Best Tent Camping near Mitchell, OR

Dispersed tent camping opportunities surround the small town of Mitchell, Oregon, situated in the high desert near the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The Burnt Ranch Road/Bridge Creek area offers multiple primitive tent sites with creek access and proximity to the Painted Hills unit of the monument. Ochoco National Forest provides established tent camping in a Ponderosa pine setting, while Priest Hole Recreation Area offers tent sites along the John Day River with vault toilets but no drinking water.

Most tent sites in the Mitchell area require campers to be self-sufficient, as amenities are minimal. The Burnt Ranch Road area features grassy tent sites near a creek with some dispersed fire rings but no facilities. Priest Hole has recently undergone improvements with new fire pits and picnic tables at designated sites, though the area still lacks drinking water. Walton Sno-Park provides vault toilets with some established fire pits suitable for tents. Sites may be dusty during summer months, and many locations implement seasonal fire restrictions. Access roads vary from paved to rough dirt, with some sites like Priest Hole requiring navigation down switchbacks that can be challenging after rain.

Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations, offering more seclusion than drive-up spots. The area around Painted Hills provides tent campers with exceptional stargazing opportunities once day visitors have departed. Tent camping in this region allows visitors to experience dramatic temperature shifts between hot days and cool nights, typical of high desert environments. According to one visitor, the Burnt Ranch Road area offers "fantastic star gazing and nice quiet spot after the day traffic along the main road visiting the park have left." Many tent sites throughout the region have little shade, so campers should be prepared for intense sun exposure during summer months. Fall and spring typically offer the most comfortable tent camping conditions, with fewer insects and moderate temperatures.

Best Tent Sites Near Mitchell, Oregon (43)

    1. Burnt Ranch Road/Bridge Creek (Painted Hills)

    4 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "Great spot just outside the Painted Hills National Monument park. Easy to miss as there are no signs and it is an abrupt turn off.  Had the whole place to ourselves for one night."

    "Be ready for potential wind. Lots of space and very easily accessible but make sure to fuel up before you go it’s a bit of a drive."

    2. Priest Hole Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    13 miles

    "CONS - 
    Cant get anywhere near the river now, and walking access is sparse unless you want to hop the big guardrail and blaze the bushes. "

    "Getting 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."

    3. Ochoco National Forest

    2 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 270-0094

    "We boondocked at a great site in October 2020 near Mill Creek Wilderness, dirt forest roads not too bad but we have a pretty low bar. Some great views looking west/northwest."

    "There are trails in abundance and beautiful views to be had, in addition to lakes, mine remnants and vistas galore. Camp, trail run or just bbq at the lake. There is something for everyone here."

    4. Walton Sno-Park

    1 Review
    Mitchell, OR
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (909) 382-2600

    "Came to check it out since we were camped nearby. There’s a vault toilet, some fire pits where obviously you can camp and looks like lots of snow mobile trails. There is also a pond of water too."

    5. Service Creek Campground

    5 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "We found several walk in tent spots, nothing for Van's, trailers. The river invited us down...beautiful swimming space. After cooling down and finding a spot under a tree, we decided to stay."

    6. Muleshoe Campground

    3 Reviews
    Kimberly, OR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "A few walk in tents spots too. 2 vault toilets No trash so pack in/pack out 5/night, self registration. Great spot in center of John Day Fossil Beds national monument."

    "There are six campsites with space for vehicles and four walk-in sites."

    7. Ochoco Forest Camp

    1 Review
    Mitchell, OR
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 351-1182

    $125 - $200 / night

    "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"

    8. Whistler Campground

    1 Review
    Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, OR
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6500

    9. Cottonwood Campground

    1 Review
    Dayville, OR
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6500

    "It is pretty rustic with no water but does have 1 pit toilet that was clean but not stocked.  It is a first come, first serve and is free.  I was the only person in the campground which was so nice.  "

    10. Scotts Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Mitchell, OR
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6645
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Tent Camping Reviews near Mitchell, OR

317 Reviews of 43 Mitchell Campgrounds


  • Calvin H.
    May. 16, 2019

    Shelton Wayside

    Forested Wilderness in an Otherwise Barren Landscape

    This campsite was easy to spot from the road, although navigation such as Google maps does not have the gravel road leading off into it. The campsite situated below the road in the valley surrounded by towering hills on either side. There are ample trees and the possibility of hammock camping if you can find the ones close enough. Each campsite has fire rings and wood or metal picnic tables. Water spigots with potable water are scattered every few sites. There are lovely vault toilets as well with air fresheners and toilet paper.

    The campsite I stayed at was near the small creek offering a serene sound of water trickling while I slept. There was a bridge the crossed the creek further west of my site which is recommended as the creek is muddy and not easy to cross by foot unless you want to get your shoe stuck in the mud (I was blessed to do this while looking for firewood on the other side).

    There is plenty of deadfall scattered around that can be used for the campfire rings set up in the sites. Across the creek, there were lots of bigger hunks of firewood but the fierce mud crossing claimed my shoes. Thankfully, I was able to wash them off and use the heat of the fire to slowly dry them out.

    Overall, this is a nice campsite for overnighting as you continue exploring the surrounding area. If coming from Portland, it is about a 3-hour journey. I first trucked around to the John Day Fossil Beds and looped around on the 26 to the Painted Hills before heading back north on the 207. There are lots of fun activities in the vicinity that you can explore and hike in 2 days before carrying on to another area.

  • Ariel & John  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 5, 2020

    Bear Hollow County Park

    Meh

    We were the only ones camping here for a night in October 2020. Sites are OK, some pull-throughs, some tent sites, too. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table. Pit toilets were dirty. Good location outside Fossil but kind of expensive at $20 for no hookups and dirty toilets, plus it’s right next to road so there’s some road noise.

  • K
    Jul. 18, 2019

    Barnhouse Campground

    Secluded, shady camping near painted hills/fossil beds

    Came through the area planning to camp before exploring the fossil beds and painted hills nearby. Campsite is secluded from the main road, and only had one other camper while we were there (we stayed Monday night through Tuesday morning). There was a single Vault toilet that was fairly clean minus some Archaeology Today magazines, and someone came by in the morning to restock toilet paper. 

    Be forewarned that the right hand entrance of the road loop that goes to each site is pretty rough! Deep potholes and tree branches leaning into the road which scratched our vehicle. Next time we will only drive through the left side which was smoother and branch-free. 

    Each site had a basic fire ring(made with stones with a small metal grate that flips over the top) as well as a picnic table. Our site was next to a trail entrance, which crosses a cute little bridge/creek and heads up into the hills where a beautiful sunset over the valley could be seen. Lots of evidence of cows on the road leading up to the campground as well as on the hiking trail, but none in the actual campsites. Deer and chipmunks aplenty though! Some sites had better flat spots for tents while others seemed better suited to campers. Our spot was without large lumps or rocks in the ground but slightly slanted on a hill. We made it work okay though! 

    We have Verizon and had zero cell service both in the campground as well as the surrounding areas, took a good 15 minute drive or more down the highway to get even a bar of service to show up again, so be warned! 

    Would definitely stay here again if in the area: beautiful, clean, and private!

  • Steve H.
    Jun. 14, 2021

    BLM John Day River - Priest Hole

    Great area!

    Searching for a spot on Saturday during Memorial Day weekend was probably not the best idea, but we were able to land a decent space in this BLM rec area.

    Priest Hole has a few kinds of spots, some at the banks of the John Day River, some in the hills and some in the open. The riverside areas are really rocky and would be hard pressed to ground tent there, but trailer mounted and RV’s would do fine (assuming you can get them there).

    We stayed on the bluff overlooking the River and hills. No shade, so we had to make our own, as it was pretty hot. This created another problem when the wind howled down the canyon, kicking up dust and rolling tents and anything not staked down!

    The River is a few hundred yards away, and the single vault toilet was close by.

    After exploring the area we did discover many more areas for dispersed camping, and will be back to try some of those!

    Campfires may or may not be prohibited, or may have modified rules, so be sure to check the board for updates.

  • Corinna B.
    May. 30, 2018

    Service Creek Campground

    Nice Spot to Stop on the Way to Somewhere Else

    On the way to/from John Day and the Painted Hills, this is a decent spot to stop for a night if you are heading somewhere else. Only $5 a night, 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. No real privacy, but the views of the river and hills are amazing, and it's only $5 a night. The river is slow moving here and thus technically swimmable, but a bit sludgy/swampy on the edges (no real beach).

    Pros: Cheap. Easy to access. Great views on the river.

    Cons: No privacy. Lots of trash when we were there. Right on the road/traffic.

    Facilities: Vault toilet, picnic tables and fire pits.

  • M
    Jun. 20, 2023

    Cobble Rock Campground

    On River and Super Quiet

    we were the only people that stayed here during our 4 day stay. First to note:  This is an off  grid campground NO potable water, NO Power, No Sewage dump, No cell phone service/connection. Yes pit toilet, yes garbage pick up, Yes picnic tables, Yes fire rings.

    Sites 1&2 and 8&9 are walk in spots, site 2 is the most private of the walk in's.  None are far to walk, but not for a van or trailer. Sites 3-9 are on river, the rest are off the river itself but have a river view. Site 4 is the only pull through site.

    When we stayed it was First come $8 a night.  The Ranger will drive through every day or so (there are several campsites in the near area, some with more ammenities).

    I did video tape this campground if you would like see:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXJcw0zXZoI

  • L
    Jul. 8, 2019

    Spray Riverfront Park

    On the beautifulJohn Day River

    Fishing, wading, swimming. Perfect place in a pinch! Clean vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire pit. Great price at $12! Flat gravel lot. Just pull in and set up.

  • Abby F.
    Jul. 1, 2019

    Ochoco Lake County Park

    Tiny site, beautiful lake

    Tiny 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!

  • Stephanie Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 29, 2019

    Shelton Wayside

    Roadside Overnight Rest Area

    There's not much happening at Shelton Wayside, but it makes for a quiet night of camping if you're passing through Eastern Oregon. It feels more like a roadside overnight rest area than a place where you'd go as a destination for a camping adventure.

    Shelton Wayside calls itself primitive camping -- mostly it's a field along a hillside with a bunch of picnic tables and fire rings cut from old metal drums. Sites seem to be designated by where there is a picnic table. There is no delineation between sites. There is a water point, pit toilets, and garbage cans.

    The campground is self registration only and cash is required.$20 and $5 for an extra vehicle. It gets cheaper if you stay an extra night, but we can't really figure out why you'd want to stay here for any longer than a stop over.


Guide to Mitchell

Dispersed camping near Mitchell, Oregon offers proximity to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument while providing budget-friendly overnight options. Most sites sit at elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet in high desert terrain with juniper and pine scattered throughout the landscape. Temperatures often fluctuate 30-40 degrees between day and night, requiring campers to pack layers regardless of season.

What to do

River access fishing spots: The John Day River offers multiple fishing access points near Muleshoe Campground, where anglers can catch smallmouth bass and steelhead depending on season. "We were right on the John Deere River and had a beautiful view, both upstream and downstream," notes camper Pamela M.

Swimming holes: During summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, river swimming provides essential relief. At Priest Hole Recreation Area, "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," according to Isabelle K.

National Monument exploration: Located within 15-30 minutes of most dispersed sites, the three units of John Day Fossil Beds offer unique geological formations. "Great location! Really nice spots and some campfire rings as well," reports Alex C. about camping at Burnt Ranch Road, noting its convenience to the Painted Hills unit.

Stargazing opportunities: The high desert's minimal light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "We had the whole place to ourselves for one night. Fantastic star gazing and nice quiet spot after the day traffic along the main road visiting the park have left," writes Thomas B. about his experience at Bridge Creek.

What campers like

Budget-friendly options: Most dispersed sites near Mitchell are free or low-cost. At Service Creek Campground, sites cost just $5 per night. MeLinda W. describes her experience: "So quiet and magical as the evening wore on. Next to the hwy, but really no traffic after it was dark."

Uncrowded weekday camping: For those seeking solitude, weekday visits offer the best experience. "We had the entire place to ourselves for one night," notes one visitor at Muleshoe Campground, while Ashley B. at Cottonwood Campground shares, "I was the only person in the campground which was so nice."

Pine forest settings: While much of the area features desert terrain, some campgrounds offer welcome tree cover. Kelsea B. found "The sites are visually stunning with all the Pondarosa's (we're not used to big trees)" at Ochoco Forest Camp, providing contrast to the open high desert sites.

River views: Many sites offer direct views of the John Day River. Ashley L. says of Muleshoe Recreation Area: "Honestly the site was so picturesque. It was amazing... It was so beautiful with a short walk down to the river."

What you should know

Extreme temperature fluctuations: Summer daytime temperatures regularly reach 90-100°F before dropping into the 50s at night. Isabelle K. notes at Priest Hole: "If we had checked the forecast, we probably wouldn't have camped here. However when we arrived at 6 pm and it was 100 degrees, we were far enough off the beaten path that we decided to sweat it out."

Limited shade at most sites: Many sites lack substantial tree cover. "Watch out for the bees, they were thick!" warns Amanda B. about Walton Sno-Park, a common issue in exposed areas during warmer months.

Varying road conditions: Access roads range from paved to rough dirt, with some becoming challenging after rainfall. Chase mentions about Burnt Ranch Road: "Lots of space and very easily accessible but make sure to fuel up before you go it's a bit of a drive."

Pack-in, pack-out requirements: Most sites have minimal or no facilities. At Cottonwood Campground, Ashley B. observed: "There is no trash so it's pack in pack out. Which I will say a lot of people were not doing so I walked around and picked up a huge bag of garbage especially out of the fire pits."

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites with established facilities: For families with young children, campgrounds with vault toilets provide added convenience. "BLM improved this area recently," notes Mark W. about Priest Hole, adding, "Nice sites with table and fire ring."

Consider swimming access: Sites along the John Day River offer natural water play areas for children. Michael F. describes Priest Hole Recreation Area: "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."

Bring entertainment options: With minimal structured activities, children may need additional diversions. As Brendon C. notes about Service Creek Campground: "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."

Plan for weather extremes: Mornings and evenings can be cold even in summer, while midday heat requires shade and hydration plans. One camper at Priest Hole notes: "We just lucked out that it was open! They will start charging a fee in the future according to the poster."

Tips from RVers

Limited pull-through options: Most dispersed sites require backing in. "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," warns Mark W. about recent changes at Priest Hole.

Scout access roads first: Some forest service roads become narrower and rougher as they progress. "Dirt forest roads not too bad but we have a pretty low bar," notes Ariel & John W. about boondocking near Mill Creek Wilderness in Ochoco National Forest. "Boondocking near the Big Summit Prairie was a lot more difficult. Roads narrow and rough with hardly any place to pull off."

Look for established fire rings: Many dispersed tent camping areas near Mitchell, Oregon provide established fire rings despite minimal other amenities. "Great spot just outside the Painted Hills National Monument park. Easy to miss as there are no signs and it is an abrupt turn off," warns Chris T.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mitchell, OR?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mitchell, OR is Burnt Ranch Road/Bridge Creek (Painted Hills) with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Mitchell, OR?

TheDyrt.com has all 43 tent camping locations near Mitchell, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.