The best camping near Malheur National Forest

It might take its name from the French word for “misfortune,” but there’s nothing unlucky about the Malheur National Forest. With a massive 1.7 million acres, including two wilderness areas, two Wild and Scenic Rivers, and almost 240 miles of hiking and backpacking trails, there’s everything hikers, campers, and outdoor adventurers need to escape to the wild. Bring your mountain bike, horse, OHV, or snowmobile, enjoy trout fishing along the rivers, and don’t forget to check out the famous Humongous Fungus, the world’s largest living organism. When it comes time to camp, choose from 30 developed campgrounds, cabin rentals, and dispersed camping.

• Best for RVs: Delintment Campground has pull-through sites for RVs up to 30 feet with paved road access and a boat launch on Delintment Lake. 
• Best for four-season camping: Idlewild Campground has tranquil tent and RV sites with access to hiking and equestrian trails in summer and snowmobiling trails through winter.
• Best for hikers: Strawberry Campground has 10 tent or RV sites right by the Strawberry Basin Trailhead.

1. All campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. 
2. The forest’s four cabins can be reserved online up to six months in advance.
3. With such a huge number of camping spots available, you won’t struggle to find a spot in the forest, even on summer weekends and holidays.

Malheur’s sweeping woodlands and desert grasslands transform through the seasons, from the colorful wildflowers of spring and summer to the snowy winters, ideal for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Fall is the busiest season, when hikers set out to admire the vibrant yellow foliage of the park’s western larch forests. Some campgrounds and trails may close from November through March, so check ahead.

• The vast Malheur National Forest stretches from the Blue Mountains to the Strawberry Mountains in eastern Oregon. There are three ranger districts (Blue Mountain, Emigrant Creek, and Prairie City) with multiple entrances to the park, and US Routes 395 and 26 run through the park. 
• There are no day-use fees for Malheur National Forest, but camping fees apply between May 1 and October 31.
• Vault toilets and picnic facilities can be found at many of the campgrounds and trailheads, but there are limited amenities within the forest, so bring everything you need with you and take all waste away with you. None of the campgrounds have dump stations.  
• Cell phone service is patchy throughout the forest, so make sure to inform the ranger stations of your hiking and dispersed camping plans. 
• Pets are welcome in the forest but must be kept on a leash at all times.
• Pay attention to seasonal fire restrictions; the forest is at risk of wildfires during dry periods.