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Established Camping

Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area

Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area, near Meacham, Oregon, is a campground that offers a unique blend of history and nature. With its beautiful old-growth timber surroundings, it’s a great place to unwind, though visitors should be prepared for some noise from the nearby freeway.

The campground features clean facilities, including well-maintained bathrooms and showers, which many campers appreciate. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for evening gatherings. One visitor noted, “The campground is quite nice and bathrooms were clean,” highlighting the overall upkeep of the area.

For those looking to stretch their legs, there are a few short hiking trails nearby, allowing you to explore the natural beauty of the region. While some campers have mentioned the noise from the highway, many still find it a convenient stopover while traveling. As one reviewer put it, “Maybe good for an overnight or if you plan to go elsewhere during the day.”

Whether you’re passing through or planning a short stay, Emigrant Springs provides a comfortable and accessible camping experience with a touch of Oregon’s rich heritage.

Description

State Park

Some campsites and all cabins are open year-round. Note that park roads are often snow-covered or icy in winter. Book reservations up to 6 months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations are required Oct. 1 - June 1 for the duplex totem cabin and six rustic cabins.

16 full hookup sites Five sites open year-round (water available only at restroom/shower building in winter) 1 electrical site with water (closed in winter) 32 tent sites with water nearby (closed in winter) Hot showers and flush toilets Horse camp with seven sites (closed in winter) Six rustic log cabins open year round (four pet-friendly) Duplex cabin (Totem) Group tent camp (closed in winter) Universal Access: Tent site A19 is accessible to campers with disabilities.

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Location

Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

Directions to Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area Located 26 miles east of Pendleton and 26 miles west of LaGrande. Just off Hwy I-84, exit #234 on Old Hwy 30. East bound on I-84 take exit 234. Continue east (straight ahead) on Old Hwy 30. Park entrance 1/2 mile on your right. West bound on I-84 take the 234 exit. At stop sign go west (left turn) on To Old Hwy 30. Continue west across over pass around small curve (right). Park entrance 1/2 mile on your left.

Address

65068 Old Oregon Trail
Meacham, OR 97859

Coordinates

45.54039651 N
118.46207582 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Yurts
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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5 Stars

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1 Star

16%
36%
36%
10%
10%

3.5

out of 5

25 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 15, 2024

NICE STOPOVER

Very nicely maintained campground with full hookups. Clean showers. Level spots.

The only drawback is the close vicinity to Hwy. 84 which made it quite noisy.

Site51
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Gil W., October 15, 2024
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Gil W., October 15, 2024
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Gil W., October 15, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jan. 14, 2024

Easy stop

I've driven by for years and recently had the opportunity to stop in between a couple of long travel days.  Site was level and surrounded by beautiful trees.  We had a nice walk through the campground.  It was not crowded, being a weekday in October.

I was amazed at the freeway noise.  Very loud.  Didn't really have trouble sleeping, but certainly not quitly peaceful, unfortunately.

Great heritage site!

SiteB 23
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Kelly H., January 14, 2024
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Kelly H., January 14, 2024
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Kelly H., January 14, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2023

LOUD!!

This place is better but the freeway is so close it’s deafening! Insanely loud!

SiteB28
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Sep. 12, 2022

Very nice setting but a little too noisy

We spend a night there in July on our way to Boulder Colorado. The campground is quite nice and bathrooms were clean and providing all needed functionality. Large and tall trees provided a very welcome shade during the heatwave we were going through. The only issue was that, we were tent camping and being close to the highway it was quite noisy.

SiteB24
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by JP C., September 12, 2022
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by JP C., September 12, 2022
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by JP C., September 12, 2022
Reviewed Jun. 26, 2022

Noisy freeway

Beautiful setting in old growth timber. Freeway is literally adjacent, so entire campground is road noise. Some spots are directly looking over the freeway (A06) so try to get ones further west. The bathrooms are clean and there are a few short hiking trails. Maybe good for an overnight or if you plan to go elsewhere during the day. But not a place to spend much time.

SiteA06/B13
Month of VisitJune
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Reviewed May. 14, 2022

Emigrant Springs Camping

This is a beautiful area and clean campground. There is too much road noise to enjoy the outdoors.

Site04
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Jan. 4, 2022

Winter wonderland

When we arrived after dark the 200 ft path to our cabin was cleared and we could easily drag our items stacked on a tarp to our cabin. The cabin does share a wall with another party but it was funny to hear the children laugh and play. It was below zero but the electric heater kept us toasty warm. The bathroom and shower is about 300 ft away if you walk through two feet of snow. We brought a collapsible toilet to have on the covered porch. Drove up to the bathroom when needed. The park ranger spent all day moving snow and keeping the roads through the campground excellent. The bathrooms and showers are always clean. The day we left the park ranger came and moved another foot of snow so we could easily pack out. We brought our instant pot and warmed are already prepared foods. If you don't want things to freeze you got to keep them in your cooler. We brought lots of cozy blankets and could hotspot the computer to watch movies. Make sure you follow trip check for closures of i-84 if camping during snow.

SiteTotem Cabin B
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Jenny J., January 4, 2022
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Jenny J., January 4, 2022
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Jenny J., January 4, 2022
  • (15) View All
Reviewed Sep. 27, 2021

Oregon state park

Oregon always has beautiful state parks. This one is no different. It is close to Hwy 84, so there is road noise. The campsites don't seem to be as on top of each other as some places.

SiteB3
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by JulieJay M., September 27, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2021

Pretty but loud!

This is a really nice and maintained campground but the traffic noise from the interstate was awful. It was sometimes hard to carrying on a conversation because of the noise. I probably will not stay here again.

SiteB07
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2021

Close to highway

I just needed a stop on my way to Wallowa Lake. This was on the way. Heard the big trucks going by all night. A safe and decent place to spend the night, I wouldn't want to do more than that.

SiteB07
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Kathy B., July 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Kathy B., July 9, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2021

Great Facilities, but in the middle of a highway

We stayed at a cabin toward the end of the park. The cabins are great and super comfortable and the bathrooms are clean. Saw park staff cleaning and taking out the trash frequently. It is about 10 feet from the highway so loud all day/night.  Interesting history but the springs themselves have mostly been paved over by 84.  Hiking trails a bit confusing and mostly gas line right of ways.  Would recommend if you need a comfortable place to stay on a road trip but not exactly a "camping" getaway.

SiteC3
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Apr. 19, 2021

Best campground

We have stayed here many times. 10 years ago was one of our favorites. Our families came from all over Oregon and Washington, even California. We came from Missouri. What an amazing family reunion. The park rangers were so nice. They had informed classes about animals in the forest. The Jr rangers program for the children was wonderful and hands on.

Sitetent
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Jenny M., April 19, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 19, 2020

Beautiful campground too close to Intestate

We stayed here in a tent site (no hookups) on our way back to Portland from Nevada. As an overnight cut-off campground, it’s lovely: Nice-sized sites set in beautiful Oregon forest (we’d been out of state for a couple weeks and REALLY appreciated the trees); clean bathrooms and showers; long “tent” sites that allowed us to back in our 18ft trailer without uncoupling for the night.

However, it’s right on the interstate. While you kind of tune it out after a while, the road noise is constant and definitely interferes with any sense of “wilderness”.

Reviewed Sep. 16, 2020

Historic Camp.... 50ft from the freeway. 👎🏼

So much history in this area. A nice little camp with full hookups, cabins and tent spots. LITERALLY right next to the freeway. Camp host was not friendly and the noise never stopped. Keep on going down the road and look for something else if you’re looking for a true outdoors experience.

SiteB15
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Eric  M., September 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Eric  M., September 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Eric  M., September 16, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2020

Beautiful spot

This campground is great. We’ve stayed twice - once in a tent and once in a cabin and had a wonderful experience both times. We must have lucked out, because the nights we stayed traffic noise didn’t seem bad at all. Bathrooms are nice and clean. The surroundings are so pretty and walking through the campground is so peaceful!

  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Denise  D., August 18, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2020

Historic Site, Intrusive Highway Noise

We stopped for a night on our way to Joseph. It seemed like a good stopping point near the highway. The campground is very well kept with nice touches such as a lit pathway through the woods to the washrooms. It is a shame that the campsites are directly by the highway. A half-mile into the forest would have made all the difference! The noise was very loud and traffic did not slow down at night. Eventually we got used to it and it faded into the background as white noise. Convenient but not idyllic.

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2020

Nice

Nice campground, with cabins that you can rent. Lots of nature to explore! Nice big bathroom area at campground. Lots of space for picnics at the day use area

  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Brandon C., August 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Brandon C., August 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Brandon C., August 1, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2020

Excellent State Park

Excellent 1/2 point between home in Idaho and the Oregon Coast. Tent and full hook ups with helpful campground hosts.

Yes, you can hear the freeway from the campground - so it may not be recommended for tent campers.

Reviewed Jun. 29, 2020

Historic stop close to the freeway in the Blue Mountains

This has been a historic place to stop on the way through the Blue Mountains since the Oregon Trail. It has a fair amount of freeway noise these days, though. Reasonably private sites with good shade. I would recommend it as a traveler's stop, but probably not as a multi-day vacation destination.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Raphaela H., June 29, 2020
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Raphaela H., June 29, 2020
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Raphaela H., June 29, 2020
  • (15) View All
Reviewed Jul. 28, 2019

Clean but noisy

The campsites were very well maintained and the facilities (bathrooms and showers) were kept up nicely as well. If you choose to stay here I would definitely go for a site away from the freeway. Ours was in B loop and you could hear all the vehicles cruising on by on I-84

Reviewed Jul. 14, 2019

Nice place for a weekend camp

This location is pretty nice with full hookups and a fair amount of space per site. I’m not sure what the policy’s are but during booking I was told there was only one side available and it was a full hook up RV site that was the most expensive rate. I didn’t need that being fully contained in my truck camper, but I though having electrical and water would be nice. When I arrived o found 95% of the campground empty and saw only 3 other campers over the course of the weekend all in spots right next to mine even thought nearly all spots were vacant.

  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Jeremy , July 14, 2019
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Jeremy , July 14, 2019
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Jeremy , July 14, 2019
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2018

Loudest campground in the state

Terrible tent camping experience. This campground is TOO close to the highway and too noisy even with ear plugs or music. We could barely sleep nor have a conversation while sitting across each other for breakfast. I would advice to only stay here if you have an RV camper. The bathrooms were very clean, great trails and the interpretive center was very educational. No complaints there.

SiteA loop tent
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Kelly N., July 15, 2018
Reviewed May. 30, 2018

Thimbleberries and plenty of room

We stopped for a night in a rustic camping cabin at Emigrant Springs in July of 2015. It was a welcome dose of green after a long day of brown along the interstate through Idaho and western Oregon. The cabin was rustic, the shower house was in good repair with nice hot showers. There seemed to be good space and shade around the sites offering some privacy. Great spot! Take the time to stop in Meacham on the West side of I-84 tomstop at The Oregon Trail Cafe - literally the ONLY store in this teeny town. Wonderful hospitality, the local ‘scoop’ and great breakfast.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Jennie R., May 30, 2018
Reviewed May. 21, 2018

A little noisy, but otherwise AWESOME!

I loved this campground! Park managers were friendly and knowledgeable about the area's rich heritage. It's centrally located to many great adventures, and really easy to find. I have to admit that the road noise got to us... it's right off I-84 and the traffic does NOT let up in the summer... but some earplugs were a good solution for my husband.

We had a blast here!

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Leslie C., May 21, 2018
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Leslie C., May 21, 2018
  • Review photo of Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area by Leslie C., May 21, 2018
  • (5) View All
Reviewed May. 20, 2018

Emigrant Springs - Love it!

My husband and I love this campground. It's close to the mountains without being too far away - about an hour and a half from us living in Tri-cities. There are showers and water spickets, room for horses, and great hiking trails. There is room for both tent and RV camping. We have only ever gone tent camping, and the size of the campgrounds for us has been great. There is room to set up hammocks and chairs.

The only unfortunate aspect about this campground is that it is somewhat close to the highway. After the first weekend we spent there, we got somewhat used to the sound - it can sometimes be soothing. It's also a good idea to bring something to provide added shade to either the tenting area or sitting area as it gets quite sunny in the morning.

Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area?

    Camping at Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area can cost between $12.00 and $36.00 depending on the site.

  • Does Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area has 30 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area?

    Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area allows vehicles up to 60 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is good.