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Drz250xcfw's avatar
Drz250xcfw
Explorer
Jun 02, 2014

Good family campgrounds in eastern Oregon

We head up to Idaho from the SF bay area for the Fourth of July every year to visit the grandparents and this year will be the first with our toy hauler.

We typically take I5 up to weed and then head up 97 to Biggs where we hit 84 east to pasco, wa. I'm looking to stop once or twice on the way up at a nice family campground, and even better if its near or in an OHV area so the kids can ride. We also will be bringing the fishing gear and kayaks.

We are thinking of stopping once in Oregon on the way or two stops depending on how nice the camping is. If anyone can suggest some of their favorite spots along 97 or we may even consider just taking I5 the whole way if someone has better suggestions along that route.

Thanks!

8 Replies

  • Drz250xcfw's avatar
    Drz250xcfw
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2014
    Thank you all for the suggestions. We're still planning, but after some add'l research on riderplanet.com East Fort looks like a great riding area so we may stop to ride for a day and move on to one of the other suggestions. I know where that DQ is so I might check out that track as well.

    Going the 395 route is tempting, but we had a desert trip earlier this year already so may save that for another time or way home.

    Thanks again!
  • amandasgramma's avatar
    amandasgramma
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    Actually, a little known OHV play area is north of LaPine. You turn in between Gordy's Truck Stop and the DQ, follow the pavement back about 1/4 mile. Probably not a big time challenging track, but it IS there. :) and about 11 miles from LaPine State Park.
  • DKeppner's avatar
    DKeppner
    Explorer
    Jun 03, 2014
    After hitting the places Steve is talking about (he didn't mention the tubing you can do in downtown Bend) head further east to Crystal Crane Hot Springs near Burns. I'm sure there is some OHV areas nearby.
  • SteveAE's avatar
    SteveAE
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    Tons of places, but I will only address the Bend area.

    About 18 miles east of Bend is the East Fort Rock OHV area. You can camp right there in lightly developed campgrounds or dispersion camp and ride for hundreds of miles (on various trails) right from your rig. This is a huge trail system with a variety of trails of various degrees of difficulty, so depending on the age of the children, it may or may not be appropriate for them (people get lost and hurt in there).

    About 20 miles west of Bend is the Cascade Lakes Hwy. Too many lakes to count with lots of developed Forest Service campgrounds.

    IF you camp up near East Lake, you can both access the trails and go fishing all within close proximity (not without some road travel though).

    Have a fun trip,
    Steve
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    I would try a different route once in a while to see other parts of the state. 299 northeast out of Redding, and then 395 will take you out into the eastern desert of Oregon where there are miles of OHV areas for the kids.
  • Janss's avatar
    Janss
    Explorer II
    Jun 02, 2014
    Maryhill State Park just over the bridge from Biggs!
  • amandasgramma's avatar
    amandasgramma
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2014
    La Pine State Park is a cool campground (never camped there, I live 12 miles from it)
    Crater Lake National Park has camping
    Collier State Park Campground (NICE)
    Williamson River National Forest State Campground

    all above are on or close to hwy 97.....

    Tumalo State Park -- on hwy 20 about 6 miles west of Bend

    Can't tell you anything about any north of Bend

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