Best Cabin Camping near Mitchell, OR

Anson Wright Park Campground was a very challenging campground to review, and that's because depending on what section you are in really affects the rating.  I gave it an overall score of 3, but be warned sections can run from zero stars to five stars.  So this will be a detailed review rating almost campsite by campsite.  To start the host of this campground was supper friendly, the campground has play ground and large grass area that the kids can play at.  A small fishing pond is at one end of the campground.  The campground has showers.  Use the restrooms at the "visitor center"  or at the ADA site, do not, and I mean do not attempt to use the outhouses.

The break down by sites.

Sites D1 and D2, the end of the campground near the fishing pond.  These two sites are on a hill above the fishing pond and have lots of room, no to little grass and dusty, picnic tables and fire pits - 3 stars

Site D3 just below D1 and D2, small area next to BBQ area, no fire ring, has a picnic table small parking area, site is right along the campground road. Site is not flat and is bumpy 2-stars.

Site D4, not sure where this one is, should be next to BBQ area, no sign indicating the site, no clear parking area, not flat, no fire pit. 1-star.

Site D5, marking parking area, no fire pit, not table, no place to place a tent except on the edge of the gravel road, OK for an RV. 1-star

Site D6, No clear parking area, grass area for a tent, no fire pit or table, right next to welcome sign. 2-stars

D7, No clear parking area, no fire pit, no table, grassy area for a tent. 2-stars

D8, never found it, 0-stars

D9, just up from the visitor center, decent spot.  Fire ring and table 3-stars

F7 though F10 get a 2-star.  F8 & F10 have tables, F10 and may F9 have fire rings.  F7 & F8 listed a ADA site, but not really, no fire ring or table.

F11 good campsite 4-stars

Cabin A - 5 stars

F6 - not level 3 stars

D13 Table, no fire ring, 3 -stars

D14 good site 4-stars

D10 decent site 3.5-stars

D15 unable to find 0-stars

D22 just a table in the grass, no parking area 1-star

D11 is marked as D20 on a tree, noting but a big grassy area 1-star

G2 and G3, decent sites but right on top of each other, table and fire ring, 3-stars

F5 and G1, right on top of each other, only one has a fire ring but can't tell which site it is for. 2- stars

F12 Big spot all by its self 4-stars

F13 through F19, pretty much just a gravel parking area with tables and fire rings 2-stars

F20 at the edge of the area for F13-19, but it has lots of grass, 3-stars

D23 through D25, grassy area with one table, no clear area to park, not really marked 1/2-star

D17 though D21, a Big negative star rating, do not reserve these, no access, overgrown, only one table in area, unable to find where the sites are, not maintained and appears to be area used to burn brush.

The 5-star sites are sites numbers F1 though F4, these are large roomy drive through sites, you got an RV then these are the sites you want, up on hill above everyone.

Would I stay here again, yes, but only if i knew I could get a good site, otherwise I will head down the road.

Antelope is a strange and beautiful little place. Part ghost town, part living community, it is often a welcome oasis on the Oregon Outback cycling trail. The path north out of Prineville is a beautiful ascent-descent of the Ochoco Mountains, which is pretty exhausting. If weather is a factor (we arrived in cold, wet and punishing wind) Antelope is a much better place to camp than Shaniko which is 8 miles up on a plateau.

The RV Park is a work in progress. We arrived without a reservation and were given a very nice spot to camp behind an old diner. Some small a-frame cabins are available with more being built, and a few spots to park campers with sewer dump and 30 amp hookups.

Overall I give this campground an outstanding rating. Hospitable, well-equipped, well-situated… great spot.

This is another Oregon state park gem... best to visit offseason if you are not a boater, jet skier or love motor noise.  I go every spring and get a spot overlooking the lake/reservoir.  Ice and firewood available. Hot showers and nice bathrooms.  This time of year I sleep in my car and so having full bathroom facilities is nice.  A great horned owl visited the tree next to my site at 1:00 am and hooted away.  Very nice.  This is also a dark sky park and if the moon is not bright the stars are amazing.  There is a hike you can take along the shore of the reservoir - 4 miles out and back.  Great geology as well.

The Cabin

Besides the pullout couch leaving a lot to be desired, this little guard station was wonderful. Perfect for two, this cabin comes with propane heat and powered appliances, so no need to sacrifice meal quality or comfort. We were here for Thanksgiving and it was great to be able to explore the Malheur National Forest during the crisp days, and come back to a warm cabin late in the afternoon. In the spring, I imagine you can fish the creek behind the cabin.

The Wildlife

If you hike a little off trail, there's plenty of wildlife to be seen. We ended up hiking to Horse Mountain (about 3.5 miles from the cabin), and saw wild horses early in the morning. We also saw mule deer and turkeys. Maybe it is because it was November, but there were very few people out exploring the area.

The Terrain

The forest was super easy to move through, and if you're driving from western Oregon, the terrain is quite an amazingly unique site given its golden hills and red rocks. All in all, I highly recommend staying here for a nature filled getaway.

Wife and I stayed here in June 2019, and loved it. The building is quaint with gaslights, and gas fireplace. The fold out bed is old and worn out. I recommend putting an air mattress or at least sleeping pads on it. 

There's a big refrigerator and gas stove in the kitchen, along with some pots and pans for cooking. But NO running water for drinking or cooking. so bring plenty of water. 

There's a nice vault toilet outside the guard station. The outhouse is much newer than the guard station and kinda looks like a public toilet in the woods. But it's within the fenced boundary of the guard station. 

Right in the middle of the Malheur Forest, this would be a great place to stay for deer/elk hunting season. 

Fishing is good if you go over to the John Day river. 

We saw Pronghorn in the Silvies Valley heading to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. I had to see the place that the standoff with the Feds took place.