Tent camping near Wallowa Whitman National Forest offers experiences from high alpine lakes to quiet riverside retreats. Elevation ranges from 3,000 feet along creeks to nearly 7,000 feet at Fish Lake Campground, affecting both temperatures and season length. Most tent sites are primitive with limited cell service, particularly in remote areas around Eagle Cap Wilderness.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Fish Lake Campground sits at 6,990 feet with outstanding trout fishing. One visitor noted, "Beautiful views, outstanding action packed trout fishing. Far away from anything. Nice restrooms and natural spring is plumbed in to the campground. Best water I have ever tasted."
Swimming in alpine lakes: While most creeks are too fast-moving for safe swimming, the high mountain lakes offer swimming options despite cold temperatures. At Aneroid Lake, accessible via a challenging hike, "The water is very cold but worth the dip if it's a hot summer day."
Day hiking: The area offers numerous day hiking opportunities from established campgrounds. From West Eagle Meadow Campground, campers can access nearby trails. "It would make a good base camp for visiting Echo and Traverse Lakes. Camps are spaced around one paved loop up the hill in the trees above the meadow."
What campers like
Solitude and spacing: Many tent sites offer significant separation from neighbors. At Hurricane Creek Campground, "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."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening wildlife sightings are common. At Hurricane Creek Campground, one camper reported, "Saw two bucks together early in the morning grazing," while another noted hearing "what may have been a bear growling at night."
Hammock camping options: Williamson Campground provides suitable trees for hammock camping: "Sites were great. We had no issues getting an open site here the week of 4th of July. The river is a great backdrop and sound. Space for 1 tent easily…maybe a 2nd in some. Good trees for hammock."
What you should know
Seasonal road access: Many campgrounds require driving on unpaved forest roads that can be difficult in wet conditions. Access to Moss Springs Campground requires traveling "about 9 miles up a forest service road from Cove, OR (which is about 14 miles past La Grande). The road back to Cove, while not paved, isn't bad."
Weather variations: Summer thunderstorms are common in higher elevations. One Hurricane Creek camper reported, "We scheduled three nights here but after two nights of amazing lightning storms, we skipped the third night."
Water sources: Drinking water availability varies widely across campgrounds. Fish Lake Campground has plumbed natural spring water, while most sites require filtering from nearby streams or packing in water. Boulder Park Campground is situated near Eagle Creek but offers no treated water.
Tips for camping with families
Creek safety precautions: Fast-moving creeks pose dangers for children and pets. A Hurricane Creek visitor warned, "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."
Small campgrounds with fewer sites: Walla Walla Forest Camp offers a more manageable experience for families: "Just 4 sites, 2 with great river access. We loved the view and how big and private our site was."
Insect preparedness: Bring bug spray, particularly for campsites near water. At Walla Walla Forest Camp, one camper advised, "Our spot was tucked back a little way, which we liked. But was furthest from the water and swampy, which we didn't like. The other two spots are closer to the water, so you don't have to contend so much with mosquitos. Just bring bug spray and check for ticks!"
Tips from RVers
Limited turnaround space: Many tent-focused campgrounds lack adequate turning space for larger vehicles. At Hurricane Creek, some sites are "accessible by car only (no trailer turnaround)."
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at many sites. One RV camper at Hurricane Creek reported, "Spent one night in that spot then took another closer to the river for the second night where I had to use my leveling blocks. But so worth it. Could hear nothing but the rushing river."
Site selection considerations: For tent camping with smaller RVs, site selection becomes critical. A visitor to Williamson Campground observed, "Sites were great. We had no issues getting an open site here the week of 4th of July. The river is a great backdrop and sound. Space for 1 tent easily…maybe a 2nd in some."
