The best camping in Catherine Creek State Park, OR

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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Towering Tamaracks

95%
(33)
39mi from Catherine Creek State Park · 4 sites · Tents · Baker City, OR
Heavily forested mountain property way off the grid in the Elkhorn Mts and borders National Forest. Enjoy hiking, biking, climbing, hammocking, watching wild animals, star gazing, etc. Sorry, no sounds of the city. Host will send you driving directions that need to be printed. There is a short hike (4 to 5 minutes) to each camp site from the Common Parking area, so I suggest packing as lightly as possible. Feel free to use the supplied cart to carry your gear. Campers have also enjoyed kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, hiking, and the mountain biking trails at Phillips Lake, which is a little over eight miles from TT. For trails, visit Trailforks.com and search Phillips Lake. Trails range from Easy to Black Diamond. This area used to have train tracks nearby, thus the road name Old Trestle Lane. Legend has it that "there's gold in them there hills". Visit nearby gold mining town, Sumpter (about 45 minute drive), while you're here. There is an authentic gold dredge you can walk through or you can schedule a steam powered train ride. http://www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org/index.html If you don't mind the hour drive, explore the history of Baker City and check out the Oregon Trail Museum just outside of town.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
$25
 / night

Pondosa, Oregon. Old mill town.

97%
(223)
11mi from Catherine Creek State Park · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Baker City, OR
Learn more about this land:Campsites are gravel parking with park-like lawn, well kept, and surrounded by a small picnicking area with extra parking, porta potty, garbage receptical, BBQs, tables and chairs on sprawling grassy lawns shaded with 100 year old large trees. Perfect for a large group. We have a big tree swing and an adult size teeter totter for you to enjoy. There is a horseshoe area. The camping sites are back in only, so if you have trouble backing in, I am happy to help. Each spot has a fire pit with first firewood supplied, (additional be purchased) and a picnic table. Surrounding area is sagebrush, 2 miles from Wallowa National Forest with miles and miles of wilderness trails, lakes and Mountain fishing, ATVs, hiking, biking. You can ride your ATVs right from the camp. There is huckleberry and mushroom picking in early summer and late spring. Local wildlife consists of deer, elk, eagles and owls, pheasants, quail, wild turkeys, all kinds of birds, (even an occasional farm chicken may wander by) and coyotes and frogs calling at night. My friendly labs like to come say hi. Campsites are for tents or RVs. Our electric is shared among the campsites. Our water is from a wonderful deep cold well that’s piped to a shared outlet in the middle of the RV camp. Bring a hose to hook up, we have one if you need one. Guest Wi-Fi if you’re close to the store. Cell service is limited. I do allow generators if you are not sharing the park with anyone else. If you’re the only ones, no quiet time, if others are camping, quiet time is from 10:00 pm - 7:00 am. Site 1: largest fire pit, close to the power hook up, the most shady spot but still sunny, closest to the park. Site 2: A bit of shade, most of the day in sun. Closest to water hook up. Site 3: A Sunny site, a little late afternoon shade. A little more privacy as it’s the last spot. Farthest stretch for water and power, but I provide an extension power cord to it. Our little store has items you may need if you run out or forget something. We also sell regular gas.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night

Balloon Tree CG

37mi from Catherine Creek State Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Elgin, OR
Balloon Tree – Private, Gated Escape in Oregon’s Blue Mountains Looking for peace, privacy, and a true connection with nature? Balloon Tree is a gated, 40-acre off-grid retreat just 7 miles from Elgin, Oregon, tucked deep in the quiet, scenic Blue Mountains. The campground offers four spacious, private campsites, each surrounded by towering timber, abundant wildlife, and endless outdoor adventure. At the center of camp is a large fire ring (for use when permitted), perfect for cooking, storytelling, and stargazing beneath some of the clearest skies in Oregon—no light pollution, just stars and silence. There’s plenty to do right on the land: • Miles of nearby trails for ATVs, snowmobiles, and hiking • A rustic disc golf course winding through the woods • Several scenic viewpoints for sunrise, sunset, or quiet reflection • A dedicated area to unload and park machines In season, foragers will find wild huckleberries, morel mushrooms, strawberries, and raspberries. Wildlife is abundant—elk and deer sightings are common—and the property borders public timberland, making it an ideal base for fall hunting trips. Access is easy via a well-maintained gravel road, typically 2WD-friendly. The campground is remote, peaceful, and completely off-grid—perfect for group getaways, solo retreats, or anyone needing a break from screens and schedules. A dump station and potable water are conveniently available in Elgin. ⸻ Please Note: • 🔥 Strict fire ban from July 1st - Sept 31st. • 📵 Limited cell service: Most guests can make calls, but plan ahead • 🐾 Wildlife safety: Do not feed animals; store food securely • 🌲 Leave no trace: Please do not cut down or damage trees and pack it in, pack it out. 🌦️ It can be dry and dusty in the summer and cold and wet in the winter. Be prepared. ✅ A liability waiver for each guest must be signed and returned prior to arrival. ⸻ Unplug. Ride. Explore. Reset. Balloon Tree is your basecamp for wild beauty, fresh mountain air, and deep connection to the outdoors.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$25
 / night

Other options near Catherine Creek State Park

The best camping in Catherine Creek State Park, OR guide

Overview

About

With the Wallowa Mountains rising in the background, this tree-lined canyon is a respite in the High Desert. Bring your fishing gear, because you don't want to miss the rainbow trout. They'll tease you with their silvery fins. Your fly-fishing must be at the top of its game.

Work off your picnic lunch with the Horseshoe pits or a 3-mile nature trail. Then take a nap under the towering pines.

Campgrounds in the park offer you a perfect home base for exploring the area. Nearby Hells Canyon is the deepest gorge in North America. A few pioneer graveyards remind you of how difficult it was to settle these lands 150 years ago.

The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker Cityexplains the area's human history. Anglers definitely need to check out Eagle Creek for more great fishing.

You can pick from one of 20 rustic campsites with water nearby. The parking lot can accommodate self-contained RVs.

Nearby attractions

Unleash your adventurous spirit while camping in the Alvord Desert, a unique haven offering a stark, yet stunning, landscape. This vast, flat desert is a playground for camping, stargazing, and even land sailing.

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