South Fork Umatilla River

There are multiple spots to choose from within two miles of crossing the bridge. Dispersed camping is a lot like a choose your own adventure story. We have a few favorites based on access to the river. There are no amenities at dispersed camping spots. There are vault toilets at the Umatilla Forks Campground and North Fork Umatilla River Trail.

Be sure to follow the dispersed camping rules outlined under regulations and enjoy. Keeping these sites clean and minimizing impact on the environment is crucial, so practice leave no trace.

Amenities
Pack in and pack out. There is a vault toilet at the Umatilla Forks day-use area.

Regulations
You may camp outside of developed campgrounds in most areas on the Umatilla National Forest up to 300 feet from an open road at no charge. Potable water, toilets, and other amenities are not generally available. If you choose to camp outside developed areas, be sure to bring adequate water or be prepared to purify any water source before drinking. Check out current burn restrictions prior to your trip as there is obviously not a camp host to relay that information.

If you plan to hike one of the many nearby trails, please take note that wilderness regulations apply. The North Fork Umatilla Wilderness is literally across the river. Such restrictions include no motorized equipment, bicycles, or hang gliders to name a few. Groups larger than twelve are prohibited as well as caching or leaving equipment or supplies for longer than 72 hours. Most applicable to hikers is the fact that shortcutting a switchback on any trail is also a violation of wilderness regulations. For a complete list of wilderness regulations applicable to those within the forest, visit Umatilla National Forest website.

Wildlife Awareness
We are all so fortunate to recreate in the Blue Mountains and Walla Walla Valley. So many opportunities exist to play outside, whether in a national forest, wilderness area, or on a Wild and Scenic River. With these opportunities comes great responsibility to appreciate that we are mere visitors and should all take pride in being good stewards of the wild.

Many animals call these protected places home, including moose, elk, bear, cougar, bobcat, and snakes to name a few. Take precautions to respect their home and understand the appropriate response should an encounter occur.

Additionally, many plant species thrive in the Blue Mountains, so staying on trail is always good practice.

Carry First Aid supplies to better respond to accidents or encounters, and always let others know where the day’s adventure is taking you.

Field Notes
Navigation: Consider downloading the Avenza Map app. This app allows users to upload three maps (or unlimited with a subscription) to use offline. It can track your location offline and overlay GPS data from the phone onto the map. The vehicle use maps (for trails allowing motorized vehicles) are the easiest to use.

Otherwise, Geo Tracker offers similar tracking capabilities and additional details about your adventure. If no service, Geo Tracker will at least show your location. The Blue Mountains and surrounding area offer a remote recreating experience, and knowing your location is paramount to staying safe. Always make sure to bring paper maps. Tell others where your adventure is taking you and when you expect to return.

Pets: In general, pets are allowed on a leash and under control throughout jurisdictions. The only restrictions we have encountered are around swimming areas. As a best practice, be mindful of riparian habitat in general. You never know where a precious spawning area might be located. Pack it in and pack it out applies to your furry friend as well.

Disclaimer: While the Outside Walla Walla team has enjoyed all the adventures listed on this site, we cannot provide real-time conditions & maintenance reports. Extreme weather can change access overnight. Volunteer groups might lose capacity to manage trail systems. We do our best to report that information and update our site accordingly, but please read our Disclaimer (footer) and proceed with any adventure as your comfort level allows.