Camping options near Dayville, Oregon range from established campgrounds along the John Day River to rustic forest service sites in the Blue Mountains. The area sits at elevations between 2,800-4,500 feet with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in this region experience significant seasonal temperature swings, with daytime highs reaching 90°F in summer months and freezing temperatures common from late fall through early spring.
What to do
River recreation: At Middle Fork Campground, the John Day River offers fishing and swimming opportunities. "The river is a little difficult to access because of shrubs and small trees, but this is actually good news because so much of the Middle Fork has been damaged by mining and cattle," notes one visitor to Middle Fork.
Fossil exploration: Grant County RV Park serves as a convenient base for exploring the region. "Nice little park with full hookups! Very clean and Green," states one camper who found Grant County RV Park to be a "comfortable overnight stop over" while visiting the nearby John Day Fossil Beds.
Off-highway vehicle trails: The Morrow County OHV Park offers extensive trail systems for motorized recreation. "If you ride ATVs, dirt bikes or side by sides there are over 300 miles of trails over 9,000 acres here," explains a visitor to Morrow County OHV Park, who also mentioned that water and sewer hookups are available.
What campers like
Quiet natural settings: Clyde Holliday's riverside location creates a peaceful atmosphere. "They have 31 sites with electric and water hook ups. The sites are big enough for both rig and vehicle. Long side of the campground is the John Day River with a nice little nature path," shares a visitor to Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground.
Free hot showers: Multiple campers mention the shower facilities as a highlight at certain campgrounds. "Fabulous free hot showers! Nice campground. Sites have paved parking, tables and fire pits. There is also a hiker biker camp area," reports one camper about their experience.
Diverse camping options: The area offers more than standard tent sites. "This is a very nice place to stay. They have 31 sites with electric and water hook ups," notes a camper who appreciated the variety of accommodations available near Dayville.
What you should know
Highway noise: Some campgrounds in the area sit close to roadways. "Site #25 backed up to hwy 26; daytime passing vehicle noise could be loud. Night vehicle noise wasn't an issue," reports one camper about their Clyde Holliday experience.
First-come availability: Planning ahead is important during peak season. "This is a first-come campground so no reservations are available. Get there early during the summer months," advises a camper about availability.
Varying facility standards: Penland Lake receives mixed reviews regarding its facilities. "Very disappointed with this camp site... There was another site that looked like it had long term residence with trash and alcohol bottles spread out around their place," notes one visitor, though another states it's a "Great area! You can do pretty much anything here from kayaking to fishing to swimming."
Tips for camping with families
Water play opportunities: Children enjoy the natural water features throughout the region. "We found a nice place to wade our feet in the water and play fetch with the puppers," shares one camper, though they caution about water quality at certain locations.
Playground access: Families with young children should consider campgrounds with recreational amenities. "This place is great for families. Huge playground and lots of different types of camping available," notes a visitor to Morrow County OHV Park.
Nature exploration: The area offers educational opportunities for children. "We visited the little Sumpter Railroad interpretive site and Bates State Park both great for walking around with kids," shares a camper who stayed at Dixie Campground, adding that they "would definitely come back and do more hiking in the Blue Mountains."
Tips from RVers
Site sizing considerations: RVers should research specific site dimensions before arrival. "The sites are huge and well spaced. Lots of trees and a nice trail system along the river," notes one RV camper about their experience.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites can be found at select locations. "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," explains an RVer.
Alternative glamping options: For those seeking glamping in Dayville, Oregon without an RV, consider options beyond traditional campsites. "This area is on your up to strawberry campground, its nice and clean and quite! Slide horse has areas for your horses. It's gorgeous and the creek is just a few feet to go get water for animals and your fire pits," shares a visitor to Slide Creek Campground.
