{"id":41012,"date":"2018-11-30T16:57:47","date_gmt":"2018-12-01T00:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=41012"},"modified":"2020-04-24T09:08:09","modified_gmt":"2020-04-24T16:08:09","slug":"top-picks-for-oregon-fall-winter-camping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/camp\/top-picks-for-oregon-fall-winter-camping","title":{"rendered":"Top Picks For Oregon Fall &#038; Winter Camping"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"cb-itemprop\" itemprop=\"reviewBody\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oregon\u2019s natural beauty ranges from the rugged Oregon Coast, to the pastoral Willamette Valley, to the thrilling Cascade peaks and a high, arid desert. So it only makes sense that Oregon\u2019s winters enjoy the same kind of variety: Wind and rain dominate the coastline, the Cascades\u2019 pillowy peaks remain snow-covered well into spring, and lowlands in Eastern Oregon see chilly\u2014but clear\u2014evenings all winter long.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With all that weather creating memorable waterfall hikes and scenic snowshoe trails, it\u2019d be a shame to waste the remaining days of fall\u2014and the coming months of winter\u2014sequestered inside.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, Oregon meets the moment with fall and winter camping choices throughout the state. Whether you\u2019re looking to pitch a tent, park your RV or cozy up in a heated yurt or cabin, here\u2019s where to make the most of the Oregon outdoors this winter\u2014and what to do once you\u2019re there.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstateparks.org\/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&amp;parkId=75\"><b>L.L. Stub Stewart State Park<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Buxton, OR, 34 miles northwest of Portland<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October\u2013February <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cozying up in a cabin with views of the Oregon Coast Range <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Selected cabins are pet-friendly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up, walk-in<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes; 13 cabins are accessible to campers with disabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter your preferred outdoor activity, chances are good you\u2019ll find it at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park (\u201cStub Stewart\u201d for short). More than 20 miles of trails crisscross the park, professionally designed <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mountain bike trails<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> challenge novice and veteran riders alike and an 18-hole disc golf course offers a relaxing respite\u2013and thanks to the Willamette Valley\u2019s relatively mild climate, it\u2019s all available year-round.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But the park might be most heralded for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstateparks.org\/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&amp;parkId=104\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Banks-Vernonia State Trail<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013a 21-mile converted rail line spanning the towns of Banks and Vernonia at the west end of the Willamette Valley. Even better: The first \u201crails-to-trails\u201d linear state park in Oregon bisects Stub Stewart, providing easy access to its meandering path. Along the way, you\u2019ll enjoy 13 bridges and sweeping forest views from the 733-foot-long, 80-foot-high Buxton Trestle.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41025\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41025\" class=\"wp-image-41025 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/banks-vernonia-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C680\" alt=\"Banks-Vernonia Trail, near L.L. Stub Stewart State Park.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41025\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Banks-Vernonia Trail, near L.L. Stub Stewart State Park. (Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/lumachrome\/10657532385\/in\/photolist-heLD5n-nrEXZd-nrEzMY-nrDqLn-ntCGFa\">Ferrous B\u00fcller<\/a> under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\">CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> )<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><b>Campground<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">L.L. Stub Stewart State Park hosts 41 full-hookup sites and 23 walk-in tent sites that remain open year-round\u2014all with flush toilets and hot showers nearby\u2014but the centerpiece of the park\u2019s offseason attractions is the Mountain Dale Cabin Village.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mountain Dale Cabin Village comprises 15 cabins\u2014three double-room and 12 single-room\u2014that sleep up to five. Amenities include electricity, heat, a ceiling fan, futon double and twin bunk beds, an outdoor fire pit and picnic table, nearby hot showers and flush toilets, and more. And for our four-legged friends, three cabins are pet-friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All that\u2019s to say nothing of the panoramic views of the nearby Oregon Coast Range at your doorstep. Oregon State Parks doesn\u2019t operate many campgrounds in the foothills of the Coast Range, so Associate Director of Oregon State Parks and Recreation Chris Havel says this offers an especially rare treat. \u201cIt\u2019s probably got one of the best views of the Coast Range from any of our cabins,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstateparks.org\/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&amp;parkId=151\"><b>Silver Falls State Park<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Silverton, OR, 24 miles west of Salem<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October-February<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoying some of the state\u2019s most impressive waterfalls <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Selected cabins are pet-friendly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes; 4 cabins are accessible to campers with disabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The \u201ccrown jewel\u201d of the Oregon State Parks system more than lives up to its billing. Nestled near the eastern edge of the Willamette Valley, the 9,200-acre park boasts equestrian trails, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mountain biking opportunities<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, year-round camping, and\u2014most notably\u2014the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstateparks.org\/index.cfm?do=main.loadFile&amp;load=_siteFiles%2Fpublications%2FSilver_FallsTrail_of_10_Falls_LOW_RES022639.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trail of Ten Falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The almost-9-mile loop takes hikers into a lush canyon, with views of\u2014you guessed it\u201410 waterfalls. Some, you walk behind; others, you watch from afar. The tallest of the falls is 177 feet, but five of the 10 falls measure 100 feet or more.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41029\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41029\" class=\"wp-image-41029 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/silver_falls.jpg?resize=800%2C525\" alt=\"South Falls at Silver Falls State Park\" width=\"800\" height=\"525\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41029\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">South Falls at Silver Falls State Park. (Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/discoveroregon\/40259490570\/in\/photolist-24kApVL-aAvfgy-5iwRBU-5b3SYs-gmwSua-gmzZ49-gmwZ8H-gmxgZh-gmyJN4-gmAgp4-gmzhsB-gmyDa1-gmxRAh-gmABqA-ZeRgwS-gmBiCb-gmyoSH-gmAF2c-gmwaM9-gmA84z-gmwfEr-gmAVqH-gmwqqu-gmvKdu-gmx1ii-gmygoN-gmwpiQ-gmyHuo-gmBQWF-gmx2AX-gmzNhZ-gmx3n6-gmxH6w-gmySvu-gmw6XA-gmwNGd-gmAGNj-gmxjdX-gmyKAM-39YbZM-gmAVWT-gmBkte-gmBhTf-aht76B-gmAwbE-ZeTJMj-GHLJKd-25HUyKt-8AoekQ-8AoyFG\/\">Rick Obst<\/a> under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Summertime draws the largest crowds\u2014the park greets nearly a million visitors each year\u2014but Havel makes a compelling case for why it\u2019s an under-the-radar wintertime destination. \u201cA lot of people come out in the midsummer\u2014which is a wonderful experience\u2014but sometimes, the water flow can be a little tepid,\u201d he says. \u201cBut in the winter, especially after a good rain or snow, the waterfalls come to life. And not everybody gets to see that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Campground<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019d like to see those falls for yourself, Silver Falls State Park offers plenty of year-round camping.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can certainly pitch your tent or park your RV in one of 18 or so electrical sites open year-round. But if you\u2019d like to escape some of the 80 inches of rainfall the park sees each year, consider one of the 14 cabins available for rent (four of which are pet-friendly).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each cabin includes beds, a vinyl-covered mattress, heating, lights and an outdoor fire pit for total comfort (along with nearby restrooms and hot showers).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstateparks.org\/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&amp;parkId=16\"><b>Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Meacham, OR, 25 miles southeast of Pendleton<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October\u2013March<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy access to backcountry recreation in the Blue Mountains <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Selected cabins are pet-friendly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes; 2 cabins are accessible to campers with disabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nestled in a forest along Interstate 84, Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area sits near the summit of the fabled Blue Mountains\u2014offering no shortage of history, along with easy access to winter recreation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travelers on the Oregon Trail once camped in this area and restocked with the springs&#8217; clear water. Today, the park honors its connection to the Oregon Trail with an interpretive shelter and covered-wagon display. Just seven miles northwest, at the Deadman\u2019s Pass Rest Area, visitors can even see genuine wagon-wheel ruts.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41026\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41026\" class=\"wp-image-41026 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/emigrant-springs-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C768\" alt=\"Viewpoint near Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41026\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Viewpoint near Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area. (Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/discoveroregon\/25673747578\/in\/photolist-F7GEGj-faWPo5-hXqbRM-ZB1DXU-23foN1a-zEwFoP-21sbx73-VYE9E5-22vrXVc-zEwEYF-zBkeuj-ZCwmZL-hvEgTP-ZFAuzt-YASThS-8rnUo5-2apmosn-faGz6v-hXpEj5-cmNYn7-hXq2fc-hXoKm2-ZhSRRm-hXp32g-myGZkH-21qBFKh-hXoQEE-hXpK32-hXp6ts-hXp2LN-hXpUyt-hXqc5W-hXpSXH-hXqnzk-hXpGGS-hXqLiX-hXqJ8V-hXq7bL-hXoY9A-hXpUY4-hXpRhD-77wCK-292jBT8-27LvRVQ-22ovV5N-256pHmW-x611Wa-xnuWeg-oiAVGF-29iXvru\">Rick Obst<\/a> under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park also provides the easiest, closest access to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and other backcountry winter fun: Just walk along any of the park\u2019s short trails for a fun, family-friendly outing. And 25 miles east, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/umatilla\/recarea?recid=56913\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meacham Divide\/Mt. Emily Sno-Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers up Oregon&#8217;s second-largest Nordic area\u2014complete with more than 12 miles of trail.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Campground<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most Oregon Trail pioneers had the good sense to cross the Blues <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">before <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the season\u2019s first snowfall. Fortunately, you can choose from seven cabins to escape the elements whenever the latest storm covers the range in a fresh coat of powder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to 16 full-hookup sites open year-round, Emigrant Springs hosts six rustic log cabins (four of which are pet-friendly) and one duplex cabin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So what\u2019s the difference? <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstateparks.org\/index.cfm?do=main.loadFile&amp;load=_siteFiles\/publications\/Camping_Lite-Yurts__Cabins__Tepees024947.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rustic cabins<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sleep up to six on some combination of bunk beds, a futon couch and a double bed. Amenities include a table and chairs, electricity, heat, a covered porch and an outdoor firepit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The duplex cabin, meanwhile, comprises two individual units\u2014each with bunk beds and a table and chair. You can rent each cabin individually, though the combo suits larger groups. All cabins include an outdoor fire pit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstateparks.org\/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&amp;parkId=83\"><b>Umpqua Lighthouse State Park<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Reedsport, OR, 28 miles south of Florence<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October\u2013January<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoying nature from some of the nicest yurts in the Oregon State Parks system <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Selected cabins are pet-friendly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes; 1 deluxe yurt is accessible to campers with disabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oregon State Parks hosts more than a dozen campgrounds with yurts and cabins along the Oregon Coast, and few match the versatility of Umpqua Lighthouse State Park.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park borders Lake Marie, a small body of water that\u2019s popular with anglers, kayakers and casual hikers. And in every direction, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/siuslaw\/recreation\/recarea\/?recid=42465\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stretches out for miles\u2014providing plenty of options for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hiking<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, off-highway vehicle riding and sandboarding (think snowboarding, but with a small surfboard and sand replacing snow).<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41030\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41030\" class=\"wp-image-41030 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/umpqua-lighthouse.jpg?resize=1024%2C737\" alt=\"Umpqua Lighthouse at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"737\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41030\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Umpqua River Lighthouse at Umpqua Lighthouse State Park (Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/puliarfanita\/7685214498\/in\/photolist-cH7Jwf-VSEMZA-hemMAZ-9K9xCs-zin3Pc-6ZfeAt-zifLcY-AcZ7vQ-LLhNgX-henV9R-XPc6BQ-hemKPT-hemKSi-XPc84Y-WNv6r9-zXEcyG-henYZr-henWTx-cKJWi3-58hXdd-2cNCaDS-58i4pC-2arV9f7-V8nvSv-WiXutu-hemTBh-zXLugr-zXFdHU-LLhMop-zXLpQT-henTSn-AgeTRZ-ziosCT-ppeMNC-hemLNg-hemNkz-XPc7Xq-AcY1fL-7fbpXC-AcYURs-AgeCP4-zXHk7j-6ZfeDg-58i2om-Yv9NFU-zXG939-zif6Jf-zifwSm-58i2WA-AcYKWy\">Anita Ritenour<\/a> under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, there\u2019s the fabled Umpqua River Lighthouse. The present structure replaced the first lighthouse on the Oregon Coast (which was built in 1857\u2014and destroyed just four years later by a storm). Today, the 65-foot tower sits 100 feet above sea level on the shores of Winchester Bay. Its unique lens emits red and white beams\u2014the only such signal on the entire Oregon Coast.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Campground<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In all, 31 campgrounds in the Oregon State Parks system rent yurts and cabins. But only one\u2014Umpqua Lighthouse State Park\u2014offers deluxe yurts, complete with all the amenities of a roadside motel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to two basic yurts and two log cabins, Umpqua Lighthouse rents six deluxe yurts\u2014each including a full bathroom with shower; a kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave and sink; and a TV with a DVD player. Each yurt can sleep up to seven, and three of the deluxe yurts are pet-friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The park also offers eight full hook-up sites, eight electrical sites, and 23 tent sites year-round, but take note: A new restroom\/shower building is currently under construction. So in the meantime, no showers (other than those in the deluxe yurts) will be available in the park until May 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blm.gov\/visit\/page-springs-campground\"><b>Page Springs Campground<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Frenchglen, OR, 64 miles south of Burns<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">September\u2013March<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy access to the best winter recreation on Steens Mountain <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The park is pet-friendly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes; tent sites are accessible to campers with disabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up for roughing it? Looking for a remote getaway, far from the trappings of civilization? If so, consider camping at the foot of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blm.gov\/programs\/recreation\/recreation-activities\/oregon-washington\/steens-mountain\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steens Mountain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the southeastern corner of Oregon. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 170,000-acre <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blm.gov\/programs\/national-conservation-lands\/oregon-washington\/steens-mountain\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steens Mountain Wilderness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hosts all kinds of stunning scenery, from glacier-carved gorges to highland forests to bucolic rivers. Though Steens sees most of its visitors in the warmer summer months, winter means cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling through the mountain&#8217;s most remote and rugged stretches.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41028\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41028\" class=\"wp-image-41028 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/page-springs-1.jpg?resize=800%2C535\" alt=\"Natural feature near Page Springs Campground.\" width=\"800\" height=\"535\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41028\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Natural feature near Page Springs Campground. (Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/blmoregon\/29858218002\/in\/photolist-5G6q5R-Nh9gA-Nh7Pm-6Ro4NT-LHafwx-5G6qdM-MdAwzs-LH5DAj-MutaY7-qE3Uh5-Nh3WA-Nh5kq-68zHsu-6RrTvL-73uCov-LHad46-MBwnJ7-LH9ZEZ-8zRHAh-NhezM-8rebiL-73yAhN-6RnPRK-6RnPWv-73yAuN-5G6pRZ-21mqubS-MEx1Kc-Nhgu8-6RrTks-73uBrz-MEwMSt-8zRGRq-NhfUk\/\">Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington<\/a> under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steens Loop Road, which ascends to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">just <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">below the summit of Steens, usually closes each winter. But the Bureau of Land Management offers a limited number of gate keys each day\u2014all on a first-come, first-served basis\u2014for those looking to drive to the snowline above Page Springs for a truly wild outdoor experience. Call 541-573-4400 for more information on obtaining a gate key.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Campground<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Page Springs Campground sits at the base of Steens Mountain, on its western flank, and makes an ideal basecamp for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hiking<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing, bird-watching and more. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The primitive campground hosts 36 sites, all in the shadow of cottonwood and juniper trees, not far from the Donner und Blitzen River. You\u2019ll enjoy vault restrooms and potable water, but don\u2019t expect much else in the way of amenities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com\/camping\/wallowa-lake-state-park\/r\/facilityDetails.do?contractCode=OR&amp;parkId=405408\"><b>Wallowa Lake State Park<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Joseph, OR, 77 miles east of La Grande<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October\u2013March<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enjoying nature in one of the most isolated corners of Oregon <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> One yurt is pet-friendly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes; both yurts are accessible to campers with disabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every summer, the southern shore of Wallowa Lake is abuzz with all manner of family activity. Kids savor their ice cream cones in-between laps on the go-kart track, while their parents enjoy horseback rides and buy tickets for the tram to the top of Mt. Howard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Come winter, though, the scene looks a whole lot different. Soon after the summer crowds depart with the first day of school, the region becomes a winter wonderland, with fun for the whole family. \u201cEspecially for somebody who\u2019s never been to that corner of the state, with its tremendous, craggy peaks, it\u2019s a little more like the Alps than any other place in Oregon,\u201d Havel says. \u201cAnd it can make for a really memorable winter retreat.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just 20 minutes from Joseph, the Ferguson Ridge Ski Area hosts eight downhill trails and provides easy access to nearby Nordic trails. Others ride snowmobiles through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/detail\/wallowa-whitman\/recreation\/?cid=stelprdb5214080\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eagle Cap Wilderness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, while families enjoy a classic winter experience at the Wallowa Valley Community Ice Rink. And every January, the Eagle Cap Extreme Dog Sled Race introduces fans to the world of dog sledding. And that\u2019s to say nothing of the miles of snowshoe trails that offer unfettered glimpses of the Wallowas\u2019 regal, snowcapped peaks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Campground<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the name implies, Wallowa Lake State Park sits at the southern shore of Wallowa Lake. The park hosts 113 full-hookup sites that remain open year-round, but we\u2019d understand if you seek something warmer: Average temperatures can fall to 18 degrees each January.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41031\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41031\" class=\"wp-image-41031 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/wallowa-lake.jpg?resize=800%2C552\" alt=\"Not exactly roughing it at Wallowa Lake.\" width=\"800\" height=\"552\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41031\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A wooden yurt at Wallowa Lake State Park (Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/discoveroregon\/41262296722\/in\/photolist-ZfpKdC-HN8mUA-ZyXG8d-ZAp2hL-24yPXrH-YyubkN-ZDepN8-XUAPcw-Zz23oh-XHKQ83-XnLjKm-25Sd4g1-ZDbnQr-ZySXyy-ZyUqDd-24yMq7n-Cx427h-23b5fMN-ZyYQyj-ZAu251-ZDaG2t-ZyV3dj-Zz1NsS-Yys5iG-Cx5GeJ-XHKR1W-Cx5VKG-YytWTN-Cx4Swu-ZDdULv-ZAtbkh-ZAupHN-ZApPrE\">Rick Obst<\/a> under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good news: The park <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">also <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hosts two yurts\u2014the only two wooden yurts in the Oregon State Parks system, according to Havel. Each circular structure hosts a futon couch and bunk beds, along with a fire pit, covered deck and picnic table outside.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/oregonstateparks.org\/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&amp;parkId=34\"><b>Tumalo State Park<\/b><\/a><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Location:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Tumalo, OR, 8 miles north of Bend<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Fall\/Winter Season: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October\u2013February<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Best For: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy access to Central Oregon\u2019s celebrated winter scenery <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Dogs:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Selected yurts are pet-friendly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Access: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Accessible Sites Available: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes; 1 yurt is accessible to campers with disabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Area Overview<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter your favorite outdoor activity, you\u2019ll find it somewhere in Central Oregon. The region\u2019s towering Cascade peaks offer skiing and snowshoeing opportunities all winter long, while the Deschutes River hosts paddlers year-round\u2014and the high desert delivers plenty of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hiking trails<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, even in the dead of winter. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blm.gov\/visit\/oregon-badlands-wilderness\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Oregon Badlands Wilderness Area<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is among the most popular winter hiking areas, given its relatively low elevation, bustling network of trails and ample wildlife-spotting opportunities.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bend is the region\u2019s beating heart, with the Deschutes River snaking through town, easy mountain access via the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fhwa.dot.gov\/byways\/byways\/2144\/maps\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and all kinds of natural wonders just minutes from town.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Campground<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tumalo State Park hosts plenty of year-round camping, with 23 full-hookup sites and 54 tent sites available all year long. But as the high desert temperatures fall each night, the park&#8217;s seven yurts (two are pet-friendly) keep campers cozy and comfortable. Even as temperatures fall to freezing, the vinyl-sided structures provide electricity and heat, along with a futon, bunk beds, fire pit and picnic table.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41033\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41033\" class=\"wp-image-41033 size-full\" title=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/keith_and_kasia\/15505337148\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/19258917919_ebd82b5aa4_c.jpg?resize=800%2C600\" alt=\"A yurt at Tumalo State Park.\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41033\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A yurt at Tumalo State Park. (Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/42007902@N04\/19258917919\">Tanyaboza<\/a> under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\/\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oregon\u2019s natural beauty ranges from the rugged Oregon Coast, to the pastoral Willamette Valley, to the thrilling Cascade peaks and a high, arid desert. So it only makes sense that Oregon\u2019s winters enjoy the same kind of variety: Wind and rain dominate the coastline, the Cascades\u2019 pillowy peaks remain snow-covered well into spring, and lowlands [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":41038,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,387],"tags":[588,707,120,1541],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-41012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-camp","category-hike","tag-camping","tag-hiking","tag-oregon","tag-pacific-west"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/camp\/top-picks-for-oregon-fall-winter-camping","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Top Picks For Oregon Fall &#038; Winter Camping","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/camp\/top-picks-for-oregon-fall-winter-camping","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/camp\/top-picks-for-oregon-fall-winter-camping"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/OR-Hero-Keith-and-Kasia-Moore-e1543443249566.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/OR-Hero-Keith-and-Kasia-Moore-e1543443249566.jpg?fit=1700%2C1275"},"articleSection":"Camp","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Beckindale"}],"creator":["Beckindale"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["camping","hiking","oregon","pacific west"],"dateCreated":"2018-12-01T00:57:47Z","datePublished":"2018-12-01T00:57:47Z","dateModified":"2020-04-24T16:08:09Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Top Picks For Oregon Fall &#038; Winter Camping\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/camp\\\/top-picks-for-oregon-fall-winter-camping\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/camp\\\/top-picks-for-oregon-fall-winter-camping\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2018\\\/11\\\/OR-Hero-Keith-and-Kasia-Moore-e1543443249566.jpg?resize=150%2C150\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2018\\\/11\\\/OR-Hero-Keith-and-Kasia-Moore-e1543443249566.jpg?fit=1700%2C1275\"},\"articleSection\":\"Camp\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Beckindale\"}],\"creator\":[\"Beckindale\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Uncommon Path \\u2013 An REI Co-op Publication\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"camping\",\"hiking\",\"oregon\",\"pacific west\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2018-12-01T00:57:47Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-12-01T00:57:47Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-04-24T16:08:09Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/rei.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/OR-Hero-Keith-and-Kasia-Moore-e1543443249566.jpg?fit=1700%2C1275","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41012"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41012\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":158358,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41012\/revisions\/158358"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41012"},{"taxonomy":"internal-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-tag?post=41012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}