Best Tent Camping near Prairie City, OR
Looking for tent camping near Prairie City? Find the best tent camping sites near Prairie City. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Oregon tent camping excursion.
Best Tent Sites Near Prairie City, OR (39)
1. Strawberry Campground
Prairie City, Oregon6 Reviews•13 Photos•81 SavesStrawberry Campground is located at the edge of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Set amongst ponderosa pine in a beautifully wooded area, the campground is an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to hike, hunt, fish or simply relax. Strawberry Basin Trailhead is located at the campground. Strawberry Basin Trail #375 connects to other trails in the wilderness allowing for day hiking or backpacking trips.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Picnic Table
2. Trout Farm
Malheur National Forest, Oregon1 Review•4 Photos•16 SavesTrout Farm Campground offers opportunities for picnicking, pond/stream fishing, and hunting. This nice little campground is ideal for families, or the fishing enthusiast. This campground offers a nice pond for fishing with an barrier free path along the pond as well as a barrier free pier. Trout Farm Campground also has a newly renovated covered picnick shelter and running water. A great place to visit near the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.
- Tents
4. Middle Fork Campground
Unity, Oregon1 Review•4 Photos•1 SaveThis small campground along the Scenic Middle Fork of the John Day River set back amongst beautiful ponderosa pine trees is a great spot for fishing and viewing spawning steelhead in the fall. The campground is a good starting point for hunters, hikers and those wishing to see beautiful scenery, wildlife and wildflowers. The campground sets just off of the county road allowing for easy access to all variety of vehicles and bicycles.
- Tents
5. Elk Creek Campground
Unity, Oregon4 Reviews•3 Photos•26 SavesNear the North Fork Malheur Wild and Scenic River, the campground provides opportunities for hunting and stream fishing. This small rustic campground is popular durning hunting seasons. A great area to camp that is easy to reach during the summer months allowing for a great get away for those looking for a more secluded space. 5 sites available.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Picnic Table
6. Hilltop Hideaway
Sumpter, Oregon1 Review•10 Photos•7 SavesOverview
Hilltop Hideaway is a 1930's era cabin that allows guests to relax in the outdoors and step back in time to the bygone gold mining days. Hilltop Hideaway is part of the Fremont Powerhouse complex, a hub for mining built in the early 1900s. It is one of four cabins located at the site near the town of Granite, and provides great flexibility for larger groups. The surrounding valleys once teemed with mining activity, primarily gold. The Fremont Powerhouse was built as an economical power source for mining. Two dams were constructed at Olive Lake and the water was piped through an 8-mile wood and steel pipeline to the powerhouse to generate electricity. Homes were constructed to shelter workers who monitored the pipeline. Today, these same homes are available for the public to enjoy. Hilltop Hideaway is the cabin farthest uphill from the Fremont Powerhouse. Winter access may require skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles. Click here for a virtual tour of the area.
Recreation
Guests can hike on trails into the North Fork John Day Wilderness or go mountain biking on forest roads. A drive along the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway is a treat, as are other activities like huckleberry and mushroom picking, bird watching, wildlife viewing and photographing the vast landscape. Nearby Olive Lake offers boating, fishing and swimming.
Natural Features
The cabin sits at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, on a hillside overlooking the expansive Umatilla National Forest near the North Fork John Day Wilderness. A grassy lawn in front leads to the other three cabins in the area. The forest lies in the Blue Mountains and is home to Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Birds in the area include the black-backed woodpecker, American kestrel and the Boreal owl. Black bear, cougar, wolves, elk and deer are among the native land mammals. Click here to learn about bear safety.
Nearby Attractions
The cabin is located less than 6 miles from Granite, Oregon, a ghost town that once bustled with prospectors and pioneers. The town provides groceries and fuel.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Tents
- Cabins
$55 / night
7. Oregon Mine Campground
Mount Vernon, Oregon2 Reviews•8 Photos•10 SavesAdjacent to Murderer's Creek, this little campground is a great base camp for hunters. The campground is a nice area for those wishing to horse camp, a buck and pole corral is located adjacent to the campground. Visitors to the campground can enjoy bird watching, hunting and fishing in near by creeks. Hikers have options in the Cedar Grove Botanical area and Fields Peak trail. Visitors may get the opportunity to see one of the beautiful wild horses that reside in the area.
- Tents
8. Welch Creek Campground & Trailhead
Ukiah, Oregon1 Review•1 SaveWelch Creek Campground has long been a favorite gathering spot for family reunion camp-outs and group hunting trips. The campground's open area and easy parking access make it ideal for such events. It features 6 campsties an accessible vault toilet, and 4 stall recreational stock corral. There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home. Local attractions include hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, sight-seeing, photography and a trailhead for the Desolation OHV trail system. Olive Lake, where there is fishing, boating, and swimming is about 13 miles to the east along Forest Road 10.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Picnic Table
9. Deerhorn Forest Camp
Be the first to review!Prairie City, Oregon•6 SavesThis small campground offers fishing, exploring, nature watching and hunting opportunities in the Middle Fork John Day River State Scenic Waterway. The campground is busiest during late summer and hunting season.
- Tents
Recent Tent Reviews in Prairie City
211 Reviews of 39 Prairie City Campgrounds
- B
Blaine R.
Guide
Starr
Superstarr!
Nice area close to the road. Plenty of room for my small trailer. Though it was close to the road it wasn’t very noisy. I camped in site 9 so 1/4 mile away from the road. Only issue last role of TP.
Kacey H.
Scout
Mtn View RV Park
Easy
Easy access off of I-84, mostly pull through full hookup sites, nicely landscaped with beautiful views! It has a small fenced-in dog park, pool and spa.
- JJaime K.
Traveler
Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor
A great overnight stop
Beautiful forested campsite with clean flush toilets next to a creek.
- GGaryTraveler
A-Frame RV Park
Nice little park
Was a small but clean and tidy park with lots of shade trees around. I arrived there after hours but had made a reservation over the phone prior. Park staff were nice enough to have a park map ready for me when I arrived directing me to my site in the back corner of the park. They actually had a really cool sign at my camp spot made up for me. The spot itself was a bit small, but clean and under a nice shade tree. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. The only minor gripe I would have is they are a bit small and cramped, but for one night it worked just fine. Would definitely camp here again if I'm the area.
Ndomupei N.Scout
Yellow Pine Campground
Not Safe
For years Yellow Pine was our last resort to camp on Memorial weekend, July 4-th and Labor Day when all the popular campgrounds were full. There is not much to do there, but you can relax in a hammock drinking beer and sit by the firepit when fire is allowed. On regular weekends the campground is empty, on holidays usually half full. There is always the host with a few trailers living there, seems like the same person. I am not sure does he has any duties or just allowed to stay there for free, I have never seen him doing anything like cleaning campsites or bathrooms. There is a sign at the front “NO DOGS ALLOWED OTHER THAN ON A LEASH” which everyone ignores. The host doesn’t care either obviously. On Labor weekend 2024 we spent two nights at Yellow Pine and had a bad incident. There is a nature trail connecting Yellow Pine and Wetmore campgrounds, the only hiking option for campers. The trail is located next to campsite#6 which was occupied by a company with three vehicles, a few tents, one RV, multiple kids and dogs. On Sunday morning my husband and I were walking past that campsite to the trail. My husband had our little puppy on a leash. Passing campsite 6 we were attacked by three dogs that were aiming at our puppy. My husband pushed the biggest dog away, fell, our puppy rolled over, the dogs slid under my husband’s feet, he fell on asphalt, rolled over, our puppy fell and rolled over…..it was a mess….everything happened so fast so we couldn’t reconstruct the sequence of the events later being in shock. Dog owners never apologized and refused to provide their information even seeing that my husband couldn’t get up from the ground for a few minutes. I took pictures of their license plates, that’s all I could do. I wanted the host to be our witness, but his truck was gone. The whole of next week my husband couldn’t lift his right arm and therefore couldn’t work. He went to the family doctor, had x-ray done, then was sent in for a CT scan. At this point he has appointments with the orthopedic specialist and MRI. CT scan showed torn tendon and bicep, and impact fracture. We don’t know yet but there is a chance he will have to have surgery done. We will see what amount we will end up and probably will have to hire a law firm to search the dog owners by their license plates and sue them. I wrote all this to warn people about what can happen in a campground where is no law and order and the host is not doing his job. Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings when you camp at Yellow Pine campground.
Evan W.Guide
Dispersed near Baboon Creek Quarry
Good spot for a few nights
There are a few spots and spurs off NF-6510 that would make for good boondocking. Might be hard to get level, but other than that it’s pretty nice. The spot on the map has a stone fire ring. There are a few spots before and after that would be suitable to setup camp as well.
I got to the spot marked on the map in my extended Transit, but I’m sure road conditions may change with the seasons, storms; etc. Depending on your comfort, you may only want to head this way with high-clearance vehicle.
MickandKarla W.
LegendMtn View RV Park
Good Short Stay Campground Choice
This review is based on an overnight or short stay versus destination campground (CG). Our GPS took us right into this CG. Check-in was easy and we headed to pull through site 118 with FHUs. The pad was plenty long enough for our 40’ 5th wheel and our F450. The utilities were in the middle of the pad, which made it nice for our one-night stay. As the water pressure here is around 100 psi, you need to use a reducer. Sites are close to one another but you still have a grass yard with some separation. We stayed here back in 2019 and not much had changed. They added a small fenced dog area inside the CG. They still have the field behind the park where you go out a gate into a small industrial area. There’s a poop bag dispenser and trashcan. Happily, people were picking up after their dogs. There were a mix of overnighters to long-stay residents and the CG did not have trashy sites. We could not get the CG Wifi to connect, but we did have 2 bars on Verizon. The CG has cable but we did not use it as we were able to stream on our Verizon MiFi. There are a lot of mature trees so satellite could be iffy depending on your site. They have a nice little store with sundry and gift items. Across the street from the office/store is a nice laundry facility. We again enjoyed our time here.
- NNancy D.Scout
Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site
An Oasis on Highway 26
This is always such a great place to stop when traveling between Idaho and western Oregon. It has lots of shade, lawn, and hedges that offer privacy between the large camp sites. Super clean showers and restrooms, dog friendly, and a nice trail to walk along next to the river. Yes, the sites closer to the road are noisier due to traffic, while the ones closer to the river are the buggiest in the summer, but if you want hook ups, easy access, and an RV dump and don't mind paying for all these amenities, this is the place. We stayed in site 9, which has a super long paved and level driveway giving you lots of peace and quiet.
- JJon A.Guide
Clyde Holliday State Recreation Site
Nice quiet well maintained
We spent one night here in July 2024. Did not feel crowded. Showers were hot. Bathrooms were ok. Very quiet even though it was close to highway.
Joseph B.GuideUkiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor
Beautiful campground
I camped here during the summer season of 2023. When I pulled into the campground it was just me and the camp hosts. They gave me the pick of what site I wanted. I swooped on one next to the river. The campground was beautiful and sites were good distances from each other. There are bathrooms and areas to top off your water. I choose this campground due to driving the 395 as my choice of route to explore. I would 100% recommend this campsite again.
- CChris J.Traveler
Middle Fork Campground
Hidden gem in plain sight
Nice little campground right on the Middle Fork John Day River. Fairly close to the highway, so there's some road noise, but this highway doesn't have much traffic. Clean vault toilets.
Ann W.GuideClyde Holliday State Recreation Site
Quiet State Park
We were surprised how quiet this state park was during our visit. Very clean and beautiful green grass through campground. Enjoyed the river trail along the John Day river. Perfect to cool off in during the hot summer months. Mosquitoes definitely come out at night and we were tent camping. A little highway noise at night but not bad.
- KKelly P.Traveler
Dixie Campground
Beautiful site
What a beautiful site for camping. Saw several deer there when we arrived. It was very peaceful.
- Brian P.Guide
A-Frame RV Park
Awesome RV Park!
Big trees, lots of shade, full hook ups. Pic-Nic tables at each spot. Very friendly staff. Easy check in. Good price. Some road noise but not loud enough to be problematic. We have a 36ft travel trailer with slides on both sides. Was able to fit into the pull through no problem with truck parked in front (stayed hooked up so we can leave the following day)
Keith H.Scout
Fish House Inn and RV Campground
Very Very Nice!
This place is beautiful! Everything perfectly cared for@
- PPhil&Melinda O.Guide
Southwest Shore Campground
Peaceful and spectacular views
Dry camping with a put toilet, very clean. The camping sites were pretty level. Site 11 we feel was the best. Baker city was just about 20 minutes away along with the old gold mining town of Sumpter about 10 minutes away
- SSandy S.Guide
Unity Lake Dump Station
Nice smaller campground
We stayed one night as a stopover on a walkabout. The hosts were friendly and helpful. Clean restrooms and showers. 2/3 of the sites have a view of the lake. The wind often comes up in the afternoon and is there until after sunset, but the fishing looked great. Another camper offered us freshly caught trout as they had too much for their group. Lots of grass.
James W.
Ranger
Millers Lane
Nice spot on Lake Miller
Just 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.
- EEmily J.Scout
A-Frame RV Park
Friendly and clean
Came in late and the host came out to help. Nice clean bathrooms, reasonable price (and don’t mind car charging), a little loud from the highway.
- JJudy W.Guide
Olive Lake Campground (Or) — Umatilla National Forest
Beautiful Olive Lake
Beautiful and peaceful stay. We were able to snag a first come first serve campsite just before the 4th. Cons: Most sites are simple turnouts, more suitable for tents. No ATV use so our mobility was limited. There are a few sites to back a camper off the road. Pro: nice boat dock and access for swimming.
Andrew T.Traveler
Bates State Park Campground
Convenient, Quiet, and Exceptionally Clean
We were looking for a campground to stay at on our way from eastern Oregon to the John Day wilderness area. Bates State Park was a perfect overnight spot, just far enough off Hwy 26 to be quiet and exceptionally clean and well maintained. There are no hookups, and it will be a few years before vegetation matures to offer more privacy between spaces, but the park was uncrowded and felt private nonetheless. There are very interesting signs telling about the logging history of the area as well as a playground and nature trails.
- AAndrew S.Traveler
Strawberry Campground
Quiet and secluded
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. We got caught in rain, sleet, snow, and graupel all in one day but that’s hardly the campground’s fault. If you can get up the sketchy and rough road, it’s a beautiful site.
Peggy/Mark C.TravelerOlive Lake Campground (Or) — Umatilla National Forest
Beautiful and peaceful.
Olive Lake is a beautiful and quiet place to camp. There is a boat ramp and dock that are in good repair there. There are lakeside campsites. Some are reservable and others are first come first serve. There has been some thinning of the trees in the campground and the cleanup process has not been completed, yet it is still a great place to stay. There is a trail that goes around the lake that they say is only 2 miles long. It was a wonderful hike but according to our sports watches and GPS was almost 3 miles. So be prepared.
- PPamela P.Scout
Mccully Forks
Peaceful and beautiful
This quite little gem of a camp ground is our favorite spot to get away for a weekend or longer. Beautiful old growth trees, with a stream running through it. Close to Sumpter if you forgot something, or there is always some street activity or flea market happening.
allison B.Scout
Anthony Lake Campground
Beautiful, campground, clean lake and kind camp host
It’s absolutely beautiful, campsites are pretty private and it smells so fresh! They sell firewood and have great area for tents in each campsite with a fire pit.
- Derek S.Traveler
Union Creek Campground
Union creek
Great camp site. Electric and water hook ups, great camp hosts, close to the water.
- JJohn M.Traveler
A-Frame RV Park
Ginormous dog park
We stayed here just overnight. We used the showers and laundry --both were very clean. Courteous, helpful staff. It looked like about half of the tenants are permanent.
The dog park on the back forty was seriously about 40 acres.
Guide to Prairie City
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.
Explore Scenic Trails and Wildlife
- At Strawberry Campground, you can access numerous hiking trails that lead to stunning views and wildlife sightings, including deer that often visit the area.
- The Looney Spring Campground provides access to several hiking trails, including the challenging Little Baldy Trail, ideal for backpackers seeking a rewarding experience.
- Canyon Meadows is a great spot for those looking to explore the surrounding wilderness, with ample opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation.
Campground Amenities for Comfort
- Trout Farm features clean facilities and a picturesque pond, making it a peaceful retreat for tent campers.
- At Starr, you'll find well-maintained sites with picnic tables and toilets, ensuring a comfortable camping experience.
- Middle Fork Campground offers clean vault toilets and a serene setting right by the river, perfect for a relaxing getaway.
Unique Features and Local Attractions
- The Crescent Campground allows campfires, making it a cozy spot for evening gatherings under the stars.
- Fopian Campground is known for its primitive camping experience, providing a true escape into nature without the distractions of modern amenities.
- Deerhorn Forest Camp is open year-round, offering tent camping in a tranquil forest setting, ideal for those seeking solitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Prairie City, OR?
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.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Prairie City, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 39 tent camping locations near Prairie City, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.