Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Kimberly, OR has a lot to offer. Kimberly is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Kimberly, OR. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
For a rustic overnight stay deep in eastern Oregon, let your tires roll past the Painted Hills-one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders-and drive deep into John Day River Territory to the Priest Hole Recreation Site. Although primitive, camping here lands you in the middle of the Wild and Scenic John Day River, designated for scenery, recreation, fish, wildlife, and geologic values. Camping is allowed everywhere, including on the gravel bar northeast of Priest Hole, where you sleep to the gurgle of the river and stepping out of your tent or trailer lands your foot in the water. Know Before You Go: Open YEAR ROUND but the rough road can make access difficult in winter. ACCESSIBILITY is primitive and not easily accessible for people with disabilities. NO FEES for camping or floating the one-mile section around Priest Hole. There is one toilet; NO potable water, trash cans or campsite amenities. PETS ARE ALLOWED under owner control. Watch for rattlesnakes. HUNTING/FISHING LICENSES ARE REQUIRED. Fire restrictions run June 1 – September 30 (liquid gas or propane only). Point of Interest: Priest Hole is a local favorite for fishing and swimming. Stopping here is a natural part of a visit to the Painted Hills, Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway and eastern Oregon! Priest Hole Brochure Explore Oregon Recreation: Priest Hole ADA Access: Priest Hole Recreation Site is primitive and not easily accessible for people with disabilities.
$30 - $37 / night
Dispersed camping is allowed on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service (USFS) lands without a permit, but it is recommended that campers obtain a map that shows current property boundaries. Please contact the BLM , (541) 573-4400 or (541) 416-6700, or the USFS, (541) 575-3000 or (541) 416-6500, for more information. While camping is not allowed within the three units of the monument, there are many nearby campgrounds. Some have full service amenities, some are quiet and remote, some are in the forest, and some are right on the John Day River.
Bull Prairie Campground is a local gem; a beautiful, woodsy place to enjoy a vacation, host a family reunion or social event, and to enjoy multiple recreational pursuits. This moderate-sized campground is located adjacent to 28-acre Bull Prairie Lake, which is stocked annually with trout. An accessible, family-friendly paved trail along the lake is ideal for morning jogs, bicycle rides, picnicking, and shore or dockside fishing. The lake has a boat ramp, dock and trailer parking area, but only non-motorized boating is allowed. Nearby trails connect the campground and lake with the Morrow County OHV Park, 8 miles away. Note: ATVs are only allowed at the dump station and in the north part of the campground (sites 25-28). While this campground offers potable water, there is no garbage service so please pack out all garbage and dispose of it at home.
An accessible, family-friendly paved trail around the lake is designed for people who enjoy morning jogs, bicycle rides, picnicking, and shoreline or dock fishing. Non-motorized boating is allowed with a boat ramp, dock, and parking area for trailers. Within the campground adjacent to the lake is a large day-use picnic area with accessible facilities. Besides beautiful scenery, the lake offers many opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. Hunting activities can be undertaken nearby, but not within this recreation site.
This campground is fully forested with Ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, grand fir, and spruce. Trout are stocked in the nearby lake. Deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits frequent the campground and waterfowl inhabit the lake and shore. It is also possible to sight an occasional elk in the nearby area. Bears and cougars live in the surrounding forest, but rarely enter the campground and bear-proof storage is not required. Mushroom and berry picking occur seasonally.
For facility specific information, please call (541) 676-2155.
The Morrow County OHV Park is located 8 miles north of the campground. Heppner, OR, located 41.5 miles to the north, is the closest town for supplies and gasoline.
Cancelling a Reservation: Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival either online or through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. Depending on when you cancel in relation to your arrival day, it may be considered a late cancellation (see below). Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
$14 - $25 / night
This campground is surprisingly quiet and serene as it sits nestled among some large ponderosa pine trees just a few miles from the main highway. It also hosts the trailhead for Barnhouse Trail (#813) located in the northwest corner of the campground.
Coyotes and owls can be heard most summer evenings and occasionally local ranchers will graze their cattle nearby, which can make for some interesting serenades in the evening hours.
Size & number of trailer sites are limited (no dump station). No RV's over 25 feet. There is a 14 day stay limit on all National Grassland and US Forest Service land including but not limited to campgrounds and other developed facilities.
This campground has 6 campsites that each have a picnic table and combination fire pit/grill. Parking spurs vary in size so any site can accommodate tent camping, but some may not be able to accommodate RV camping.
A Country Inn and RV Park in a beautiful park - like setting.
Come experience the small western-style town of DAYVILLE, The eastern gate to the John Day Fossil Beds!
Located just nine miles from the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and the new Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, the Fish House Inn offers unique guest rooms, and an immaculate RV park.
An oasis in the rocky juniper canyons of the John Day Valley, the well manicured grounds of the Fish House Inn are an inviting sight. Within walking distance from the Inn, is the John Day River, The Park with playground, The Dayville Cafe, Mercantile and South Fork Mini Market & Gas. Interesting surrounding terrain attracts hunters, fisherman, hikers, bikers and rock hounds. Visitors to the John Day Valley enjoy river floats on the John Day river, exploring the many trails of the fossil beds, touring down the scenic road along the South Fork of the John Day River. Comfortable outside sitting areas, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits and star filled skies entice visitors to relax and enjoy the ranching community of Dayville.
A visit to Dayville is peaceful journey back in time....
$25 - $150 / night
Located just off of the sleepy John Day Highway, this campground offers 8 primitive campsites and an unimproved boat launch accessing the John Day River. The ancient river canyon weaves through the area providing spectacular views with ever-changing light and shadows in the early morning and late evening hours. A picturesque grove of ponderosa pine trees lines a section of the riverbank opposite the campground and the site itself has a large, solitary pine prominently situated. The surrounding layer cake geology is exposed in various peekaboo angles from the campground.
Open year-round Six drive-in campsites; two walk-to campsites. All campsites are available on a first come, first served basis; no reservations are available. Two wheelchair accessible vault toilets. No utility hookups or potable water are available No garbage service - please pack out your trash An annual fire closure is in effect from June 1 through October 15. Prohibited acts include building, igniting, maintaining, attending, using, tending, or being within 20 feet of a campfire, charcoal fire, or any other type of open flame; smoking, except while in non-public buildings, closed vehicles, in boats on the water, or while standing in the water.
Although located along State highway 19 the sights and sounds of the John Day River dominate over any road noise making it easy to forget the highway is even there. Bring a book as there's no cell phone coverage here.
Guide
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.
Traveler
Beautiful forested campsite with clean flush toilets next to a creek.
Guide
Arrived afternoon on Labor Day to find an empty campground. Sites are large, but not very level for an RV.
Scout
This is always such a great place to stop when traveling between Idaho and western Oregon. It has lots of shade, lawn, and hedges that offer privacy between the large camp sites. Super clean showers and restrooms, dog friendly, and a nice trail to walk along next to the river. Yes, the sites closer to the road are noisier due to traffic, while the ones closer to the river are the buggiest in the summer, but if you want hook ups, easy access, and an RV dump and don't mind paying for all these amenities, this is the place. We stayed in site 9, which has a super long paved and level driveway giving you lots of peace and quiet.
GuideWe spent one night here in July 2024. Did not feel crowded. Showers were hot. Bathrooms were ok. Very quiet even though it was close to highway.
GuideI camped here during the summer season of 2023. When I pulled into the campground it was just me and the camp hosts. They gave me the pick of what site I wanted. I swooped on one next to the river. The campground was beautiful and sites were good distances from each other. There are bathrooms and areas to top off your water. I choose this campground due to driving the 395 as my choice of route to explore. I would 100% recommend this campsite again.
GuideWe were surprised how quiet this state park was during our visit. Very clean and beautiful green grass through campground. Enjoyed the river trail along the John Day river. Perfect to cool off in during the hot summer months. Mosquitoes definitely come out at night and we were tent camping. A little highway noise at night but not bad.
Scout
This place is beautiful! Everything perfectly cared for@
Guide
I arrived midday, so I spent the hottest part of the day in my shade tent reading and then in the evening watched the fire under the stars in my hammock. very peaceful, only saw one car drive by the whole time
Guide
Not sure what some people are complaining about. This small four site RV “Park” located in a public park in the town of Mitchell, Oregon is perfect if wanting to visit John Day National Monument. Very close to the painted hills and the road to Fossil. For only $25 with electric and water, it's a steal, especially after boon-docking for a few days. Close to a small store that carries a lot of stuff. Plus the Tiger Town Brewing—all any camper needs. Right ? Would definitely stay here again.
TravelerStayed here one night. Very windy and very desolate. We were the only ones here. The coordinates take you to a parking lot that does not allow overnight, but you go right past it and across a cattle grade and the campsite is on your right.
Traveler
Mostly 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.
ScoutThe sites are tucked in among Ponderosa pines & some sites are spacious. There’s occasional highway noise during the day, but fairly quiet at night. Verizon was available at times with a booster.
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!
Guide
6 long level spots on the John Day. A few walk in tents spots too. 2 vault toilets No trash so pack in/pack out $5/night, self registration. Great spot in center of John Day Fossil Beds national monument. Across the way you could see the seasonal waterfall
Guide
I would recommend a rig with lots of ground clearance. The main gravel roads have been recently maintained but the last bit has deep ruts and there are rocky areas. Our trailer had better clearance than our truck and we bumped a few rocks getting into our spot. There are a few less rocky areas, but they seem to get taken first. More people in the off-season than I expected for such a remote area. You need to use a fire pan for fires when allowed, so be sure to bring one. It was our first time using a fire pan but it was better than using the ground as they are designed to allow perfect air flow.
GuideIncredible little spot. We pulled in around an hour before sunset and found a beautiful site right on the river. Doesn’t look like there are a ton of spots so make sure to get there during daylight to be safe. It was super quiet and peaceful with no noise other than the river roaring which provided a great nights sleep!
The views are also stunning both at night and in the sunlight!
We made it through all the gravel roads fine (about 7 miles total) with our van pulling a 21ft travel trailer. Just go slow and you’ll be fine!
There is one bathroom available, but we didn’t use it.
Traveler
Stayed for one night, most of the sites are far enough away that it didn’t feel crowded with three other parties there, but a couple of the sites are close enough to be good for a group. Our site had a slight slant so we needed a couple of leveling blocks. Clean toilet when we were there.
Scout
It’s clean, comfortable and cozy. Like staying at a good friend or family members’ house .
Guide
This place is nice for it's location-far away from pretty much everything. It's quiet and shaded and has a few good amenities like bathrooms, showers, park, and fishing pond. A great place to relax.
Travelercampsites were super easy to find & best of all..free! it was SO quiet out there, so lovely. just a little drive even from the furthest most campsite to all of the little trails around the painted hills! super lovely place to stay the night if you’re just passing through! :)
GuideThe road into the hole is a sketchy single lane with large ruts. A high clearance vehicle is a must. We pulled a 28 ft Travel trailer down in early June. The place was not crowded at all. We probably should not have done that, We got lucky that we did not meet anyone on the road.
Scout
Privy and potable water by the camp host
LegendWe stayed at 44.612620,-120.211000 - it seems like that's not the location posted here but I don't know if that's a good site as well so I won't edit the record.
We stayed here one night when we were visiting the Painted Hills. This is a great spot if you’re visiting the area. It’s easy to get to and plenty of room, and an easy drive to the Painted Hills. There were 4 of us camping here the night we stayed (3 other RVs and one van), and everyone cleared out in the morning.
It’s not really a place I’d stay at for more than a night. There is a bunch of dumped garbage and an abandoned car at the end of the loop, but there were plenty of spots and room before you get to that spot. There's some rutted parts of the road when you get off the paved road, just watch for that, especially after rains.
The area is nice and quiet, you hear the creek and lots of birds. You’re near the road so you do hear cars but it wasn’t bothersome. You hear the creek but really you can’t get to it, it’s very marshy and overgrown and no real path to the water. Verizon had zero cell reception (weboost didn’t help) and ATT had one bar LTE.
No amenities here, please pack out your trash and human and dog waste.
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
TravelerThe park is operated by a friendly and helpful couple. The ground and facilities are clean and well supplied. Dayville is a delightful small town with chickens and goats and horses as neighbors to the RV park. The proprietors clearly value hospitality and are very welcoming.
RangerThe Ochoco Divide Campground has many sites, not only group sites. The grounds and facilities are well kept with vault toilets and spigots with running water. Some of the sites are very large with enough space to pull through with trailers. It is in an old growth forest with nice shade. I had one bar of service with Verizon. The sites were quiet but you could get some noise from the highway at the sites closer to the road.
Camping near Kimberly, Oregon, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a family-friendly spot, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Kimberly, Oregon, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground, and you'll have a great time!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Kimberly, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, Kimberly, OR offers a wide range of camping options, with 104 campgrounds and RV parks near Kimberly, OR and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Kimberly, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kimberly, OR is BLM John Day River - Priest Hole with a 4.2-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kimberly, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Kimberly, OR.
What parks are near Kimberly, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Kimberly, OR that allow camping, notably Central Oregon and Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland.
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