Drift Fence

Its 6 sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), camping is free, and it is open from Memorial Day to Mid-November. Drift Fence is a National Forest campground near Ukiah, Oregon.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Ukiah, Oregon

Managed by: National Forest

Drift Fence sits inside Umatilla National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Bridge Creek Wildlife Viewing Area: Elk viewing area a few miles down the road; nearby stocked ponds include Twin Ponds, site of an annual fishing derby.

Getting a site

Managed by: National Forest
Reservations: None, first-come
Fee: Free

Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-28

Sites and hookups

Total sites: 6

✓ Toilets
✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets. No potable water.

Source: fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Elevation: 4,632 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T: 4G LTE and 5G (35/3 Mbps)
T-Mobile: 4G LTE
Verizon: 4G LTE

Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

45.0716, -118.8764 in Umatilla. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Drift Fence is open from Memorial Day to Mid-November , at 4,632 ft.

Sources: epqs.nationalmap.gov, accessed 2026-09-29; fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Drift Fence?

No. Drift Fence is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.

How much does it cost to camp at Drift Fence?

Camping at Drift Fence is free.

How many campsites does Drift Fence have?

Drift Fence has 6 campsites.

Is there drinking water at Drift Fence?

No. Drift Fence has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.

When is Drift Fence open?

Drift Fence is open from Memorial Day to Mid-November.

Is there cell service at Drift Fence?

Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon and 5G from AT&T at Drift Fence. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.

Who manages Drift Fence?

Drift Fence is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Drift Fence

First-come Driftwood Dale · National Forest First-come Gold Dredge Dale · National Forest

First-come Tollbridge Ukiah · National Forest

First-come Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor Ukiah · State Park

More campgrounds: camping near Ukiah and campgrounds in Umatilla.

Sources

apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-28
epqs.nationalmap.gov (elevationFt), accessed 2026-09-29
broadbandmap.fcc.gov (cellCoverage), accessed 2026-09-27
fs.usda.gov (sites, water, season, notableFeature), accessed 2026-09-29

First-come, first-served Free

Get directions