Wolf Creek Campground

The Great Outdoors

One of the more remote and wild regions in Oregon offers, Ochoco National Forest, which covers over 850,000 of rugged, pristine terrains ranging from mountains to arid high desert regions and scrub forests to canyons. Wild creatures outnumber humans in this neck of the woods, and adventurers should exercise precautions, particularly should they encounter a predatory animal like a mountain lion. Rattlesnakes, too, are extremely common, often found sunbathing in rocky areas. Though wolverines are endangered, they have been sighted in the area, and a handful is believed to reside in Ochoco National Forest.Most loop trails are too long for hikers to tackle in a single day. All hikers embarking on a 10-plus mile journey should bring extra water and tent supplies. Alternatively, hike as far as one can in a half-day journey and backtrack. Horses are allowed in Ochoco National Forest, which may help speed the journey.Except for the big-game hunting season, which usually occurs in autumn; it’s not uncommon for an outdoor adventurer to spend a few days without seeing another human. It’s easy to imagine what this slice of Oregon wilderness looked like long before man arrived in this region. Certain regions of the park harbor old-growth forests, some of which have been dated to be several hundred years old. Cast a fly into one of the dozens of streams that babble merrily after a fresh influx of snowmelt in spring. Well known for unusual rock formations and geological quirks, the Ochoco National Forest draws geologists and rock climbers alike to explore its rough surfaces.Rockhounds, take note. In some areas of the park, explorers have found “thundereggs,” which are globs of rocks that are often filled with minerals. Though the center is usually chalcedony, quartz and gypsum centers have been found on occasion.

Exploring the Area

The area near Wolf Creek Campground is far from civilization, and towns are few and far apart. Many towns are very small, populated by a few dozen people. In spite of this, there are plenty of attractions in the area for visitors to explore, and driving from site to site is effortless in a motorhome rental. Near Kimberly, OR is Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, which has on display several hundred different fossils found in the area, including a rhino jaw, brontothere, marsh rhino skull, and saber-toothed cat.A few miles south of Mitchell, are a pair of mines with historical significance. Although they’re abandoned and not being maintained, people are welcome to peek into the window and enjoy the sight of the miners’ bunkhouse, various tools used in their operation, and kiln.One of the smaller towns in the region, Mt. Vernon, has a mainstay diner, Silver Spur Cafe, which has been in operation for decades. It dishes up delicious burgers, fries, and homemade pies. The menu changes regularly depending on the cooks’ preferences and mood on that given day. Also nearby are a handful of shops at which one may search for the perfect RV camping souvenir to take home.