5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Hunt Park accommodates both tent and RV campers with horses near Tygh Valley, about 50 miles from Antelope. The campground provides water hookups, toilets, and showers for campers, though it lacks dedicated horse corrals. The fairgrounds location offers level sites with electricity available. Many campers report the peaceful setting bordered by ranch land, with occasional cattle sounds being the only notable noise. Hunt Park remains open year-round with first-come, first-served sites.
The Badger Creek Trail provides riding opportunities near Bonney Crossing Campground, another option for horse owners in the region. This primitive campground offers seven established sites situated along Badger Creek with toilet facilities but no drinking water. The trail system extends approximately 6 miles to Pine Creek and another 6 miles to Badger Lake, providing varied terrain for day rides. Some riders access these trails directly from their campsite. The road to Bonney Crossing requires careful navigation but rewards visitors with stream-side camping spots. The campground operates seasonally from May to October, with sites available on a first-come basis.
"Camp host was nice, easy access to sites. Showers/bathrooms clean but dated."
"Rght next to Fair-when it is in town!"
"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."
"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."
"Borders a large cattle ranch so you may hear cattle mooing but that’s about it. Very peaceful!"
"Beautiful areas to explore close by. Saw our first lawnmower races in Wamic, so fun!"
"Campground Review An open, relatively unused campground next to a sleep-calling stream right in between the last forested part of Mt."
"Bonney Crossing campground is located in the Eastern most side of the Mt Hood National Forest. Our campsite provided us a quiet relaxing two nights of camping."
from $16 / night
Check Availability"Located a short walk from Steelhead Falls. Very quiet at night. Many trail and lots of signs of wildlife."
RangerNear 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.
GuideNot 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.
GuideEDIT: We had a park ranger stop by and inform us that this location is closed to passenger vehicles. No passenger vehicles are allowed past the boulders. We are currently parked at the one and only camp slot that passenger vehicles are allowed, so this is a 99% dispersed camping location that you have to walk to your camp site location. The Park Ranger also reminded me that all BLM land is a 14-day stay for recreational camping only, and if you are living out of your RV, you are liable to be harassed more often then others.
Original Review: We parked in a space close to the main road. Minus the sounds from it, the place is very peaceful. There's lots of sage bushes, and trees are plenty but not clustered. There is a lot of wildlife in the area if the animal bones are anything to judge by. There are a lot of ant colonies and other burrowing creatures in the area as well. If you choose to walk off designated paths, watch your step, or you might end up in a shallow hole like I did. Some spots are more solar friendly than others, but none of the trees are overbearingly tall to completely block out the ability for it. Flies aren't too bad compared to other places, and honestly, I'm not sure if the ones we are dealing with are from here or left over from our 1 night stay at another location. The river is only a shortish walk away, and field mice do live in some of the boulders in the area.
RangerFirst 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.
GuideThis 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.
TravelerThis is a county fair grounds with lots of RV space for all sizes. Self register at the gate and find your spot. Nice rest room and showers. Borders a large cattle ranch so you may hear cattle mooing but that’s about it. Very peaceful!
GuideBonney Crossing campground is located in the Eastern most side of the Mt Hood National Forest. Our campsite provided us a quiet relaxing two nights of camping. Site is located just next to Badger Creek and the Badger Creek trail. Kids loved spending time exploring the creek and cooling off in it. Campsites are first come first serve and only has 7 established sites. Campground is, "primitive" so you must bring your own potable water. Site does have an accessible pit toilet.
GuideWe camped here with our UMCI Motorcycle Group, and had a great time. Good power sites, even though we were in our Motorcycle tent trailer. Open area sites, but also some with trees. Beautiful areas to explore close by. Saw our first lawnmower races in Wamic, so fun!
LegendFlush 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.
Hunt Park accommodates tent and RV campers with horses near Tygh Valley, offering electric hookups, water, and toilet facilities. Sites remain level throughout the fairground area, where campers often report peaceful surroundings with only occasional cattle sounds from neighboring ranch land. The park operates year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration at the entrance gate. Motorcycle groups and equestrian campers frequently utilize this location as a base for regional exploration.
Trail riding access: The Bonney Crossing area provides direct access to Badger Creek Trail, which offers approximately 12 miles of varied terrain perfect for day rides. "The campsite is clean with no over growth. Sleeping next to the water is calming and the hikes are top notch," notes reviewer Cheryl P.
Explore nearby attractions: When camping at Mitchell City Park, visitors gain convenient access to John Day National Monument. "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," reports Gil W.
Water activities: Bonney Crossing Campground sits alongside Badger Creek, offering cooling relief during summer months. "Kids loved spending time exploring the creek and cooling off in it," shares Scott B., highlighting the natural water features that complement the established trail system.
Peaceful environment: The Jefferson County Fairgrounds RV Park provides a quiet setting with practical amenities. "Camp host was nice, easy access to sites. Showers/bathrooms clean but dated," notes J D., describing the straightforward camping experience available during events.
Stream-side sites: At Hunt Park, the setting creates a serene camping atmosphere. "This is a county fair grounds with lots of RV space for all sizes. Self register at the gate and find your spot. Nice rest room and showers," reports David B., describing the self-service nature of this horse-friendly campground.
Low-traffic camping: During off-peak seasons, Bonney Crossing offers solitude. "We were there for 2 nights and didn't see any other people. The campsites are all well spaced out parallel to a nice clean looking river," explains Greg L., noting the campground's potential for private camping experiences outside summer months.
Road conditions: Access to some horse campgrounds near Antelope, Oregon requires careful driving. For Bonney Crossing, "The road down is a little sketchy but as long as you go slow it's well worth it," advises Cheryl P., indicating the need for cautious navigation on approach roads.
Limited amenities: Mitchell City Park offers basic services with specific limitations. "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," explains Corinna B., detailing the straightforward facilities.
Seasonal availability: While Hunt Park remains open year-round, other facilities operate seasonally. Most equestrian campgrounds in the region maintain standard operational seasons from May through October, requiring advance planning for off-season visits.
Accessible experiences: Mitchell City Park provides family-friendly accommodations. "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," suggests Corinna B., highlighting its functionality as a base for exploration.
Stream exploration: Children often enjoy natural water features at established sites. Scott B. notes that Bonney Crossing campground has "kids loved spending time exploring the creek and cooling off in it," indicating the simple recreational opportunities available directly from campsites.
Playgrounds available: Some equestrian campgrounds include play structures for younger visitors. "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," mentions Corinna B. about Mitchell City Park's facilities.
Self-registration process: At Hunt Park, RV campers follow straightforward check-in procedures. "Self register at the gate and find your spot," explains David B., describing the autonomous registration system common at fairground campgrounds near Antelope, Oregon.
Site accessibility: Jefferson County Fairgrounds accommodates larger rigs with adequate spacing. "We camped here with our UMCI Motorcycle Group, and had a great time. Good power sites, even though we were in our Motorcycle tent trailer. Open area sites, but also some with trees," reports Dennis P., noting the versatility of available spaces.
Hookup availability: Electrical and water connections vary between locations. "For only $25 with electric and water, it's a steal, especially after boon-docking for a few days," notes Gil W. about Mitchell City Park, comparing the value of partial hookups to dispersed camping options in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Antelope, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Antelope, OR is Jefferson County Fairgrounds RV Park - DURING EVENTS ONLY with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Antelope, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Antelope, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
