Best Campgrounds near Kimberly, OR

We stayed here as we had plans to visit John Day Fossil Beds National Monument the next day. We pulled our class B onto a lovely grassy FHU site. It was right next to the bathrooms but that was ok for us. The hot showers were lovely. The camp host was super nice. We enjoyed sitting outside on a hot evening. There is even a laundry. The only reason for not giving 5 stars, is that the neighbor’s rooster woke us up at about 4:30 am. If you are not a light sleeper you’d be fine here. We’d stay again if we were passing through but may use ear plugs.

We put Red Scar Knoll into our navigation and it took us to a private ranch with no trespassing signs. We couldn’t see other ways to get there. We used the coordinates named by a previous reviewer instead and found the spot and it was great. I would not recommend for vehicles larger than a van or after heavy rain as it was a bumpy ride down. We could see that other people had camped here previously as there were fire pits. There was a beautiful little creek next to the spot. There was some noise from the road but there was minimal traffic. I could get about one bar of AT&T service. It is only 11 minutes from painted hills overlook. No amenities. Great for a night among beautiful surroundings:) quite a few bugs at night. There was little to no service on the way there so make sure to save the coordinates/map

This is a typical roadside campground.  It not only is a campground but a bathroom rest stop on Hwy 395, so there is a small amount of drive through traffic to the restrooms.

Sites at well set with water and waste water features.  I did see a couple electrical capable sites but I am self contained.  The stream going by has a decent flow but it is mid summer and slowing down.  I did not have a mosquito problem but black jackets and hornets were present.  Found no rattlesnakes, there is a bear a cougar warning sign posted but that the normal for the Blue Mountains.

Overall a nice little wayside.  I checked online and it said $10.00 per night for no hookup sites, but the price was $22.00 per night when I got there.  I spoke to a Ranger and was advised the $22 was being increase by $12 dollars next year and then another increase above that is being touted by the socialists in Salem. That would bring the site fee for no hookup camping to around $50 to $60 a night.  You might as well go to a motel and save the headache.  

Overall I had planned on staying six nights, but i paid for three and that was my budget.

Nice open clearing just by the bridge over Marks Creek in the Ochoco NF, just east of Prineville. 

There are many spots down the road once you pass the bridge here, but the roads were too pot holed and rough for us in our 26ft class c, and seeing as how we only needed a place for one night we decided to just stay in the big flat clearing just by the bridge. 

We did see many trucks and 4wd vehicles drive into the woods, but not other big campers. Great little spot for the night or even a few nights. Peaceful and beautiful and lots of paths to walk along. Easy access from the main road too, and it was quiet despite being so close to Hwy 26.

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. Even this campground, which is part of the fairgrounds, appeared to be full and it had prior reservations on to remaining Spots. As we were about to leave, the host of the campground caught up with us and said that since we had a short motorhome(24 foot) that there was one spot remaining. The people we dealt with were very friendly and helpful. I think the host realized how tired we were and made a special effort to invite us to stay.