Olive Lake Campground, near [Umatilla National Forest](https://thedyrt.com/camping/oregon/near/umatilla-national-forest), is a serene spot that offers a peaceful escape for campers looking to unwind. With a mix of tent and RV sites, it’s a great place to set up camp and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the lake.

The campground features a well-maintained boat dock and ramp, making it easy for visitors to enjoy swimming and fishing. Many campers have praised the lakeside campsites, noting that they provide a nice sense of privacy and beautiful views. As one visitor put it, “The water was beautiful!” 

For those who enjoy hiking, there’s a trail that loops around the lake, which some say is a bit longer than advertised, so be prepared for a good trek. The area is also dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure. 

While amenities are limited—there are no electric hookups or showers—campers appreciate the clean facilities and the abundance of firewood available. Whether you’re here for a quiet weekend or a fun-filled family trip, Olive Lake Campground offers a refreshing retreat in nature.

## Overview

 Nestled on the edge of a lake, high in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon, this popular campground is only 8 miles west of the historic Fremont Powerhouse and 12 miles west of the old mining town of Granite. The campground features 28 campsites and 7 accessible toilet facilities. Other features include a 2-mile hiking trail around the lake with nearby access to wilderness and scenic area trails, a boat ramp and 2 docks. Besides beautiful scenery, the lake offers many opportunities for wildlife viewing--particularly a nesting pair of osprey that return annually. Activities in this area include fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, hunting, and photography. Within 20 miles are several historic sites. 
## Recreation

 A 2-mile hiking trail encircles the lake, providing access to more secluded spots where solitude can be enjoyed. Bicyclists can also enjoy the trail although there are a couple of spots bikes might need to be walked, depending on skill level. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, and kokanee and crawfish boils are a popular dinner option. There are 2 boat docks adjacent to the campground, as well as a boat ramp and trailer parking. Motorized boats are allowed on the lake, but wakes and jet skis are not allowed. There are opportunities for viewing wildlife such as deer, elk, bear, river otters, and osprey. Mushroom and berry picking are available in season. Other nearby trails access the North John Day Wilderness Area and Vinegar Hill Scenic Area. An interpretive sign about the beetle infestation is located in a few spots within the campground. 
## Facilities

 The campground features 20 tent/RV campsites, 2 group sites, 6 tent only sites and 7 accessible toilet facilities. Other features include a 2-mile hiking trail around the lake with nearby access to wilderness and scenic area trails, a boat ramp and 2 docks, and an interpretive sign. There is no potable water. Potable water can be obtained from Fremont Powerhouse, 7 miles east of the campground from May 15-Sept 30. 
## Nearby Attractions

 The area around Olive Lake is rich in history. The dam and gates on the north side of the lake were constructed as part of a hydroelectric system to support gold mining activities within the northern Blue Mountain Region. Historically, water from the lake flowed through a wooden pipeline to the Fremont Powerhouse, where it was used to produce electricity for mines and towns in the area. Fremont Powerhouse is located approximately 7 miles east and the historic moning town of Granite is 12 miles east of Olive Lake along Forest Road 73.

Olive Lake Campground (Or) — Umatilla National Forest

Join the fun near Sumpter. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Sumpter, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Sumpter camping trip.

Sumpter

The Best Camping Near Sumpter, Oregon

Have camped here twice, once when I was a kid, and once this summer, and it's wonderful. Most spots feel secluded and private, and if you get there on an off-day, you can get a good one with water access. 

Love, love, love this place

Dog friendly. Water is refreshing. Perfect weather. Super relaxing. Worth the long drive to get there .

Refreshing 

Well shaded and beautiful.  Theres a hike around the lake and also another hike you can do thats in the campgrounds.  The hikes are gorgeous.   My dog really enjoyed it here.  It was shaded and there was a lot of beautiful flowers. Being here just puts me in a great mood.  The spots are pretty private with picnic tables and a fire ring.   Most of spots were also near the lake.  Be sure to bring bug spray or citronella candles to keep away the mosquitos. 😁

One of my favorite camping spots

My family loves this place, so beautiful. My grandma requested to have her ashes specifically spread here

LOVE

We drove to this location on June 19, 2021 and found that the forest service has closed this Campground because of a beetle infestation. They are in the process of cutting down all the dead trees and will not open vehicle access or Campground access until July 30th of 2021

Campground temporarily closed

A favorite lake to spend a summer week camping. Sites are nice with good spacing in the new section. Swimming and canoe/paddle board are fun times here.  

Warning can get crowded and has been over fished.

Amazing history from the gold rush days

We camped in the group site next to the lake.  It is a fairly steep hike to the water.  The trail head is at the camp site, but if you like people, that is ok.  Clean bathroom.  Water was beautiful!  As of June 26, 2022 there is tons of firewood stacked in the campground from a pine beetle infestation.  I drive from HWY 395 on Forest Service road 10. 27 miles on dirt road.  The first 3/4 mile was terrible, by the rest was great traveling.

Quiet lake

Great experience.  Host very nice.  Bathrooms clean.  Still a lot of firewood available.  We biked around the lake (little less than 4 miles), would be a good easy hike with kids.  

Return visit

Olive Lake is a beautiful and quiet place to camp. There is a boat ramp and dock that are in good repair there. There are lakeside campsites. Some are reservable and others are first come first serve. There has been some thinning of the trees in the campground and the cleanup process has not been completed, yet it is 
still a great place to stay. 
There is a trail that goes around the lake that they say is only 2 miles long. It was a wonderful hike but according to our sports watches and GPS was almost 3 miles. So be prepared. 

Beautiful and peaceful. 

Beautiful and peaceful stay. We were able to snag a first come first serve campsite just before the 4th. Cons: Most sites are simple turnouts, more suitable for tents. No ATV use so our mobility was limited. There are a few sites to back a camper off the road. Pro: nice boat dock and access for swimming. 

Beautiful Olive Lake

Campgrounds nice, unfortunately a good chunk of the sites are reservation only and you don't have service up there so picking a site when you get there can be hard. The first come first serve sites are nice but some are close together, and some were left in poor condition with food all over the ground. Lake is very peaceful and still, nice to swim in! Overall nice but plan ahead well and go on an off day it was still very full on a Sunday afternoon into Monday 

Photos of Olive Lake Campground (Or) — Umatilla National Forest

Real photos from real campers