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."
"Overlooking the reservoir, near the water pump & clean vault toilet, this was a perfect, off-grid, spot!! Only a few other RVers present, and far enough that we didn’t hear their generator."
ScoutThis is a quiet and peaceful CG for boondocks. $25 for 1 night, 2 nights available without online booking. Lake is pretty when full.
ScoutGreat camping spot along the John Day river. There’s an area in the beginning with new paved out camping spots on the river and a vault toilet. If you bypass that area and keep going along the gravel/dirt road you’ll find more pull out spots that are more secluded.
GuideSqueaky-clean RV park in excellent repair. Close to everything in the cute town of Prineville, on a scenic road bike route, across the street from the Crooked River and Rimrock Park with an elaborate frisbee golf course. Two Rivian destination chargers on site. Sites are close together with minimal shade but a great stop on the way to more remote parts of Oregon, especially strategic if towing with an EV.
ScoutWe made the reservation as we were arriving into town, and because of an expo going on next door, we felt luck to be able to get a spot.
The sites were clean, cement, and easy to enter and leave. They had a small lending library that we were able to leave a stack of DVDs that we had previously seen, as well as a few books and puzzles. Laundry room was more than adequate. Very friendly and helpful staff.
LegendWe stayed here as we had plans to visit John Day Fossil Beds National Monument the next day. We pulled our class B onto a lovely grassy FHU site. It was right next to the bathrooms but that was ok for us. The hot showers were lovely. The camp host was super nice. We enjoyed sitting outside on a hot evening. There is even a laundry. The only reason for not giving 5 stars, is that the neighbor’s rooster woke us up at about 4:30 am. If you are not a light sleeper you’d be fine here. We’d stay again if we were passing through but may use ear plugs.
RangerWe put Red Scar Knoll into our navigation and it took us to a private ranch with no trespassing signs. We couldn’t see other ways to get there. We used the coordinates named by a previous reviewer instead and found the spot and it was great. I would not recommend for vehicles larger than a van or after heavy rain as it was a bumpy ride down. We could see that other people had camped here previously as there were fire pits. There was a beautiful little creek next to the spot. There was some noise from the road but there was minimal traffic. I could get about one bar of AT&T service. It is only 11 minutes from painted hills overlook. No amenities. Great for a night among beautiful surroundings:) quite a few bugs at night. There was little to no service on the way there so make sure to save the coordinates/map
GuideNot a bad little campground by the river. Like most sites you'll find they have some spots that are definitely "the spot" and if you are the first to snag them then you're golden! This Leaves other spots not as appealing but still they will do. We had a Great view of chimney rock and a direct trail down to the river from our site. We had a good time while we were there.
GuideThings to know:
We started late at night and ended up choosing this spot to spend the night it was dark and it was hard to see the part on the sign about the Livestock. The sign seemed a little off at first and the fence is certainly a diy build so we were a little confused. The next morning we found ourselves eye to eye with some rather large friends grazing 😂 and it all made sense.
We did not find the exact spot the first night in the dark we actually went slightly past the turn and when we found ourselves almost eye level with a drone we decided perhaps we would stay put and continue in the morning. We were happy we did because there are literally no signs or barriers. I recommend arriving before sunset. Sunsets anywhere in this area are amazing 😍
It's rocky AF
Hope you have a 4-wheeler or a major strategy is needed.
We suddenly had lightning all around us , followed by the sky dumping rain the next morning for hours practically creating a river. Then as soon as it was done it dried up basically like nothing happened. Be prepared for all weather.
This was one of my favorite places I've been so far from the crazy cow encounters, to the lighting storm and incredible views. The stars are amazing the moon was playing peekaboo all night and the colors of the sky were spectacular sites to see. Words can't express you just just have to go visit yourself 🙃 Happy travels!
GuideWell cared for campground and nice facilities. Full hook up.
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
According to TheDyrt.com, Central Oregon offers a wide range of camping options, with 124 campgrounds and RV parks near Central Oregon and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Central Oregon is Walton Lake with a 4.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Central Oregon.
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