Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
"We stayed at Priest Hole, which is a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center on dirt roads. We saw a few vans and a pop-up trailer, but no RVs."
"We spent a weekend in June celebrating our anniversary in this stunning location. The Painted Hills are so beautiful. The hikes and trails are so well thought out and maintained."
"the road once you pass the bridge here, but the roads were too pot holed and rough for us in our 26ft class c, and seeing as how we only needed a place for one night we decided to just stay in the big flat"
"Has a nice area to turn around a big truck. Looks like people have been cutting firewood here. There some litter and obvious signs of people."
"This site is on the far end of the painted hills park, just outside of the gate. "
"its a nice spot, bit rocky so the places to camp arent super great, but the view is beautiful 10/10. road up here is really tough, definitely want a high clearance vehicle if you wanna go very far along"
"There is a gate you have to open and close behind you that will look questionable. Do not let this stop your journey but so close the gate behind you."
"These upgrades were done over the past several years according to BLM Prineville staff."
"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."
"This dispersed spot was a nice one-night stopover. It’s pretty close to the main road (26) on a pretty good gravel road."
"Also very hot and dry, as to be expected in the high desert. The scent of Mock orange hung heavy in the evenings air and the waterfalls area had a pool nearby you could hang out in."
"Breathtaking drives and not hard to find with given coordinates. Dirt roads are not too hard to drive but during the dry months it is extremely dusty."
LegendThis was by far my favorite place we stayed on our entire 4000+ mile road trip…. and it was free! We stayed at Priest Hole, which is a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center on dirt roads. We saw a few vans and a pop-up trailer, but no RVs. The road was okay but not great, so not sure if regular RVs would make it or not. Fine for cars, trucks or vans.
It's Bureau of Land Management land, which means all camping is free. We camped right on the banks of the John Day River and it was amazingly beautiful. The water was the perfect temperature for swimming and crystal clear. There were people a couple hundred yards from us on either side, so not too crowded. We were there on a Thursday and pulled right up to an empty spot.
Only vault toilets. Bring your own water. No showers, picnic tables, etc. The only drawback, besides lack of a nice bathroom and not much natural shade, was quite a few earwigs and other bugs attacking the outside tent at night when we had our light on. Not the worst thing, but slightly annoying for the kiddos.
When the river is higher (sometimes in the winter) there's a large grassy area in the center of the area for tents, but a bit far away from the water. But in the summer when the river is lower you can camp in any of the rocky dry stream beds and be safely right on the water.
LegendWe kind of stumbled into this free spot while heading to a more formal campground near Pelton Dam. As the daylight faded I spotted a pullout/turnaround area which then led to a rather private loop with a great view of the Deschutes River and Lake Simtustus. I had to confirm with the Dyrt BLM map overlay, but I was glad to find myself on public land. It’s not really a place I’d choose to spend more than one night, since it doesn’t really connect to any trails or walking areas, but it was a handy en-route overnight spot, complete with a nice view and bright sunset. It’s only a few miles off Rt. 26, following signs to Pelton Dam. There was plenty of room to turn around my 26’ skoolie. However, I didn’t really see a good place for a tent, but I didn’t look very hard. There were signs of previous users, including a fire ring (which I didn’t use). Since it was the eve of Earth Day, I did collect a bagful of empty cans and trash. Leave no trace, people!
ScoutJust a forest service road. The area close to the road is closed to camping entirely. I showed up at 1am and missed that part since I'm so used to seeing no campFIRES and was hassled by a local for making their scenic walk less pretty. But if you look at the map posted you just need to be further in from the road - you'll see new signs for 14-day limits. Lots of mountain bikers riding past since there are a ton of trails out here. They also seem to be grumpy about seeing a vehicle parked out here, but oh well.
I don't know who is marking this area for services and water and toilets and RV hookups.... it's just a dirt road. However I do get 2-3 bars LTE on AT&T and Verizon even further in where you can camp.
GuideIt’s free camping so who can complain! Pull off from the main road onto a dirt single lane road. Many “campsites” along the road. No amenities. Quiet place.
TravelerNabbed a nice quiet spot about a mile up the dirt road. The fire ring looked like a bottledrop convention, but I quickly "Molly Maided" the site and was back to camping in no time. (Leave no trace, peeps!) Snow started to fall early in the evening and through the night. Woke up to single digits, but overall it was a perfect overnight getaway just outside of town.
GuideIf you keep driving on the forest service road past the Skull Hollow campground there are many designated spots to car camp along the road. The road is dirt but 2WD/low clearance is fine. The campground has public, dry toilets near the entrance of the road. Some sites are shaded by juniper trees.
TravelerSo so beautiful and scenic! Also very hot and dry, as to be expected in the high desert. The scent of Mock orange hung heavy in the evenings air and the waterfalls area had a pool nearby you could hang out in. TONS of desert wildflowers too, along with several hundred year old juniper trees and sagebrush lizards all over bathing on rocks in the morning sun. It was during bitterly breeding season too, it’s a breeding ground for monarchs! No fires due to fire restrictions and the GPS coordinates on here took us an hour past the destination.. we found it eventually after good going though.
Guide14 day free camping
TravelerBeautiful trip. Breathtaking drives and not hard to find with given coordinates. Dirt roads are not too hard to drive but during the dry months it is extremely dusty. The campground on the trailhead is nice but a little too close for dispersed camping. Trail is not too long to a waterfall. You can fish and jump off the rocks into the water. We stayed one night at the designated camp site but ended driving about 10 minutes down a dirt road next the the campground entrance that is actual dispersed camping. Really enjoyed that spot with a trail down to the river and 2 drive in spots and multiple walk in campsites along the cliffs. 
Dispersed camping near Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, this area is perfect for those seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities or facilities are available for dispersed campers in Ochoco National Forest?
Dispersed camping in Ochoco National Forest offers very limited amenities, as is typical with dispersed camping. Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground provides access to natural water features, though no treated water is available. Near Peterson Ridge Road Dispersed, you may find established fire rings at some sites, but you should bring all other necessities with you. Most dispersed areas have no toilets, water sources, trash collection, or other facilities. Some locations near designated campgrounds, like Skull Hollow, offer access to dry toilets at the main campground entrance. Pack out all trash, bring your own water supply, and prepare for completely self-sufficient camping. Cell service is typically limited throughout the forest.
Where are the best dispersed camping spots in Ochoco National Forest?
The Ochoco National Forest offers several excellent dispersed camping areas. Painted Hills Dispersed is highly recommended, particularly the Priest Hole area located a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center. While accessible via dirt roads, it may not be suitable for large RVs. Another great option is Skull Hollow Dispersed, where you can find many designated spots along the forest service road past the main campground. The dirt road is navigable with 2WD vehicles, and some sites offer shade from juniper trees. For more dispersed camping opportunities, explore Little Hay Creek Road and the areas around Crystal Creek, which offer more remote experiences with fewer visitors.
What are the rules and regulations for dispersed camping in Crooked River National Grassland?
Dispersed camping in Crooked River National Grasslands Dispersed Camping follows standard Forest Service regulations. Camping is limited to 14 days within a 30-day period. Camp at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and developed recreation areas. Use existing fire rings when possible and fully extinguish all fires. Some areas may have seasonal fire restrictions or closures, especially during high fire danger periods. Terrebonne East Camp Dispersed and other similar areas require campers to pack out all trash and waste. Motorized vehicles must stay on designated roads and camping is only permitted in previously used sites. Always check current conditions and restrictions with the Ochoco National Forest office before your trip, as regulations may change seasonally.
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