Best Tent Camping near Paisley, OR

Back in July 2019, my buddy and I rode our motorcycles to this camp/hot spring.  I had heard of this place from another friend on Facebook & this was our  destination.  A wonderful ride to this easy-to-find site.  Everything from full-service cabins to rent and RVs, down to what we used, tent camping.  Beautiful but spartan tent camping area, portable toilets (clean), and cable spools used as tables.  The hot springs were WONDERFUL, with both indoor (bathhouse) and outdoor pools.  If I recall. clothing optional after 9pm.  The operators of this facility are extremely "green" in thinking, with the re-use of most building materials, etc.  Their website is excellent and gives more details.  Highly recommend!!

This campground has a vault toilet, a water pump, and a brown water dump site. It has 7 back in camping spots, and there is fishing nearby. I would suggest smaller trailers and Rvs or tent camping. If you need phone or internet service this site is not for you.

Camping at Juniper Camp is free. Easy access to the sand dunes; somewhat rough road into nearby Lost Forest. Best access is from the west. One porta-potty for the whole area; pretty nasty, so best to bring your own toilet system. No designated campsites; set up camp anywhere. This is a popular OHV area. If you are into quiet, wilderness camping, this area is not for you. Very noisy, and you may have to tolerate drunken and behavior, and loud music at night. However, if you are into OHV adventuring, this appears to be a good area to explore on OHVs. Finding a level site for your rig may be challenging, but it's possible. Tent camping is definitely possible. Not enough trees together for hammock camping. No water. Some sporadic T-Mobile service, but good AT&T service.

Private “campground” near Lakeview, Oregon (right along the Northern California border) functions more like a year round RV park; most of the residents are permanent although there are spots for travelers passing through. Call ahead for availability to make sure there’s space and they can accommodate your rig.

In total, the owner told me that they have 18 versatile sites they keep for travelers that can accommodate tents. Six of them are pull thrus with electric hookups, and five of those have water hookups. Dump station is not available on site. Friendly folks in the off chance you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods!

The Campground: Oregon Sunstone Collection Area

Sunstones are the Oregon state gemstone, and out in the middle of the Oregon desert the Bureau of Land Management has set aside an amazing area where you can camp and rockhound for free. There's shade areas covering picnic tables, a pit toilet (filled with black widow spiders), and large camp sites with level gravel tent pads.

The campsite is amazing, yet remote. If it weren't for the black widow spiders in the pit toilet and lack of water, this site would easily rate a 5. As it was, we had an amazing time staying here for two nights, picking up sunstones everywhere as well as visiting a local "fee" mine called Pana Mine. Smallish sunstones are everywhere right on the surface. If you want to find larger sunstones or ones with unusual colors, local mines have several pricing options.

Tips:

1. Bring lots of water and everything you'll need for camping since the nearest town is about 25 miles away on rough dirt roads (food, sunscreen, extensive first-aid kits including snake bite kits). You'll also need to pack everything out, including your trash.
2. Bring at least one very good spare tire and preferably two, or a spare plus a can of fix-a-flat.
3. I had very limited cell phone service with Sprint. Other locations had a bit of service with Verizon, but definitely don't count on being able to get in touch with anyone.
4. Print out a map of the area and directions from BLM before you go.
5. In case of a medical emergency, most of the "fee mines" scattered throughout the area have good first-aid kits and ways to reach emergency personnel.
6. There's no limit that I know of to the amount of sunstones you can pick up the in public collection area, but they can only be used for personal use (you can't sell or trade them).

Ranger Review: Oofos OOlala Sandal - Cloud White

I've been wearing my Oofos Flip Flops (OOlala Sandal - Cloud White) for several weeks now and I have nothing but good things to say about them. As a dyrt ranger, I was given a pair to review for free, and I was quite excited having heard such great things beforehand from other rangers. They definitely lived up to the hype. Super-comfy, thick soles that held up well even to rocks and hiking, and the ability to send them through the wash are all huge pluses in my book.

To truly put them to the test, however, I brought them with me to the suntone collection area near Plush, Oregon--an area in the middle of the Oregon desert literally covered with sharp glass-like rocks. I knew none of the other sandals or water shoes I had would hold up to all those rocks, and I was also dubious with the Oofos. After all, other flip-flops I've had in the past would always get rocks and thorns stuck in the bottom that would tear holes in them. After three days out in the desert however, I was thrilled to have my Oofos including the sole still looking like new. Definitely a 5/5 star review for my favorite new shoes.

Check out the video review to hear my sizing tips and the one suggestion I have to make them better.

Absolutely fantastic experience at Oregon Outback RV Park! We recently had the pleasure of hosting our family reunion here, and I can’t say enough about how perfect it was. The owners went above and beyond by reserving the entire park exclusively for our family, creating a private and intimate setting that made our reunion truly special. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by how clean and well-maintained the entire site was. The stunning view of Abert Rim added to the charm, and being nestled among the trees made for a picturesque and serene backdrop to our stay. But what truly set Oregon Outback RV Park apart was the warmth and kindness of the owners. They were not only incredibly accommodating but also genuinely wonderful people who made us feel right at home. Their hospitality was a highlight of our stay and added an extra layer of joy to our gathering. If you’re looking for a great family camp experience, look no further. Oregon Outback RV Park is a hidden gem that offers a perfect blend of cleanliness, charm, and heartfelt service. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to create lasting memories with our loved ones. Highly recommend it to anyone seeking a memorable and delightful camping experience!

Cows… you will see many open range cows while you drive down a long gravel road and again when you reach your destination at Mud Creek. The creek is somewhat seasonal, but you can find a small stream on the road across from the campsite. Not enough water to go fishing or swimming. There is no cell service out there, but many hiking trails and peace and quiet if that is what you are searching for. There is a trailhead a mile up the road with parking. There are vault toilets and space for both tent and RV camping. Be on the look out for rattlesnakes, ticks, and cows out here.

In other places I've seen this place reviewed as dingy. What someone expected from a privately run campground on the edge of a massive salt pan expected...I don't know. If you're not into the perfectly imperfect it ain't for you, then again very little in the Oregon Outback will be. There are a few rusted cars hanging around, but the cabins are clean and well kitted, the spring pools are absolutely pleasant, and the scenery outstanding.

I stayed here on the first night of the Oregon Outback. It is a very small simple designated camping area with a very clean pit toilet and a few picnic tables but nothing else.

A few loggers and Forest service trucks passed on the road, but mostly traffic was cyclists.

Listened to birds and coyotes and enjoyed being under the canopy of stars. Great little spot.

This remote campground is functional and practical. Bare bones with a few camp sites, a restroom, some covered picnic benches and a restroom. Bring your own water and plenty of it! It can be very windy here so make sure to stake down your tent well so it doesn't blow away! (We saw this happen to one gent. Glad he had some fear in it to keep it from flying too far).

There are many roads near by that lead out into the collection area. It takes your eyes a minute to see what you are looking for because sunstonea are so plentiful!

My tip: look for the reflections of the stones, catch a glint and go after it! There are thousands right under your nose and you don't necessarily have to dig to find them.Happy Rock Hounding!

The sunstone is Oregon’s State rock. HERE AT THIS LOCATION YOU CAN COLLECT THEM FREE OF CHARGE - but don’t be greedy! They come in all shapes and sizes, but most are the size of a fingernail or baby’s tooth. You will need to drive out 45-90minutes on a gravel road to reach this location and it is truly out in Oregon’s Outback and will take a full day to reach your destination. FYI DO NOT PICK SUNSTONES UNTIL YOU REACH END-POINT. The surrounding land is not for public use. You will know you’re good to go and at the end-point when you see the photos below with the sign and camp site. It would be safer to Camp in an RV or car because of rattlesnakes and heat-exposure. We did not stay because of the poor air quality from summer fires nearby. There are wild antelope and rabbits in the area. Keep on the look out for wildlife on your drive! No shade is available except for the covered Camp spots. You will see the MANY Sunstones laying out on the ground, sparking in the sun, no need for digging which is quite fun. Sunstones are made from the minerals in the dried up/preserved lake in this area. Lake county is full of seasonal lakes is what we discovered on our road trip this summer...Good luck and have fun!

This was a very open campground, very little privacy allotted for each site. There were some tree cover and grass. The lake was not very swimmable as it was dry, so we went to a nearby creek and enjoyed that.

It was pretty awesome to be on the state lines of Oregon and California, able to be two places at once. The town of New Pine Creek spans both states and has lots of fun places to visit and see.

It’s not a bad little park. Has electricity and water at the sites. Almost all our drive-through. Cost is $35 a night. Have bathrooms and showers.

Showers are not marked men or women. I am wondering if that’s the Oregon thing.

They’re working on making us a little nicer place. I think they’re going to have a store but they don’t have anything right now.

It’s right along the highway but it doesn’t seem too noisy. It’s not a busy road. Or at least not tonight.

 Everything is gravel.

They have propane. 

They don’t have a restriction on how old your RV is.

This place is really in the middle of nowhere and so quiet. Pit toilet was clean and well stocked. There were 5 or 6 other campers spaced out so that you could hardly see most of them. Best of all sunstones littered the ground everywhere. Out in the northwest corner of the area is the best gathering, bring something to sieve with and plop yourself down and just pick them up. If it wasn’t for our kids being bored to tears we may still be there… This is a part of Oregon that not many people take the time to see. It’s definitely worth it.

Spent two nights in this great isolated spot- the first night we were the only ones there! The second night we were joined by several people who had car tents but we never felt like we were on top of one another. Wonderful flat area at the top of a hill that boast amazing views of the valley- gave us one of the best sunsets and moon rises that we have ever seen! There is a central pit toilet for all of the sites to share.

There is a fire tower a short distance away from the sites that you can walk up to the base of and hike around. Sites are also close drive to "Crack-in-the-Ground", which is a fascinating lava formation that makes for a good spot to hike around for half a day.

The road up to the site is washboard, so be prepared for a bumpy drive. There is a small store at Christmas Valley before the turnoff that has the essentials, including an emergency eyeglass repair kit when my husband was head butted by the dog. Oops!

After seeing the eclipse earlier that morning, I set out to find THIS well-known camping/hot spring area.  A beautiful drive through Plush OR, then up, up, and away onto the Hart Mountain Plateau.  The overview of Warner Valley is epic.  Follow the easy 'dyrt' road through the Refuge Headquarters and continue on the well-marked Hot Springs Rd.   You will arrive at a parking area with an information kiosk.  Camping is split into a north & south area.  There are some walk-in tenting spots to the north.  The spots are well-marked and fairly large.  A family kindly allowed me to share one with them.  I was able to find 3 hot springs, one sheltered and 'developed' by a stone wall, concrete, and a ladder into the deep warm water (98-100 degrees?)  The other two are completely natural and easy to find on the short trail between the camping areas.  These are shallow, but warmer (102-104?).  Do not be surprised if people are enjoying the springs 'au natural'.  A ranger did swing by to verify that all campers were in designated spots.  No camping in the parking lot.  Night skies were pitch black without the Moon.

Overall, a wonderful spot to escape to :-)

It’s a nice spot for a night but plan to stay inside the entire time. When I pulled up people were leaving and told me it’s infested with mosquitoes to the point they’d rather go into town and get a hotel for the night. If you dare to go outside you’ll be eaten alive spray or not I tried. I’m from a rural farm town in Alabama. We get a good amount of mosquitoes down south but this is out of this world. Oregon should look into spraying the area truly.

I’d also like to add I’m towing a 30 foot TT and my roof was touching The tree branches on the way in. I would not recommend a 5th wheel or anything longer. It’s tight.

Edit: after I got to my next spot I noticed tears on my rubber roof. Highly recommend no 5th wheels and tts be extra careful if you decide to try and boondock here.