Spool Cart Campground

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$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Overnight use single-site is $10/night. Interagency Senior/Access recreation passes offer 50% discounts, applicable only to campsite fees physically occupied by the passholder. Payment can be via cash or check.

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About this campground

Nestled along the pristine banks of the Grande Ronde River, Spool Cart Campground offers a perfect blend of modern amenities and rustic charm. Smooth paved roads wind through this thoughtfully developed camping area, where accessible facilities meet the untamed beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Each campsite is a private sanctuary, generously separated by lush native vegetation that creates intimate spaces for your outdoor adventure. The campground's unique name hints at its fascinating logging heritage, adding a layer of historical intrigue to your stay.

Spool Cart Campground offers 14 combined single-unit campsites along the Grande Ronde River. The campground is not designed for RV camping, although it does have one large pull-through site that can accommodate multiple RVs. Tent camping is available, and the sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire grills.

Historical SignificanceStep back in time at Spool Cart Campground, where the echoes of the logging era still resonate through the towering firs. This historic spot once served as a vital depot where steam trains would rumble to a stop, unloading massive spools of steel cable that powered the region's timber industry. Rugged loggers would load these spools onto sturdy carts and haul them deep into the forest, where they'd help harvest the giant trees that built the American West. Today, this storied past lives on in the campground's evocative name and the timeless forest that surrounds you.

Weather and SeasonsFrom May through September, Spool Cart Campground welcomes visitors with some of the region's most delightful weather. Summer days bring brilliant blue skies and comfortable temperatures perfect for riverside relaxation and forest exploration. While early May mornings might greet you with a crisp frost that sparkles on the wildflowers, the season quickly warms into idyllic camping weather. Clear, starlit nights and gentle daytime breezes make this the ideal window for experiencing the Grande Ronde wilderness at its finest.

ElevationPerched at 3,500 feet above sea level, Spool Cart Campground offers that perfect mountain elevation where the air is refreshingly crisp and the forest thrives in its full glory. This sweet spot provides cooler temperatures than the valleys below while remaining comfortably accessible, giving you the best of both worlds for your camping experience.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in a cathedral of towering Douglas firs, where shafts of sunlight filter through the canopy to illuminate a vibrant understory of thimbleberry bushes and wild roses. Young maples add splashes of green that turn to gold in late season, creating a multi-layered forest tapestry. The melodious voice of the Grande Ronde River provides nature's soundtrack, its gentle rushing a constant companion that lulls you to sleep and greets you each morning. This is the Pacific Northwest at its most enchanting – where every breath brings the sweet scent of fir and earth.

Geological RegionThe campground rests within the remarkable Grande Ronde River corridor, a geological wonderland where ancient volcanic flows meet pristine mountain streams. This unique landscape has created the perfect conditions for magnificent Douglas fir forests to flourish, their massive trunks rising from slopes carpeted with thimbleberry and wild rose. The middle story bursts with young maples that dance in the river breeze, creating a living, breathing ecosystem that showcases the incredible diversity of the Pacific Northwest's temperate forests.

Campsite details

AccessibilityThe campground features wheelchair-accessible vault toilets.

Sites SizeThe campground consists of 14 combined single-unit campsites, each equipped with a paved parking apron.

Sites PrivacyThe campsites are surrounded by grass, thimbleberries, wild roses, and young maple trees, offering excellent privacy between some sites. "The river can be heard throughout the campground," adding to the peaceful environment.

Total Campsites14 campsites

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 nights maximum

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground has 14 combined-use campsites, each with a picnic table and grill.

Open and Closed SeasonMay through September, weather dependent.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come, first-serve. Reservation fees may apply at certain times.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Spool Cart Campground offers recreational opportunities like fishing in the Grande Ronde River and picnicking at single-unit picnic sites. The setting, nestled in mature Douglas fir trees, makes it ideal for relaxation and enjoying nature.

Fishing

Fishing is available in the Grande Ronde River, which runs alongside the campground. Specific details about the types of fish or fishing conditions are not provided.

Winter Activities

There is no information about winter recreational activities.

Water Sports

There are no non-motorized water sports such as kayaking or paddleboarding available at this campground.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
Quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Hazards

General hazardsUsers should be cautious of potential wildlife encounters and be prepared for weather fluctuations.

Weather forecast

°F

Aug 25

Monday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Strong wind, exercise caution

Humidity: 23%

Very dry conditions, stay hydrated

Wind: 9.7 mph

Strong wind, exercise caution

Overcast

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Good to know

Peak season datesMemorial Day to September 31

Trash and recyclingThis is a pack-in, pack-out campground. Campers are expected to take their trash and recycling with them.

Proximity to water featuresLocated directly on the banks of the Grande Ronde River.

Campground Map

Driving directionsFrom La Grande, Oregon travel north for 8.5 miles on Interstate-84 West to exit 252 (Highway 244 towards Ukiah); Turn off the Interstate onto Highway 244 and travel west for 12 miles to Forest Road 51; Turn left on Forest Road 51 and go south for about 5 miles; The campground is on your right along the river.

Paved roads up to the campground. Seasonal closures apply, and it is important to confirm road conditions before travel.

Camper Reviews

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Limited Reviews

Spool Cart Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews