Headed to Oregon to test my battery powered airconditioner and see Eclipse

[jon]

I'm heading down by Baker City, OR for the eclipse and am wondering if any locals know of decent camping spots. I don't need campgrounds with hookups just a place that some of the 100K people won't know about.

Thanks,
Jon

[jon]

Sorry NAZCamperVan I deleted the fist post you replied to.

[Eric Swenson]

We are staying up in La Grande,about a 45 minute drive north of Baker City. We plan to leave around 6 am from LG, perhaps getting a jump on other drivers.

You might try either looking in LaGrande or Hu-Na-Ha RV Park in Elgin, Or.
We made our reseverations over a month ago for La Grande Hot Springs RV....they do not have any openings now......

[jon]

I know nothing's open now so I'll head up Sat with hopes of finding something....a turnout might have to do.

Sent from my VS501 using Tapatalk

[NAZCamperVan]

Jon, Much of the public land around Baker City, OR is National Forest. Good info to be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman
Scroll down to "Eclipse Info". A few good points: since cell phone/internet systems may be overwhelmed, don't rely on apps, carry paper copy maps. Make sure you are totally self-sufficient with all water, gas, food, etc you'll need for your stay. Be patient and leave no trace. NO CAMPFIRES! From a retired US Forest Service officer

[obgraham]

I don't think heading out the morning of the event is going to cut it.

I'm going down Saturday. Scouted out the highways back in May and have a couple of wide spots picked out. Plus, there are endless farm roads in central Oregon.

[jon]

I've heard of traffic jams in Oregon already so changed route to I-90 west to Missoula MT. Then head south. I think everywhere is going to be crowded, but I think Oregon will be worst in the west. Good luck to everyone headed to the 100% zone.
We are leaving from Hamilton MT (150 miles away) early Sunday and I'm still worried about finding a spot....Thankfully I have a bathroom-ette in the van cause I'll have to sit on my spot for 24 hours if I find one.

[Eric Swenson]

Today, Friday the 18th. Reports of traffic jams were in the Prineville area yesterday. At 2 pm today radio reports from that area said traffic moving, no backups. I did talk to some folks yesterday, they said they were on their way to a Eclipse Festival in that same area, 3 bands were going to play.
If you are going to eastern Oregon, maybe to Backer City, I-84 is the way to go from Portland. No reports of backup traffic yet.