Looking for an adventure where you can explore Madras and then fall asleep in your tent? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
2021: Open with capacity limit due to COVID-19. If you enjoy scenic views of deep river canyons or rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is the place for you. There are several thousand climbs in the park. More than a thousand are bolted routes. We also offer miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Along your trip through the canyon, you might see golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otter and beaver. Note: Some climbing areas are closed or have limited access from about Jan. 15 to Aug. 1 to protect nesting raptors. Drones are also not allowed during this period. Check the park advisories on this page for exact dates and affected areas. Due to the uniqueness and fragile aspect of the park, park rangers enforce the animal leash law and ask all park users to stay on trails. Bivouac Camping Camping is open early spring through late fall, as weather allows. Walk-in bivouac area for tents (No reservations) Showers (overnight guests only) RV camping, sleeping in vehicles and open fires are not allowed
$8 / night
This trailhead is located just off of Highway 26 and provides access to Rimrock Springs Trail (#850), which gives visitors an opportunity for wildlife and nature viewing. The trail is ADA accessible and short, so it's perfect for stretching out your legs and getting some fresh air. There are also picnic tables at the site for anyone who enjoys eating outdoors.
This is the premier campground in the scenic high desert of the Crooked River National Grassland, and offers the most amenities to visitors. Located on the eastern shore of Haystack Reservoir and surrounded by native vegetation including sage brush and juniper trees, you can catch glimpses of the Three Sisters in the distance. On hot summer days you can cool off in the water, or if you're getting hungry cast a line and you may get a bite. There are nearby trails to accommodate hikers and mountain bikers as well. Whatever your pleasure on the grassland, Haystack Reservoir is a great place to camp. View a map of the Haystack Reservoir Campground and Day Use Area. Also, see the Haystack West Shore Campground and Day Use Area and the Haystack South Shore Group Campground.
Adjacent to the Marion Forks Fish Hatchery, Marion Forks Campground is a great 15 site (one pull through) campground tucked away from Highway 22 and a quiet place to relax. Enjoy a 1/4 mile leisurely stroll along Marion Creek on a paved loop path through the picnic area and fish hatchery and learn about spring Chinook salmon and the history of the area. Nearby, on Forest Service Road 2255, you can find the little used trail (#3431) to Independence Rock for a short hike. If you drive further up to the end of Road 2255, you'll reach the trailhead to Marion Lake (Trail #3436) leading to the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.
This trailhead provides access to the entire Henderson Flat OHV Trail System . The trailhead is easy to access and has a large parking area that can accommodate vehicles of every size. There are no water services here and no garbage services either, so please be a considerate visitor and pack out what you use. View a vicinity map here .
Unlike most of the other campgrounds along the Crooked River, this 14.5-acre campground is set back some from the Lower Crooked Back Country Byway, providing some isolation. Campground facilities include fourteen mostly broad, spacious campsites, vault toilets and an accessible fishing pier. All but one of the campsites are at river level and accessed by a single-lane road.
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted. Potable water is available year-round at the upriver Chimney Rock Campground, 0.8 miles north on State HIghway 27. Cell phone service is not available in the campground. Watch for bicyclists: the section of State Highway 27 between Prineville and Bowman Dam is designated as the Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway.
The site takes its name from nearby rock outcrops composed of basaltic lava which form the steep, formidable cliff faces across the river from the campground. ADA Access: Accessible fishing pier and trail.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no picnic tables, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates. If you are dispersed camping in the winter, recognize that the Forest Service does not plow or maintain Forest Roads in the winter, so plan your trip accordingly. Typically, dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, boat ramps, picnic areas or trailheads. There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It's your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. If you are going to an area where others have camped before, pick a site that's been used before. Plants, soil and wildlife are impacted by new campsites, so using existing ones will minimize your impact on the forest. If there is no existing campsite, then follow these Leave No Trace guidelines: Camp on bare soil if possible, to avoid damaging or killing plants and grass. Do NOT camp within 200 feet of any water source, plants near water are especially fragile. Don't camp in the middle of a clearing or meadow. Make your campsite less visible so that other visitors will see a "wild" setting. Don't try to level or dig trenches in the ground at your campsite. Select a campsite with good natural drainage. Visit the Leave No Trace website for more information.
Scout
Biked from Madras. It was very worth the effort..
TravelerShowers, bathrooms, and running water are available. A tent site is $21/night with 1 car allowed. Additional cars are $7/night. There aren't any tent sites secluded from yurts and RVs, so you will be hearing generators run, though people did shut them off at 10. IMO, it's expensive for a tent site in a spot where you're surrounded by glampers.
Legend
Humbug is one of our favorite campgrounds. We love the easy access to the beach and the beautiful hikes. Showers are hot and free, rangers are always friendly.
Cell service is pretty iffy here, but we manage to make it work with the cell booster.
There's a dump station and water fill, trash and recycling, water spigots throughout campground, and firewood for sale.
Tent sites in Oregon don't currently have the 25% non-resident surcharge (though I've heard that's changing soon) and there are plenty of non-hookup/tent sites that will fit RVs. There are also FHU and pull through sites.
Scout
Great spot for tent camping, friendly people.
Guide
Very uncomfortable night, tent sites were on gravel. However, very nice staff & clean facilities.
Guide
This is a simple, wide open tent camping area and it's really close to Smith Rock. You can wake up early to see the sun on the rock formations and then hike to the climbs in approximately 20-30 minutes.
Traveler
Clean and quiet. Many sites along the beautiful Metolius River. A few incredible tent sites with lots of privacy. There’s no water, but campsites with water are nearby.
Scout
The tent camp runs along a river which is nice and there is grass and each site has a table. The problem is they pack the campground like sardines and only have one facility at one end of the campground.
Scout
This is located just out of Prineville and can get a lot of local traffic in the summer months. It is a fairly nice CG, with bathrooms and hot water. CG is set up for RV or tent camping. Primary feature is access to the water.
Scout
great campsites and frIendly host. $13 a night, tent sites were super dusty but not much of the dust came with us. The sites are visually stunning with all the Pondarosa’s (we’re not used to big trees) 10/10
Guide
This was so peaceful. We tent camped for a week in the summer. Took nice long hike around the lake twice with the kids. The spots are huge, the toilets smell so bad though. Make sure to bring sanitizer definitely. The views in the morning make it worth it though.
RangerStayed 3 nights and had a great time rafting on the river. Lots of options for RV and tent camping. Group sites are available (3). Restrooms could use an update but functional. All camp staff hosts are helpful and friendly. Will come back again. This campground is popular and books up quickly.
Guide
This tent-only site is often overlooked because it does not really have any amenities. It is super cheap though, and gives the vibe of a backcountry experience while still having tent sites a short walking distance from your car. This is a perfect spot if you want to catch a stunning sunrise!
TravelerMe and my girlfriend stayed at a tent campsite amongst many other tent/RV campers and it was great. Fire pit a picnic table and a short walk to the bathrooms. I would stay here again.
Legend
Right off Hwy 126 is this dirt parking lot where camping is allowed. There is access to multiple hikes from this point.
Over night parking without permit May - Oct ok, but inside a vehicle only, no tent camping allowed per sign in winter as snowplow drivers cannot see tents as well.
No toilets or trash in this area so pack in and pack out. No cell reception.
TravelerWe spent one night here in mid May 22. The sites are reasonably spaced considering how open the area is. Lots of tent sites. New out house. 2 bars of Verizon so an ok connection. Only about 15 a minute drive to Smith Rock State Park.
Guide
There aren't a ton of free camping options near Redmond. This is a great option. Only 2-3 spots for vans/small RVs. The other spots are clearly for tent camping. Would definitely recommend for a few days. I will say the vault toilets are disgusting- so plan accordingly. The hike is a great combination of short and pretty :-)
GPS: 44.410140, -121.293505
Guide
One of The nicest glamping trips I have had! the cabins were amazing and the tent sites looked great too. stay in the cabins on the hill above the lake! seriously! The past k even has a amphitheater and cabins with workshops for kids. Fishing at the lake too!
Scout
I’ve camped here for many years, the campground is my absolute favorite. The friendly staff does an amazing job keeping the restrooms, showers and grounds clean. They offer Tent sites, Yurts, cabins, large RV spaces with full or partial hookups, boat rental, store, cafe, fish cleaning station, group shelter with electricity and electric cooking stoves.
Traveler
Nice campground shaded by tall ponderosa pines. We stayed at a drive in non electric site. Tents are close to our neighbors. Ground cover is pine needles and dirt. Has decent WiFi and cell coverage. Showers are cleaned daily by to our surprise they are quarter operated. I missed this info in all publications. Very nice creek runs along one side of campground with walk up tent camping along the banks. Wildfire smoke was minimal while are were here.
GuideNice campground with yurts, trails, an amphitheater, playground, and a nice, clean bathroom. It has outdoor sinks by the bathroom for doing dishes and plenty of tent sites. The day use area across the street has a nice little creek also! Sites aren’t very private but they’re nice and flat. Ada camping was all paved
Guide
This is my go-to spot for a quick weekend getaway. I’m lucky enough that this is only about an hour from home. Usually good fishing! Spacious pull through first come first serve sites. Good for mid-size RV’s, trailers & tent camping. You can generally find a spot if you arrive Thursday evening or before 3:00 on Friday. Right on the river with beautiful canyons surrounding you.
TravelerTiny little campsite with spots right next to each other. 10 walk up tent sites, most are right along the water. Everyone is so close together you get to know your neighbors pretty well. Dogs must be on leashes at all times, walk up sites have porta potty style bathrooms but if you walk up to registration there’s hot showers and hookups available!
Ranger
This is a narrow campground with limited sites. Some have full parking pads for two vehicles, but mostly parking is dirt next to the drive lane. Spacious sites for the size of the campground.
Sites on the side near the road are very noisy, so make sure to check the map before you reserve.
Dog friendly, tent sites, bathroom, river access, no showers.
Guide
Great campsite, spots are at least somewhat secluded. A few are by a very small creek. but it’s an easy nice spot right of 22 and about 15 miles from Detroit lake.
There are single and mutli tent sites, picnic tables and firepits. Facilities are very accessible and there is a nearby trail by the creek.
During this time of year there are swarms of butterflies.
GuideNice campground overall and amenities that include showers for guest, outside sinks at shower house for tent camping etc, small but newish playground, many FULL hook up sites for RVs (30amp only)… Day parking across the road from campground is river front to the Deschuttes River (very shallow) and was great for wadding in during warm months. Closest campground to Bend without being IN Bend Close to neighbors for all sites and they are all always full it seems…very convenient campground though!
GuideCute small campground on a little hill overlooking a lake. Tent sites by the lake's edge.
Very Clean bathrooms with code for campers. Pits for public areas.
Since there are no RV services be prepared to hear some generators running occasionally. Quiet hours 10PM-7AM. Water is available but may not be close enough for a hose to your RV. Most sites have good Starlink view of skies.
Madras, Oregon, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and natural beauty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Madras, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Madras, OR is Smith Rock State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Madras, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 72 tent camping locations near Madras, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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