Olive Lake Campground (OR)
Nestled on the edge of a lake, high in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon, this popular campground is only 8 miles west of the historic Fremont Powerhouse and 12 miles west of the old mining town of Granite. The campground features 28 campsites and 7 accessible toilet facilities. Other features include a 2-mile hiking trail around the lake with nearby access to wilderness and scenic area trails, a boat ramp and 2 docks. There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home.
Besides beautiful scenery, the lake offers many opportunities for wildlife viewing--particularly a nesting pair of osprey that return annually. Activities in this area include fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, hunting, and photography. Within 20 miles are several historic sites.
The campground features 20 tent/RV campsites, 2 group sites, 6 tent only sites and 7 accessible toilet facilities. Other features include a 2-mile hiking trail around the lake with nearby access to wilderness and scenic area trails, a boat ramp and 2 docks, and an interpretive sign. There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home. Potable water can be obtained from Fremont Powerhouse, 7 miles east of the campground from May 15-Sept 30.
Need to Know
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- No discharging firearms (including bow/arrows) or possession of fireworks within the campground.
- No OHVs are allowed within the campground or on FS Road 10 unless they are on a trailer.
- Check-out time is 12:00pm. Check-in time is 2:00pm.
- Some campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Sites 1-13 are within the part of the campground hardest hit by beetle killed trees. Anticipate very little shade and numerous stumps. Rehabilitation work will continue for several years.
- Be bear aware; keep all food out of reach or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from the area after eating.
- Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
- Camping or otherwise occupying a single location (including leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies) for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days is prohibited. ‘Location’ means the occupied area, the occupied campsite, and the National Forest System lands in the immediate vicinity thereof.
- Additional vehicles will require an additional fee paid on site.
- Trash service is not available at this site; please pack home your garbage.
- Motorized boats are allowed on the lake, but no wakes must be observed. Also no water skiing or personal watercraft permitted.
- This lake is sometimes used as a dipping site to support fire suppression efforts. If you see a helicopter with a bucket hanging underneath coming toward the lake, please get off the lake no matter how far away you are.
Nearby Attractions
The area around Olive Lake is rich in history. The dam and gates on the north side of the lake were constructed as part of a hydroelectric system to support gold mining activities within the northern Blue Mountain Region. Historically, water from the lake flowed through a wooden pipeline to the Fremont Powerhouse, where it was used to produce electricity for mines and towns in the area. Fremont Powerhouse is located approximately 7 miles east and the historic moning town of Granite is 12 miles east of Olive Lake along Forest Road 73.
Recreation
A 2-mile hiking trail encircles the lake, providing access to more secluded spots where solitude can be enjoyed. Bicyclists can also enjoy the trail although there are a couple of spots bikes might need to be walked, depending on skill level. Anglers can fish for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, and kokanee and crawfish boils are a popular dinner option. There are 2 boat docks adjacent to the campground, as well as a boat ramp and trailer parking. Motorized boats are allowed on the lake, but wakes and jet skis are not allowed. There are opportunities for viewing wildlife such as deer, elk, bear, river otters, and osprey. Mushroom and berry picking are available in season. Other nearby trails access the North John Day Wilderness Area and Vinegar Hill Scenic Area. An interpretive sign about the beetle infestation is located in a few spots within the campground.
Contact Information
Mailing
P.O. Box 158 Ukiah OR 97880
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: (541) 427-3231
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Ukiah, OR travel south to County Road 1475 (turns into Forest Service Road 52 after 5 miles). Go about 48.5 mile to the town of Granite. Instead of entering the town, turn right onto County Road 24/Forest Service Road (FSR) 10 and travel about 3.5 miles to the end of the pavement. Follow the gravel road up to the right (FSR 10). Travel about 9 miles on FSR 10. Turn right on FSR 1000480 and travel about 1/4 miles into the campground.
Available Campsites
- Site 11, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 25, Loop Olive Lake, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 24, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 1, Loop Olive Lake, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop Olive Lake, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 16A, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 26, Loop Olive Lake, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 8, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 4, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop Olive Lake, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 9, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 23, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 5, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 6, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 2, Loop Olive Lake, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 27, Loop Olive Lake, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 20, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 7, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop Olive Lake, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop Olive Lake, Type Standard Nonelectric
