Idlewild Campground

🌲 Introduction / Overview

For Oregonians drawn to the quiet, rugged beauty of the high desert and the sprawling forests of the Malheur National Forest, Idlewild Campground offers an essential, tranquil escape. Located north of Burns in Eastern Oregon, this Forest Service campground is the epitome of secluded, clean, and comfortable camping—without the high costs or crowded sites found elsewhere.

Idlewild Campground is situated at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet, nestled within a large stand of towering Ponderosa pines. This setting provides ample shade and a genuinely peaceful atmosphere, a welcome change from the open desert landscape nearby. The campground was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, lending it a sense of history and classic design.

It caters primarily to those who appreciate a no-frills, nature-focused experience. Customers consistently highlight its spacious, private camp spots and the exceptionally high standard of cleanliness for its facilities, especially the vault toilets. This is the ideal destination for campers who seek solitude, a base for hiking and biking, or a clean stopover while exploring the expansive Malheur National Forest and the surrounding Harney County region.

📍 Location and Accessibility

Idlewild Campground is located in the beautiful, vast landscape of the Malheur National Forest, making it a gateway to the spectacular, remote areas of Eastern Oregon.

The official address provided is: John Day-Burns Hwy, Burns, OR 97720, USA. More specifically, the campground is easily accessible just off US Highway 395 north of the city of Burns, Oregon, often described as being about a 30-minute drive from the town. Its proximity to a major highway ensures straightforward access for all vehicle types, including smaller RVs and trailers (though campers should note the maximum vehicle length limit of 30 feet to ensure comfortable maneuvering).

While the campground itself does not feature major natural attractions like large lakes or waterfalls, its location serves as an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the wider region. It is a short drive from Burns, which provides necessary services, and places campers perfectly to explore nearby attractions such as the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the rugged Steens Mountain Recreation Area, and the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness area within the Malheur National Forest itself. Additionally, the Devine Summit Trail begins right within the campground, offering immediate recreational access.

🛠️ Services Offered

Idlewild Campground offers essential, high-quality services typical of a well-maintained National Forest site, focusing on a comfortable, rustic experience:

• Affordable Daily Fee: An extremely low nightly rate of just $10.00 per night for a single campsite unit.
• Water Availability: Potable drinking water is available seasonally at the site, which is a key convenience for tent campers and RVs without large water storage capacity.
• Toilet Facilities: Very clean and well-maintained vault toilets are provided throughout the campground, frequently praised by visitors for their condition. No showers are available.
• Campsite Amenities: Each of the approximately 22-23 dirt campsites is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring (with grills), perfect for outdoor cooking and gathering.
• Safety Features: All campsites with a tent pad include a bear locker for secure food storage, ensuring safety for both campers and local wildlife.
• Group Use Facility: The campground features one accessible, open-air group day-use picnic shelter which can be reserved for gatherings of up to 75 people for a fee.
• No Hookups: Idlewild is a dry-camping destination; there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups at the individual campsites.
• Waste Management: In line with US Forest Service policy for many remote sites, there is no trash service provided. Visitors must practice Leave No Trace ethics and pack out what they pack in (including all garbage).
• Max Stay and Capacity: Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days. A single site allows a maximum of eight people and one primary vehicle/RV. An additional vehicle fee of $5 per day applies.

🌟 Features / Highlights

The core appeal of Idlewild Campground lies in its peaceful atmosphere, excellent maintenance, and location within the Malheur National Forest. Key highlights for campers include:

• Exceptional Quiet and Tranquility: It is consistently described as "isolated and comfortable" and "So quiet." This is a key feature for campers seeking genuine solitude and a respite from highway noise.
• Spotlessly Clean Facilities: The very clean vault toilets are a recurring point of praise from campers, indicating a high standard of maintenance by the Forest Service.
• Spacious and Private Sites: The sites are notably large and private, well-spaced out within the Ponderosa pine forest, offering campers a comfortable sense of isolation and room to relax.
• Direct Trail Access: The campground provides immediate access to the Devine Summit Trail, and the short, easy Idlewild Loop Trail #317 (open to hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing), making it an excellent base for day adventures.
• Winter Recreation: Idlewild Campground transitions into a designated “sno-park” in the winter, making it a popular base camp for cold-weather enthusiasts engaging in snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
• Historical Charm: The campground’s origins trace back to the CCC-era construction in the 1930s, offering a sense of historical context and traditional Forest Service charm.
• Ponderosa Pine Setting: Being situated in a dense, cool stand of Ponderosa pines offers significant shade and a natural environment distinct from the typical high desert landscape of the Burns area, attracting bird watchers (decent birds are noted by a reviewer) and wildlife enthusiasts.

📞 Contact Information

Idlewild Campground is managed by the Emigrant Creek Ranger District of the Malheur National Forest. All official inquiries and reservations for the group picnic shelter are handled through the Forest Service:

• Address (Nearest Town/Area): John Day-Burns Hwy, Burns, OR 97720, USA (Located off US Highway 395 North of Burns).
• Phone (Emigrant Creek Ranger District): (541) 573-4300 / +1 541-573-4300
• Camping Reservations: Individual campsites are first-come, first-served only.
• Group Shelter Reservations: The group picnic pavilion can be reserved through Recreation.gov or by calling the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777.
• Season: The fee-based camping season generally runs from May 1 through October 31, though the area remains open in the winter for sno-park use.

✅ What is Worth Choosing

Idlewild Campground is an undeniable choice for the Oregon camper looking to truly disconnect and save money. If your primary goal is a clean, secure, private, and quiet camping experience in a beautiful forest setting, all for the minimal cost of $10 a night, this is the place to be.

It is worth choosing for tent campers, small RV owners, and travelers self-contained for dry camping who prioritize an affordable base camp over luxury amenities. It’s perfect for those who find their own entertainment in the outdoors—such as birding, hiking the gentle trails, or simply enjoying a campfire under the stars in a remote, quiet location. It serves as an excellent, inexpensive staging point for hunters in the fall and snowmobilers in the winter.

While it is not the place to go if you expect full RV hookups, showers, or major, overwhelming natural attractions directly on site (like massive waterfalls or lakes), its comfort, immaculate vault toilets, forested seclusion, and the incredible $10 fee make it a standout, high-value option for the ruggedly independent camper exploring the treasures of Eastern Oregon's Malheur National Forest.