Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area

Park Overview

Near the summit of the Blue Mountains, Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area preserves a site where people, including travelers on the Oregon Trail, have replenished water supplies since time immemorial. Now visitors find a refreshing place to camp in a mature forest between Pendleton and La Grande.

Year-round Camping

All cabins and four sites are open year-round (water available only at the restroom/shower building in winter). Note that park roads are often snow-covered or icy in winter. Book reservations up to 6 months in advance at oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations are required for the duplex cabin and six rustic cabins. 

• 16 full hookup sites
• One electrical site with water (closed in winter)
• 32 tent sites with water nearby (closed in winter)
• Hot showers and flush toilets
• Horse camp with seven sites (closed in winter)
• Six rustic log cabins open year round (four pet-friendly)
• Duplex cabin
• Group tent camp (closed in winter)
• Universal Access: Tent site A19 is accessible to campers with disabilities.

Year-round Cabin Comforts

Starting November 2024, the six rustic log cabins will no longer have a refrigerator, BBQ, oven, or stove top provided.

Reservations required.

Emigrant Springs’ duplex cabin and six rustic log cabins offer a cozy overnight camping experience. The duplex cabin has two separate units that sleep three each. The rustic cabins sleep up to five. The rustic cabins are equipped with a small refrigerator as well as an outside propane stove and oven. All cabins have a table with chairs, lights and heating. Visit our Cabins and Yurts page for details.

Cabins 1, 2, 3 and 5 are pet-friendly and up to two pets (cats and/or dogs only) are allowed for an additional fee. See our Pets in Parks FAQ for more information.

Groups Welcome

The group tent camping area accommodates up to 25 guests and can be reserved spring to fall up to six months in advance via oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com.

Visit with your Horse

The horse camp north of the day-use area has seven campsites with corrals. Each corral accommodates two horses. The camp is also a trailhead for an equestrian trail that meanders behind the park. 

Nearby Attractions

Oregon Trail wagon ruts can be seen at Deadman’s Pass Rest Area seven miles northwest of Emigrant Springs, on I-84, and at the U.S. Forest Service Oregon Trail Interpretive Park. Continue your exploration at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City.

Pendleton is the home of the famous Pendleton Round-Up. Other local attractions include the Pendleton Underground Tours, the Pendleton Woolen Mills, and the nearby Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, a museum focused on the tribes that inhabited this area.

Explore hundreds of miles of trails in two national forests: Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman.