MISERY SHELTER

Closed — Closed for the winter season due to snow. The road typically closes at the end of November and reopens in April, weather permitting. The campground operates June through November during normal years.

About

Misery Shelter, officially known as Misery Spring Campground, is a remote primitive camping area situated in the northern reaches of Umatilla National Forest on the Pomeroy Ranger District. Located approximately 27 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington, the campground sits at 6,000 feet elevation in the Blue Mountains and offers stunning panoramic views from Ray Ridge into the adjacent Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. This dispersed campground features approximately 5 tent-only sites with basic amenities including picnic tables and pit toilets. No potable water is available on-site, so campers must bring adequate water supplies. The area is popular with hunters and hikers seeking solitude in a high-elevation forest setting. Access is via Forest Road 40 south from Pomeroy for 15 miles to the Misery intersection, then west on Forest Road 4030. The campground operates seasonally from late spring through fall, typically accessible from June through November depending on snow conditions. The road closes at the end of November and reopens in April, weather permitting. As one of the first areas in the region to receive snow, visitors should exercise caution when traveling in the fall due to potentially narrowing roads and steep hillsides. The site operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees or reservations required.

Directions

From Pomeroy, Washington: Starting at Main Street, take 15th Street headed south from State Highway 12. Follow for 15 miles to the National Forest boundary where the road becomes gravel Forest Road 40. Continue south on FR 40 for 15 miles to the Misery intersection. Turn right (west) on Forest Road 4030, then left onto FR 4030-020 and follow to the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds