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Tent campers seeking remote sites near John Day, Oregon will find several rustic options in the surrounding Malheur National Forest and Ochoco National Forest. Strawberry Campground offers tent camping approximately 9 miles south of Prairie City along forest roads that can be challenging to navigate. Other primitive tent sites include Oregon Mine Campground and Billy Fields Forest Camp, which offer more remote experiences with minimal amenities.
Road access to tent sites in the John Day area varies considerably, with some campgrounds requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate rough forest roads. Many tent sites feature picnic tables and fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Vault toilets are available at some locations like Strawberry Campground and Billy Fields Forest Camp, but most primitive tent sites lack drinking water. Campers should plan to bring sufficient water supplies or equipment to filter water from nearby creeks. During spring and early summer, sites at higher elevations may be inaccessible due to snow or extremely muddy conditions.
Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for hiking expeditions, particularly in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Most sites offer good tree cover, providing shade during hot summer days, though some locations like Oregon Mine Campground are more exposed. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer regularly visiting campgrounds and wild horses occasionally spotted near Oregon Mine. Creek-side tent sites offer natural white noise and cooler temperatures. According to one camper at Strawberry Campground, "The sites were tidy with a steep drop to the creek, and we saw deer every evening at dinner time within 20 feet of camp." Tent sites along creeks tend to have higher mosquito activity, especially in early summer, so proper insect protection is essential.
"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."
"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."
"There is nice hiking in the area in this simple campsite in the middle of nowhere."
"little 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"
"This is a “primitive campground” but the natural surroundings are more than worth the sacrifice of a few creature comforts."
"Nice 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."
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
GuideSeveral spots are very secluded and quite nice. Little water and no garbage but a great place to camp.
ScoutThis is a beautiful RV park. Clean quiet and after traveling worth every penny
ScoutRoads are great. Only a mile of unpaved but well graded forest road to camp. Two pit potties in good condition. It isn't the easiest to maneuver with a large trailer into spots but has two entrances so easy in, easy out of camp. We were in camp spot #1 and was the most private but does back up to the forest road. More traffic closer to the weekend and hunting season starting in a few days. For six bucks, would stop and stay again. Enjoyed it.
Tent camping opportunities near John Day, Oregon extend beyond established campgrounds into the surrounding Malheur and Ochoco National Forests. The region sits at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 feet, creating diverse ecosystems with ponderosa pines at lower elevations and alpine meadows higher up. Summer temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night, with 30-40°F temperature drops common after sunset.
Trail access from camps: Strawberry Campground provides direct access to the Strawberry Lake Trail, a moderate 2.6-mile hike to the alpine lake. According to a camper, "Tons of hiking, including a closer one to strawberry lake with stunning views and a waterfall further if you want."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Oregon Mine Campground offers chances to see wild horses in their natural habitat. One visitor noted, "We not only saw Wild Horses, we woke up to them grazing in our camp ground!" The area surrounding Oregon Mine also features deer, elk and various bird species.
Fishing access: Trout Farm Campground provides good fishing opportunities along the John Day River. A camper reported, "little pond with camp sites surrounding. no portable water but next to the John day river, and clear to filter."
Temperature relief: Higher elevation camps like Strawberry Mountain provide natural cooling during summer heat waves. One camper noted the campground "Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor" making it "Off the beaten path, but we'll worth it!"
Water features: Many campsites feature creeks or streams that enhance the camping experience. At Billy Fields Forest Camp, "There is a stream next to sites... the sound of stream was nice," though the same reviewer cautioned about mosquitoes near the water.
Solitude and space: Looney Spring Campground offers a more secluded experience away from crowds. A visitor described it as "A local favorite" where "Almost everyone else there was local to the region and it was a lucky thing for me, because they were quite friendly and generous with their knowledge."
Road conditions vary seasonally: Forest roads to remote campgrounds can deteriorate significantly after rain or snow. One camper attempting to reach Strawberry Campground reported, "The road was slick. The ruts and holes in the road began to increase. 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."
Limited facilities: Most primitive tent sites near John Day lack potable water. At Middle Fork Campground, basic amenities include "Clean vault toilets" but campers must bring all water or filter from streams.
Weather unpredictability: Mountain weather can change rapidly, even in summer. A visitor to Strawberry Campground experienced "rain, sleet, snow, and graupel all in one day" during their stay.
Bring entertainment: When camping at Strawberry Campground with children, extra activities are essential. One camper advised, "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."
Safety around water features: Some campsites have potentially hazardous terrain. Campers note that at certain sites, "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."
Shorter hiking options: For families with younger children, several campgrounds offer beginner-friendly trails. At Looney Spring Campground, a visitor recommended the "1.6 mile Reynolds Creek Trail, just a bit of an elevation gain, good to stretch the legs."
Site accessibility limitations: Many forest roads near John Day are not suitable for larger RVs. A visitor to Strawberry Campground noted it's "accessed from a nine or ten mile dirt road, a bit of a challenge to navigate the last mile" and advised high-clearance vehicles.
Emergency communications: Cell service is extremely limited throughout the area. One camper at Oregon Mine Campground shared, "no cell service. For us...no problem! We do carry an InReach Emergency communication device that we can always get an emergency message out."
Creek proximity for water access: When choosing sites for tent camping near John Day, creek-adjacent locations provide water for filtering but come with downsides. A camper at Billy Fields noted "too mosquitoes for me, probably because there is a stream next to sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near John Day, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near John Day, OR is Strawberry Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 47 tent camping locations near John Day, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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