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Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground houses luxury glamping accommodations along the John Day River, with glamping campsites that include yurts with electricity, comfortable bedding, and convenient access to clean shower facilities. Located near Mount Vernon, this state park's glamping options maintain a connection to the natural surroundings while offering resort-style comfort. The grounds are meticulously maintained with lush green spaces and mature trees providing shade and ambiance around each site. Nearby Deer Creek Guard Station Cabin offers another upscale canvas accommodation option for those seeking a more secluded experience with toilets, trash service, and market access. One reviewer highlighted, "This is a very nice place to stay with a nice little nature path along the John Day River, making it perfect for glamping enthusiasts who want comfort without sacrificing natural beauty."
The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument lies just a short drive from these glamping locations, providing guests with extraordinary day trip opportunities. Visitors can explore the vibrant Painted Hills, known for their striking bands of reddish-brown, tan, and gold colorations that change throughout the day with shifting light. After outdoor adventures, glampers return to their comfortable canvas accommodations where they can relax and unwind. The area maintains a seasonal operation schedule with most luxury camping options available from spring through fall, though some locations like Deer Creek Guard Station remain accessible year-round. According to a camper, "We stayed in one of the teepees at Clyde Holliday State Park for three nights. The site backs up to the John Day river and my kids loved playing in the water while we enjoyed the comfort of our furnished accommodation."
"We stayed at Clyde Holliday for one night on the way to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. "
"Beautiful setting next to the John Day. Walking path next to the river is the feature. Bathrooms were tidy but dated. Heated bathrooms and shower area. Hot water. Yes"
from $26 - $32 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Comfortable park near the river in John Day for and overnight stop over."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"It's gorgeous and the creek is just a few feet to go get water for animals and your fire pits and to put your feet in. Looking forward to coming back soon!"
"We chose Dixie because it was a little closer to civilization than Yellow Pine, Wetmore & Oregon campgrounds further east on Hwy 26."
"Saw several deer there when we arrived. It was very peaceful."
"This is a very nice Forest Service campground along the Middle Fork of the John Day River. The sites are nicely laid out and are a fair distance from each other."
"It is a small campground along the middle fork of the John Day River. There are 2 vault toilets to service this small campground."
from $8 / night
Check Availability"We were looking for a campground to stay at on our way from eastern Oregon to the John Day wilderness area."
from $7 - $11 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground on the Upper Rouge River at the base of Crater Lake. Some sites on the outer loop don't look that great but the sites by the river and creek are pretty good."
"Site C6 walk-up site had electric and water. Park has dump station, Restrooms had flush toilets but no hot water and no showers. Elevation 4,097. Verizon had 2 bars 4G. "
from $36 - $120 / night
Check Availability"Clean, well maintained, cooking supplies provided, heated house with fridge. Outhouse was clean."
from $60 / night
Check Availability"Several spots are very secluded and quite nice. Little water and no garbage but a great place to camp."
"Bathroom was well attended and the spaces were nice and spread out"
"We camped right next to lake. We didn’t have any neighbors which was amazing, many spots available. Enjoyed a beautiful sunset while sitting around campfires."
"Touring through Oregon with my buddy on motorcycles, we had finished a great day of riding. Wanting to use his Oregon State Park benefits, we pulled into this spot."
from $26 - $98 / night
Check Availability
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.
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!
GuideSeveral spots are very secluded and quite nice. Little water and no garbage but a great place to camp.
GuideVery spread out and private RV spaces. Lots of shade and park like setting. Great cell service. Nice walking trails. You can definitely fit large rvs in here. Dump site is available. Decent clean bathrooms and showers.
ScoutCampground host were amazing. Camp site was clear and both the electrical pole and water worked fine. For a first come/ first serve site paying and getting our spot was easy. Location is great because you can walk to the lake.
TravelerGreat campground with access to the river nearby. Clean, and quiet, we had a great stay here and will definitely be back.
ScoutThis is the perfect little spot out of the way and wet in the trees.
Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground is located along Highway 26 near Mount Vernon at 2,875 feet elevation. The campground operates seasonally from March 1 to November 30, offering various accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, and glamping options. The John Day River flows along the western edge of the campground, providing water access for campers during summer months.
Explore the Painted Hills unit: Visit the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument about 30 minutes from Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground. "We stayed at Clyde Holliday for one night on the way to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The campground is conveniently located near the town of John Day and is adjacent to the John Day River," notes Tanya B.
Wade in the John Day River: The shallow river provides cooling relief in summer months. "There's a small creek that runs by the camp where you can wade and kids try to catch crayfish. Overall totally pleasant," shares Corinna B. about her experience at Clyde Holliday.
Geocaching adventures: Several caches are hidden within and near Middle Fork. Jeff C. from Clyde Holliday mentions, "Activities: Geocaching cache in the park, a couple within one mile. John Day Fossil Monument 30 minute drive away."
Clean, free shower facilities: Showers at Clyde Holliday get consistently positive reviews. "Fabulous free hot showers! Nice campground. Sites have paved parking, tables and fire pits. There is also a hiker biker camp area," writes Connie C.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers chances to spot local wildlife. "Saw several deer there when we arrived. It was very peaceful," reports Kelly P. about her stay at Dixie Campground.
River access and walking paths: Many campgrounds feature riverside locations with trails. "Along the access road, there has been reclamation of the John Day changing it from a dredged out mess to a meandering river with newly planted pine trees and tree trunks to enable the salmon to return," explains Judy T. about Middle Fork.
Site selection considerations: Highway noise affects some campsites. "Site #25 backed up to hwy 26; daytime passing vehicle noise could be loud. Night vehicle noise wasn't an issue," explains Jeff C. about Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site.
Seasonal challenges: Summer brings mosquitoes along the river. "We walked along the river and found the mosquitoes, thank goodness for mosquito repellent," notes one camper at Clyde Holliday.
First-come camping options: Several campgrounds don't take reservations. "This is a first-come campground so no reservations are available. Get there early during the summer months," advises Sherrie B. about Grant County RV Park.
Primitive facilities at some sites: Bathroom amenities vary widely between campgrounds. "No showers or sinks, be ready for that," cautions Chantelle M. about her experience camping in the area.
Find riverside camping spots: Children enjoy water access during hot summer days. "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 James from Middle Fork campground.
Look for educational opportunities: The area's rich geological history provides learning experiences. "There are very interesting signs telling about the logging history of the area as well as a playground and nature trails," writes Andrew T. about Bates State Park Campground.
Consider tent camping alternatives: For families seeking glamping close to John Day, Oregon, several options exist. "Clean, well maintained, cooking supplies provided, heated house with fridge. Outhouse was clean. Recommended bring your own light, the lanterns did not provide a lot of light and your own blanket for the beds," suggests Brittney J. about Deer Creek Guard Station Cabin.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete RV services. "Nice little park with full hookups! Very clean and Green," shares Les G. about his stay at Grant County RV Park.
Dump station access: Plan for waste disposal needs. "It had all the amenities we needed: electric hookups, water, T-mobile reception, hot showers, and a dump station," explains Tanya B. about Clyde Holliday.
Big rig considerations: Site sizes vary between campgrounds. "The sites are big enough for both rig and vehicle," notes Nancy M. about Clyde Holliday, while another RVer mentions, "Sites are spacious and pads are gravel. Perfect campground to spend the night in after taking in John Day and heading for Baker City, OR."
Solar power options: For boondockers seeking luxury glamping near John Day, Wetmore Campground provides some possibilities. "Beautiful and serene USFS campground. Lots of trees, but somewhat enough clearing for some solar," reports Laura M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near John Day, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near John Day, OR is Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near John Day, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 glamping camping locations near John Day, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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