Dispersed camping near Kimberly, Oregon centers around the high desert terrain of the John Day River basin at elevations between 1,800-2,500 feet. The climate features hot, dry summers with daytime temperatures often exceeding 90°F while dropping below 50°F at night. Most primitive campsites lack cell service, with several campers reporting no reception at key locations throughout the area.
What to do
Swimming in the John Day River: The river provides cooling relief during summer months at Priest Hole Recreation Area, which features riverside camping spots. A camper noted, "Great camping spot along the John Day river. There's an area in the beginning with new paved out camping spots on the river and a vault toilet."
Stargazing without light pollution: The remote locations of most dispersed camping areas create ideal conditions for night sky viewing. At Painted Hills Dispersed, a camper mentioned, "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."
Visit geological formations: The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument sits minutes from several camping areas. From Painted Hills South Camp, "Great spot to stay when visiting the Painted Hills or passing through the area."
What campers like
Recent improvements at established sites: The BLM has upgraded certain areas with better facilities. At Priest Hole Recreation Area, a camper observed, "Each campsite had recently been upgraded with heavy duty Pilot Rock fire pits, fresh gravel, restrooms were clean. These upgrades were done over the past several years according to BLM Prineville staff."
Secluded camping options: Many sites offer privacy from other campers. At Gable Creek Road Dispersed Camping, a visitor reported, "It's got a 360-degree view of the surrounding hills. Drawbacks are that it's got limited hiking and biking options."
Cooling off in creek waters: Some sites feature stream access for relief from summer heat. One camper at Painted Hills Dispersed noted, "There was a beautiful little creek next to the spot. There was some noise from the road but there was minimal traffic."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads present challenges year-round. At Little Hay Creek Rd Dispersed, a camper advised, "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."
Download maps before arrival: Cell service disappears quickly in this region. A camper at Painted Hills Dispersed cautioned, "There was little to no service on the way there so make sure to save the coordinates/map."
Weather extremes affect access: Rain can transform dirt roads into impassable mud, while summer heat creates challenging camping conditions. One visitor noted about Painted Hills Dispersed, "I wouldn't trust the road in the rain, it looks like it turns into a mud pit."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming locations for children: River access points provide natural recreation. At Priest Hole Recreation Area, a camper described, "The river is gorgeous and perfect for swimming. The views through the canyon are incredible at sunset and the temp dropped significantly for comfortable sleeping!"
Wildlife encounters: The area hosts various desert species that can interest young visitors. A camper at Fawn Spring Dispersed Camping shared an unusual encounter: "Lots of cows… funniest thing ever! One woke me up when it was sniffing at the tents rain cover!"
Bug preparation essential: Evening insects can be bothersome, especially with tent camping. A visitor at Painted Hills Dispersed mentioned, "There was a beautiful little creek next to the spot... quite a few bugs at night."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: The terrain at most primitive camping areas near Kimberly requires careful positioning. At Painted Hills South Camp, a visitor observed, "There were a few bad ruts from people traversing in the mud but still a couple of level areas."
Size limitations for larger rigs: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller vehicles best. A camper at Priest Hole Recreation Area noted, "The road to the river sites is NARROW, and we had trouble backing in with a 22' trailer while not hitting the guard rail, but the pull through sites are a lot farther from the river."
Elevation and temperature considerations: Higher elevation sites experience significant temperature drops overnight. At Fawn Spring Dispersed Camping, a camper reported, "It got very cold at night. We were fine in our bus, but our traveling partner had his water bottle freeze in his tent."
