5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several national forests surround John Day, Oregon, giving campers plenty of spots to set up tents or park RVs. MalheurKristopher-Diana P Campground sits within Malheur National Forest, with basic sites that work well for people wanting quiet. Olive Lake Campground in Umatilla National Forest has good fishing and trails that start right from the camping area. You'll likely see deer and other wildlife around John Day's camping areas, so keep your food locked up tight. Late spring and early fall typically have the best camping weather in this part of Oregon. Summer can get pretty hot, which makes camping near Olive Lake's water a good choice during those months. If you camp during winter, bring serious cold-weather gear as temperatures drop significantly. The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument makes a worthwhile day trip from any local campground. Hiking options near John Day range from flat, easy trails to steep climbs that take all day. The camping around John Day works for both beginners and people who've been camping for years.
"This is the Only State Park Near John Day! You CANNOT make reservations for the campsites in this park. Only the Teepees are reservable."
"We stayed at Clyde Holliday for one night on the way to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. "
Available this weekend
from $26 - $32 / night
"Comfortable park near the river in John Day for and overnight stop over."
"After a full day, driving, we were having trouble finding a place to stay near John Day, Oregon. All of the very few campgrounds available we’re already full."
from $45 / night
"Off the beaten path, but we'll worth it! Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor. Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed."
"Nice sites with lots of separation and easy access to a trailhead. Multiple vault toilets available as well as water taps that I don’t think are potable but good enough to rinse dishes."
"The Magone Lake campground was great! It is a nice sized lake and campground but not overwhelming or too busy."
"Great lake for swimming, paddling and walking. Ponderosa forest, osprey hunting every evening and resident beavers."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $60 / night
"Nice area close to the road. Plenty of room for my small trailer. Though it was close to the road it wasn’t very noisy. I camped in site 9 so 1/4 mile away from the road. Only issue last role of TP."
"great location. sites 1-6 are pretty close to the main road, but tidy little sites, a pit toilet. no running water."
"They are nestled in the heart of the Eastern Oregon countryside - perfectly located for a secluded getaway!"
from $159 / night
"Good little tucked away site with spring water, fire pits and lots of empty space for my truck. Make sure to stop at the sign, we went about 2-3 extra miles looking before we came back lol"
"It’s a bit of an uphill drive off 15, but it’s a pretty good gravel road. There was a fair amount of litter from what looked like a hunting group when we arrived, but we took it with us."
from $6 - $9 / night
TravelerWe have camped here many times over the years. Last year they were closed for renovation. Love the heated bathrooms, especially in the off season. Nice trails along the river. Fall color is excellent. Just a few miles from town, groceries, restaurants. Services.
TravelerA variety of site sizes/deapthes that all seemed to be easy to get into. Road noise near the highway could be annoying for light sleepers. Nice hiking path to a wayside to the west along the river.
TravelerSite #27 great view of lake. Cost $8 with senior pass. Hiked around lake great trail with awesome views. Saw 8 otters playing and swimming in lake and a couple of grouse on the trail. Only negative is gravel road in, just go slow.
TravelerThis is a decent affordable campground with two pit toilets and only costs $8 per night. No fresh water.
There are larches/tamaracks here but unfortunately they hadn’t changed to their fall colors yet when I was there.
TravelerUnfortunately, the water here smelled like death. The camp host was super nice and pleasant and came to warn me before I filled my fresh water tank. She even offered me free firewood because of the bad water. She said that someone is testing it daily and it somehow passes. I had rinsed my hands in preparation to fill, and I could not get the smell off for hours, so I don’t know how it passed! In light of the water situation, I decided to stay at a cheaper dry camp further down the highway.
GuideCame here on a Sunday looking for a first come, first serve site. Online it showed our site open but found a reservation card on the site pedestal. The camp host stopped and called the people who had the reservation. They had left early so we were in luck! The we visited both the Historic town of Sumpter and also the Oregon Trail interpretive center. It was well worth the visit!
GuideThis is right next to Big bend camp just a quarter mile down the road. They’re basically the same- pit toilet, 4 large sites, few trees, right next to the river. So quiet and spaces are far apart. No one here all week until the weekend, then it filled up. $5 a night, BLM property
GuidePit toilet, riverside spots, far apart but not many trees for privacy. Spots are huge and easy to navigate. Picnic table and metal grill at each site. Right on the river. Gorgeous, only 4 spots and only $5 night. BLM location.
GuideSeveral spots are very secluded and quite nice. Little water and no garbage but a great place to camp.
Dispersed camping near John Day, Oregon provides access to multiple national forests and wilderness areas at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 feet. The region experiences temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night, especially in the higher elevation campsites. Many campsites offer vault toilets but limited water access, requiring campers to bring sufficient supplies.
Hiking to Strawberry Lake: From Strawberry Campground, trails lead to beautiful alpine destinations. "From the campground, you can take the trails to the lake, which was a fun hike. The vault toilets were clean and the Ranger came around every day to check in," notes Heather B., who adds that trails start directly from the camping area.
Fishing for trout: Magone Lake Campground offers productive fishing opportunities throughout summer. "We caught several trout every day and loved how quiet and peaceful the campsite was at night," shares Halie M., who visited with her husband for their anniversary. The 7-acre lake supports rainbow trout populations stocked by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Wildlife viewing: Local campgrounds provide opportunities to spot deer, beaver, and birds of prey. "Ponderosa forest, osprey hunting every evening and resident beavers," reports Martha M. about her stay at Magone Lake. Multiple reviewers mention deer sightings, with many animals becoming comfortable around campsites during quieter weekdays.
Natural water features: Many campers appreciate sites located near creeks and streams. "We picked a site next to the creek in the back and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves," writes Heather B. about Starr Campground. The sound of running water adds to the camping experience while providing practical benefits.
Shaded sites: Tall Ponderosa pines create natural cooling at many sites. "Nice, secluded campground right off the road. Sites 7+ are definitely in a better spot and have more privacy," notes Kara H. about her midweek stay at Starr Campground. This natural shade becomes particularly valuable during summer when daytime temperatures can exceed 90°F.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "The hot showers were welcomed after our visit to wonderful (but dusty) Steens Mountain," writes Tanya B. about her stay at Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site. She adds that the campground is "conveniently located near the town of John Day and is adjacent to the John Day River."
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. "When I was about 2 miles away from Strawberry Campground, I turned around. I just didn't trust my Mazda 3 to make it without bottoming out or getting a flat tire," shares Mary G. Many forest roads become more challenging after rain or early in the season.
Temperature variations: Be prepared for significant day-to-night changes. "The only thing I would change is the temperature. We didn't realize it was still so chilly at the end of May and were thankful for our extra layers and warmer sleeping bags," reports Heather B. This temperature swing affects all sites in the region.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise. Quinn Z. mentions about Grant County RV Park: "This really is an RV spot. Yes, you can tent camp here but it's expensive and it's right next to the road. It's loud. Really loud. Wake you up when you're sleeping loud." Site selection can mitigate this issue at certain campgrounds.
Bring activities: Limited structured recreation means planning ahead. "I had my 9 year old nephew with me for this trip and was thankful I brought our bikes and games. Since the campground wasn't busy, there weren't other kiddos for him to play with," recommends Heather B. Board games and outdoor activities help during downtime between hikes.
Water safety awareness: Some campsites have water hazards. "There's a steep drop off next to some sites that goes right into the creek. Keep an eye on kiddos or pick a site farther away from the creek if you're worried about that," warns Heather B. about creek-side sites at Strawberry Campground.
Consider amenity needs: Bathroom facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "The bathhouse is accessed by walking through a grassy area and was pretty basic but clean," notes Lee D. about Fawn Spring Dispersed Camping, adding that larger RV parks might better suit some families' needs.
Site selection for size: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "Lots of flat ground for our 26" skoolie. There was a fire ring, but we didn't use it," reports Thomas B. about Fawn Spring, while mentioning "it's a bit of an uphill drive off 15, but it's a pretty good gravel road."
Hook-up availability: Full-service sites exist but are limited. "Shaded pull through and easy back in sites. Good value. Stream running next to the sites. Close to town," shares Dave B. about Grant County RV Park, which offers water, electric, and sewer connections near John Day.
Weather preparedness: Temperature extremes affect RVers too. "It got very cold at night. We were fine in our bus, but our traveling partner had his water bottle freeze in his tent," Thomas B. reports from his spring camping experience. RV systems can freeze during shoulder seasons without proper winterization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near John Day, Oregon?
For the best camping experience near John Day, consider several well-maintained options. Bates State Park Campground offers exceptionally clean facilities in a quiet location just off Highway 26, making it perfect for overnight stays while exploring the area. Though it lacks hookups, the tranquil setting compensates. Barnhouse Campground provides a free, secluded option with basic maintenance and accommodates both tents and small RVs. For riverside camping, Middle Fork Campground sits right on the Middle Fork John Day River with clean vault toilets. The campground is somewhat close to the highway but traffic is minimal. Other solid options include Magone Lake Campground near Prairie City and Strawberry Campground for those seeking more remote experiences.
What outdoor activities can you do while camping in the John Day area?
The John Day area offers diverse outdoor activities for campers. Hiking is popular along river trails, like those at Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground which features a nature path along the John Day River. Fishing opportunities abound in the river, particularly at spots like Trout Farm which features a small pond. Exploring the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a must-do activity, with its colorful landscapes and paleontological sites. Wildlife viewing, photography, and stargazing are excellent throughout the area. During summer months, swimming and wading in the river provide refreshing relief from the heat. Mountain biking, rockhounding, and visiting historic sites round out the recreational options in this scenic eastern Oregon destination.
What RV parks and facilities are available in John Day, Oregon?
Grant County RV Park offers comfortable accommodations near the river in John Day, making it an excellent overnight stop. Located at the fairgrounds, this park can fill up quickly, especially during events, so reservations are recommended. Fish House Inn and RV Campground provides another option for RV travelers in the area. For those seeking full hookups, Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site features 31 sites with electric and water connections, spacious enough for both RVs and tow vehicles. The sites accommodate larger rigs, and the campground offers clean restrooms with free individual shower rooms. Depot Park near Prairie City is also big-rig friendly with water and toilet facilities available for RV campers exploring the John Day region.
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