122 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options in the Dayville area of Oregon range from developed campgrounds with full facilities to rustic forest service sites. Established campgrounds like Fish House Inn and RV Campground provide tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations within the small town setting of Dayville. Approximately 20 miles east, Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site offers yurt and glamping options with electric hookups and showers from March through November. Barnhouse Campground and Cottonwood Campground provide more primitive camping experiences in forested settings, with basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables but no hookups or running water.
Road conditions vary significantly across the region, with some campgrounds accessible via paved roads while others require navigation through ranch lands and forest service roads. The camping season extends primarily from spring through fall, with most forest service campgrounds having no designated season but becoming inaccessible during winter months due to snow. Limited cell service characterizes much of the area, particularly at more remote sites like Barnhouse Campground. Visitors should plan accordingly for potentially limited amenities. A camper noted, "This place is never really busy even in the summer, but there is often a couple of sites taken. Some nice trails lead off from the back of the site."
Proximity to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument represents a major draw for campers in the Dayville area. Several campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring the Painted Hills and other sections of the monument. Free camping options like Barnhouse Campground provide secluded alternatives to more developed sites closer to town. Campers frequently mention wildlife sightings, including deer, wild horses, and various birds. The region's natural beauty earns consistent praise in reviews. One visitor shared, "If you want to sleep in a canyon under a brilliant blanket of stars, this is the place for you. The campground is well kept and the out and back trail is lovely." Between the town-adjacent RV parks and the remote forest service campgrounds, the Dayville area accommodates diverse camping preferences while providing access to the region's geological and historical attractions.
"Dayville is a delightful small town with chickens and goats and horses as neighbors to the RV park. The proprietors clearly value hospitality and are very welcoming."
"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."
from $25 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Went kayaking at Magone Lake and lunch in Dayville at the Cafe. There is a dump station when you leave and has easy access. Fishing available in a near by pond."
"This is always such a great place to stop when traveling between Idaho and western Oregon. It has lots of shade, lawn, and hedges that offer privacy between the large camp sites."
from $26 - $34 / night
Check Availability"We camped next to the lovely lil creek. Bathrooms & showers were Fabulous! Dayville is a very cute little town, with cute lil shops! Great location to stay to explore the area!"
"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."
"The area is beautiful but the creek is so very tiny and back behind the cabin. It has a vault toilet that was very clean but we may have been lucky since it is not cleaned between guests."
"In the spring, I imagine you can fish the creek behind the cabin. The Wildlife
If you hike a little off trail, there's plenty of wildlife to be seen."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"There are toilets but no water (there’s a creek so boil or treat the water there), close to the road, and a good basecamp for hiking or horseback riding in the area."
"Which I will say a lot of people were not doing so I walked around and picked up a huge bag of garbage especially out of the fire pits."
"The campground is well kept and the out and back trail ( I think about 8 miles altogether ) is lovely."
RangerIt’s a little bit of a drive back there but the road was well maintained all the way back maybe a few washboards which is to be expected. We went to the spots just across the cattle gap on the right side. There was nobody else there on a Monday. Just us and the crickets at night and birds in the morning.
We used the visitor center restrooms and they also had WiFi there if you don’t have service.
GuideVery lovely and woodsy wayside campground, with fairly open sites that feature a table, firepit and nearby water. There is a bathroom (pit) and dumpster (might have been more, but I didn't see any). There were only a handful of sites large and level enough for our trailer, but the one we picked was perfect!
It's right on the road, so there was some occasional noise, but nothing too obnoxious. It's very fairly priced at $20, but bring your checkbook or cash; no CC accepted and the only host/ranger we saw came to tell us they were closing the campground for maintenance the day we were leaving.
GuideBeautiful setting next to the John Day. Walking path next to the river is the feature. Bathrooms were tidy but dated. Heated bathrooms and shower area. Hot water. Yes
TravelerWe stopped in here after 2 days touring the widely dispered John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Its not the most obvious choice, but included on a free map of "camping nearby" that was given to us at the Thomas Condon Visitor Center. Visiting this National Monument is very unique and wonderful experience, but part of the challenge is a lack of even minimally developed campgrounds anywhere near the 3 "units" of the National Monument. This campground far exceeded expectations, and the camp host Jody was beyond gracious and accommodating and keeps this rather large campground beautifully maintained, super clean, and in tip-top shape. I highly recommend to fuel up in Spray at the one pump available in town (serving diesel and gas as of this review, thank goodness) and make the drive out to this campground for a night or two, either on the way in/out, or just as a side trip. Well worth it. Don't be concerned about the massive OHV park nearby, this campground has a strict policy on OHV use within the campground areas including the largest camping loop where they are strictly prohibited. It was super quiet, beautiful and peaceful in our very early season visit.
GuideSuper clean, well maintained state park. Large spacious sites that offers good distance between campers. Restrooms and showers were really tidy.
ScoutNice small BLM campsite next to the John Day River. Clean with level sites right next to the river. No water or trash but a vault toilet, fire rings and nice picnic table. Inexpensive ($5). First come, first served. Near to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Sheep Rock unit.
GuideWe went here for a wedding. RV parking was basically in a large open field (no formal sites). The facilities were really nice though, the giant fire pit was cool, and the caretakers were friendly. The drive in and the landscape around was gorgeous. The creek is kind of marshy so I think that’s why the mosquitos were so bad. Definitely no service out here, but saw lots of wildlife and the way in and out.
TravelerDon’t try finding this place in the dark. There’s a long strength and you may start to doubt yourself. No GPS which made it more scary but when I found it, it was awesome. There’s a nice trailhead that was great walking with my dog. It was so peaceful and beautiful especially since I had it all to myself.
TravelerLoved this spot. Right off the road but not a lot of traffic. Camped right off the river. Awesome spot for my dog and I
Dispersed camping near Dayville, Oregon requires preparation due to limited amenities and remote locations. The surrounding Ochoco National Forest sits at elevations between 2,500 and 4,500 feet, creating wide temperature swings between daytime and nighttime even in summer months. Cell service becomes increasingly unreliable as campers venture farther from Highway 26, with most forest service campgrounds offering no connectivity for emergency communications or weather updates.
Wildlife watching along creek beds: Barnhouse Campground offers prime viewing opportunities for local wildlife. One camper noted, "We saw mule deer and turkeys. Maybe it is because it was November, but there were very few people out exploring the area."
Star photography after dark: The minimal light pollution at secluded campsites provides exceptional night sky viewing. A visitor at Cottonwood Pit shared, "If you want to sleep in a canyon under a brilliant blanket of stars, this is the place for you."
Fishing in seasonal streams: Small creeks run through several campgrounds in spring and early summer, offering fishing opportunities. Regarding Oregon Mine Campground, a camper advised, "There is nice hiking in the area in this simple campsite in the middle of nowhere. There are toilets but no water (there's a creek so boil or treat the water there)."
Free forest service sites: Several campgrounds near Dayville offer no-cost camping with basic amenities. A visitor to Cottonwood Campground stated, "This is a hidden gem in the Ochoco National forest. It is pretty rustic with no water but does have 1 pit toilet that was clean but not stocked. It is a first come, first serve and is free."
Wild horse sightings: The rangeland surrounding Dayville hosts wild horse herds that occasionally visit campsites. A camper at Oregon Mine Campground reported an exciting encounter: "We not only saw Wild Horses, we woke up to them grazing in our camp ground!"
Hiking trails accessible from camp: Many sites offer direct trail access without driving. At Barnhouse Campground, a reviewer wrote, "Our site was next to a trail entrance, which crosses a cute little bridge/creek and heads up into the hills where a beautiful sunset over the valley could be seen."
Road conditions vary significantly: Some forest service roads require high-clearance vehicles. A Barnhouse Campground visitor cautioned, "Be forewarned that the right hand entrance of the road loop that goes to each site is pretty rough! Deep potholes and tree branches leaning into the road which scratched our vehicle."
Pack extra toilet paper: Vault toilets at remote sites receive infrequent maintenance. At Billy Fields Forest Camp, a camper noted, "One vault toilet was there, no AT&T cell service. We saw a garter snake near the stream. Theres also a caution sign for ticks."
Water sources are limited: Most dispersed camping areas near Dayville lack potable water. At Murderers Creek Guard Station, a visitor advised, "There's a big refrigerator and gas stove in the kitchen, along with some pots and pans for cooking. But NO running water for drinking or cooking, so bring plenty of water."
Reserve cabins for shoulder season: When temperatures drop at night, cabin options provide warmth without extensive gear. A visitor to Fish House Inn and RV Campground recommended, "This is an adorable affordable location with cute little cottages. I would highly recommend and we will be going back."
Check for kid-friendly water features: Shallow creeks offer safe play areas during hot weather. A camper at Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site observed, "There's a small creek that runs by the camp where you can wade and kids try to catch crayfish."
Plan for mosquito protection: Creek-side camping areas often have insect issues. One visitor to Billy Fields Forest Camp explained, "There was too mosquitoes for me, probably because there is a stream next to sites. It seemed clean and quiet though, the sound of stream was nice."
Limited level sites at forest campgrounds: Many free camping areas have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. A Barnhouse Campground camper noted, "Most of the sites are far enough away that it didn't feel crowded with three other parties there, but a couple of the sites are close enough to be good for a group. Our site had a slight slant so we needed a couple of leveling blocks."
Full hookup options in town: For RVers needing utilities, staying closer to Dayville provides essential services. At Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site, a camper shared, "We had the site just behind the information kiosk / pay booth, which was perfectly fine for a night, but as it was nearer the main road, I noticed the sound of traffic more than I might have had we gotten a river site."
Generator restrictions: Check campground rules as some limit generator use hours or prohibit them entirely. A visitor to Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site mentioned, "The place was mostly filled by retired folks with their RV and generators going. Really it was only one that was a loud Generator... and not too close to me."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I camp in Dayville, Oregon?
The Dayville area offers several camping options for different preferences. Murderers Creek Guard Station provides a rustic cabin experience with propane heat and powered appliances, plus space for tents in the yard and a vault toilet. For those seeking a forested setting, Cottonwood Campground near Dayville offers drive-in access with free camping and toilet facilities. If you're willing to venture a bit further, Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site near John Day provides paved, level sites in a lush, green setting with great access to the Painted Hills area.
Is there an RV park in Dayville, Oregon?
Yes, Dayville has two excellent RV park options. Dayville South Fork RV Park offers a peaceful setting next to a creek with clean bathrooms and showers. It's located in the charming small town of Dayville and serves as a great base for exploring the surrounding area. Another option is Fish House Inn and RV Campground, operated by friendly hosts who maintain clean facilities and create a welcoming atmosphere. This RV park is situated within the delightful small-town setting of Dayville, with local farm animals often visible nearby.
What amenities are available at Dayville camping areas?
Camping areas around Dayville offer varying levels of amenities. Bull Prairie Campground provides a serene lake setting in the Umatilla National Forest with basic facilities in a surprisingly green oasis. For more amenities, Strawberry Campground south of Prairie City offers a quiet atmosphere with facilities suitable for exploring the Strawberry Mountain wilderness and John Day Fossil Beds. The RV parks in Dayville typically provide the most comprehensive amenities, including clean showers, bathrooms, level sites, and convenient access to the small town's services. Some camping areas also feature creekside locations, fire rings, and picnic tables, though specific amenities vary by location.
Keep Exploring
