Central Oregon is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Central Oregon and user-submitted reviews.
$20 - $125 / night
"We showed up on the 4th of July and got the last walk up site! Pros: the drinking water is amazing and is run on a solar pump!"
"Walton lake is just gorgeous. The only thing I don’t like is that some of their sites, you can’t actually park at the site, cause they’re on a hill. BUT it’s the perfect place to recharge."
$26 - $110 / night
"This is another Oregon state park gem... best to visit offseason if you are not a boater, jet skier or love motor noise. I go every spring and get a spot overlooking the lake/reservoir. "
"It's a very popular Oregon State Park and I'm sure summer requires advance planning. The weekend we were there was pretty full and our site was at the top of the B loop. "
$50 / night
"An easy 30 minute drive from Oregon's Painted Hills, the Ochoco Divide campground is a great home base for exploring the area."
"If you're staying here it's for it's location. It's right on the edge of Ochoco national Forest and is about thirty minutes from the Painted Hills."
"Tucked away in the hills and the woods, with numerous hiking trails from the campground to explore the surrounding areas."
"Came through the area planning to camp before exploring the fossil beds and painted hills nearby."
$10 - $25 / night
"A downside is the proximity to the highway and the resulting noise."
"Tiny little campsite with spots right next to each other. 10 walk up tent sites, most are right along the water. Everyone is so close together you get to know your neighbors pretty well."
"There are trails in abundance and beautiful views to be had, in addition to lakes, mine remnants and vistas galore. Camp, trail run or just bbq at the lake. There is something for everyone here."
"We boondocked at a great site in October 2020 near Mill Creek Wilderness, dirt forest roads not too bad but we have a pretty low bar. Some great views looking west/northwest."
"Came to check it out since we were camped nearby. There’s a vault toilet, some fire pits where obviously you can camp and looks like lots of snow mobile trails. There is also a pond of water too."
"Plenty of trails for any hiking/walking level.
Great spot for photography, meditation, exploring solo or with company."
"It's no wonder it's one of the seven wonders of Oregon. It's a quick drive from Bend, and to see the Wallowa burn aftermath is humbling."
ScoutIt’s a highway gravel area with plenty of places to pull up and park for any size rig. There are a few others here as well. Super quiet, little road noise but not somewhere for us to stay over one night.
GuideThis site is on the far end of the painted hills park, just outside of the gate. There is a sign that says "no turn around" but the exact spot of that is way down the road and you can turn around in this camping area.
There were a few bad ruts from people traversing in the mud but still a couple of level areas.
This is our backup spot if we strike out at Priest Hole, but haven't yet.
GuideBLM improved this area recently.
CONS -
Cant get anywhere near the river now, and walking access is sparse unless you want to hop the big guardrail and blaze the bushes.
The flow is backwards, and for the sites along the river you now are forced to face away from the painted hill and wildlife in the area.
The road to the river sites is NARROW, and we had trouble backing in with a 22' trailer while not hitting the guard rail, but the pull through sites are a lot farther from the river.
PROS -
Nice sites with table and fire ring - although even with the fire ring you still can't have fires during most of the good weather.
Some improvements on road in in case you get caught with an oncoming vehicle (I'm sure as heck not backing up a winding one lane road)
Whoever designed this upgrade had obviously never stayed at the park. It's nicer in a way, but also a bit less special than it was before. Still a good spot and is still free for the moment, but I hear they are putting in a pay station eventually.
GuideNo water. Pit toilets, fire rings, tables. Nice larger sites
GuideEasy to find. Nice big sites. Single and double. Pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits. No water. $7 with NP pass or $15 w/o
ScoutGreat large sites, three other sites occupied. Ground is flat and soft enough to easily pitch a tent. AT&T cell phone coverage pretty decent. T-mobile you may receive messages but won’t load websites.
M
Place feels safe except for the occasional shot in the distance from hunters. Fire-ban in effect in August.
BYO water, pack out your garbage and drop toilet is clean.
LegendIf we had checked the forecast, we probably wouldn’t have camped here. However when we arrived at 6 pm and it was 100 degrees, we were far enough off the beaten path that we decided to sweat it out and spend the night. We stayed in site 12 which also had absolutely no shade and tons of bees, which didn’t help our situation.
All that aside, we are so happy we did spend the night here! The river is gorgeous and perfect for swimming. The views through the canyon are incredible at sunset and the temp dropped significantly for comfortable sleeping! The campground itself is clean and well appointed.
GuideI LOVE. This spot is awesome- it’s beautiful and just around the corner from some short hikes through the painted hills. It’s pretty remote, and there’s no service but that’s kind of the charm of it. Only saw one other person drive in while I was there.
The dirt road to the campsite is bumpy and rutted but I made it just fine with my Tacoma and off-road trailer (and it’s a really short distance once you’re off the gravel road). At least to the first spot- there’s about 3-4 other spots past that one but the road does get progressively worst.
Only stayed one night, but would’ve stayed longer had it not rained. I wouldn’t trust the road in the rain, it looks like it turns into a mud pit.
Super pretty. Highly recommend🤠
ScoutThis is a quiet and peaceful CG for boondocks. $25 for 1 night, 2 nights available without online booking. Lake is pretty when full.
Camping near Central Oregon offers a mix of stunning landscapes, outdoor activities, and unique campgrounds. Whether you're into fishing, hiking, or just soaking in the views, there's something for everyone.
Camping near Central Oregon, Oregon, offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakes to rugged trails. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground, and you'll have a great time!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Central Oregon?
According to TheDyrt.com, Central Oregon offers a wide range of camping options, with 125 campgrounds and RV parks near Central Oregon and 18 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Central Oregon?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Central Oregon is Walton Lake with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Central Oregon?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 free dispersed camping spots near Central Oregon.
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