Managed by the Bureau of Land Management within the Crooked Wild and Scenic River corridor, Big Bend Campground sits along the Lower Crooked River canyon south of Prineville, where roughly 8 to 10 sites are arranged in a line with direct access to the water. The layout is open and exposed. Reviewers consistently note the complete absence of shade, and summer temperatures can push well into the uncomfortable range, making the river less of a bonus and more of a necessity. The terrain has a desert character, with rock and scrub dominating the surroundings.
Joy L. notes that the sites are "a short walk down to the river," with the far end of the campground doubling as a day-use parking area for anglers and cyclists. That traffic is worth factoring into site selection: lower-numbered sites tend to see less foot traffic from day visitors cycling the highway or carpooling to fish. Saturday nights can get loud if other campers arrive late and stay up, though weeknight stays are generally quieter. Rangers patrol the campground about twice daily.
Fishing is the primary draw. Fly fishing access is direct from camp, and the trail to the base of Bowman Dam and the Prineville Reservoir extends from the campground. Swimming and tubing in the river are also common in summer, and the open canyon makes for good stargazing after dark. Nearby, Jasper Point Dispersed, Poison Butte Campground, and Post Pile Campground are among the other campgrounds near Crooked Wild and Scenic River along this stretch.
Big Bend is first-come, first-served and fills fast on weekends. A campground host is on site, and Big Bend is the only campground along this section of the river with a host and drinking water, though the hand-pump faucets have been reported out of service before holiday weekends. Bring toilet paper, as the vault toilets can run out. Verizon cell service is essentially nonexistent. RVers needing a dump station or reliable potable water will want to plan a stop in Prineville before heading in.
If you fish, read, or simply want a riverside camp with minimal infrastructure and no cell signal, Big Bend delivers on those terms.
Description
Located south of Prineville, Oregon, this campground offers year-round camping and Crooked Wild and Scenic River access along the Lower Crooked Back Country Byway. Cooperatively managed in partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, this campground's facilities include 13 campsites, one group use area and a day-use area with access to the Crooked Wild and Scenic River.
Know Before You Go:
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted. Potable water is available during the warmer spring and summer months. Cell phone service is not available in the campground. Watch for bicyclists: the section of State Highway 27 between Prineville and Bowman Dam is designated as the Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway.
Point of Interest:
Looming 240 feet above the campground, the mighty Arthur R. Bowman Dam retains the waters of the 3,030-acre Prineville Reservoir, a popular spot for fishing and other water-based activities. At 1.6 miles away from Big Bend Campground, the boat ramp at Powderhouse Cove provides the nearest reservoir access.
Fee Info
$8 per night; $2 per extra vehicle (tow vehicles excluded) with a maximum of two vehicles allowed per site. Group-use site is $16 per night.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBig Bend Campground is located in Oregon near Prineville
Directions
From Prineville, Oregon: Drive 19.2 miles south on State Highway 27; the campground will be on your right.
Address
Prineville District Office
3050 NE 3rd Street
Prineville, OR 97754
Coordinates
44.11304 N
120.793586 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/6/26
VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/8/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/15/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/6/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/8/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/15/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
Drive Time
- 39 min from Bend, OR
- 2 hrs 56 min from Albany, OR
- 2 hrs 58 min from Salem, OR
- 2 hrs 58 min from Eugene, OR
