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Situated between the South Fork and the North Fork of the Umatilla River, this campground offers many more activities than just camping. Fishing (catch and release) and hiking in the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness are popular from early spring to late fall. With campsites nestled within a riparian area among an ample mix of conifers and deciduous trees and heavy vegetation that provides great privacy, you will think you are camping in the wilderness itself!
From Pendleton, Oregon: Drive east for 7 miles on Interstate 84 and take Exit 216. Go left (north) for 2 miles to the blinking 4-way stoplight. Take a right onto Mission Road and continue onto Cayuse Road/County Road 931/Emigrant Road. After 1.7 miles turn left onto Cayuse Road (follow Bar M Ranch signs). Travel about 16 miles to where it meets Bingham Road. Turn right onto Bingham Road/County Road 900, cross the railroad tracks, and follow Bingham Road/County Road 900 (NOTE: this road becomes Forest Service Road 32 at the forest boundary) for approximately 14 miles to the campground entrance on your right. From Walla Walla, Washington: Take Highway 11 to Athena, Oregon and turn left on Pambrum Road. Travel 5 miles and turn left onto Spring Hollow Road and go 6 miles. Turn left onto Bingham Road/County Road 900, cross the railroad tracks, and follow Bingham Road/County Road 900 (NOTE: this road becomes Forest Service Road 32 at the forest boundary) for approximately 9.5 miles to the campground entrance on your right.
Great little spot to camp. Underutilized. Spend the weekend up here and go for day hikes. There are plenty of beautiful trails.
We just camped at Umatilla Forks 6/12-14/2018 for the first time and loved it. I want to go back for sure. My family wasn't so sure about the more primitive aspect of the site since all it has is a couple septic restrooms and a water station but it was more than enough. we chose site #3 at the farthest north edge of the campground closest to the river fork and while it was really nice and secluded, i would choose #5 or #6 as they are more spacious and shaded spots and have the best river access. The water was freezing cold but we all jumped in to wash off a couple days of "roughin' it" and warmed up in the 75F sun. It's really not that far from civilization but it is far enough out of the way that we were 1 of 2 groups who stayed (they chose the farthest site at the other end) and saw one other drive-by. fantastic getaway that's not TOO far away.
Amenities: Septic restroom w/ 1-ply TP, and water station. you will have to gather your own wood for fire or bring your own. There was lots of dead fall and forestry downed trees to harvest wood from.
This is a beautiful campsite, we went towards the end of the season so it was pretty secluded. Even during a busy time, the sites are spaced well and there are septic 3 septic toilets a short walk away. My only advice is to not follow the google map directions coming from La Grande. The dirt roads it directs you to take are either blocked off as trails or no longer maintained. I ended up lost on dirt roads with no service and had to make my way back out and find other directions coming from Pendleton/ Bingham Springs area.
Because it just an amazing camp ground cuz you can hike out far but there is one water snake and some ground snakes but you rarely see them but that all.
