Located in northeastern Oregon, Union sits at approximately 2,790 feet elevation with surrounding mountains reaching above 7,000 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during day and 45-55°F at night. Many camping areas remain accessible from late April through October, though higher elevation sites may have limited seasons due to snowfall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Pilcher Creek Reservoir offers bank and dock fishing. As one camper reports, "There's a working water pump at the campsite. No bugs. Accessible via a long dirt road, no issue for my Honda Civic" at Pilcher Creek Reservoir.
Hot springs soaking: The mineral pools at Grande Hot Springs provide natural relaxation options. "The two hot spring fed soaking pools were open for 'twilight soak' until 11 PM which was a great touch after a long day on the road," notes a visitor at Grande Hot Springs RV Resort.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for local animals throughout the camping areas. One visitor at Grande Hot Springs RV Resort mentioned: "Nature trail along the creek was cool. Saw huge bull frogs, tadpoles, and fish. Also saw mule deer."
Creek hiking: Short trail systems follow many of the waterways. A Catherine Creek visitor shared: "There's a wonderful trail with a wooden bridge to start off" at Catherine Creek State Park Campground.
What campers like
Private spots: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. At Morgan Lake: "Beautiful campground. Maybe 15 sites, and totally free. 3 day camping limit. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Almost every site has lake frontage."
Budget-friendly options: Several no-cost camping areas exist in the region. "Free camping on a lake not too far from the freeway. Good roads to the campsite. There are pull through and back in sites that would accommodate good-sized rigs," reports a camper at Pilcher Creek Reservoir.
Mountain scenery: The surrounding peaks provide backdrop views. One camper mentioned: "Very quiet wide open campground surrounded by snowy peaks. Full hookups at all sites, mostly 30 amp service but many sites have 50 amp also. Great value for the money in a beautiful setting."
Quiet off-season stays: Several campgrounds remain open with fewer visitors during spring and fall. "We arrived in late November, when it was cold, snowy, and practically empty. But the campground and all of its facilities were open, and the camp host was extremely friendly and helpful!" noted a winter visitor at Wallowa Lake State Park Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigation on unpaved roads. "The road up to this campground is VERY steep--definitely smelled my brakes on the way down. But that's the only downside to this nice FREE campground just outside of LaGrande," shares a visitor about Morgan Lake.
Seasonal closures: Many sites have limited operational months. Hilgard Junction State Park Campground typically operates "mid April to mid October" according to information provided.
Site availability: Reservations may be needed at established campgrounds during peak season. "The 16 sites are first come first serve, but even though we drove in a little past midnight, we had no trouble finding a perfect spot overlooking the reservoir," explains a Wolf Creek Reservoir visitor.
Insect awareness: Mosquito activity varies by location and season. "Lots of availability. Covid conscious! Lots of mosquitos!" warns one Grande Hot Springs RV Resort reviewer.
Tips for camping with families
Stream exploration: Kids enjoy shallow water areas for supervised play. "The sites are nice and most are lake front. There were a few other campers but none near our site," notes a Morgan Lake camper.
Pet-friendly sites: Many campgrounds welcome dogs, making them good dog friendly campgrounds near Union. At North Fork Catherine Creek Campground, one visitor reports: "We crossed the bridge right before the parking lot and found a pull-off loop that had a few trailers with what seemed to be seasonal campers. They were cheerful and friendly."
Weather preparation: Temperatures can vary significantly between day and night. "We stayed in the middle of July and it was delightfully cool, in the mid 70s during the day and dropped down to the upper 40s over night," shares a North Fork Catherine Creek camper.
Trash management: Some dispersed camping areas require packing out all waste. "THERE IS NO DUMPSTER so you have to pack all trash back out," warns a camper at North Fork Catherine Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some camping areas have uneven parking spaces. "There are pull through and back in sites that would accommodate good-sized rigs, although some of the sites aren't terribly level," notes a Pilcher Creek Reservoir visitor.
Hookup availability: Services vary significantly between campgrounds. At Hilgard Junction State Park Campground, "There are no hook ups but there are water spickets and restrooms."
Access considerations: Larger vehicles may face challenges at some locations. "Easy back in to our fairly level site. Unfortunately they had water hookups shut off for winter (after we made our reservation, but before we arrived). So we had to venture back out to the design acted water fill campsite our first morning," shares one RV visitor.