Tent camping options near Dayville, Oregon center primarily around the high desert region of the Ochoco National Forest at elevations between 3,500-5,000 feet. Summer temperatures frequently reach 90°F, with nighttime lows dropping to 40-50°F even in peak season. Autumn camping provides more moderate temperatures in the 60-70°F range, with aspens changing color throughout the forest areas.
What to do
Explore wild horse territory: Oregon Mine Campground serves as a base camp for viewing the wild horses that roam the area. "There are wild horses in this area... There is nice hiking in the area in this simple campsite in the middle of nowhere," notes Irene L. from Oregon Mine Campground.
River swimming: The John Day River offers swimming opportunities during summer months. "The river invited us down...beautiful swimming space. After cooling down and finding a spot under a tree, we decided to stay," shares MeLinda W. about her experience at Service Creek Campground.
Fishing access: Several campgrounds provide river access for fishing. "We camped along the river on a rocky edge. It was beautiful, serene, great for fishing," reports Shawna M. about the angling opportunities along the John Day River.
What campers like
Solitude and quietness: Many campers appreciate the isolation. "It is a hidden gem in the Ochoco National forest... I was the only person in the campground which was so nice," shares a visitor to Cottonwood Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Beyond wild horses, the area offers diverse wildlife spotting opportunities. "We enjoyed our trip so much we have been back several times! This is now one of our favorite camping places," reports Patty R., who noted that "we not only saw Wild Horses, we woke up to them grazing in our camp ground!"
River scenery: The John Day River provides scenic views from many campgrounds. "We had a beautiful view, both upstream and downstream," shares Pamela M. about Muleshoe Campground, adding that "the campground is very basic. The toilets were clean."
What you should know
Pack-in water requirements: None of the tent camping areas near Dayville provide drinking water. "There's a creek so boil or treat the water there," advises Irene L. about Oregon Mine Campground.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is virtually nonexistent at most sites. "No water, no garbage service, and no cell service. For us...no problem! We do carry an InReach Emergency communication device that we can always get an emergency message out," reports Patty R.
Seasonal insect concerns: Certain sites experience significant mosquito activity. "There was too mosquitoes for me, probably because there is a stream next to sites," notes Stephanie F. about her experience at Billy Fields Forest Camp, adding "Theres also a caution sign for ticks."
Highway noise considerations: Campgrounds near roads experience traffic noise. "The highway was not far and the noise of the cars was loud.....but the view was great," reports Shawna M. about her riverside camping experience.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational variety: The river provides entertainment for children. "We had three dads and three 10 year old boys and the river provided plenty of entertainment," shares Brendon C., noting that "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."
Site spacing awareness: Limited privacy exists between campsites. "Only downfall is being wide open and really close to other sites," reports Ashley L. about Muleshoe Campground.
Emergency preparedness: Due to remote locations, families should carry emergency communication devices. One camper mentions, "We not only saw Wild Horses, we woke up to them grazing in our camp ground! Note: no water, no garbage service, and no cell service... We do carry an InReach Emergency communication device."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV amenities: Most campgrounds in the area lack RV hookups. Wolf Creek Industrial Campground accommodates some RVs but without hookups. "This year round campground is one of the first campgrounds when coming from the Paulina area. It's nestled among Ponderosa Pines that have been logged so it's fairly open with little to no privacy," notes Ashley B.
Boat launch access: Some campgrounds provide boat launch capabilities for RVers with watercraft. "Great spot in center of John Day Fossil Beds national monument," reports James about Muleshoe Campground, noting it has a "BLM camping and boat launch on the John Day."
Level sites availability: RVers should look for the few campgrounds with level parking. "6 long level spots on the John Day," reports James about Muleshoe's site options.
