target Meadows Campground — Umatilla National Forest
Rustic campground with a neat history
We tent camped for the weekend in mid-July. The plan was to camp at Jubilee Lake, but it was full when we arrived Friday evening. Target Meadows is just a short drive from the lake, but there were plenty of sites available. The campground is heavily wooded with beautiful evergreens. Sites are private and well spaced. This is a rustic campground, so there is no water or power. Amenities include (very clean!) pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits with cooking grates. There is a lot of dry timber on the ground, so it is easy to collect your own firewood. There is easy access to hiking, including Burnt Cabin trailhead. Most campsites are trailer friendly, including a few with drive-through access. We really enjoyed the area and will be back again!
Emily C.
TravelerSpring Creek Campground
Good free FS campground
Came here for an overnight stop while traveling through the area. Solid spot - 4 large sites with level spots, fire ring, picnic tables, vault toilet. 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. Perfect and pleasant for my overnight stop
- JJim B.
ScoutBird Track Springs
Excellent place to dry camp...
Every time we camp here it has been quiet, wild life comes around to say hi. Vault toilets, no water, no trash pickup. Always clean,,, Nice place...
Guide to Umatilla National Forest
Dispersed tent camping near Umatilla National Forest spans across Oregon's Blue Mountains, with sites ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 feet in elevation. The region experiences distinct four-season weather patterns with summer temperatures typically ranging 65-85°F during peak camping months. Forest roads throughout the area become impassable during winter snowfall, generally closing higher-elevation routes from November through May depending on snowpack conditions.
What to do
Day hiking access: Hurricane Creek Campground serves as an excellent base for accessing the Eagle Cap Wilderness trails. A camper noted, "Hurricane Creek Campground is super nice. Sits right along Hurricane Creek and has a lot of well maintained spots." The campground's proximity to trailheads makes it popular during summer weekends.
Fishing opportunities: Williamson Campground offers direct river access for anglers seeking native trout. "The river is a great backdrop and sound. Space for 1 tent easily…maybe a 2nd in some. Good trees for hammock," reports one visitor. Most river fishing spots require short walks from established campsites.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide the best wildlife spotting chances at several dispersed sites. One camper at Hurricane Creek Campground shared, "Saw two bucks together early in the morning grazing." Turkey, elk, and deer frequent the forest edges near many camping areas.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Mottet Campground earns praise for its spacious layout. "Here there's lots of room between you and your neighboring campsite - if you even have neighbors, we were the only ones there," reports one camper. Most tent sites feature natural vegetation buffers between camping areas.
Natural white noise: Creekside camping ranks high among visitor preferences. A Hurricane Creek camper explained, "The fast-moving creek creates a soothing white noise that we found calming. The campsites are spaced quite far apart, some only large enough for a tent."
Star viewing opportunities: Remote forest locations offer exceptional night sky viewing during clear weather. Regarding Wallowa-Whitman NF 21, one camper noted, "Camped atop the ridge, off the first road on the west side. Interstate traffic dominates the soundscape, but the scenery is expansive." Minimal light pollution exists in more distant forest sites.
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Most forest access roads deteriorate during wet weather. A Mottet camper advised, "You will need a higher clearance vehicle to reach this campground, and signage may be limited so make sure you know your step by step directions beforehand."
Campsite variability: Many dispersed locations show signs of previous use. A Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 visitor explained, "Stayed one night on my way to Seattle. I drove up the road some and found it pretty passable in my van, although most of the sites were too muddy and I was worried about getting stuck." Site conditions change seasonally.
Water accessibility: Drinking water remains scarce across most tent camping locations. One camper at Hurricane Creek noted, "No water hookups, so just remember to bring your own." Carrying adequate water supply proves essential for remote tent camping near Umatilla National Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for safety: Keep children away from fast-moving waterways. A Hurricane Creek reviewer cautioned, "My one caution would be that if you have dogs keep them on a leash because if they were to get in the creek that would be all she wrote. That creek is appropriately named as it really moves."
Wildlife awareness: Teach children proper food storage practices. One Moss Springs Campground visitor shared, "Deer wandered through the campground and there are chipmunks." Wildlife encounters remain common throughout the forest.
Accessibility options: Some campgrounds offer specialized accommodations. At Hurricane Creek, "There are 13 sites, 3 of which are handicap accessible. There are several vault toilets and they were clean and not smelly."
Tips from RVers
Turnaround limitations: Many forest roads lack adequate turning space for larger vehicles. A Hurricane Creek reviewer mentioned, "Several sites along the creek, some accessible by car only (no trailer turnaround)."
Level site scarcity: Blue Mtns North/Grande Ronde River Basin Area presents challenges for RV leveling. One visitor experienced significant issues: "Drove ten minutes down a road to come to a one-lane underpass with a gate across it. Turned around and disperse camped closer to the exit." Scouting locations before committing to parking proves essential.
Seasonal road conditions: Forest service roads throughout Umatilla National Forest deteriorate after rainfall. One camper at Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 advised, "Given the off-road ruts, this isn't a prime wet ground camp area." Most RV sites become impassable during spring thaw and late fall rain events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Umatilla National Forest?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Umatilla National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Umatilla National Forest is Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 - Dispersed with a 3.9-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Umatilla National Forest?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Umatilla National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 35 tent camping locations near Umatilla National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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