Searching for the best camping near John Day, OR? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Oregon camping adventure.
$30 - $37 / night
"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. "
$15 / night
"Stream running next to the sites. Close to town. It is next to the fairgrounds, but very quit when no events. Good place to spend the night while traveling through"
"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."
$25 - $60 / night
"The Magone Lake campground was great! It is a nice sized lake and campground but not overwhelming or too busy."
"We had such an incredible time with our two dogs! We caught several trout every day and loved how quiet and peaceful the campsite was at night! We can’t wait to go back someday with our family!!!"
"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."
"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."
"We chose Dixie because it was a little closer to civilization than Yellow Pine, Wetmore & Oregon campgrounds further east on Hwy 26."
RangerThis is the Only State Park Near John Day!
You CANNOT make reservations for the campsites in this park. Only the Teepees are reservable. However the park hosts here are amazing and allow boondocking in the large park overflow area when no sites are available.
The sites are spacious with hook ups available. There is a restroom and shower located in the center of this small campground. There is no playground, but there is a large day use area adjacent that my kiddos loved to run around in. The John Day River runs along the south side of the campground and there is a nice walking trail.
Be advised the closest store is 8-10miles in the city of John Day. Prices are high and selection is limited, so do come prepared if staying a few days!
If the 3 John Day National Monuments are on your list, I highly recommend this campground for its location, friendly park hosts, and small campground feel!
LegendWe 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. It had all the amenities we needed: electric hookups, water, T-mobile reception, hot showers, and a dump station. The hot showers were welcomed after our visit to wonderful (but dusty) Steens Mountain. We had the site just behind the information kiosk / pay booth, which was perfectly fine for a night, but as it was nearer the main road, I noticed the sound of traffic more than I might have had we gotten a river site. I liked the campground though, and would happily return in the future.
GuideBetween the John Day River and the highway outside of John Day, this campground is beautifully maintained. The lawns are green, the bathrooms spotless. There are full hookup rv/trailer sites, tent sites, and hiker/biker sites. The restrooms include free individual shower rooms. There is some traffic noise but it isn't too bad. This is a first-come campground so no reservations are available. Get there early during the summer months.
Guidelittle pond with camp sites surrounding. no portable water but next to the John day river, and clear to filter. bathrooms were really clean, sites were tidy. really nice spot
RangerThis is my second time staying at Clyde Holliday and wound up in the same site I stayed in last year. The sites are huge and well spaced. Lots of trees and a nice trail system along the river. Close to John Day and the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds.
TravelerNice little campground right on the Middle Fork John Day River. Fairly close to the highway, so there's some road noise, but this highway doesn't have much traffic. Clean vault toilets.
TravelerWe were looking for a campground to stay at on our way from eastern Oregon to the John Day wilderness area. Bates State Park was a perfect overnight spot, just far enough off Hwy 26 to be quiet and exceptionally clean and well maintained. There are no hookups, and it will be a few years before vegetation matures to offer more privacy between spaces, but the park was uncrowded and felt private nonetheless. There are very interesting signs telling about the logging history of the area as well as a playground and nature trails.
TravelerAs other reviewers stated, this campground is free, and secluded, but maintained. We were looking for a spot around Painted Hills/John Day Fossil Beds/John Day, and this worked out as we pulled into the last spot available (6 total). There were a couple RVs and trailers and a few tents. Road to get to the campground was paved, but watch out for free roaming cows! There was a trail and creek nearby with a trough to fill up water - I’d recommend filtering before drinking. There are picnic tables and rock fire rings, and one vault toilet. Not much else to it, but like I said, FREE and relatively clean.
RangerThis is a small, dry campground that is as good as it gets. Only bummer for me (having dogs) is that there aren't any trails. I did read about a place called Potamus Point overlooking the John Day River and canyon that the State Parks Byways brochure said was only a 30 minute excursion off FR-53. Well, 16 miles on gravel roads and an hour and a half driving and I still wasn't there and it was getting dark. Never did see it…..:( Ukiah is nearby, but has very minimal supplies. If you head into these areas have water, a full tank of gas and all your supplies already on board.
Discover the perfect spots for pets-allowed camping near John Day, Oregon, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near John Day, OR is Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site with a 4.3-star rating from 27 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 54 dog-friendly camping locations near John Day, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
