Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland
Ochoco Lake County Park allows pets throughout its 81 RV full-hookup campsites with lake views. Sites have drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings, though many campers note the spaces are tightly packed with limited privacy. Wildcat Campground offers a more secluded pet-friendly experience among ponderosa pines, featuring 17 well-sized campsites for both tents and RVs at $15 per night. Pets must remain leashed at all campgrounds in the area, with Ochoco Divide Group Site and Walton Lake also welcoming pets in a forested setting. Vault toilets are available at all locations, with Ochoco Lake providing hot showers and hookups. The campgrounds can get exceptionally quiet during off-peak seasons, with some visitors reporting having entire sections to themselves.
Hiking with dogs throughout Ochoco National Forest offers excellent opportunities for pet exercise, with trailheads accessible directly from several campgrounds. Wildcat Campground provides immediate access to miles of pet-friendly hiking trails, including routes to Twin Pillars and Steins Pillar. Many sites feature small creeks running alongside where dogs can cool off during summer months. Fresh cold spring water is available at several locations, though visitors should bring ample water for themselves and their pets at more primitive sites like Painted Hills Dispersed camping area. Highway noise affects some campgrounds during daytime hours but typically quiets at night. During summer, the rocky beaches at Ochoco Lake can be challenging for dogs' paws, so protective footwear may be necessary when visiting the waterfront areas with pets.
