s
shanie V.
Scout
ScoutPioneer RV Park
Noisy, but cozy and safe,some nice larger spots
It’s noisy since it’s close to hiway 395 and the spaces next to the restroom is loud,doors slam shut every time
Best Campgrounds near Pendleton, OR
The eastern Oregon landscape surrounding Pendleton features a mix of developed RV parks and more rustic camping options within the Blue Mountains. Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park, located about 10 miles outside Pendleton, provides full hookup sites with amenities like a pool and shuttle service to the casino. The Pendleton KOA sits at the edge of town, offering views of the Blue Mountains and convenient access to urban services. For those seeking more natural settings, Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area, situated along the historic Oregon Trail in the Blue Mountains, provides tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts from May through October.
Camping availability becomes extremely limited during the Pendleton Round-Up rodeo in September, when approximately 10,000 visitors flood the area. According to camper Shawn M., "You will NOT find a campsite here - or lodging anywhere else in town - during Round Up, as visitors typically book a year or more in advance." Highway noise affects several campgrounds, particularly those near I-84. Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area experiences "a fair amount of freeway noise," notes reviewer Raphaela H., who recommends it "as a traveler's stop, but probably not as a multi-day vacation destination." Cell service varies throughout the region, with Wildhorse Resort reporting "Free WiFi and 2 bars of Verizon LTE."
Many campgrounds in the area serve primarily as convenient stopovers rather than destination camping. The Wildhorse Resort facilities receive praise for their level sites and maintenance, though some note the surroundings are "sparse." Tent campers may prefer exploring the Umatilla National Forest for more secluded options. Dispersed camping opportunities exist in the Blue Mountains, including areas like McDougall, which one reviewer describes as having "tall pines and firs" that "shade the eastern Oregon forest floor" with "breathtaking" meadow views. Road noise is a common concern at established campgrounds, while forest service roads to more remote sites often require high-clearance vehicles.
Campground Showdown near Pendleton, OR
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
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Best Camping Sites Near Pendleton, Oregon (95)
1. Wildhorse Casino
12 ReviewsCayuse, OR6 milesWebsite+1 (800) 654-9453"A pleasant facility that is easy to drive and maneuver with a tow behind trailer. Sites were fairly level with lawn and a picnic table. Property is well maintained."
"Breakfast at the course is awesome, within walking distance and great bang for the buck. Did not visit casino, but shuttle is readily available."
2. Pendleton KOA
11 ReviewsPendleton, OR2 milesWebsite+1 (541) 276-1041"It was just a little get away for us wanting to relax and explore the Pendleton area and this was a terrific place with the easy access from the freeway. Staff were fantastic."
3. Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park & Tipi Villiage
9 ReviewsCayuse, OR6 milesWebsite$20 - $80 / night
"About 10 miles outside of Pendleton, OR (post office for mail and packages, Walmart Supercenter and Safeway. Arrowhead travel center for gas or munchies that has easy RV access."
"Easy and simple access to all hookups. Mostly quiet (except for simi trucks parking for the night on the road near park running their equipment all night.) Staff was professional and kind."
4. Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area
26 ReviewsMeacham, OR19 milesWebsite+1 (541) 983-2277$20 - $74 / night
"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."
"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."
5. The Lookout RV Park
Be the first to review!Pendleton, OR1 mileWebsite+1 (541) 310-94326. Medford / Gold Hill KOA
Be the first to review!Pendleton, OR2 milesWebsite+1 (541) 855-77108. Pilot RV Park
2 ReviewsEcho, OR20 milesWebsite+1 (541) 449-1189"The rv park is next to a Pilot truck stop which creates some noise and traffic but the plusses far out weight any issues they create."
9. Umatilla Marina & RV park
12 ReviewsUmatilla, OR30 milesWebsite+1 (541) 922-3939$20 - $34 / night
"The Umatilla Marina & RV Park is a small park on the edge of Oregon and Washington along the Columbia River."
"After setup, we walked to the marina and the boat launch with a large parking lot. Since we only stayed one night, we were not able to see what the area offered. "
10. Plymouth Park Campground
13 ReviewsUmatilla, OR32 milesWebsite+1 (541) 739-1135$22 - $50 / night
"Close to shopping in Oregon. Adjacent to fishing, boating and more. A delightful place to camp solo ir with the entire family young or not so young!"
"Hermiston Oregon is 6 miles away."
Recent Camping Photos near Pendleton, OR
40 Photos of 95 Pendleton Campgrounds
JP C.
Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area
Agnes B.
Umatilla Marina and RV ParkPublic
Lynn G.
Umatilla Marina & RV park
lauren C.
McDougall Dispersed Camping
Adrian
Spring Creek Campground
mel B.
Bird Track Springs Campground
Nick B.
Target Meadows Campground — Umatilla National Forest
Kathleen H.
Spool Cart Campground
Adele W.
Hood Park
Benjamin B.
COE Lake Sacajawea Charbonneau Park
Haylee M.
Charbonneau Park
Jon and Jenny P.
Jubilee Lake Campground (Or) — Umatilla National Forest
Recent Reviews near Pendleton, OR
338 Reviews of 95 Pendleton Campgrounds
Kathy B.
LegendBlue Valley RV Park
One of the first parks I stayed in
This is one of the first RV parks I stayed in when I got my RV. Standard RV campground situation. Sites close together. Friendly people. Great showers.
Was pretty busy on a September mid-week. Close to the town of Walla Walla with lots of great restaurants and wineries.
This park stands out because I met another person with the same brand of RV as mine. You don't see many of them out there!
Mark S.
TravelerUmatilla Marina & RV park
Camp host no where to be found
This park is reasonably priced and in a nice location right along the Columbia River on the Oregon side. It has nice grass and trees, the sites are pretty level, and there is a dog area in the lower part of the park next to the marina. It is conveniently located near the cities of Umatilla and Hermiston for shopping, laundry, and restaurants. The water pressure was really high so definitely make sure you have a pressure regulator. They had a building there which was labeled as restrooms, but the codes were not provided as part of our reservation and we tried to call the Camp Host phone number that was posted on the office door several times, but the Host was completely unresponsive by both phone and text. If you need anything during your stay, good luck! When making the reservation, they said they were not flexible on check-out or check-in, but while we were there at least 4 campers came in early - a couple of them checked in more than 6 hours early. We wanted to check out an hour late but had to pay for an extra night. We will not stay here again and cannot recommend because you end up paying for things you can’t use at this park.
paul G.
Guideice harbor dam
Nice overnight....not a destination
I was in the area, needed a one night stay, read the earlier review, and decided to give it a try. It is a large flat open area downstream from the dam. As advertised, quiet + there are no other people here. Actually, the only noise is a gentle roar from the spillway of the dam. It's really quite soothing. There is a nice Riverview, but otherwise nothing special about the place. Just a good place to hang for a night.
- TTeresa A.Legend
Fox Hill Campground by MERA Motocross Track
Overnight
Not a lot to choose from around LaGrande but we did grab a spot here for the night. A bit of local traffic going by but wasn’t bad once it got dark. Summer months might be a different story. There is a bathroom, tables and fire rings but no water or trash. Area was very clean for a campsite so close to town. There were a few other campers as well. Easy to get to despite the steep grade signs but a larger rig setup might struggle with the grade.
Rebecca T.ScoutPlymouth Park Campground
Favorite Stateline Campground
Super nice, friendly staff. Amenities such as showers and laundry a plus. Close to shopping in Oregon. Adjacent to fishing, boating and more. A delightful place to camp solo ir with the entire family young or not so young!
Mary B.
RangerFox Hill Campground by MERA Motocross Track
Fox Hill Campground – Thanksgiving Night Stay
We stayed at Fox Hill Campground over Thanksgiving night (driving from Hells Canyon), and it turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly peaceful stop. There aren’t many photos online, so I didn’t know exactly what we’d find, but the campground ended up being a real hidden gem.
The pull-in sites are huge — spacious enough for large vehicles, and there are only a handful of them which creates a quiet, uncrowded feel. Each site has benches, and the overlook of La Grande below is nothing short of enchanting, especially at night when the town lights shimmer in the distance.
Since it was the holiday, we were the only van campers in the entire area. The silence was incredible — no traffic, no other visitors, just the stillness of nature. Waking up to the soft sound of morning rain only added to the atmosphere.
If you’re looking for a peaceful, roomy campsite with beautiful views and minimal distractions, Fox Hill Campground is absolutely worth it. Just be aware that it’s a primitive site with limited amenities — but if solitude and scenery are what you’re after, this place delivers. I only wish more photos existed online, because it truly deserves more attention.
Ken and Sheryl C.RangerBoardman Marina Park
Right on the river
Fabulous park right on the Columbia River. We’ve stayed here several times passing through. Heard there was a bad fire in town. Haven’t been through since. Stayed in42’ 5th wheel.
Jen F.ScoutTri-Cities RV Park
Drug infested
We booked site 42...there was no site 42. There is trash everywhere. Dilapidated trailers. Office was closed when we arrived at 2pm. My husband was being stared down by a couple of men. We left
Guide to Pendleton
Dispersed camping opportunities near Pendleton, Oregon extend beyond the well-known sites into the Umatilla National Forest where campers can find solitude away from highway noise. The region sits at the junction of the Blue Mountains and Columbia Plateau, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 5,800 feet, creating diverse camping conditions. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F during the day but cool significantly at night, especially at higher elevations.
What to do
Fishing access: 20 minutes from town: Plymouth Park Campground offers convenient river access for anglers. As reviewer Katherine K. notes, "Hermiston Oregon is 6 miles away" making supply runs easy.
Golf enthusiasts: tee time included: Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park & Tipi Villiage combines camping with golf access. "The sites are reasonably spaced. The park is rarely full. Over the years, the casino has added many family activities, including an arcade, a cinema, a food court, and recently a bowling alley with multiple lanes," says Sandy S.
Hiking trails: Blue Mountain exploration: The area around Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area offers wooded paths for day hikes. Leslie C. mentions "it's centrally located to many great adventures, and really easy to find," making it a good base for exploring.
What campers like
Clean facilities: maintained bathrooms: Wildhorse Resort and Casino receives high marks for cleanliness. According to Tim G., "The showers have a shelf made of tubes to put your gear... Overall the bathrooms were clean and modern."
Family-friendly activities: pools and recreation: Multiple campgrounds in the area provide family entertainment. At Wildhorse Resort, Theresa O. appreciates the "Clean pool and hot tub. Showers and bathrooms very clean and a laundry room, too!"
Spacious campsites: room to spread out: Plymouth Park Campground offers generous sites. Tucker B. reports, "the spots were super spacious for my Tacoma," providing extra room compared to more crowded options.
What you should know
Highway noise: choose sites strategically: Highway noise affects many campgrounds in the region. At Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area, Vera S. warns, "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."
Weather considerations: extreme seasons: The region experiences hot summers and cold winters. Camper Mimi notes of Plymouth Park, "It does get really really hot here in the summer FYI," suggesting spring and fall visits might be more comfortable.
Reservation requirements: book early: Most established campgrounds near Pendleton require reservations, especially during peak season. Stephen M. advises for Wildhorse Resort, "The RV park is well behind the casino complex - you need to drive past the truck stop and casino going north to reach the access road."
Tips for camping with families
Junior Ranger programs: educational activities: Plymouth Park Campground offers recreational options for children. Reviewer Sally H. describes it as "a wonderful place. Lots of green grass, laundry, clean bathrooms, pleasant people and a river to walk along."
Pool access: summer cooling: Campers with children appreciate swimming options during hot months. Chris E. recommends Wildhorse Resort: "Amazing golf course, super friendly staff, great clean pool! Breakfast at the course is awesome, within walking distance and great bang for the buck."
Bug protection: essential in summer: Be prepared for insects at certain campgrounds. At Plymouth Park, Courtney Z. warns about "swarming yellow jackets" and recommends caution, especially for families with small children.
Tips from RVers
Easy access campsites: convenient overnight stops: Umatilla Marina & RV park provides straightforward sites for larger rigs. Ray V. explains, "Pulled In right before 5:00PM on a Sunday and was able to check in before the help went home. Have a 28' class C with a toad. The pull their site was able to accommodate both vehicles with a problem."
Level sites: important for comfort: Pendleton KOA offers practical camping spaces for RVs. MJ Kate B. notes, "Andy at the front desk was very helpful checking me in. She and her associate assisted with me finding the best spot with some shade and facing the mountains... Leveled and spacious for vehicles."
Full hookup availability: varies by campground: Most established RV parks offer full hookups, but availability differs. At Pilot RV Park, Tom C. reports, "We just hooked up electric and used their restroom and shower. To say clean doesn't do them justice; the facilities were immaculate."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Pendleton, Oregon?
Where are the best campgrounds near Pendleton, Oregon?
The Pendleton area offers several excellent camping options. Wildhorse Resort Casino RV Park & Tipi Villiage provides level sites that accommodate larger rigs up to 55 feet, with full hookups about 10 miles outside Pendleton. For those seeking a more natural setting, Red Bridge State Wayside offers spacious sites with running water, picnic tables, and fire pits, plus access to the Grande Ronde River. Other notable options include Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area with its green surroundings and rustic cabins, and Umatilla National Forest's Winom Creek Campground for those interested in OHV and equestrian activities, though it's about 22 miles southeast of Ukiah with no drinking water.
What amenities are available at Pendleton, Oregon camping areas?
What amenities are available at Pendleton, Oregon camping areas?
Camping areas around Pendleton offer a range of amenities to suit different needs. Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area features well-spaced campsites, rustic cabins, and typical state park facilities in a beautiful wooded setting. For more luxurious options, Wildhorse Casino provides well-maintained sites with lawn areas and picnic tables, plus access to a pool and shuttle service to the casino. Many campgrounds offer full hookups for RVs, while public sites like Penland Lake have more basic facilities. Amenities typically include some combination of water, picnic tables, fire pits, restrooms, and shower facilities, with private RV parks generally offering more extensive hookups and services than public campgrounds.
Is there a KOA campground in Pendleton, Oregon?
Is there a KOA campground in Pendleton, Oregon?
Yes, Pendleton KOA is located at the edge of town. This KOA offers many standard KOA amenities including a camp store, flush toilets, showers, and a recreation room. The campground provides full hookups catering primarily to RVs and campers, though it does not have a pool. Recent visitors have noted that while sites are somewhat smaller and there appear to be some long-term residents, the facilities are well-maintained with particularly impressive personal bathroom/shower rooms. The campground's location provides convenient access to Pendleton, famous for its rodeo and cowboy culture. For those looking for KOA alternatives, The Lookout RV Park is another nearby option with reservable sites and big-rig-friendly spaces.
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