Best Tent Camping near Union, OR
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest surrounding Union, Oregon offers numerous tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. Moss Springs Campground, located about 9 miles up a forest service road from Cove (14 miles from La Grande), provides basic tent-only camping from June to September. Thief Valley Reservoir Campground near Union remains open year-round for tent campers seeking waterfront sites. West Eagle Meadow Campground features walk-in tent sites arranged around a paved loop nestled in the trees above a meadow, making it an excellent base for exploring Echo and Traverse Lakes.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature minimal amenities, with vault toilets being the standard facility. Campsites typically consist of dirt or gravel pads with fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Campers should bring their own water as potable sources are scarce throughout the area. Access roads to many primitive tent camping areas require high-clearance vehicles, with some sites located 20+ miles down dirt forest service roads. Late spring brings wildflowers but also muddy conditions at higher elevations, while summer offers more reliable access to backcountry tent sites. Bear activity has been reported near Hurricane Creek, requiring proper food storage for tent campers.
Tent campsites throughout the region offer varying levels of privacy and natural features. According to reviews, Hurricane Creek Campground provides "very private, secluded, and shady" sites with the "fast-moving creek creating soothing white noise." Sites at Williamson Campground accommodate "one tent easily, maybe a second in some sites," with "good trees for hammocks" and river sounds as a backdrop. Dispersed camping in Wallowa-Whitman NF 21 offers spacious tent sites with rock fire rings right off the highway, though some campers recommend driving further into the woods for greater seclusion. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer, elk, turkeys, and chipmunks frequently observed near tent camping areas.
