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Camper submitted image from North Fork Catherine Creek CampgroundView 4 Photos
WaterMap showing campground location near Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon

North Fork Catherine Creek Campground

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Accessible via gravel road, North Fork Catherine Creek Campground sits within Whitman National Forest and requires a drive up several thousand feet of mountain terrain. The Forest Service manages this drive-in campground where sites spread along the road rather than clustering in a traditional loop. Campers report losing cell service 15-20 minutes before arrival, though GPS tracking continues to function.

Sites vary from developed spots near the trailhead parking area with vault toilets to primitive pull-offs closer to Catherine Creek. Some locations offer fire rings and proximity to running water, while others provide basic camping with minimal facilities. The campground operates without trash service, requiring pack-out of all waste. For additional options in the region, campers can explore campgrounds near Whitman National Forest.

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Location

Public Campground

North Fork Catherine Creek Campground is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

From La Grande, Oregon travel south on Highway 203 for 14 miles towards Union, Oregon; in Union turn left on East Beakman St. and follow the signs to continue on Highway 203 (also known as Medical Springs Highway); From Union travel southeast on Highway 203 for 11 more miles to Catherine Creek Road (which becomes Forest Road 7785); Turn left on Catherine Creek Road and go 5.5 miles to campground entrance sign on the right;

Coordinates

45.1330002 N
117.62700082 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

Drive Time

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2 Reviews

Luke L.
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2022

welcome to the boonies

It's a nice little spot, but very few sites.  Get there early or have a backup. We ended up in an unnamed spot just up the road.

Month of VisitJune
Hannah O.
Reviewed Mar. 16, 2021

Peaceful and free to camp

Lovely location in the mountains of Oregon. We drove a few thousand feet up a gravel road to get to this campsite. Easy access for my little sedan. I typed the latitude and longitude (found on the website) into my gps but lost service maybe 15 or 20 minutes before we arrived. Luckily it still was able to track our location and tell us “you have arrived” but as the campsite description said, these sites are spread out along the road, so it took us an extra 10 or 15 minutes to find the site we were going to stay at. The easiest campsites to find are at the trailhead of the North Fork Catharine Creek trail, which has a large parking lot with a minimal parking fee. The vault toilets are at this parking lot. For us, we crossed the bridge right before the parking lot and found a pull-off loop that had a few trailers with what seemed to be seasonal campers. They were cheerful and friendly. We went to the very back of the loop and found a nice secluded spot that was literally yards from the river. It was a primitive spot; it had no picnic table and only a fire ring made of rocks but since we had chairs we didn’t mind.

The forest floor was extremely easy to drive stakes into, and the river made a lovely background noise to fall asleep to.

The only thing I didn’t like was a couple bags of trash sitting on the side of the loop. We figured they were from the seasonal campers who put them at a distance so they didn’t have to deal with the smell. Not a great idea since an animal could get into it though. That’s something to keep in mind; THERE IS NO DUMPSTER so you have to pack all trash back out.

We stayed in the middle of July and it was delightfully cool, in the mid 70s during the day and dropped down to the upper 40s over night.

All in all a lovely overnight trip. I would go back.

  • Review photo of North Fork Catherine Creek Campground by Hannah O., March 16, 2021
  • Review photo of North Fork Catherine Creek Campground by Hannah O., March 16, 2021
  • Review photo of North Fork Catherine Creek Campground by Hannah O., March 16, 2021
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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is North Fork Catherine Creek Campground located in Oregon?

North Fork Catherine Creek Campground is located in the mountains of northeastern Oregon. To reach the campground, you'll drive up a gravel road, ascending several thousand feet in elevation. The campground is somewhat remote, with GPS signal potentially dropping about 15-20 minutes before arrival. Despite the mountain location, the access road is manageable even for smaller vehicles like sedans.

What amenities are available at North Fork Catherine Creek Campground?

North Fork Catherine Creek Campground offers primitive camping with limited amenities. The campground features a small number of campsites, so arriving early is recommended to secure a spot. Basic facilities are available, though specifics aren't extensive. The remote mountain setting provides a natural experience with fewer conveniences than developed campgrounds. Be prepared for self-sufficient camping and consider bringing all necessary supplies.

Is Catherine Creek State Park camping connected to North Fork Catherine Creek Campground?

No, Catherine Creek State Park camping and North Fork Catherine Creek Campground are separate camping areas. While both share the Catherine Creek name and are in the same general region of Oregon, they are distinct camping destinations with different locations, amenities, and management. North Fork Catherine Creek Campground is a more primitive mountain camping experience, while Catherine Creek State Park offers more developed facilities. Check with the respective managing agencies for specific information about each location.

What recreational activities can you do near North Fork Catherine Creek Campground?

The mountainous setting of North Fork Catherine Creek Campground provides excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy hiking on nearby trails, wildlife viewing, and nature photography in the surrounding forest. The area is suitable for those seeking quiet mountain relaxation and exploration. Catherine Creek itself offers opportunities for fishing and streamside activities. The higher elevation provides a cool retreat during summer months, making it perfect for forest walks and enjoying the mountain scenery.

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