Spool Cart Campground
Spool Cart Campground is nestled in the forest on the banks of the Grande Ronde River. This developed campground has 13 sites suitable for tents and small trailers with paved roads and accessible toilets. The terrain consists of forested areas with a mix of trees and open spaces. Nearby attractions include the Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Grande Ronde River. Historically, trains stopped here and left spools of cable for loggers to transport to work sites using carts. Primary use season is from late May through mid-October. Quiet hours are from 10pm to 6am.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · tent only in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 13 |
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | Overnight Use: Single Site: $10/night. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to Single Campsites ONLY. The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fee or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass… |
Spool Cart Campground has 13 campsites, each with picnic tables, fire rings, and parking spaces.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May |
| Forest | Wallowa Whitman National Forest |
| Booking | This site is not reservable. |
| Fees | Single unit campsites = $10.00/night; A self-service fee station is available at the campground. |
| Rules | General rules of use and restrictions apply for this developed recreation site. Campground closed following Bull Elk season until early May. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From La Grande, Oregon travel north for 8.5 miles on Interstate-84 West to exit 252 (Highway 244 towards Ukiah); Turn off the Interstate onto Highway 244 and travel west for 12 miles to Forest Road 51; Turn left on Forest Road 51 and go south for about 5 miles; The campground is on your right, along the river.
| Nearest town | La Grande, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 45.2025° N, 118.3949° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedBirdtrack 621 Broadcast Rx
9 mi from the campground · 377 acres
- PrescribedBird Track 610/607A Rx
12 mi from the campground · 141 acres
- WildfireMccully
26 mi from the campground · 13,604 acres · 91% contained
- WildfireNorth Cayuse
33 mi from the campground · 4,887 acres · 97% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Spool Cart Campground, OR from Kathleen H.
Public land it sits in
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest begins about 9.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 9.5 miWallowa-Whitman National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,525,292 acres
- 14.3 miNorth Fork John Day Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 120,694 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Spool Cart Campground?
Sites at Spool Cart Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site is not reservable. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Spool Cart Campground?
Overnight Use: Single Site: $10/night. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount to Single Campsites ONLY. The discount applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fee or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass…
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Spool Cart Campground have?
13 sites, including 13 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Spool Cart Campground?
Spool Cart Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is the nearest town to Spool Cart Campground?
La Grande, Oregon.
Source: Getting there
What if Spool Cart Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bird Track Springs Campground (8 mi), Umapine Campground (10.2 mi, first-come), and Spring Creek Campground (11.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby