Dispersed camping opportunities near Condon, Oregon provide affordable access to central Oregon's desert landscape with minimal facilities. Campsites around the John Day River sit at elevations between 1,400-2,000 feet, with summer daytime temperatures often exceeding 90°F. Seasonal winds typically intensify during evening hours, particularly in canyon locations, requiring secure tent setups.
What to do
Stargazing conditions: excellent year-round. At Priest Hole Recreation Area, the minimal light pollution creates perfect night sky viewing. "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," notes one camper who stayed despite daytime temperatures reaching 100°F.
Fishing access: plentiful along riverside sites. At Muleshoe Campground, anglers find convenient river access. "We stayed in this campground the night before we put in at Service Creek for a three day float down the John Day River," reports one visitor who appreciated the riverside location for pre-trip staging.
Hiking opportunities: available from several campsites. Near Macks Canyon, trails follow old railway lines. "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," shares one hiker.
What campers like
Accessibility to painted hills formations: Tent camping within viewing distance of these geological features. At Burnt Ranch Road/Bridge Creek, "We were lucky to snag the spot that looks over the painted hills so we had a gorgeous view!" reports one camper. This location offers easy access to the national monument where overnight camping isn't permitted.
Recent site improvements: Several campgrounds have undergone renovations. At Priest Hole, "Each campsite had recently been upgraded with heavy duty Pilot Rock fire pits, fresh gravel, restrooms were clean. These upgrades were done over the past several years according to BLM Prineville staff," notes one visitor who appreciated the enhanced facilities.
Swimming holes: Several riverside camping areas provide cooling options during hot summer months. "Great 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," writes one Priest Hole camper who enjoyed water access during summer heat.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to the most remote sites requires preparation. At Macks Canyon Recreation Site, "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," warns one regular visitor.
Evening wind patterns: Prepare for consistent strong gusts. "The wind lasted about an hour and then things calmed down again," reports a Macks Canyon camper who had to quickly secure their awning when winds intensified. These patterns affect most river canyon campsites, typically starting around 7:30-8:30 pm.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds lack connectivity. One Macks Canyon visitor specifically notes "No cell service" with a thumbs down emoji in their review. For emergency communication, consider satellite options as reception is unreliable throughout the river corridors.
Tips for camping with families
River access considerations: Not all water access points are child-friendly. At Service Creek Campground, one camper warns the river is "a bit sludgy/swampy on the edges (no real beach)" making entry difficult for young swimmers. Consider water shoes and careful site selection.
Walk-in tent site distances: Families with young children should note required hiking distances. Service Creek features "walk-in tent sites about 100 yards from parking areas," requiring multiple trips with gear. One visitor notes "You've got to haul your stuff maybe 100 yards to the most distant sites, but you can always see your car."
Entertainment options: Natural features provide children's activities without electronics. At Service Creek, "the river provided plenty of entertainment. A few trees gave hammock options and our metal detector allowed the boys to find a lot of old junk just under the surface dirt of the campsite," reports a parent camping with 10-year-olds.
Tips from RVers
Site angles and backups: Recent upgrades have changed access at some campgrounds. At Priest Hole, one RVer reports "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."
Level site availability: Many riverside areas feature limited truly flat parking. "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)," notes an RVer at Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area who persisted to find suitable spots.
Overnight temperature swings: RVers without hookups should prepare for significant cooling after sunset. "It was SO hot but we had to head east to beat the smoke. We found several walk in tent spots, nothing for Van's, trailers," reports a Service Creek visitor who found evening temperatures eventually dropped to comfortable sleeping conditions despite daytime heat.
