Hikers visiting the Painted Hills can step off the trail and into camp within minutes at this free BLM dispersed site, where the surrounding formations and short drives to trailheads make it a practical base for exploring the area. Painted Hills Overlook sits about two miles away, and the well-maintained trail network at the monument covers terrain suited to a range of fitness levels. A small creek runs alongside the camping area, audible from most spots, though reaching the water is difficult in places due to marshy, overgrown banks.
The camping loop holds three to four established spots, each with fire rings left by previous visitors. Campers who push to the far end of the loop report access to a small stream where wading is possible in summer. Road noise from the nearby highway carries into camp, but reviews consistently describe it as minor. No amenities exist here: no toilets, no potable water, no picnic tables. Pack everything in and pack everything out, including waste.
The access road is where most campers hit complications. Once off the paved road, the track becomes rutted and rough. Trucks and vans handle it without issue, but larger RVs may struggle with the terrain. After rain, the road can turn to mud quickly, and several reviewers advise against attempting it in wet conditions. Cell service is limited: AT&T users report around one bar of LTE, while Verizon shows no signal even with a signal booster. Download maps and coordinates before leaving Mitchell, as navigation apps have been known to route drivers onto private land.
One reviewer notes the site is "so quiet out there," and the lack of crowds on weeknights supports that. Nearby options include Painted Hills South Camp and Bridge Creek Road for those wanting alternatives in the corridor. This spot works best for self-sufficient campers in high-clearance vehicles who are visiting the Painted Hills for one or two nights and can manage without any facilities.
Description
Dispersed camping is allowed on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service (USFS) lands without a permit, but it is recommended that campers obtain a map that shows current property boundaries. Please contact the BLM , (541) 573-4400 or (541) 416-6700, or the USFS, (541) 575-3000 or (541) 416-6500, for more information. While camping is not allowed within the three units of the monument, there are many nearby campgrounds. Some have full service amenities, some are quiet and remote, some are in the forest, and some are right on the John Day River.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsPainted Hills Dispersed is located in Oregon near Mitchell
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
44.63096425 N
120.29188128 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/28/26
AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/28/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Painted Hills Dispersed needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 43 min from Bend, OR
- 3 hrs 25 min from Kennewick, WA
- 3 hrs 42 min from Portland, OR
- 4 hrs 3 min from Salem, OR
