Oregon · Camping

Southwest Shore Campground

May–Sep
best months

Is Southwest Shore Campground open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Whitman Ranger District. It doesn't name Southwest Shore Campground, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

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

  • At 4,091 ft
  • Whitman Ranger DistrictWallowa-Whitman National Forest · Phillips Reservoir

Southwest Shore Campground sits on the Whitman Ranger District of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, within the Phillips Reservoir area of northeastern Oregon. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the land, and the site is set up for a simple, low-key stay with vault toilets as the only listed amenity. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 83°F with only four or five wet days a month, while winter highs stay in the low to mid 30s. A fee is charged for a stay. The South Shore Trail starts about half a mile away, and Millers Lane Campground is about 0.7 miles off. Rim Rock Trail and Union Creek Campground are both within about 3 miles.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Southwest Shore Campground

    Best months: May–September. 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

      34° / 15°

      14 wet

    2. Feb

      39° / 18°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 23°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      12 wet

    5. May

      62° / 34°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 39°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 43°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 42°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 35°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 28°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 22°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      33° / 16°

      15 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Austin 3 S, OR, 21.4 mi away at 4,213 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.