Macks Canyon Recreation Site, near Grass Valley, Oregon, is a fantastic spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle while still enjoying some essential amenities. With designated sites and a laid-back vibe, it’s perfect for tent camping or glamping under the stars.

The campground is known for its spaciousness and cleanliness, with plenty of room to spread out. Visitors have enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, often sharing the space with just a few fellow campers, mainly fishermen or overlanders. One camper noted, “The campground is clean, and hardly anyone here,” which adds to the charm of this off-the-beaten-path location.

You’ll find a picnic table at your site, making it easy to enjoy meals outdoors, and fires are allowed, so you can roast marshmallows and share stories around the campfire. Just keep in mind that there’s no drinking water or electric hookups, so come prepared. The area is also known for its stunning views of the river and canyon, with opportunities for hiking along the old railway line nearby.

While the access road can be a bit bumpy, the journey is worth it for the serene surroundings. Just be ready for some wind in the evenings, as it can pick up quite a bit. If you’re looking for a quiet retreat with beautiful scenery and a chance to connect with nature, Macks Canyon is definitely worth checking out.

The Macks Canyon archaeological site is a large, prehistoric village locale overlooking the Deschutes River in north-central Oregon. The site is characterized by shallow, circular, semi-subterranean house depressions, surface artifacts, and riverine shell deposits. Limited excavations conducted in the late 1960's indicate that the site was the location of a winter village occupied by Sahaptin-speaking people of the Columbia Plateau. Although the main period of occupation appears to have occurred within the last 2,000 years, the site may have been occupied as early as 5,000 BC. A campground and boat ramp are situated at the end of the Access Road along the east bank of the Lower Deschutes River. The area is popular with boaters and fishermen. The route to Macks Canyon is also a National Back Country Byway. ADA Access: The archaeological site itself does not have accessible facilities. However, the nearby campground has an accessible campsite, vault toilets and parking.

Macks Canyon Recreation Site

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We were so glad we kept driving down this road until the very end. Along this road (Lower Deschutes Access Road- which is pretty bumpy but we did fine with our camper) you will pass several other campgrounds- Twin Springs, Jones Canyon, Beavertail Recreation Site, Rattlesnake Canyon- and then at the very end of the road, you will find Macks Canyon Recreation Site. 

  

It was fairly empty when we arrived and we got an awesome site along the river, site 11. The view of the river was amazing and we watched lots of fishing boats and rafting boats go by. There is also a railroad track across the river and it was fun to watch the trains go by. No AT&amp;T phone service here. 

  

The only negative is that it can get super windy. At one point we were frantically trying to get our awning down from the Cricket and things were flying everywhere. The wind lasted about an hour and then things calmed down again. 

  

From the end of the Lower Deschutes Access Road just above the campground, you can hike along the old railway line. Again, amazing views of the Deschutes and the canyon. We did about 5 miles road trip but you could go further.

  

One of my new favorite places to camp in Oregon!

What a gem!

The campground was just what we were looking for. Minimal people, desert, fishing. We went during weather transition from rain to clear. The result, high winds in the canyon. This only lasted the one night. Fantastic weather the rest of the time. A slight bit of small trash around. Plenty of trash cans. $8 weekdays $12 weekends. None of the other campgrounds had anyone. Next time I think we’ll stay at Rattlesnake Campground. 

Nice Campground 

We were here in 2021 and thought we’d try again. The campground is clean, and hardly anyone here. Lots of space for established camping. One other site occupied out of 18. Here’s the but. I go off-road a lot. I have never experienced a washboard road as bad as this was for 6-7 miles. I thought the doors were going to blow off the truck. Not an exaggeration. Usually you can adjust speed to plane the wash. Not this time. If they grade the road would have been 4+ stars. 

As before the wind kicks up (strong) around 7:30p to 8:30p. 

No cell service👎 Starlink 👍

Love it…. but

Really good spot to get off the grid while still having most amenities. Stayed here for a few days and loved it. About 20 miles of gravel road will take you here and some small Rockwall to semi-worry about. 
Other than that most people you'll bump into are fisherman or overlanding. 

Photos of Macks Canyon Recreation Site

Real photos from real campers