North Fork John Day Campground (OR)

North Fork John Day Campground (OR) in OR — photo 4

North Fork John Day Campground (OR)

About this campsite

Overview

This campground sits along the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River at the junction of the Blue Mountain and Elkhorn Scenic Byways. It features 20 campsites, 3 accessible toilet facilities, and stock handling facilities. There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home.

This campground serves as the eastern access point to the North Fork John Day Wilderness via North Fork John Day River Trail #3022. The area offers hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, berry and mushroom picking, sight-seeing, and photography opportunities. In spring and fall you can see the salmon spawning. Special state fishing regulations apply.

If you like to drive, you can pick up the Ukiah-Granite Roadside Geology auto tour brochure from the camp host or the Ranger District.

Recreation

This campground serves as the eastern portal into the North Fork John Day Wilderness and offers hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, sight-seeing, and photography. Berries and mushrooms can be found in season. If you like to drive, you can pick up the Ukiah-Granite Roadside Geology auto tour brochure from the camp host or the Ranger District office. if you are interested in history, there are numerous remnants of mining left from the turn of the century, Remember, historic objects, even if they look like trash, are protected by law and may not be removed.

Facilities

This campground features 14 tent/rv campsites, 5 tent only campsites, 1 group campsite, 3 accessible vault toilets, and stock handling/holding facilities (stock is only permitted in the north half of the campground from sites 10-16). There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home.

Natural Features

The campground is set amidst a lodgepole pine forest, with over half of the sites in the shade. The perennial North Fork John Day River runs adjacent to the campground where you can see spawning steelhead and chinook salmon in spring and fall. In the surrounding forests live coyotes, deer, elk, wolves, bear, and cougar, plus a myriad of small animal species.

Nearby Attractions

The historic mining town of Granite is 9 miles south. State of Oregon Parks has a restored dredge that can be toured in the town of Sumpter, 22 miles south. Olive Lake is 21 miles south and west of the campground, and offers fishing , crawfishing, swimming, motorized boating (no wake allowed) and nearby trails for hiking/horseback riding (horses are not allowed in the campground). The lake-turned-reservior was constructed as part of a hydroelectric system to support gold mining activities in the northern Blue Mountain Region in the early 1900's. Historically, water from the lake flowed through a wooden pipeline for 9 miles to the Fremont Powerhouse, where it was used to produce electricity for mines and towns. The Powerhouse is approximately 14 miles south and west of the NFJD Campground on the same road that accesses Olive Lake.

Location

North Fork John Day Campground (OR)•OR

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Weather Forecast

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MON☀️

25° / 12°

💧 8%

TODAY☀️

25° / 11°

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WED☀️

25° / 13°

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THU☀️

25° / 12°

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FRI☁️

21° / 8°

💧 2%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

10.9 km away

PEAVY CABIN

Overview Peavy Cabin was built in 1934 by Dr. George Wilcox Peavy, Dean of the School of Forestry at Oregon Agricultural College (later Oregon State University). The facility was used as his outdoor laboratory to instruct forestry students. The cabin was then turned over to the Forest Service and used as a guard station. Several restoration projects have kept the integrity and charm of this historic structure, which is now recorded in the Heritage Resource Inventory as a historic site. This cabin is available from July 1 until October 31 and is accessible via an unpaved road. High clearance and 4-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Guests must bring some of their own supplies; however, Peavy Cabin does offers few modern conveniences to make for a comfortable stay. Recreation Peavy Trailhead is adjacent to the cabin and provides access to the North Fork John Day Wilderness via the Peavy Trail #1640 and the Cunningham Cove Trail #1643. Both trails connect with the Elkhorn Crest National Recreation Trail #1611. These trails are suitable for hikers and horseback riders. The North Fork John Day River is a popular fishing spot for anglers wishing to catch smallmouth bass and steelhead. For questions for Anthony Lake, Grande Ronde Lake, Mud Lake, Peavey Cabin, and Anthony Lake Guard Station call (541) 519-3993 Facilities This rustic, single-room log cabin contains a fireplace with a wood stove for heating, a large table and benches, and enough beds to sleep 4. The kitchen is equipped with a gas range, refrigerator and dry sink, as well as some cooking and serving utensils. The grounds are partially fenced and include a picnic table and wood shed. Space is available for additional tent camping. A vault toilet is located near the cabin. There is no potable water on-site, and guests must bring plenty for drinking, washing and cooking. Guests are expected to bring garbage bags to pack out trash and are required to clean the cabin before leaving. Bedding, towels, dish soap and emergency items like flashlights and first aid kits are not provided. Phone service, fuel, and a small general store with a cafe are located approximately 15 miles away in the community of Granite. Natural Features The cabin sits next to the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River at an elevation of 5,900 feet. The Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River originates in the North Fork John Day Wilderness, and the Baldy Unit section of this wilderness is adjacent to the cabin. The Baldy Unit features diverse landscapes like the rolling benchlands and the granite outcrops of the Greenhorn Mountains. Much of the wilderness is composed of gentle benchlands and tablelands; the remaining of steep ridges and alpine lake basins. Dense virgin stands of conifer species like Douglas fir, white fir, western larch and lodgepole pine cover the landscape. The area also supports wildlife species like Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, RockyMountain goats and black bears ( information on bear safety ). Nearby Attractions Peavy Cabin is 3 miles from the state-designated Elkhorn Scenic Byway. This 106-mile drive through the Elkhorn Mountains passes through ghost towns and features numerous lakes and rivers. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 519-3993. Charges & Cancellations A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see NRRS Reservation Policy

14.4 km away

Anthony Lake

Overview At an elevation of 7,100 feet, this campground keeps cool in the summertime heat. The sites sit among boulders and mixed conifers on a bluff over Anthony Lake. For questions for Anthony Lake, Grande Ronde Lake, Mud Lake, Peavey Cabin, and Anthony Lake Guard Station call (541) 519-3993 or email [email protected] None of the sites offer lake views, but campers can enjoy gazing on Gunsight Mountain and the surrounding peaks of the Elkhorn range. Anthony Lakes Campgrounds Website Recreation There is a boat ramp available at the camp. Activities on Anthony Lake include boating, canoeing, kayaking and trout fishing. Trails in the area include the 22.6-mile Elkhorn Crest (foot and equestrian), 1-mile Black Lake (foot and equestrian) and the 1-mile Shoreline (foot). Facilities Each site has a paved parking apron, tent pad, picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Drinking water (Peak Season) and vault toilets are available. Handicap-accessible sites are available. No OHV use in Anthony Lake Fee Area Natural Features The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, 2.3 million acres of varied landscape, extends from the Blue Mountains and rugged Wallowa Mountains down to the spectacular canyon country of the Snake River on the Idaho border. Anthony Lake Campground is located in the Southern Elkhorn Mountain/Powder River Basin Area, with the highest peak in the Elkhorn Mountains at 9,108 feet. The area around the lake is known for conifer forests, wildflower meadows and the resident mountain goats. Nearby Attractions The Elkhorn Scenic Byway is a 106-mile drive through the Elkhorn Mountains. Along this drive are ghost towns and an abundance of lakes and rivers. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 519-3993. Charges & Cancellations A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see NRRS Reservation Policy

14.6 km away

MUD LAKE CAMPGROUND

Overview Mud Lake Campground is located across from the Anthony Lake Ski Area and near Mud Lake in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Some campsites are tucked beneath dense pine and fir forest, while others sit in an open meadow. For questions for Anthony Lake, Grande Ronde Lake, Mud Lake, Peavey Cabin, and Anthony Lake Guard Station call (541) 519-3993 Recreation Campers at Mud Lake have access to all the recreational activities at Anthony Lake, including boating, canoeing, kayaking and trout fishing. There is an accessible boat ramp available. Trails around Anthony Lake include the 22.6-mile Elkhorn Crest and the 1-mile Black Lake Trails for hiking and horseback riding, as well as the 1-mile Shoreline Trail for hiking only. Mud Lake is also near over 8 miles of singe track mountain bike trails and a downhill flow trail at the ski area. Facilities Has 6 reservable standard electrical sites, and a standard non electric site are available. At an elevation of 7,100 feet, Mud Lake Campground offers comfortable camping during the hottest part of the summer. Each site has a picnic table and grill. Vault toilets are available at the campground, and drinking water is available at the Anthony Lake Campground, and Anthony Lake Day use area. Natural Features Mud Lake Campground is located in the Southern Elkhorn Mountain/Powder River Basin Area. Picturesque views of the ski area, Gunsight Peak and the Elkhorn Mountains are only a short hike across Forest Road 73, which is part of the Elkhorn Scenic Byway. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 519-3993. Nearby Attractions The Elkhorn Scenic Byway is a 106-mile drive through the Elkhorn Mountains. Along this drive are ghost towns and an abundance of lakes and rivers. Charges & Cancellations A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see NRRS Reservation Policy

14.6 km away

ANTHONY LAKE GUARD STATION

Overview Anthony Lake forms the source of Anthony Creek, named for William 'Doc' Anthony, an ambitious homesteader who came to Baker County in 1864. He was a farmer and a doctor, collected tolls on the Dealy Wagon Road for a time, and ran his ranch until he died in 1914 at age 85. Anthony Lake Guard Station is a historic Civilian Conservation Corps log cabin built in the 1930s - one of only a few Forest Service cabins built of logs. For questions for Anthony Lake, Grande Ronde Lake, Mud Lake, Peavey Cabin, and Anthony Lake Guard Station call (541) 519-3993 Guests at Anthony Lake Guard Station will find many modern comforts to help make their stay enjoyable. It's located at a popular recreation area and adjacent to the Anthony Lake Campground, and is easily accessible by car. Recreation A boat ramp is located on the lake. Activities include boating, canoeing and kayaking. Anglers can fly fish for trout. Trails in the area include the 22.6-mile Elkhorn Crest (foot and equestrian), 1-mile Black Lake (foot and equestrian) and the 1-mile Shoreline (foot). Facilities This comfortable, rustic 2-story cabin features a kitchen, a full bathroom with a flush toilet and hot shower, one downstairs bedroom with a full size bed and a futon, two upstairs bedrooms with five twin beds, propane heater and electric lights. The kitchen is well-equipped with an electric stove and refrigerator, as well as cookware, eating utensils and place settings. Cleaning supplies are provided. A picnic table and campfire ring are just outside the cabin. Guests are required to bring garbage bags to pack out trash, and they are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. Bedding and towels are not provided, and guests may also wish to bring emergency items, such as flashlights and a first aid kit. Natural Features The guard station is situated on the north shore of Anthony Lake, providing a stunning view of the lake and the glacial peaks of the nearby Elkhorn Mountains. The most prominent of these peaks is 8,342-foot Gunsight Mountain. This area is known for conifer forests, wildflower meadows and the resident mountain goats. The elevation is approximately 7,000 feet, and snow can be expected into July. Anthony Lake is sometimes frozen until mid-June. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (541) 519-3993. Nearby Attractions The Elkhorn Scenic Byway is a 106-mile drive through the Elkhorn Mountains. Along this drive are ghost towns and an abundance of lakes and rivers. Anthony Lakes Recreation is nearby with mountain bike trails and a seasonal restaurant.

15.1 km away

CARETAKERS CABIN

Overview Caretaker's Cabin allows guests to relax in the outdoors at the historic Fremont Powerhouse site. As one of four cabins located at the site, the cabin offers flexibility for large groups, like weddings or reunions. Guests can rent all cabins (see Congo Gulch, Hilltop Hideaway, and Miner's Retreat) and also pitch tents in the grassy yard. Caretaker’s Cabin sits on a hill beside Miner’s Retreat and has parking access beside it. The cabin can accommodate up to 10 guests. Winter access may require skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. In the 1800s, the North Fork John Day drainage was bustling with gold and silver mining. Around 1903, local mines began to notice a decline in earnings and promoted construction of a cheaper power source in an effort to operate the mines more economically. As a result, the Fremont Powerhouse was constructed and began operation in 1908. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake and water from the lake was piped through an eight-mile-long wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate the much-needed electrical power. The Caretaker’s Cabin house was constructed in the 1930s to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline for leaks and kept the powerhouse operating. The entire site and pipeline are listed as an historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. Recreation Guests can hike on North Fork John Day Wilderness trails or go mountain biking on forest roads. A drive along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a treat, as are activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking, bird watching, wildlife viewing and photographing the vast landscape. Nearby Olive Lake offers boating, fishing and swimming. Facilities The cabin is a 2-story house with wood siding and a shake shingle roof that can accommodate 10 guests. The cabin features: · two bedrooms upstairs with dressers, 2 twin beds, and 2 full-over-queen bunkbeds; · parlor with 2 futons and end tables; · dining room with a table and chairs to seat 10; · kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, cookware, and dishes; · bathroom with flush toilet and claw-footed tub (no shower). Outside there is a fire ring and picnic table--prior to arrival please contact the District office to determine whether fires have been banned. The cabin has electric lights and electric wall heaters. Cleaning supplies are also provided and renters are required to clean the house before they leave. Water is available June through September only. No water or indoor plumbing from October to May. Instead, an outhouse is available for use. In these seasons, guests are asked to bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing. Other items to pack year-round include food, bedding, a first aid kit, flashlight, matches and all other basic camping gear. Click here for more cabin details. Natural Features Perched on a small rise at about 5,000 feet in elevation, the cabin is set on a hillside under a large spruce tree. A grassy lawn in front spreads to the three other cabins in the area. The forest lies in the Blue Mountains and is home to Ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, larch and Douglas-fir. Birds in the area include the black-backed woodpecker, American kestrel and the boreal owl. Black bear, cougar, wolves, elk and deer are among the native land mammals. Click here to learn about bear safety. Nearby Attractions The cabin is located less than 6 miles from Granite, Oregon, a ghost town that once bustled with prospectors and pioneers. The town provides groceries and fuel. Opportunities for horseback riding are within 10 miles of the cabin.