Map showing campground location near Mitchell, Oregon

Camper submitted image from Mitchell City Park

Mitchell City Park

Mitchell City Park, near Mitchell, Oregon, is a straightforward camping area that serves as a convenient base for exploring the stunning Painted Hills and John Day National Monument. With basic amenities like electric hookups and drinking water, it’s a practical choice for those looking to rest after a day of adventure.

The park features a few RV sites and tent spots, all within walking distance of local conveniences like a grocery store and a brewery. Visitors have noted that the restrooms are just across the street, making it easy to access facilities when needed. As one camper mentioned, “For only $25 with electric and water, it's a steal,” especially after a few days of boon-docking.

While the sites are close together, making maneuvering a bit tight, many appreciate the grassy areas and picnic tables available for use. The park also has some fun play structures for kids, adding a bit of charm to the location. Reviewers have pointed out that it’s a decent place to stop if other campgrounds are full, with one stating, “If you're in the John Day area and all the other campgrounds are booked, this is a decent place to spend a few hours and sleep.”

Whether you’re just passing through or planning a short stay, Mitchell City Park offers a no-frills camping experience with easy access to the beautiful landscapes of central Oregon.

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Location

Public Campground

Mitchell City Park is located in Oregon

Directions

Located off Highway 26.

Address

118 E Main St
Mitchell, OR 97750

Coordinates

44.5669007 N
120.15318028 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 10 users
Last on 3/9/26
Verizon
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 3/9/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 3/9/26

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 10 users
Last on 3/9/26
Verizon
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 3/9/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 3/9/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 27 min from Bend, OR
2 hrs 53 min from Kennewick, WA
3 hrs 26 min from Portland, OR
3 hrs 27 min from Walla Walla, WA

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

A basic overnight stop offering good value at $10-25 with hookups and family amenities. Significant noise issues from truck traffic and tight parking-lot style sites limit comfort and privacy for most stays.

Gil W.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 13, 2024

NICE SPOT IN A CITY PARK

Not sure what some people are complaining about. This small four site RV “Park” located in a public park in the town of Mitchell, Oregon is perfect if wanting to visit John Day National Monument. Very close to the painted hills and the road to Fossil. For only $25 with electric and water, it's a steal, especially after boon-docking for a few days. Close to a small store that carries a lot of stuff. Plus the Tiger Town Brewing—all any camper needs. Right ? Would definitely stay here again.

Site4

Month of VisitJune

Michael

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 19, 2021

Camped here on bike tour

Near the painted hills of Oregon! Not much to it, but there are restrooms with running water. Caught a ride from here to the hills for sunset.

Mitchell is a nice little town in central Oregon.

Month of VisitJuly

(4) View All

Dave B.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 3, 2021

City park no frills

First come first serve spot in Mitchell. Grocery store, cafe and brewery within walking distance. Nice lay over spot with easy access to the painted hills. Sites are close and tight getting into the spot with a trailer….but doable. Friday night of July 4th weekend we were the only ones in the campground. We would stay again if passing through here.

Site1

Month of VisitJuly

Corinna B.

Legend

Reviewed May. 30, 2018

If Everywhere Else is Booked, This Place is Just Fine

Flush toilets (across the street), water, swing sets and plushy grass for your tent, all for $10. They even have an RV area (more of a parking lot) with water and electric hookups. If you're in the John Day area and all the other campgrounds and booked, this is a decent place to spend a few hours and sleep. There's absolutely no privacy since you're right on the road, but at least it's a bit of a drop down to the grass. You can tell the town is trying, and there's some funky/fun play structures scattered about, though you feel kind of like you're camping in someone's front yard. Mitchell Oregon has some restaurants and antique stores that looked fun but they were all closed by the time we got there. At a minimum, this is a good place to stop, stretch your legs, use the restroom and play a bit, and okay if you need a place to sleep before heading somewhere else and the state park up the road is booked.

Pros: Cheap ($10), decent facilities (watered grass, covered eating area).

Cons: Bathroom across the dusty road. Right in the middle of town/wide open area.

Month of VisitJuly

(8) View All

Brian C.

Legend

Reviewed Nov. 1, 2017

Funny Little Park

Funny little location that’s basically a school, and yet, you can camp on the nearby grounds. A nice covered place for picnics and a very small playground for little kids is available. Bathroom are across the road. If you need a place to crash and you're stuck, this is not too bad.

Month of VisitJuly

(6) View All

Jill R.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 5, 2017

Read the review by Erin P. and then checked it out

I had planned on staying at the Mitchell City Park until I read the other review about this location. It gave me HUGE pause. I'm glad I found the review because when I did check it out there's no way I would have stayed there. It's basically a dirt parking lot with tight, side by side slots. There's power and water, but the water was off as someone had backed over the piping. The other reviewer was also right about the bathroom. It's right across the street and in constant use. If you want a place to camp around The Painted Hills Unit, stay at Ochoco NF park. It's still close and way, way nicer.

Month of VisitSeptember

Erin P.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 10, 2017

Weird park

This was less of a campsite and more of a place to stay. Youre next to the only public bathrooms between Bend and John Day so prep to stay up all night as trucks roll in and out. Very few food options or grocery stores so come prepared. Right on a road. Close to painted hills, but I'd still try to find better camping.

Month of VisitApril

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Mitchell City Park campground?

Mitchell City Park offers several basic amenities for campers. The park provides flush toilets located across the street, water access, and grassy areas for tent camping. RV sites include water and electric hookups. The park features a small playground with swing sets for children, plus a covered picnic area. Within walking distance, you'll find a grocery store, café, and brewery in the town of Mitchell. The campground charges $10 for tent camping and $25 for RV sites with hookups. This simple setup serves as a convenient base when exploring the surrounding area.

Are there photos available of Mitchell City Park camping facilities?

While specific photo galleries aren't mentioned for Mitchell City Park, visitors can generally find images by searching online or contacting the Mitchell city offices directly. The camping facilities are straightforward - a grassy area for tents, a parking lot-style area for RVs with hookups, flush toilets across the street, and a covered picnic area. For the most current visual information before your trip, consider reaching out to the city of Mitchell or checking their official website.

Can RVs and trailers stay at Mitchell City Park?

Yes, Mitchell City Park accommodates RVs and trailers in a dedicated area that's separate from the tent camping section. The RV area provides water and electric hookups for $25 per night. There are four RV sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. While the sites are described as close together and somewhat tight to maneuver into with a trailer, they are definitely doable. The simple setup works well for RVers needing a convenient base to explore the Painted Hills and John Day area.

How close is Mitchell City Park to the Painted Hills and John Day Fossil Beds?

Mitchell City Park is ideally located for visiting the Painted Hills unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The Painted Hills are very close to Mitchell, making the campground an excellent base for exploration. Some visitors have even caught rides from the park to the Painted Hills to enjoy sunset views. The park also provides convenient access to other areas of the John Day Fossil Beds, including the route to Fossil. This strategic location makes Mitchell City Park a practical overnight option for travelers wanting to explore these natural wonders.

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