Elk Creek Campground
Open and available on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees. No potable water available. Pack-it-in, pack-it-out policy for trash. 14-day stay limit in effect.
Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 9:49AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until noon PDT Wednesday. Check with your local health or air agency for current restrictions on woodstove use. There are often exceptions for those who use wood exclusively to heat their homes and those with limited income. People can take the following precautions to protect their health: * Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality. * Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions. * People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high. * Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating ventilation, cooling, and air purification systems. * Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Air Quality Alert issued August 5 at 2:33PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. An Air Quality Advisory for elevated levels of ozone pollution, or smog, is in effect for Hermiston in Umatilla County. Ozone pollution is expected to reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, pregnant people, older adults and people with heart or respiratory conditions. DEQ expected the Air Quality Advisory to last until 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
About
Elk Creek Campground is a small, free rustic campground located in the heart of Oregon's Malheur National Forest, near the North Fork Malheur Wild and Scenic River. The campground provides excellent access to stream fishing and hunting opportunities, making it especially popular during hunting seasons. This primitive campground offers vault toilets but no potable water, so visitors should bring their own water supply. The area operates on a pack-it-in, pack-it-out policy for trash. The site is first-come, first-served with no reservation system and no fees. Reached via a scenic drive from Prairie City along County Road 62 and Forest Road 13, Elk Creek Campground offers a secluded camping experience for those seeking to escape into the backcountry. A 14-day stay limit applies. Visitors should be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions typical of the region.
Directions
From Prairie City, OR, turn onto South Main Street to the junction with Bridge Street, turn left onto Bridge Street. Follow Bridge Street past the cemetery; the road becomes County Road 62. Continue on County Road 62 for approximately 8 miles to the junction with Forest Road 13 on the left. Follow Forest Road 13 for approximately 22 miles; the campground will be on the right.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | — |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| SM.FS.malpubinfo@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (541) 575-3000 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| USFS Elk Creek Campground |
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