Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland with tent camping. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
2021: Open with capacity limit due to COVID-19. If you enjoy scenic views of deep river canyons or rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is the place for you. There are several thousand climbs in the park. More than a thousand are bolted routes. We also offer miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Along your trip through the canyon, you might see golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otter and beaver. Note: Some climbing areas are closed or have limited access from about Jan. 15 to Aug. 1 to protect nesting raptors. Drones are also not allowed during this period. Check the park advisories on this page for exact dates and affected areas. Due to the uniqueness and fragile aspect of the park, park rangers enforce the animal leash law and ask all park users to stay on trails. Bivouac Camping Camping is open early spring through late fall, as weather allows. Walk-in bivouac area for tents (No reservations) Showers (overnight guests only) RV camping, sleeping in vehicles and open fires are not allowed
$8 / night
Formerly known as the Tangent area, the sno-park was renamed in memory Virginia Meissner, who taught cross-country skiing in Central Oregon for many years. She also wrote several books on hiking and skiing in the Cascades. This sno-park is one of the most popular winter recreation sites in Central Oregon. Summer usage is light with road access to many popular bike trails. There are restroom facilities at this site.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no picnic tables, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates. If you are dispersed camping in the winter, recognize that the Forest Service does not plow or maintain Forest Roads in the winter, so plan your trip accordingly. Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas or trailheads. There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It's your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that's been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites, so using existing ones will minimize your impact on the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow these Leave No Trace guidelines: Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damaging or killing plants and grass. Do NOT camp within 200 feet of any water source, plants near water are especially fragile. Don't camp in the middle of a clearing or meadow. Make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a "wild" setting. Don't try to level or dig trenches in the ground at your campsite. Select a campsite with good natural drainage. Visit the Leave No Trace website for more information.
Unlike most of the other campgrounds along the Crooked River, this 14.5-acre campground is set back some from the Lower Crooked Back Country Byway, providing some isolation. Campground facilities include fourteen mostly broad, spacious campsites, vault toilets and an accessible fishing pier. All but one of the campsites are at river level and accessed by a single-lane road.
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted. Potable water is available year-round at the upriver Chimney Rock Campground, 0.8 miles north on State HIghway 27. Cell phone service is not available in the campground. Watch for bicyclists: the section of State Highway 27 between Prineville and Bowman Dam is designated as the Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway.
The site takes its name from nearby rock outcrops composed of basaltic lava which form the steep, formidable cliff faces across the river from the campground. ADA Access: Accessible fishing pier and trail.
This campground offers 3 walk-in sites on the west side of Todd Lake overlooking the water and featuring spectacular views of Broken Top. The sites are about a 10 minute hike from the Todd Lake Day Use Area parking lot. Camping is allowed only in designated campsites. Activities at this site include fishing, picnicking, and horse/hiker access to the Three Sisters Wilderness.
Traveler
We loved our stay here. We started on site 2 but it has zero shade so they were able to give us site 8. Right on the river with the beautiful sights and sounds of that majestic McKenzie. We moved up to the upper campground to site 14 for the next couple days. Also shady with sight and sound of the river. They sites aren’t very big but have a table and fire pit. The tent sites across the river that you hike to are amazing!! I want to tent camp there!! So wooded and many have direct river access. They also have cabins to rent. The hot mineral pools were wonderful and the staff friendly. They have a small store with a few essentials but no real food available. Lovely place.
Traveler
Camped in a tent, beautiful scenery
Traveler
My wife I have been trying to go camping once a week this summer and it's been awesome. This was one of our stops! We went to the tent camp sites, I believe we picked spot 14 and were first blown away by the view. You're right on the water and overlooking the entire lake. We set up camp and the only big bummer for us the whole trip was there wasn't really a spot that we could find to avoid the huge number of ants! They didn't really bother us and our stuff but they were everywhere.
Also I'm a huge fisherman so Crane Prairie was also picked for the fishing AND the camping. But this is a very large lake so unless you have a boat the shore fishing is a challenge. I was able to pull a few off the point we were camping at but it's just so sad seeing a whole lake you cant fish because you don't have a boat.
We still had a blast, the bathrooms were conveniently located close to the tent camping but not to close. The spots were plenty far apart that if we had had company or would have been no bother.
All in all we would love to come back but the lost of other camping spots is so long its gunna be a while.
Traveler
I stopped here on my motorcycle and got one of the 4 tent sites that the park has to offer. The tent sites are at the front of the park and very close to the bathroom/shower building. The showers and bathroom were very clean and there is WiFi available to guests. The tent sites are close to the roadway so there is a lot of truck noise through the night. The tent area is flat with picnic tables. The tent sites were $20.00 + tax.
Traveler
Showers, bathrooms, and running water are available. A tent site is $21/night with 1 car allowed. Additional cars are $7/night. There aren't any tent sites secluded from yurts and RVs, so you will be hearing generators run, though people did shut them off at 10. IMO, it's expensive for a tent site in a spot where you're surrounded by glampers.
Scout
Great spot for tent camping, friendly people.
Scout
I know this is an RV resort, but tent camping wasn’t like I expected. If you are tent camping you are relegated to the “tent area” which is ok, near the bathrooms so that’s a plus, but also just an open area you share with all other tent campers. They do have some ok amenities, like the pool and activities, so that may make up for the lack of privacy for some. Everything is fairly clean, and well kept up. All together not a bad spot, but I think next time we will find a campground more friendly to tent campers.
Guide
Very uncomfortable night, tent sites were on gravel. However, very nice staff & clean facilities.
Traveler
Beautiful lakeside camping. A light breeze during the day helps to moderate warm days. Quiet camping. This campground is best suited for RV's with fewer sites that work well for tent camping.
Legend
I have fond memories tent camping at Elk Lake as a kid. It’s where I learned to fish, swim, and love of hiking. It’s a great mountain lake with awesome views of the mountains. Highly recommend.
ScoutGreat for any kind of camper or non-camper. Tents, RVs, cabins, the lodge, they have it all. Staff is friendly and the hot spring pools are wonderful. We have tent camped here and have rented a cabin and had a great experience both times.
Guide
Beautiful spot right on the river, but all the tent sites are on a slight slant and the parking is too steep for in vehicle sleeping.
Guide
This is a simple, wide open tent camping area and it's really close to Smith Rock. You can wake up early to see the sun on the rock formations and then hike to the climbs in approximately 20-30 minutes.
Traveler
Clean and quiet. Many sites along the beautiful Metolius River. A few incredible tent sites with lots of privacy. There’s no water, but campsites with water are nearby.
Scout
This is located just out of Prineville and can get a lot of local traffic in the summer months. It is a fairly nice CG, with bathrooms and hot water. CG is set up for RV or tent camping. Primary feature is access to the water.
Scout
Picnic tables and fire pits available. Pretty good RV sites. Pretty good tent sites. Somebody even left us some wood. Other wood available in the area. Only one other camper while we were there (4-days).
TravelerMe and my girlfriend stayed at a tent campsite amongst many other tent/RV campers and it was great. Fire pit a picnic table and a short walk to the bathrooms. I would stay here again.
Guide
This tent-only site is often overlooked because it does not really have any amenities. It is super cheap though, and gives the vibe of a backcountry experience while still having tent sites a short walking distance from your car. This is a perfect spot if you want to catch a stunning sunrise!
Scout
started camping at little lava lake when I was a kid with the family every summer and still do as an adult with my own family. place is absolutely gorgeous, there's hiking trails, fishing, and great people there's a lodge market at lava lake not to far away pet friendly and bathrooms tent camping or rv
Legend
Right off Hwy 126 is this dirt parking lot where camping is allowed. There is access to multiple hikes from this point.
Over night parking without permit May - Oct ok, but inside a vehicle only, no tent camping allowed per sign in winter as snowplow drivers cannot see tents as well.
No toilets or trash in this area so pack in and pack out. No cell reception.
GuideIt was just two of us in a tent. We were put in a open lot (like a field). No trees. The nearest bathroom wasn’t even enclosed, so it was like an large outhouse. I paid way too much. I just checked the website and it’s $46 for a tent site! Man, I am Cheap!
TravelerWe spent one night here in mid May 22. The sites are reasonably spaced considering how open the area is. Lots of tent sites. New out house. 2 bars of Verizon so an ok connection. Only about 15 a minute drive to Smith Rock State Park.
Ranger
Blue Pools is a great family campground, open for walk-ins during the summer. The sites are large and versatile between RV and tent sites. There are paved paths that are great for bike rides. Some campsites require a walk in with parking nearbye.
Guide
There aren't a ton of free camping options near Redmond. This is a great option. Only 2-3 spots for vans/small RVs. The other spots are clearly for tent camping. Would definitely recommend for a few days. I will say the vault toilets are disgusting- so plan accordingly. The hike is a great combination of short and pretty :-)
GPS: 44.410140, -121.293505
TravelerNice tent sites removed from the lodge and RV sites. Lovely walking trails and accessibility to soaking pools with hot spring water. Staff as very friendly, but the one bathroom was very dirty. They do sell firewood and ice at the checkin - which was nice.
Overall - a lovely getaway.
Guide
One of The nicest glamping trips I have had! the cabins were amazing and the tent sites looked great too. stay in the cabins on the hill above the lake! seriously! The past k even has a amphitheater and cabins with workshops for kids. Fishing at the lake too!
Guide
This is one of the better campgrounds I’ve stayed in. It cost $18 per night for a tent site. The site we stayed in was next to the bathroom and wasn’t too close to other sites, but it would’ve been nice to have some more space between sites.
The bathroom had a flushing toilet and a sink with water. Toilet paper was stocked daily as well. Very well maintained and kept clean.
Tent site was decent sized. We had a large cabin tent. There was no problem finding a spot big enough to set it up. We were also able to find plenty of trees to hang up our hammock.
The site had a picnic table that was in excellent condition. The fire ring was about half full of ash, but nothing to complain about.
The only negative comment I have is that the camp host wasn’t able to give change for fees. However they were polite about waiting for us to leave to the nearest store to obtain change.
Tent camping near Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland in Oregon offers a variety of scenic spots for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland is Smith Rock State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 36 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 74 tent camping locations near Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests & Crooked River National Grassland, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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