North Fork Catherine Creek Group Campground

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La Grande Ranger District, 3502 Hwy 30, La Grande, OR, 97850
North Fork Catherine Creek Group Campground
$40.00 - $40.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Peak season nightly fee is $40 for Group Standard Nonelectric sites. No discounts, taxes, or incremental fees are reflected in the stated rate.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$40.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$40.00

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
541-962-8500

About this campground

Nestled in the heart of the southeast Wallowa Mountains, North Fork Catherine Creek Group Campground beckons adventurers to discover the pristine wilderness of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Here, where the crystalline waters of North Fork Catherine Creek flow through ancient mixed conifer forests, groups can gather to launch epic expeditions into the legendary Eagle Cap Wilderness. The campground serves as your basecamp for mountain adventures, where the calls of native wildlife echo through towering pines and the untamed spirit of Oregon's backcountry comes alive.
North Fork Catherine Creek Group Campground caters to group campers and offers a wilderness-oriented camping experience with minimal amenities.
Weather and SeasonsSummer brings warm, sun-drenched days perfect for hiking and creek-side relaxation, with crisp mountain air cooling the evenings under star-filled skies. Spring and fall paint the landscape in dramatic transitions, though early season snow and autumn flurries can dust the higher elevations, creating a wonderland that may temporarily limit access. These shoulder seasons reward the prepared visitor with stunning vistas and peaceful solitude as nature transforms the mountain wilderness.
ElevationElevation information not provided.
Natural Features and SceneryThe soul of this campground flows through North Fork Catherine Creek, whose pristine waters tumble year-round over smooth stones, creating a natural symphony that lulls campers to sleep. Towering conifers—including majestic pines, firs, and spruces—form a living cathedral overhead, their branches sheltering an incredible diversity of wildlife. From dawn's first light when deer emerge from misty meadows to dusk when owls begin their haunting calls, the campground pulses with the rhythms of mountain life.
Geological RegionThe southeast Wallowa Mountains rise like ancient sentinels in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, a geological wonderland where volcanic peaks meet pristine watersheds. This corner of Oregon's wilderness showcases nature's architectural mastery through dramatic ridgelines, deep forest valleys, and the ever-present North Fork Catherine Creek carving its timeless path through the landscape. The mixed conifer ecosystem thrives in this unique mountain environment, creating a biodiversity hotspot where countless species find sanctuary in one of the Pacific Northwest's most spectacular mountain ranges.
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Campsite details

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets are available, but no additional information on accessibility features is provided.
Sites SizeThe size of campsites is not detailed beyond being a group standard nonelectric site.
Sites PrivacyPrivacy details for campsites are not specified.
Total Campsites1 campsites
Recommended CampsitesNot applicable; only one group site exists.
Best CampsitesSingle group site; no individual site rankings.

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
11:00 AM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum consecutive stay limitation is 14 nights.
Guests Allowed Per Site
Capacity information not explicitly stated.
Groups
Group camping is available, but details about the number of people and vehicles allowed at the site are not provided.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSingle group site; layout details not provided.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen annually from mid-June through the end of October.
Reservation PlatformsReservations available via Recreation.gov. No on-site payments or cellular service for online payments.
Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come, first-served availability for a brief window: June 20, 2025 - June 21, 2025.
Cancellation PolicyCancellations are allowed with a $10 fee deducted. Late cancellations (14 days or fewer before check-in) incur a $10 fee and forfeit the first night's recreation use fee.

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground is ideal for nature and wilderness enthusiasts. Its proximity to the Eagle Cap Wilderness offers significant recreational opportunities, including hiking and horseback riding. The North Fork Catherine Creek Trailhead is a mile downstream and serves as a gateway to these wilderness activities.
Hiking
Hiking is available, particularly via the North Fork Catherine Creek Trailhead, located a mile downstream from the campground. This trail is open to hikers and equestrians but closed to motorized vehicles and bicycles.
Winter Activities
Winter activities are not explicitly discussed. The campground may be inaccessible during early spring and late fall due to snow conditions.
Water Sports
Non-motorized water sports such as kayaking or paddleboarding are not mentioned as available activities.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are allowed
  • Campfire rings are available; no specific fire restrictions were mentioned.
  • Quiet hours are No quiet hours explicitly mentioned.

Hazards

General hazardsSnow conditions in early spring and late fall may affect accessibility.
Active alertsNo active alerts reported.

Weather forecast

37
°F
Nov 25
Tuesday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%

Moderate wind, may affect light items

Humidity: 45%

Comfortable humidity levels

Wind: 7.4 mph

Moderate wind, may affect light items

Overcast

7 day forecast

Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Emergency Services

La Grande Ranger District (main contact for emergencies), additional ranger offices can be reached at (541) 523-6391, (541) 523-1332, (541) 523-1322, or (541) 523-1383.

Good to know

Peak season datesJune 13, 2025 - October 31, 2025 for the 2025 season.
Trash and recyclingThe site follows a 'Pack it in, Pack it out' policy, and no dedicated trash or recycling facilities are provided.
Proximity to water featuresSituated along North Fork Catherine Creek, flowing year-round.
Common complaintsNo user reviews were available to identify complaints.
HostPrior arrangements required to obtain keys or lock combinations. Contact La Grande Ranger District.

Campground Map

La Grande Ranger District, 3502 Hwy 30, La Grande, OR, 97850
Driving directionsFrom Union, Oregon, take Hwy 203 east. The road turns southeast up Catherine Creek. Follow the road for 11 miles and turn east onto FS Rd. 7785. Stay on 7785 for 5.5 miles and the group site is on the right through a gate.
The accessibility can be affected during early spring and late fall due to snow conditions which may necessitate closing the access road to this facility. Roads are primarily paved until FS Rd. 7785, which is unpaved.
Nearby places
Union (17 miles southeast), La Grande (14 miles northwest of Union)
Nearby supplies
Union (17 miles southeast) or La Grande (14 miles northwest of Union) for groceries, camping supplies, and fuel.

Camper Reviews

0.0
0 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
North Fork Catherine Creek Group Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
No user reviews are available for this campground.
Review Summaries

What Campers Love

No positive highlights have been recorded due to the lack of user reviews.

Common Concerns

No complaints or issues have been noted in user reviews.

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No user recommendations are available for this campground.

Seasonal Insights

Season-specific insights are not available due to no user reviews.

Camper Quotes

No direct quotes from user reviews are available.

Site-Specific Reviews

There are no reviews specifying particular campsites or areas within the campground.

Accessibility Features

No reviews addressing accessibility features are available.

Pet-Friendly Features

There are no reviews related to pet policies or experiences of pet owners.

Last updated November 24, 2025
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