Looking to find an RV campground or tent campsite near Mitchell that allows dogs? Finding pet-friendly campgrounds in Oregon is easier than ever. Each pet-friendly spot offers quick access to one or more of Mitchell's most popular destinations.
For a rustic overnight stay deep in eastern Oregon, let your tires roll past the Painted Hills-one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders-and drive deep into John Day River Territory to the Priest Hole Recreation Site. Although primitive, camping here lands you in the middle of the Wild and Scenic John Day River, designated for scenery, recreation, fish, wildlife, and geologic values. Camping is allowed everywhere, including on the gravel bar northeast of Priest Hole, where you sleep to the gurgle of the river and stepping out of your tent or trailer lands your foot in the water. Know Before You Go: Open YEAR ROUND but the rough road can make access difficult in winter. ACCESSIBILITY is primitive and not easily accessible for people with disabilities. NO FEES for camping or floating the one-mile section around Priest Hole. There is one toilet; NO potable water, trash cans or campsite amenities. PETS ARE ALLOWED under owner control. Watch for rattlesnakes. HUNTING/FISHING LICENSES ARE REQUIRED. Fire restrictions run June 1 – September 30 (liquid gas or propane only). Point of Interest: Priest Hole is a local favorite for fishing and swimming. Stopping here is a natural part of a visit to the Painted Hills, Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway and eastern Oregon! Priest Hole Brochure Explore Oregon Recreation: Priest Hole ADA Access: Priest Hole Recreation Site is primitive and not easily accessible for people with disabilities.
Dispersed camping is allowed on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service (USFS) lands without a permit, but it is recommended that campers obtain a map that shows current property boundaries. Please contact the BLM , (541) 573-4400 or (541) 416-6700, or the USFS, (541) 575-3000 or (541) 416-6500, for more information. While camping is not allowed within the three units of the monument, there are many nearby campgrounds. Some have full service amenities, some are quiet and remote, some are in the forest, and some are right on the John Day River.
The Ochoco Divide Group Site is a convenient place to camp while traveling across scenic State Highway 26 by bicycle or car. Resting at the top of the Ochoco Divide at an elevation of 4,700 ft., the group site is set on a hill away from the road as an extension of the general campground. Summertime in the Ochoco National Forest brings pleasant temperatures; the campground is closed during winter.
The group site of the Ochoco Divide Campground is mainly used by touring cyclists. It is also a good place to take a relaxing stroll through the woods. There are opportunities for hunting, mountain biking and hiking in the national forest surrounding the facility. Several trailheads begin at the Bandit Springs rest stop about one mile from the campground on Highway 26.
The scenery surrounding the campground alternates between thick Ponderosa pine forests and grassy meadows, though shortly beyond the campground the road descends into lower-elevation, arid canyon lands. One of the most unique geologic features of the Ochoco National Forest is the 'thunder egg,' Oregon's official state rock. Thunder eggs are small, colorful, round volcanic rocks similar to geodes that have been exposed over time. The U.S. Forest Service has designated specific sites for rock hounding.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is less than an hour away. Hike amongst the Painted Hills and famed fossils, take a journey through time at the museum at Sheep Rock or picnic beneath the beautiful mountain scenery. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
$50 / night
This campground is surprisingly quiet and serene as it sits nestled among some large ponderosa pine trees just a few miles from the main highway. It also hosts the trailhead for Barnhouse Trail (#813) located in the northwest corner of the campground.
Coyotes and owls can be heard most summer evenings and occasionally local ranchers will graze their cattle nearby, which can make for some interesting serenades in the evening hours.
Size & number of trailer sites are limited (no dump station). No RV's over 25 feet. There is a 14 day stay limit on all National Grassland and US Forest Service land including but not limited to campgrounds and other developed facilities.
This campground has 6 campsites that each have a picnic table and combination fire pit/grill. Parking spurs vary in size so any site can accommodate tent camping, but some may not be able to accommodate RV camping.
Walton Lake Campground may be the best-known location in the Ochoco National Forest, offering a serene setting among old-growth Ponderosa pine and mountain meadows. Most sites offer sweeping lake views.
Visitors can choose to spend their vacation relaxing by fishing on the shore of Walton Lake, or swimming and paddling in the water. There is a swimming beach, fishing pier and boat ramp for small self powered craft, and the lake is stocked with rainbow trout.There are also many trails nearby for those who would like to explore on foot or mountain bike. This includes the 7.5-mile multi-use Round Mountain Trail as well as the 1-mile Walton Lake Trail, which offers many scenic views around the lake.
Walton Lake is a blue sparkling jewel hidden within the dense forest. A small dam impounds spring-fed water that seeps from surrounding sloped meadows. Fishing is a favorite activity while hiking is very popular as is simply enjoying a picnic at the lake.Aspen and tall willows add habitat diversity to make this place especially attractive to wildlife. This is a place to find white-headed woodpecker, belted kingfisher, spotted sandpiper, cinnamon teal, American coot, Steller's jay, yellow-headed blackbird and Brewer's blackbird.
For visitors seeking a bit of civilization, the city of Prineville is nearby. There are opportunities to shop, dine out, golf, attend events and visit the localmuseum. For those wanting to explore the Ochoco National Forest, Lookout Mt and Round Mt are great places to hike and Mt bike. Wild flowers are abundant at the Big Summit Prairie where occasional antelope, elk and deer are sometimes seen.
$60 - $100 / night
This is part of the donation based hostel run as a ministry of the church it is housed in. In four years we have hosted 2250 guests. The suggested donation at the hostel is from $25-65 per bed depending on option. This camping area is newly cut from the wild to reveal a charming creekside at the base of basalt rock cliffs. We have two summer teepee style Wentzel tents on site for a suggested donation of $25 a night They sleep two comfortable and three cozy. Five hammock poles some with lounging hammocks installed on a few. It is a work in progress but lovely, protected from harsh sun and faces the sunset. Kitchen, shower with towels, soap, shampoo and laundry options are included. Pets upon approval. They must be socialized, stay with you at all times and must sleep inside your tent or car. We love pets and have three of our own but we must encourage a friendly place for all. Barker's or lunger's will be asked to leave for the comfort of other guests.
Located partway along the Crooked River’s 125-mile journey from the Ochoco Mountains to its confluence with the Deschutes River, the Prineville Reservoir is a vast blue pool filling a colorful canyon of volcanic rock, sagebrush and juniper. The reservoir was created in the 1960s with the construction of the Bowman Dam. The state park was established shortly after to provide campers, anglers and water lovers an opportunity to enjoy the natural area—and a chance to beat Central Oregon’s summer heat. The park lies adjacent to the Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area, which preserves the habitat of a wide variety of mammals, waterfowl, songbirds and raptors.
Prineville Reservoir State Park is located just 15 miles south of the town of Prineville, and 50 miles east of Bend. The park’s Main Campground features 67 sites, including full- and partial-hookup RV sites and primitive tent sites. The Jasper Point Campground features 28 partial-hookup sites. Both locations provide drinking water, flush and vault toilets, hot showers, and recycling stations; a dump station is located at the Jasper Point site. There are also a few camping cabins for rent. The park hosts interpretive programs at an outdoor amphitheater, and onsite amenities include sports courts, hiking trails, a dog park, and a fishing pier. The park host sells ice and firewood. Dogs are welcome, but must remain leashed. Seasonal campsites are $21–$33/night; cabins are $89–$99/night; reservations recommended.
For enjoying some on-the-water fun time, boaters can launch watercraft from the ramp at the day-use area, which has plenty of parking for vehicles and trailers. Nearby, sunbathers and swimmers can enjoy some beach time at the designated swim area. Picnic tables are available for packing lunches and refreshments to enjoy by the water. For paddling around the shoreline, kayaks and SUPs can be put in from either the boat launch or the beach. Anglers can cast for trout, catfish, bass and black crappie, then take their catches back and prep them for dinner at the park’s fish cleaning station. Another boat ramp, beach and parking area is located west of the state park at Powder House Cove, near the Bowman Dam.
$37 / night
As of10/5/2020 *** There is a Closure Order prohibiting dispersed camping outside of the Skull Hollow campground. View a map of the closure area here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd507382.pdf.
This closure is designed to help protect natural resources around the trailhead from overuse and to prevent conflict between campers and day users. Please observe the closure order and use the campground for camping in the vicinity of Skull Hollow trailhead. AMENITIES: NO DRINKING WATER 28 standard campsites No hook-ups or dumping facilities 1 wooden picnic table and 1 combination fire ring/grill per campsite 2 vault outhouses for the campground 1 informational signboard On-site campground host NEARBY ACTIVITIES: Horseback Riding Hiking Mountain Biking Rock climbing (Smith Rock State Park) Hunting
$10 - $20 / night
Guide
Open grounds away from everything. There was a dirt square right off the dirt road we parked in. The only noise was the power-lines close by, which weren’t bad. Decent stargazing and had no issues. Just a little muddy and a little clearance on your car would be helpful. Really close to the highway. It’s all free dispersed camping so there is no development besides the dirt road
TravelerSuper easy to find and nobody around. Easy to jump back on the hwy in the morning.
GuideLove this dispersed campsite! So much wife open space. We were the only campers here last night. So quiet that you can hear a pin drop. Oh, the 360 views are fantastic! A little bumpy ride for regular cars as it is in a dirt road; an AWD preferred.
Guide
Arrived afternoon on Labor Day to find an empty campground. Sites are large, but not very level for an RV.
Guide
Camp host was nice, easy access to sites. Showers/bathrooms clean but dated.
Guide
We enjoyed our stay here. We had a nice space with decent trees for shade and putting up some lights. We could easily drive in to Madras...or to the Crooked River Canyon to go bungee jumping!!!! We also took a nice drive out east in the hills. Firewood was a bit steep, at $8/bundle.
Traveler
Loved this spot. Across the river we watched wild horses. In the river there were birds. During the day rafters come down.
No water available unless you boil river water.
The road down was STEEP! I really overheated my motorhome breaks. Plus a scary, low and narrow tunnel at the bottom.
Guide
Nice small quite campground. Enjoyed the miles of hiking with TH right at the campground. A very friendly deer kept visiting us during our stay. Enjoyed cooling off in the small creek that runs through the edge of campground.
Scout
This place is beautiful! Everything perfectly cared for@
Guide
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.
ScoutThis place is a pure gem. Heaven on earth. Make sure to take the road to or from Shiniko to see the view.
Guide
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
TravelerStayed here one night. Very windy and very desolate. We were the only ones here. The coordinates take you to a parking lot that does not allow overnight, but you go right past it and across a cattle grade and the campsite is on your right.
Traveler
Mostly gravel road, high clearance is not necessary but there are some pretty big holes in the road, made it in a Toyota Corolla just fine but have gone in larger vehicles and tends to be a little less risky.
Not a ton of camping spots near the water but plenty of open spaces elsewhere. Pretty spaced out if you choose the right spot.
ScoutThe sites are tucked in among Ponderosa pines & some sites are spacious. There’s occasional highway noise during the day, but fairly quiet at night. Verizon was available at times with a booster.
GuideGetting to camp you drive into a “canyon”, switch backs most of the way down. The road is bumpy but does not require 4WD or high clearance. Once you get to the bottom of the canyon, the road will pass by a vaulted toilet. You continue down the road and a bunch of campsites pop up that line the river. Great space for big groups, dog friendly, all around great hang!
Guide
I would recommend a rig with lots of ground clearance. The main gravel roads have been recently maintained but the last bit has deep ruts and there are rocky areas. Our trailer had better clearance than our truck and we bumped a few rocks getting into our spot. There are a few less rocky areas, but they seem to get taken first. More people in the off-season than I expected for such a remote area. You need to use a fire pan for fires when allowed, so be sure to bring one. It was our first time using a fire pan but it was better than using the ground as they are designed to allow perfect air flow.
Guide
Cute 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.
GuideIncredible little spot. We pulled in around an hour before sunset and found a beautiful site right on the river. Doesn’t look like there are a ton of spots so make sure to get there during daylight to be safe. It was super quiet and peaceful with no noise other than the river roaring which provided a great nights sleep!
The views are also stunning both at night and in the sunlight!
We made it through all the gravel roads fine (about 7 miles total) with our van pulling a 21ft travel trailer. Just go slow and you’ll be fine!
There is one bathroom available, but we didn’t use it.
Legend
We were able to score a couple of nights here in Early May. It's a very popular Oregon State Park and I'm sure summer requires advance planning. The weekend we were there was pretty full and our site was at the top of the B loop. Monday, however, the park cleared out to much fewer campers. The lake was actually mostly full and the views were beautiful. Some of the amenities were boating, of course, lake views from some sites, a nice dog park along with the normal state park fare. We'll definitely make another trip!
Traveler
Stayed for one night, most of the sites are far enough away that it didn’t feel crowded with three other parties there, but a couple of the sites are close enough to be good for a group. Our site had a slight slant so we needed a couple of leveling blocks. Clean toilet when we were there.
Scout
It’s clean, comfortable and cozy. Like staying at a good friend or family members’ house .
RangerFirst two nightsThursday Friday were quite. Sites are small and better set up for tents instead of Trailers. There were these jerks screaming the entire night on Saturday until 4 am. Many people left early on Sunday because of it. The lake had hazardous warning signs. I won’t be back, I prefer boondocking.
LegendOne of my favorite campgrounds! Stayed here for a rock climbing week at Smith Rock
Guide
This place is nice for it's location-far away from pretty much everything. It's quiet and shaded and has a few good amenities like bathrooms, showers, park, and fishing pond. A great place to relax.
Travelercampsites were super easy to find & best of all..free! it was SO quiet out there, so lovely. just a little drive even from the furthest most campsite to all of the little trails around the painted hills! super lovely place to stay the night if you’re just passing through! :)
ScoutWe are here as camp hosts; the rangers are great to work with. The campground is beautiful, we have deer and squirls and lizards every day. It was so fun to watch the squirls play. The roads are paved, and the sites are as well with fire pits and picnic tables. full hookups with fifty amps or you can choose a lessor grade site. The lake is full, and the fishing is good. I have seen ospreys diving into the lake hunting. sites are mostly level, and the roads are wide.
If you're looking for pet-friendly camping options near Mitchell, Oregon, there are several great spots where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mitchell, OR is BLM John Day River - Priest Hole with a 4.2-star rating from 20 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 61 dog-friendly camping locations near Mitchell, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
