Oregon · Camping

Rock Springs

May–Aug
best months

Is Rock Springs open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Emigrant Creek Ranger District. It doesn't name Rock Springs, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Emigrant Creek Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 5,300 ft
  • Emigrant Creek Ranger DistrictMalheur National Forest

Rock Springs is a small Forest Service campground in the Emigrant Creek Ranger District of Malheur National Forest in Oregon, about 12 miles from the town of Burns. It sits off Forest Road 17, in a quiet corner of ponderosa pine country that makes it an easy stop for travelers moving between Burns and John Day. The campground is a low-key base for a range of outdoor pursuits. Poison Creek Reservoir offers fishing, and the surrounding area has trails for hiking, hunting and horseback riding, including Malheur River Trail #303 and Craft Cabin trail #319. Light use keeps it from feeling crowded, though that changes during big game hunting seasons. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Seneca weather station show July and August highs around 82°F with only three or four wet days a month, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. Wolf Creek, a canoeing spot about 10 miles away, is the closest nearby destination.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Aug

    Best time to visit Rock Springs

    Best months: May–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      36° / 11°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      40° / 14°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 20°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 25°

      10 wet

    5. May

      62° / 32°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 36°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 39°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 35°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 27°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      60° / 21°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      44° / 17°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      36° / 11°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Seneca, OR, 11.8 mi away at 4,660 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.