Tent camping near Mikkalo, Oregon provides access to high desert terrain with elevations averaging 1,800-2,500 feet throughout the region's river corridors. Summer temperatures typically reach 90-100°F during day with overnight lows dropping to 50-60°F, creating significant daily temperature fluctuations. Many campsites feature open, exposed areas with minimal shade, requiring campers to bring adequate sun protection and water supplies.
What to do
Hiking along old railways: At Macks Canyon Recreation Site, visitors can access historic railway trails with river views. "From the end of the Lower Deschutes Access Road just above the campground, you can hike along the old railway line. Again, amazing views of the Deschutes and the canyon. We did about 5 miles road trip but you could go further," notes one camper.
River swimming: During hot summer days, John Day River access points provide swimming opportunities. "The river invited us down...beautiful swimming space. After cooling down and finding a spot under a tree, we decided to stay. So quiet and magical as the evening wore on," reports a camper at Service Creek Campground.
Bike-packing adventures: The gravel roads along the Deschutes River create challenging but rewarding cycling routes. "The bike trip was on a dirt/gravel road. The biking was amazing and the camping was true freedom. Clear skies and twenty miles of golden wheat blowing in the wind. The entire dirt road hugged the winding river."
Farm exploration: Some private lands offer alternative camping experiences with walking trails. "Carbon Farm is private camping on a farm a few miles outside of Dufur on the east side of Mt Hood National Forest. The property is HUGE- and you have access to over 100 acres for walking and exploring."
What campers like
Riverside positioning: Most sites offer direct water access for fishing and cooling off. At Muleshoe Campground, "It was so beautiful with a short walk down to the river, and only $5/night." Another visitor noted, "6 long level spots on the John Day. A few walk in tents spots too."
Night sky viewing: With minimal light pollution, stargazing becomes exceptional. "Night sky was unreal. Feels like no one is around for miles. Can't say enough," explains a camper at Hike in from Lower Deschutes State Rec Area.
Composting toilets: Some remote sites maintain surprisingly good facilities. "The best part of this campsite is definitely the NICE composting toilet. It's the only amenity available but we were all thankful to have it and impressed by how clean and new it felt." Another visitor noted their toilet "smells like fresh cedar."
Dispersed camping freedom: Many areas allow flexible site selection. "Camping areas have brick outhouses (no drinking water or trash), but they are not groomed/flat classic campgrounds - more of just free-for-all spots amongst the brush and river side."
What you should know
Wind patterns: Evening gusts are common but predictable. At Macks Canyon, "The wind kicks up (strong) around 7:30p to 8:30p." Another camper confirms, "At one point we were frantically trying to get our awning down from the Cricket and things were flying everywhere. The wind lasted about an hour and then things calmed down again."
Road conditions: Access roads require careful driving. "I have never experienced a washboard road as bad as this was for 6-7 miles. I thought the doors were going to blow off the truck. Not an exaggeration. Usually you can adjust speed to plane the wash. Not this time."
Train noise: Several campsites experience regular train traffic. "Beware of the train that rolls in every 4hrs or so." Another camper adds, "A train will pass by at least a couple times over the course of a night, but it's kind of a fun sight as long as it doesn't come by in the middle of the night."
Cell coverage: Most sites have minimal or no connectivity. At Oak Springs Campground, campers report complete disconnection from service, while one Macks Canyon visitor noted, "No cell service👎 Starlink 👍."
Tips for camping with families
Flat terrain exploration: Certain sites offer easy walking for younger children. At Carbon Farm Yard, "There are several different loops you can hike or walk around the farm. The camping area is spacious and quiet. There is tons and tons of land to explore and lots of animals and wildlife to view. Lots of space for kids to run around and safely explore."
River activity areas: Look for slower water sections for safer swimming. "We had three dads and three 10 year old boys and the river provided plenty of entertainment. A few trees gave hammock options and our metal detector allowed the boys to find a lot of old junk just under the surface dirt of the campsite."
River rafting options: For families with older children, river access points support multi-day adventures. "We stayed in this campground the night before we put in at Service Creek for a three day float down the John Day River. There are six campsites with space for vehicles and four walk-in sites."
Weather preparation: Temperature swings require planning. "We went during weather transition from rain to clear. The result, high winds in the canyon. This only lasted the one night. Fantastic weather the rest of the time."
Tips from RVers
Limited hook-ups: No sites offer electric, water, or sewer connections. "Most sites using self-registration systems operate on a first-come, first-served basis with fees typically between $5-12 per night."
Site length considerations: Several campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles despite primitive conditions. "The campground was just what we were looking for. Minimal people, desert, fishing." Muleshoe offers "6 long level spots on the John Day," making it suitable for moderate-sized recreational vehicles.
Parking access: Many sites require a walk from parking areas to tent spots. "You basically pull off the road a few feet to the parking lot and walk-in from there. The sites are on a flat area between the river and the road."
Water supply planning: All RVers must arrive with full water tanks. "No drinking water or hookups of any kind. No fires. Must bring everything."
