I loved this place. After exploring a dozen campgrounds this summer in North Oregon, this was one of my favorites. For the price, you won’t find better facilities: drinking water, a nice kitchen (bring your own cooking tools), flush toilets and showers. If you need cell coverage, we had it consistently (Verizon). A few miles off the road, it feels secluded enough to be relaxing. But you’re about 3 miles from a grocery store, liquor store, gas station, and several restaurants. It’s a great place and can’t wait to get back there.

...the remoteness isn't going to be for every camper out there.

Don't get me wrong, I still give this place the highest review possible! A friendly and knowledgeable 1-man staff, a general store with the essentials, and unparalleled views of the park. But there are a few things I could have known that would have better prepared my car-camping trip.

This might be common knowledge to the avid national park geek, but I didn't know this until I spoke with the CLNP rangers at the station 1.5 miles away. The three districts of the park (Island in the Sky, Needles, and Maze) are each developed for tourism in three different ways. Each is more remote than the last, thus the Needles falls into the middle of the three.

That being said, Needles Outpost isn't going to be for every camper. It was quite hot in the peak of summer, too hot for my dog (high of 100+ F). This was exacerbated by the very fine red stand that was too hot to the bare-skin touch.

But the roads in are all paved and fine (save the last half mile, which is gravel). Our hatchback with 5.5 in of ground clearance made it just fine.

TL;DR. Just go, but be prepared for exactly what the desert has to offer. This is, as far as I've been able to tell, a unique opportunity with wondrous beauty that will foster lifelong memories. I can't wait to be back! (though with slightly cooler weather next time).

The place is wonderful. Quiet, secluded, and beautiful. Our hosts were kind and knowledgeable of the area.

We tried to drive our car with a 5.5 in. ground clearance into camp. I wouldn't recommend that. Make sure to follow their suggested 8 in. for the drive on the long dirt/sand road into the camp.

The place has no facilities really, of any kind. Keep that in mind when planning this as part of your trip. For our 1-night trip though, it was fantastic.