The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Dayville, OR

238 Reviews

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.

Map showing campgrounds near Dayville, OregonExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Dayville, Oregon (119)

    1. Fish House Inn and RV Campground

    7 Reviews
    Dayville, OR
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 987-2124

    $25 - $150 / night

    "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."

    2. Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground

    28 Reviews
    Mount Vernon, OR
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 932-4453

    $26 - $32 / night

    "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."

    3. Dayville South Fork RV Park

    1 Review
    Dayville, OR
    0 miles
    +1 (541) 987-2454

    "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!"

    4. Barnhouse Campground

    11 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    20 miles

    "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."

    5. Murderers Creek Guard Station

    3 Reviews
    Mount Vernon, OR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 820-3800

    $50 / night

    "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."

    6. Oregon Mine Campground

    2 Reviews
    Mount Vernon, OR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 575-3000

    "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."

    7. Billy Fields Forest Camp

    1 Review
    Mount Vernon, OR
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 575-3000

    8. Cottonwood Campground

    1 Review
    Dayville, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6500

    "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."

    9. Cottonwood Pit

    1 Review
    Dayville, OR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6500

    "The campground is well kept and the out and back trail ( I think about 8 miles altogether ) is lovely."

    10. South Fork RV Park

    Be the first to review!
    Dayville, OR
    0 miles
    +1 (541) 987-2454
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 119 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Dayville Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Dayville, OR

66 Photos of 119 Dayville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Dayville, OR

238 Reviews of 119 Dayville Campgrounds

  • Curt F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Painted Hills South Camp

    Beautiful secluded location

    Coordinates take you to a location for four-ish spots on the right side of the road.  If you drive a little bit further, there are another two spots on the left.  Each with fire pits and could fit a 30' rig.  Road was in good condition, just a few washboards.  Beautiful area.  If you are coming from the west on 26, don't follow the GPS.  That will want you to turn left onto a private drive.  Keep heading east until you get to Burnt Ranch Road.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Priest Hole Recreation Area

    No shade trees but good clear spots

    Great summer camping if you have air conditioning. Starlink only. Great beach and great tubing the river, tons of Burrs which is bad for dogs

  • James C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground

    Super

    Camp spots excellent. Ranger is not real friendly. Camp host was told to by ranger to not water going to turn brown anyway. Beautiful place. Sites level. Water elec avail at each site dump site available.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Painted Hills South Camp

    Good Backup Spot

    This 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.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Priest Hole Recreation Area

    Mixed bag after improvements

    BLM 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.

  • D
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Barnhouse Campground

    Great sites

    Great 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.

  • Isabelle K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Priest Hole Recreation Area

    Burning sun and bees

    If 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.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Painted Hills Dispersed

    Favorite so far

    I 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🤠

  • Callie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Priest Hole Recreation Area

    Priest Hole Oasis

    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. If you bypass that area and keep going along the gravel/dirt road you’ll find more pull out spots that are more secluded.

Guide to Dayville

Camping near Dayville, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot by the river or a family-friendly campground, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are great trails near the campgrounds. For example, at Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site, visitors enjoy a nice trail along the John Day River. One camper mentioned, "Enjoyed the river trail along the John Day river. Perfect to cool off in during the hot summer months."
  • Fishing: If you love fishing, Bull Prairie Campground is a great spot. A reviewer said, "The lake is great for fishing or floating with non-motorized vehicles."
  • Exploring: Check out the Painted Hills nearby. Campers at Barnhouse Campground often visit the Painted Hills and Fossil Beds, with one saying, "This campground is secluded from the main road, and only had one other camper while we were there."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. At Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site, one visitor noted, "Super clean showers and restrooms, dog friendly."
  • Privacy: Campers enjoy the privacy offered by some sites. A reviewer at Barnhouse Campground mentioned, "Lots of trees and fairly private sites."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many campgrounds provide a peaceful environment. One camper at Mitchell City Park said, "We would stay again if passing through here," highlighting the park's quietness.

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in summer. A camper at Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site warned, "Mosquitoes definitely come out at night and we were tent camping."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Barnhouse Campground, do not have drinking water or showers. A visitor mentioned, "This campground is 6mi (paved) off the main road."
  • Road Conditions: Access roads can be rough. A reviewer at Priest Hole Recreation Site advised, "A high clearance vehicle is a must."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site, which has a nice trail for kids to explore. One parent said, "It has lots of shade, lawn, and hedges that offer privacy between the large camp sites."
  • Pack Games and Activities: Since some campgrounds may not have many kids around, bring games. A camper at Strawberry Campground suggested, "We needed some fun stuff to do between hikes and outings."
  • Plan for Quiet Evenings: Many campgrounds are quiet at night, making it perfect for family bonding. A visitor at Walton Lake mentioned, "It’s very beautiful and quiet."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds, like Grant County RV Park, have sites that can feel cramped. One RV traveler noted, "Spaces were all level and gravel with full hook-ups."
  • Look for Amenities: Campgrounds with electric hookups, like Fish House Inn and RV Campground, are great for RVers. A visitor said, "The park is operated by a friendly and helpful couple."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Some campgrounds may not have cell service. A reviewer at Tollbridge Campground mentioned, "There isn't any Verizon service here, which I need to do work on the road."

Camping near Dayville, Oregon, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or tent camping, there's something for you!

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