Yellowjacket Campground

**🌅 Introduction / Overview**

For Oregonians seeking a peaceful, high-desert escape centered around excellent angling, **Yellowjacket Campground** on the shores of **Yellowjacket Lake** near Burns is a cherished local spot. Situated within the vast and varied landscape of the **Malheur National Forest**, this campground offers a rustic and essential camping experience, a world away from the busy, developed parks of the Cascade region. It’s a place where the air is dry, the skies are wide, and the focus is firmly on nature, particularly the lake’s renowned fishing opportunities.

Nestled at an elevation of approximately 4,800 feet, the campground is known for its quiet setting, surrounded by ponderosa pines and open terrain. It is a favored destination for families and individual anglers targeting the lake's regularly stocked **rainbow trout**. As one enthusiastic local user noted in a review, this location is "excellent for catching fish!" The area also offers abundant birding and wildlife viewing, with eagles, osprey, and even pronghorn antelope frequently sighted near the water.

**⚠️ Important Current Information:** Local users should be aware that due to the challenging fire seasons often experienced in Eastern Oregon, specific areas of the Malheur National Forest, including Yellowjacket Campground, have faced temporary closures due to fire activity and post-fire hazards. One customer noted it was a "beautiful get away, to bad it burned out last year." **It is absolutely essential to check the current operating status and closure alerts with the Malheur National Forest before planning any trip** to ensure the campground is open and accessible.

**🗺️ Location and Accessibility**

Yellowjacket Campground is located northwest of the city of Burns, Oregon, positioning it deep within the eastern part of the state’s high desert and forest transition zone.

**Address:** NF-3745, Burns, OR 97720, USA

The site is part of the Malheur National Forest, often managed by the Emigrant Creek Ranger District. Access requires traveling on Forest Service Roads (FSRs), meaning visitors should expect unpaved conditions.

• Primary Access Route: The campground is typically accessed via Forest Service Roads such as FSR 47, connecting to FSR 37, and finally to FSR 3745. These roads, while generally good for standard vehicles, are gravel or dirt and require careful driving, especially after inclement weather.

• Proximity to Burns: The campground is a manageable distance from Burns, making it a good weekend trip or a longer vacation destination for those in Central and Eastern Oregon.

• Seasonal Access: Due to the elevation and location in a high-desert forest, the campground's operating season is typically late spring (May) through late fall (November), dependent on snow and fire conditions. Always verify opening and closing dates.

**🛠️ Services Offered**

Yellowjacket Campground is a semi-developed Forest Service site, offering key amenities designed to support a traditional, self-contained camping experience without full modern hookups.

• Campsites: The campground features approximately 20 to 24 single-unit campsites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs (up to around 40 feet in length). Sites are typically furnished with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill grate.

• Water: Potable (drinking) water is generally available on-site, though campers should confirm the system is operational before relying on it.

• Restrooms: Vaulted or pit toilets are provided throughout the campground area.

• Reservation System: Sites are typically available on a combination of first-come, first-served (FF) and reservable bases. Reservations can often be made via the Recreation.gov system.

• Lake Access: The campground sits directly on the quiet shores of Yellowjacket Lake, providing easy shoreline access for fishing and non-motorized boating.

• Group Picnic Area: A covered group picnic area is available, which can be useful for larger gatherings or family events.

• No Hookups: It is important for RV users to know that this campground typically does **not** offer electrical, water, or sewer hookups at individual sites.

**⭐ Features / Highlights**

The defining appeal of Yellowjacket Campground is its blend of accessible lake recreation and peaceful high-desert forest environment, making it a favored destination among local Oregon outdoor enthusiasts.

• Excellent Trout Fishing: Yellowjacket Lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), offering consistently good fishing, especially in the spring and early summer after stocking, which is a major highlight for visitors.

• Wildlife Viewing and Birding: The surrounding area is rich in wildlife. Visitors frequently report sighting pronghorn antelope, eagles, osprey, and various high-desert birds, adding a significant layer of natural enjoyment to the camping trip.

• Non-Motorized Boating: The lake is perfect for kayaks, canoes, float tubes, and small non-motorized inflatable boats, allowing campers to access deeper waters for fishing or simply enjoy a quiet paddle.

• Shade and Scenery: While in the high desert, the campground offers decent shade from surrounding ponderosa pines. The quiet lake setting and sparse tree cover provide stunning views of the surrounding Oregon landscape.

• High-Desert Location: For those seeking an alternative to the crowded Willamette Valley or Coastal campgrounds, this location provides a unique, drier climate and distinct high-desert ecology.

**📞 Contact Information**

For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding opening dates, fire restrictions, or post-fire closures, users should contact the Malheur National Forest directly, as Yellowjacket Campground is a Forest Service facility.

• Address: NF-3745, Burns, OR 97720, USA (This is the physical road location, not a mailing address.)

• Phone (Malheur National Forest, Supervisor's Office): (541) 573-4300

• Mobile Phone: +1 541-573-4300

• Agency: Malheur National Forest, Emigrant Creek Ranger District (Check the US Forest Service website for specific Ranger District contact details).

**🎣 What is Worth Choosing Yellowjacket Campground?**

Yellowjacket Campground is worth choosing for the Oregonian who prioritizes **fishing** and a **quiet, rustic experience** in the state’s beautiful but often overlooked Eastern regions.

This campground provides a crucial, easily accessible base for enjoying the best of high-desert angling. The consistent stocking of Yellowjacket Lake makes it a reliable spot for catching trout, perfect for teaching kids to fish or for a satisfying solo outing. Unlike many large reservoirs, Yellowjacket Lake offers an intimate, non-motorized boating environment that encourages peaceful reflection.

Furthermore, if you are looking to escape the coastal fog or the intense density of Western Oregon camping, this location offers a refreshing change of scenery and climate. The stunning open views, the opportunities to spot pronghorn or eagles, and the simple amenities all contribute to a feeling of being genuinely away from it all. It’s an authentic taste of Eastern Oregon’s expansive beauty. **The only major caution is the need to confirm its operational status due to fire impacts,** but for those who successfully visit, the quiet solitude and great fishing are an unbeatable combination. It is a genuine Oregon gem for the self-reliant camper.