Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Prairie City, OR is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Prairie City. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Prairie City, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"Nice sites with lots of separation and easy access to a trailhead. Multiple vault toilets available as well as water taps that I don’t think are potable but good enough to rinse dishes."
"Off the beaten path, but we'll worth it! Dropped 20 degrees from the hot valley floor. Around 8 spots, first come, but a few other spots on the way up, for dispersed."
"little pond with camp sites surrounding. no portable water but next to the John day river, and clear to filter. bathrooms were really clean, sites were tidy. really nice spot"
"This is a “primitive campground” but the natural surroundings are more than worth the sacrifice of a few creature comforts."
"Fairly close to the highway, so there's some road noise, but this highway doesn't have much traffic. Clean vault toilets."
$55 / night
"Outside the cabin they do have a picnic table and grill, for those who want to do more outside cooking and activities. We BBQ one night, and it was a lot of fun!"
TravelerThere are picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets. No water. Lots of birds singing and wonderful views. The lake is dry, but the scenery is amazing. Very clean and the sites are spacious and well separated. I’d come back.
GuideThis was a great little campground for getting away from the Memorial Day crowds. Over the weekend we stayed, there were only 2 or 3 other campers as well.
Just south of Prairie City, this was a good location to explore the surrounding Strawberry Mountain wilderness and John Day Fossil Beds. As the road turns to a forest road, it’s gets a bit adventurous, but we just kicked it into 4 wheel drive and had no trouble getting there. We picked a site next to the creek in the back and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. We even got a visit from a few deer every night around dinner time. They kept their distance but still came within 20 feet to check us out.
From the campground, you can take the trails to the lake, which was a fun hike. The vault toilets were clean and the Ranger came around every day to check in. The only thing I would change is the temperature. We didn’t realize it was still so chilly at the end of May and we’re thankful for our extra layers and warmer sleeping bags we packed just in case.
Tips for camping here:
*I had my 9 year old nephew with me for this trip and was thankful I brought our bikes and games. Since the campground wasn’t busy, there weren’t other kiddos for him to play with so we needed some fun stuff to do between hikes and outings.
*There’s a steep drop off next to some sites that goes right into the creek. Keep an eye on kiddos or pick a site farther away from the creek if you’re worried about that.
*The campground was a bit dusty so bring stuff to wash up when needed.
*Lots of wildlife in the area so make sure to keep your food and other items locked up so the critters don’t get into it.
*Bring your own firewood, as there isn’t a camp host to buy it from.
GuideWe chose Dixie because it was a little closer to civilization than Yellow Pine, Wetmore & Oregon campgrounds further east on Hwy 26. There is no host, it’s at a higher elevation and it is a little off the highway. The loop is kind of on two levels so some spaces are well spaced out. Vault toilets distributed around the loop. The one we used was clean and supplied. There were only 2-3 other sites occupied and no one near us when we stayed. No reservations. We chose a site that sat a bit downhill from where our car was parked but was a really lovely spot. We didn’t mind hauling our stuff down. The wind picked up the first afternoon we were there and we actually saw a tree fall in the distance which was a little disconcerting. Just be aware of where you place your tent and the trees around you. Absolutely beautiful area with wild strawberries and blueberries and salmon berries, currants and more. Loved the peace and tranquillity of this campground but close enough to Prairie City which is where we got firewood (from Mountain View mini mart, no wood at Huffman’s Market & no wood at Austin House market at the top of the pass). We visited the little Sumpter Railroad interpretive site and Bates State Park both great for walking around with kids. Would definitely come back and do more hiking in the Blue Mountains.
LegendThis is a basic USFS campground north of Burns, Oregon off of 395. There are few campgrounds off this highway so we always camp here. The fee is $10. There are vault toilets and seasonally a camp host with firewood. Standard clean vault toilets and water during high season. Fire ring and picnic table. There are pull through sites for larger rigs. You are surrounded by large pine trees. It is a popular campground in the fall for hunters. Highway 395 is not a busy highway so the campground is quiet. We always stay here when we visit this area.
LegendI like remote campgrounds but man, this one felt especially far away from everything. If coming here, I would say you should allocate at least two days if not more to take advantage of everything nearby.
Campground is in a ponderosa forest right in between two creeks, Squaw and Umapine, so anglers were happy and it’s easy to get a nice cool respite if the weather is oppressive.
Picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets, but no hookups.
This campground seems to be an increasingly significant favorite for ATVers (there are a bazillion trails around, you can see them on the maps downloadable for Pro Dyrt members) but it does not open until May, so leave your snowmobile at home.
There are eight sites of varying sizes, but only one is a pull through.
RangerNice flat campground developed for OHV and equestrian activities. 22 mi SE of Ukiah on FR 52. No drkg wtr, just vaulted toilets. Winding narrow road to the site. This was our first night over on our 3 month camping trip to the EAST coast after leaving Portland. This June 7th night we were the only campers at this site. We had driven the Blue Mountain byway from I-84 exit 147. Beautiful day of touring the countryside in Eastern Oregon. The campsite had fire rings and Picnic tables.
GuideThis is where we start our camping season...on Mother's Day weekend! This is a small campground. Has a vault toilet but no potable water so bring your own. Each site does have a fire ring. Site 1 can hold about 2 RV's or 4 tents and possible 10 people. Site 2 is good for 1 RV or tent, Site 3 is closest to the river, tight fit for a RV but a small pull behind fits nice - could fit 2 tents. Site 4 and 5 is small. Site 6 can fit 4 to 5 tents or 1 RV/trailer. Taking a "Sunday drive" up and around is amazing! Great area if you have OHV's!
RangerJust arrived today. I’ll update after our full stay. Come here to explore Sumpter and the mines. Dispersed but tables and fire rings. Some pull throughs. No hookups or trash service. Beautiful setting. 3 bars AT&T.
Sites are not level. Large rigs will be fine, ours is 30’ TT
After stay review. Had a great time. Cranes were hanging at the lake, two Bald Eagles were close by. Great location with a lot to explore.
LegendMay 17-26, 2019 Very nice campground. Site C6 walk-up site had electric and water. Park has dump station, Restrooms had flush toilets but no hot water and no showers. Elevation 4,097. Verizon had 2 bars 4G. Address: 17564 Sumpter Stage Highway, Baker City Oregon 97814. Hike 16 mile trail around the lake. Legally sale cannibus in Sumpter - 10 miles from the park. Enjoyed D&J Taco Shop restaurant downtown. No sales tax in Oregon.
Tent camping near Prairie City, Oregon, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Prairie City, OR is Strawberry Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
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