Road trip up to La Grande questions... (Bend, Burns: where to stay, camping)

[Podo944]

Hi all,
Hubs and I are planning on visiting La Grande in early November (unless there's a huge snowstorm!)
We'll be leaving from the Redding area after a visit with my brother, it looks like we'd be be meeting up with the 395 at Alturas, Ca.

Can anyone give me suggestions where to stay the night somewhere between Alturas and La Grande? What is Canyon City like?

Would we be better off going through Bend during that time of year? I see the Wildlife refuge near Burns is closed for the season...

Again, if a big snowstorm comes through we'll do something completely different. We have an Outback, but we don't want to deal with chains this time around, but we don't mind camping if there're any campgrounds open.

Thanks!

[karlsch]

I would stay in Burns or John Day.

There are other interesting things to see in the Burns area.

[Larry Caldwell]

I've stayed in John Day. Accommodations were simple but clean. I think it was a Best Western. You aren't far from the fossil beds there. When you get to Ukiah, take 244 to La Grande. It's a nice drive. Start with a tank of gas.

[Podo944]

Thanks! Glad to know there's civilization this time of year. Hard to tell just by looking at the map.

[jjpop]

You might consider staying in Prairie City. Beautiful little town with a spectacular view of the Strawberry Mountains. It’s about 15 mins east of John Day.

[Larry Caldwell]

You may run into some self-serve gas stations that far east, particularly after hours. Just so you don't get surprised that there is a [small opening] in Oregon's "no self-serve" dictum.

[PNW-type-gal]

I am always camping in a trailer when I am out that way, so I can tell you where to camp, but not where to stay. Clyde Holliday State Park in John Day has 2 reservable teepees (actual teepees) but they are only open in the summer, I think.