Join the fun near Fossil. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Fossil is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Fossil, OR. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
"These upgrades were done over the past several years according to BLM Prineville staff."
"Getting to camp you drive into a “canyon”, switch backs most of the way down. The road is bumpy but does not require 4WD or high clearance."
"We stayed at Priest Hole, which is a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center on dirt roads. We saw a few vans and a pop-up trailer, but no RVs."
"We spent a weekend in June celebrating our anniversary in this stunning location. The Painted Hills are so beautiful. The hikes and trails are so well thought out and maintained."
"This site is on the far end of the painted hills park, just outside of the gate. "
"This dispersed spot was a nice one-night stopover. It’s pretty close to the main road (26) on a pretty good gravel road."
"the road once you pass the bridge here, but the roads were too pot holed and rough for us in our 26ft class c, and seeing as how we only needed a place for one night we decided to just stay in the big flat"
"Has a nice area to turn around a big truck. Looks like people have been cutting firewood here. There some litter and obvious signs of people."
LegendThis was by far my favorite place we stayed on our entire 4000+ mile road trip…. and it was free! We stayed at Priest Hole, which is a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center on dirt roads. We saw a few vans and a pop-up trailer, but no RVs. The road was okay but not great, so not sure if regular RVs would make it or not. Fine for cars, trucks or vans.
It's Bureau of Land Management land, which means all camping is free. We camped right on the banks of the John Day River and it was amazingly beautiful. The water was the perfect temperature for swimming and crystal clear. There were people a couple hundred yards from us on either side, so not too crowded. We were there on a Thursday and pulled right up to an empty spot.
Only vault toilets. Bring your own water. No showers, picnic tables, etc. The only drawback, besides lack of a nice bathroom and not much natural shade, was quite a few earwigs and other bugs attacking the outside tent at night when we had our light on. Not the worst thing, but slightly annoying for the kiddos.
When the river is higher (sometimes in the winter) there's a large grassy area in the center of the area for tents, but a bit far away from the water. But in the summer when the river is lower you can camp in any of the rocky dry stream beds and be safely right on the water.
TravelerFirst time we have stayed here. Spent two nights along the river. Quiet, serene and peaceful. Each campsite had recently been upgraded with heavy duty Pilot Rock fire pits, fresh gravel,restrooms were clean. These upgrades were done over the past several years according to BLM Prineville staff. Maintenance of this nice area will be difficult since temporary staff and seasonal help have been reduced from 20 employees down to 2. Pack it in and pack it out. Appreciate and protect what these public lands have to offer.
GuideWe spent a weekend in June celebrating our anniversary in this stunning location. The Painted Hills are so beautiful. The hikes and trails are so well thought out and maintained. The camp spot that’s described in other reviews is the best we found. The coordinates however are not accurate. Pass the last parking area (Red Scar Knoll trail) on the main road, cross a cattle gate, and it’s on your right. If you have higher ground clearance you can go through the main camping area and take a dirt road just a bit further to a single spot that’s flat and shaded. We rented an off-road teardrop so this was super easy. Here are the correct coordinates to that single spot: 44.637881 -120.296011
GuideGetting to camp you drive into a “canyon”, switch backs most of the way down. The road is bumpy but does not require 4WD or high clearance. Once you get to the bottom of the canyon, the road will pass by a vaulted toilet. You continue down the road and a bunch of campsites pop up that line the river. Great space for big groups, dog friendly, all around great hang!
RangerWe put Red Scar Knoll into our navigation and it took us to a private ranch with no trespassing signs. We couldn’t see other ways to get there. We used the coordinates named by a previous reviewer instead and found the spot and it was great. I would not recommend for vehicles larger than a van or after heavy rain as it was a bumpy ride down. We could see that other people had camped here previously as there were fire pits. There was a beautiful little creek next to the spot. There was some noise from the road but there was minimal traffic. I could get about one bar of AT&T service. It is only 11 minutes from painted hills overlook. No amenities. Great for a night among beautiful surroundings:) quite a few bugs at night. There was little to no service on the way there so make sure to save the coordinates/map
RangerGood note: You can camp on BLM and Forest Service lands without a permit! This place is amazing. It's no wonder it's one of the seven wonders of Oregon. It's a quick drive from Bend, and to see the Wallowa burn aftermath is humbling.
ScoutSuper nice dry camping just 5 miles from the John Day Fossil Beds Painted Hills, and conveniently right off the main road. Also a small creek nearby to cool off in!
TravelerMostly gravel road, high clearance is not necessary but there are some pretty big holes in the road, made it in a Toyota Corolla just fine but have gone in larger vehicles and tends to be a little less risky.
Not a ton of camping spots near the water but plenty of open spaces elsewhere. Pretty spaced out if you choose the right spot.
TravelerThis site is just off of the main road to the Painted Hills area. There are no restrooms or facilities of any type. We had the furthest most spot from the entrance off of the road and had great access to a small stream that we could sit in and cool off.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Fossil, Oregon, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those looking to escape into the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free dispersed camping available in Fossil, Oregon?
Yes, free dispersed camping is available near Fossil, Oregon. Painted Hills South Camp offers free camping in a beautiful setting near the Painted Hills area. Another excellent no-cost option is Little Hay Creek Rd Dispersed, which provides free camping on BLM land. Remember that dispersed camping on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service lands generally doesn't require permits or fees. These free sites typically lack facilities but offer spectacular scenery and solitude, making them perfect for self-sufficient campers looking to experience the natural beauty around Fossil.
Where can I find dispersed camping near Fossil, Oregon?
The Fossil area offers several excellent dispersed camping options. Painted Hills Dispersed is a popular choice located just 5 miles from the John Day Fossil Beds Painted Hills unit, conveniently right off the main road with some sites offering access to a small stream for cooling off. For those seeking a riverside experience, Priest Hole Recreation Area offers beautiful camping along the river with recently upgraded fire pits and vault toilets. The road is bumpy but accessible without 4WD or high clearance. Both locations provide great access to the natural wonders of the area while offering peaceful, scenic camping experiences.
What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Fossil, Oregon?
When dispersed camping near Fossil on BLM lands like Green Mountain North Trailhead Dispersed Camping or Gable Creek Road Dispersed Camping, follow standard regulations: camp at least 200 feet from water sources, stay in previously used sites when possible, and pack out all waste. Most locations have a 14-day stay limit. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry months. Always check current fire regulations with the Prineville BLM office before your trip. Vehicle access varies by location—some sites require high-clearance vehicles while others are accessible with standard cars. No reservations are needed for dispersed camping, but sites are first-come, first-served with limited or no facilities.
Keep Exploring
