Camping near Kimberly, Oregon puts visitors close to the North and South Forks of the John Day River within a semi-arid high desert ecosystem at elevations ranging from 2,200 to 4,500 feet. Temperatures commonly exceed 90°F during summer days and can drop below freezing at night during spring and fall. Campgrounds in this area provide access to geological features of the Blue Mountains and Columbia Plateau with limited or no cellular connectivity in most locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Bull Prairie Campground offers a small lake stocked with fish. One camper noted, "The lake is great for fishing or floating with non motorized vehicles. And from the shore, great camping spots. I parked my small rv right next to lake."
Hiking access: Barnhouse Campground features multiple trails accessible directly from camp. A visitor shared, "Each site was next to a trail entrance, which crosses a cute little bridge/creek and heads up into the hills where a beautiful sunset over the valley could be seen."
Water recreation: The John Day River provides swimming and paddling opportunities at Priest Hole Recreation Site, where one camper reported, "People were fishing camping and day swimming." Access requires driving 5 miles of unpaved road from Painted Hills, with the final mile being narrower and more challenging.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds report regular wildlife sightings. At Barnhouse Campground, campers encounter "Deer and chipmunks aplenty," while at Priest Hole, visitors observed "a huge bald eagle perching on a rock eating an animal it had just caught."
What campers like
Riverside camping: Service Creek Campground provides direct John Day River access. A camper mentioned, "We camped along the river on a rocky edge. It was beautiful, serene, great for fishing." Sites are located between the highway and river, with some road noise during daytime hours.
Dark skies: The minimal light pollution at Priest Hole Recreation Site creates exceptional stargazing conditions. One visitor remarked, "The stars are incredibly bright at night. The surrounding cliffs are beautiful." The remote location means visitors need to bring all supplies as there are no nearby services.
Swimming spots: Muleshoe Campground provides access to the John Day River for $5 per night. A reviewer stated, "It was so beautiful with a short walk down to the river, and only $5/night." The campground features 6 level sites plus additional walk-in tent spots.
Privacy between sites: Bull Prairie Lake Campground offers secluded sites separated by trees. A visitor noted, "A lot of the campsites are isolated by trees so you actually have some privacy and there is a decent amount of shade." This forested setting contrasts with more open riverside sites elsewhere in the region.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. A visitor to Priest Hole warned, "You need to have an AWD vehicle, preferably a truck with spares. The road is gravel that gets rutty and difficult the further you go." Plan for potential flat tires and no cell service.
Limited amenities: Most campgrounds in this area provide minimal facilities. At Service Creek Campground, a visitor observed, "Spartan vault-toilet facilities. Fire pits had quite a bit of trash." Bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water.
Seasonal considerations: Spring runoff affects river levels and access. At Muleshoe Recreation Area, a camper noted being "right on the John Day River and had a beautiful view, both upstream and downstream" but mentioned seasonal variations in water levels affecting the experience.
Wind exposure: Open sites can experience significant wind. A camper at Priest Hole reported, "My husband and I had the worst sleep at this campsite. The wind was insane, we came in March. Sounded like someone was pounding on our tent all night."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming access: Several campgrounds offer safer swimming areas for children. Bull Prairie Lake Campground provides a lake with "a paved trail around the lake for walks or hikes" though parents should note one camper mentioned "watch out for leeches" when paddleboarding.
Playground facilities: Morrow County OHV Park includes family-focused amenities beyond the standard campground. A visitor mentioned, "This place is great for families. Huge playground and lots of different types of camping available."
Wildlife education: Barnhouse Campground offers wildlife viewing opportunities for children. A camper observed, "Deer will go by your site along with, turkey and quail," providing natural educational opportunities without structured programs.
Cleanliness considerations: Vault toilets vary in maintenance. At Bull Prairie Campground, a visitor noted "the vault toilets were open but the water was turned off," while at Barnhouse, another camper reported "only one vault toilet, it wasn't very clean."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Barnhouse Campground, a camper reported, "Our site had a slight slant so we needed a couple of leveling blocks." Bring leveling equipment even for established sites.
Access limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. At Fish House Inn and RV Campground, RVers found "lovely grassy FHU site" with full hookups, while a visitor to Barnhouse noted, "Had no trouble getting our 30 ft Class A in there" despite the remote location.
Alternative routes: For challenging access roads, look for alternate approaches. At Priest Hole, a visitor discovered, "There are two [access roads]... If you follow signs while heading north you will go down a steep, rutted and narrow gravel road... Then we discovered another road that goes west from the campground. It is less rutted and slightly less steep and much preferable."
Seasonal availability: Some facilities close seasonally. A Bull Prairie camper noted, "The vault toilets were open but the water was turned off. Camp host site but no camp host," indicating reduced services in shoulder seasons.
