Malheur/Burns Oregon in May to see the birds

Question

The wife and I would like to go over to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge out of Burns, Oregon in the first couple of weeks in May. Like to see the birds. Not many places for a 34 foot 5th wheel around the area that I know of. There is Narrows RV Park close to the lake. Possibly something in the area around Burns itself?

Also like to see an old school friend in Lewiston, Idaho in June. Thinking it might be nice to camp overnight along the way and not push it or be in a hurry. Pulling a 5th wheel any more, about after five hours of being behind the wheel it starts to get old for me. After all, we are supposed to be retired. My wife saw Plymouth Park, Army Corps of Engineers at Plymouth WA. Then we will probably stay at Hells Gate State Park along the Snake River in Lewiston ID.

Any suggestions on where you would recommend staying or added tips would be great.

enblethen · Answer

Going north to I-84 is sure a long way to go. I would suggest going straight east from Burns on US 20.
Plymouth Park is a very nice park but gets very busy and fills quickly with wind surfers on the Columbia.

ed_gee · Answer

The Burns RV Park on the east end of Burns certainly has room for you.

durb · Answer

Years ago, and I mean a lot of years ago, I stayed in a tent trailer in Frenchglen. Looking at Google Earth, I don't see any camping facilities there. There is an open area just across from the hotel where you might be able to dry camp for a while. You may want to give the Frenchglen Hotel a call and ask them their thoughts.

I still can remember the cacophony of sound when thousands of Canadian Geese were swarming there.

tiger4x4rv · Answer

Take a look at the "seasons of wildlife" section of Malheur NWR's web site before you lock in your travel dates. Will the kind of birds you want to see be there at the time you want?

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Malheur/seasons_of_wildlife/

There is some RV parking on the refuge at the field station. I have not stayed there. https://malheurfieldstation.org/lodging

I drove half of the auto tour and then went south, camped at the BLM Page Springs camp, drove the Steens Mountain loop (all day drive), and camped another night at Page Springs. July, 2019. Fabulous trip, but I don't remember many birds. I was looking for flowers and spectacular scenery and definitely got what I wanted.

j_herb · Answer

Heres a few RV places in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge area.

Burns District Office---Phone: 541-573-4400

Page Springs BLM Campground is located at the base of Steens Mountain,
just three miles from the town of Frenchglen

Narrows RV Park---(541) 495-2006

Steens Mountain Wilderness Resort--Phone (541) 493-2415

give them a call to see they have what you are looking for.

We always enjoy the area and camp at Page Springs CG.

Forum Discussion

Malheur/Burns Oregon in May to see the birds

About Campground 101

Related Content

Snow Birds

Snow Birds ??

FDA warning on H5N1 (bird flu)

Where are the snow birds ?

Snow Birding