Tent campsites near Unity, Oregon spread across the Malheur National Forest between 4,000-7,000 feet elevation, creating dramatic temperature differences between valley and mountain sites. Campers frequently encounter wildlife including deer at dawn and dusk throughout the area. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F in lower elevations while higher campgrounds remain 15-20 degrees cooler.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Looney Spring Campground serves as a trailhead hub with multiple difficulty options. A camper notes, "Try the following hikes if you find yourself here: 1.6 mile Reynolds Creek Trail, just a bit of elevation gain, good to stretch the legs. 5 mile Sunshine Trail, good for a day trip, but the elevation is around 2,000 feet so get ready for some inclines."
Fishing spots: Middle Fork Campground offers direct river access for anglers. "Nice little campground right on the Middle Fork John Day River. Fairly close to the highway, so there's some road noise, but this highway doesn't have much traffic," reports a visitor who stayed in July 2024.
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common at Strawberry Campground during early morning and evening hours. As one camper observed, "Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed. Right along strawberry creek, beautiful, quiet. Trails to explore, wildlife to see."
What campers like
Creek-side solitude: At Strawberry Campground, campers appreciate the natural sounds and privacy. "We picked a site next to the creek in the back and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. We even got a visit from a few deer every night around dinner time. They kept their distance but still came within 20 feet to check us out."
Temperature relief: Higher elevation campgrounds provide escape from summer heat. One visitor to Strawberry Campground reported, "Off the beaten path, but well worth it! Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor."
Clean facilities: Trout Farm Campground maintains well-kept amenities despite its remote location. A camper noted, "Little pond with camp sites surrounding. No portable water but next to the John Day river, and clear to filter. Bathrooms were really clean, sites were tidy. Really nice spot."
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access to Strawberry Campground requires preparation and appropriate vehicles. A visitor warns, "It started with approximately 6 miles of gravel road...no problem. Then the road became a forest road...no problem. Then it began raining. It looked as though the area had experienced rain recently. The road was slick."
Water sources limited: Most campgrounds require visitors to bring water or filter from natural sources. At Social Security Point Trailhead, campers should "bring your own firewood, the forest floor is extremely clean. There's 4 sites on this road and a restroom at the end."
Early season accessibility: Snow often blocks high-elevation campground access until late May or early June. One camper at Strawberry Campground experienced unexpected conditions: "We got caught in rain, sleet, snow, and graupel all in one day but that's hardly the campground's fault. If you can get up the sketchy and rough road, it's a beautiful site."
Tips for camping with families
Bring entertainment: Prepare additional activities for children during quieter periods. One parent advised, "I had my 9 year old nephew with me for this trip and was thankful I brought our bikes and games. Since the campground wasn't busy, there weren't other kiddos for him to play with so we needed some fun stuff to do between hikes and outings."
Watch for creek hazards: Some campsites feature unfenced water features. A visitor to Strawberry Campground cautions, "There's a steep drop off next to some sites that goes right into the creek. Keep an eye on kiddos or pick a site farther away from the creek if you're worried about that."
Pack for temperature swings: Day-to-night temperature differences can exceed 30-40 degrees. "We didn't realize it was still so chilly at the end of May and were thankful for our extra layers and warmer sleeping bags we packed just in case," shared one camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Social Security Point Trailhead, trailers have limited access options. A camper notes, "I wanted to park down by the water, but we are pulling a small camper and the road looked way too rough to go all the way down. There was a car down there, so definitely passable, but not with our camper. The sites earlier on the road are nice though."
Campsite size assessment: Most tent sites near Unity can accommodate small trailers but few work for larger RVs. "Very well maintained area. Bring your own firewood, the forest floor is extremely clean. There's 4 sites on this road and a restroom at the end. We were car camping but most sites have smaller trailer access."
Off-grid preparation: No hookups exist at any campgrounds in the area, requiring self-sufficiency. Elk Creek Campground offers some amenities but can be difficult to locate: "Spent an hour driving to this spot, the pin took us through private properties and even after trekking through some rough roads it stopped us at a closed road."
