Idlewild

0 review

Idlewild

Quick Facts

5,000 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Malheur National Forest site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,000 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Malheur National Forest site

Get Directions

Idlewild

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(541) 575-3131

What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 0 reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietcleanhiking

"Reviewers consistently describe Idlewild as a quiet, secluded, and very clean campground with well‑spaced, comfortable sites and excellent basic facilities. Many see it as a peaceful stopover or destination for those who value solitude, dark skies, and simple hiking rather than abundant activities. A few note some highway noise and limited nearby attractions, but overall impressions are very positive with multiple 5‑star reviews."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Idlewild

Idlewild transforms with the seasons, offering distinct adventures year-round. When summer sun filters through the pine canopy, visitors lace up their hiking boots and hit the mountain biking trails that wind through the forest. As winter blankets the landscape in snow, the campground becomes a gateway for cross-country skiers gliding through silent woods and snowmobilers exploring vast winter terrain. Rain or shine, sun or snow, each season brings its own magic to this high-elevation retreat.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

About Idlewild

Nestled among towering Ponderosa pines along Highway 395 north of Burns, Oregon, Idlewild Campground welcomes adventurers in every season. Whether you're seeking summer trails for hiking and mountain biking or winter wonderlands perfect for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, this versatile destination offers both day-use group facilities and first-come, first-served campsites that adapt to your outdoor dreams.

Individual overnight camping sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A reserved, accessible group day-use picnic shelter (up to 75 people) is provided for large gatherings.

Weather and SeasonsIdlewild transforms with the seasons, offering distinct adventures year-round. When summer sun filters through the pine canopy, visitors lace up their hiking boots and hit the mountain biking trails that wind through the forest. As winter blankets the landscape in snow, the campground becomes a gateway for cross-country skiers gliding through silent woods and snowmobilers exploring vast winter terrain. Rain or shine, sun or snow, each season brings its own magic to this high-elevation retreat.

ElevationPerched at 5,000 feet above sea level, Idlewild occupies a sweet spot where the air is crisp and the Ponderosa pines grow tall and fragrant. This elevation creates the perfect environment for the majestic pine forest that shelters the campground, offering cool summer respite and reliable winter snowpack.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground spreads across a cathedral-like stand of Ponderosa pines at 5,000 feet elevation, where a welcoming group shelter sits beside an open meadow that catches the morning light. This is the Blue Mountains of the Malheur National Forest, a landscape of dramatic contrasts and wild beauty. Here, you're surrounded by some of Oregon's most pristine wilderness, with the rugged Strawberry Mountain and Monument Rock Wilderness areas nearby, beckoning explorers deeper into untamed country where nature still reigns supreme.

Geological RegionThe campground lies within the Malheur National Forest, part of the ancient Blue Mountains that rise across eastern Oregon. This geologically rich region has been shaped by volcanic forces and millennia of erosion, creating the diverse mountain landscape that defines this corner of the Pacific Northwest.

Campsite details

AccessibilityOne accessible group day-use picnic shelter (seats up to 75) is available for reservations.

Total Campsitesnull campsites

Recommended CampsitesDevine Summit Trail begins within the campground. The accessible group day-use shelter seats up to 75 and is located near a meadow; individual overnight sites are first-come, first-served.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Groups

An accessible group day-use picnic shelter is available for reservations for up to 75 people
equipped with picnic tables, a campfire ring and grills.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutCampsites are located among Ponderosa pines; the accessible group picnic shelter sits near a meadow. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided on site.

Walk-in AvailabilityIndividual overnight campsites are first-come, first-served (walk-up availability). The group day-use picnic shelter is available for reservations for up to 75 people.

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Seasonal recreation includes hiking and mountain biking in summer and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in winter; picnicking and general camping are also offered. Devine Summit Trail begins within the campground.

Hiking

Devine Summit Trail begins within the campground; hiking is popular in the summer.

Biking

Mountain biking is popular in the summer; the site is noted for summer use by mountain bikers.

Winter Activities

Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

Weather at Idlewild

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Clear sky

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 52%

Wind: 6.4 mph

Clear sky

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Proximity to water featuresDrinking water is provided at the campground. Proximity to natural water features is not specified in the provided information.

Campground Map

Idlewild

Driving directionsFrom Burns, OR: Travel northeast toward Vale 2.8 miles on US Highway 20 to the junction with US Highway 395, turn left onto US Highway 395 and head north. Follow US Highway 395 for approximately 14.6 miles to the junction with Forest Road 2820. Turn right and continue on Forest Road 2820 for 0.8 miles to the junction with Idlewild Campground Road. Turn right after the Sno-Park and follow Idlewild Road for approximately 1 mile to the campground.

Located along US Highway 395 north of Burns; access involves US Highway 395, Forest Road 2820 and Idlewild Road.

Nearby places

Burns, OR (nearest city).

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.0

0 reviews

Limited Reviews

Idlewild has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently describe Idlewild as a quiet, secluded, and very clean campground with well‑spaced, comfortable sites and excellent basic facilities. Many see it as a peaceful stopover or destination for those who value solitude, dark skies, and simple hiking rather than abundant activities. A few note some highway noise and limited nearby attractions, but overall impressions are very positive with multiple 5‑star reviews.

Review Summaries

What Campers Love

Campers praise the strong sense of quiet and seclusion, with multiple reviews calling it calm, relaxing, and a “GEM.” They highlight very clean vault toilets/bathrooms, good spacing between sites,...

Common Concerns

The main negatives are modest: some reviewers mention a bit of traffic noise from US 395, though usually described as low and not very disruptive. One reviewer thought the campground was “a bit...

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviewers suggest it as a great alternative if you can’t get into nearby Paige Springs. For less road noise, one person recommends choosing spots near the entrance, as US 395 traffic is light...

Camper Quotes

“Loved this place. So quiet. Very clean vault toilets. Water available for drinking. $10.00 a night. Private camp spots.” “We camped here on a whim while traveling through the area… What a GEM!… it...

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer with a 22' truck and 24' trailer reported no problem finding a suitable site at 5 pm and noted that several pull‑through sites are available. Another suggests choosing sites around the...