Southwest Shore Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Opens in May and operates through September. First-come, first-served only with no reservations.
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.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order.
Occupancy and Use of Wild and Scenic Snake River Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Prohibitions on all National Forest System Lands with in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, in the State of Oregon and Idaho within a 1/4 mile of the Snake River Between Hells Canyon Dam, river mile 247.5, down stream to the Oregon-Washington boarder at river mile 176.0.
Forest Order: HCNRA Fire Closure Order
Pursuant to 36 CFR, Sec. 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Landswithin the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, in the State of Oregon and Idaho within a ¼ mile of the Snake
Forest Order: Anthony Lakes Over-the-Snow and Wheeled Vehicles
Prohibitions on vehicle use off road in areas around Anthony Lakes.
Forest Order: Tri-Forest 14-Day Stay Limit
Prohibitions for camping on the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, and Malheur National Forests for a period longer than 14 days within any 30-day period.
Forest Order: Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Domestic Sheep and Goats
Prohibitions on possessing, storing, or transporting any domestic sheep or goat in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.
Air Stagnation Advisory issued December 29 at 12:21PM MST until January 1 at 10:00AM MST by NWS Boise ID
* WHAT...An extended period of stagnant air, with light winds and little vertical mixing. This is due to an inversion near the surface that will trap pollutants in the valleys. * WHERE...Portions of south central and southwest Idaho and northeast and southeast Oregon. * WHEN...Until 10 AM MST /9 AM PST/ Thursday. * IMPACTS...Poor air quality may cause issues for people with respiratory problems.
About
Southwest Shore Campground sits on the south shore of Phillips Lake (actually a reservoir) in the Southern Elkhorn Mountains region of Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The campground is known for opening earlier in the spring than neighboring campgrounds and features a warm, open ponderosa pine setting with views of the Elkhorn Mountains. With 16 tent/trailer sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, it offers a quieter, more primitive camping experience compared to the larger Union Creek Campground on the north shore. The campground provides basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits at each site, but no potable water. Due to fluctuating reservoir levels, the lake may be a short hike from the campground depending on the season. A boat ramp provides access to Phillips Lake for fishing and non-motorized boating. The Phillips Lake South Shoreline Trail begins near the campground and traverses the southern banks through grasslands and young ponderosa pines, offering scenic hiking opportunities. The area is popular for wildlife watching, mountain biking, and in winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Directions
From Baker City, travel south on Highway 7 towards John Day for 22 miles. Past the upper end of Phillips Lake, turn left on Hudspeth Lane and go 1.2 miles to Forest Road 2220. Turn left on Forest Road 2220 and go 0.5 miles to the campground entrance on the left.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $12 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
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