245 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Central Oregon's high desert landscape surrounding Prineville features diverse camping options managed by multiple agencies. The Prineville Reservoir State Park offers full-hookup sites, cabins, and yurts along the shoreline, while BLM-managed campgrounds along the Crooked River provide more rustic experiences. Several first-come, first-served sites like Big Bend Campground and Palisades Campground sit along the river corridor below Bowman Dam. Skull Hollow Campground near Terrebonne serves as a popular base camp for Smith Rock State Park visitors, offering primitive camping with vault toilets but no water. Ochoco Lake County Park, just minutes from downtown Prineville, provides water access with basic amenities for both tent and RV campers.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in the Prineville area. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while winter can bring snow and freezing conditions, particularly in the Ochoco Mountains east of town. Many riverside campgrounds fill quickly during fishing season, especially on weekends. As one camper noted, "I stayed in mid-June and got the last campsite on a Friday night out of all the campgrounds, so it fills up fast." Cell service varies dramatically throughout the region, with limited to no coverage in many canyon areas. Water availability is inconsistent at primitive sites, with one visitor reporting, "The best place to get potable water and dump is the Crook County RV Park just 20 minutes down the road on the outskirts of Prineville."
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the area. Campsites along Prineville Reservoir offer swimming access, with one reviewer appreciating that "the swim area is marked and dogs are not allowed in that area so you don't have to worry about dog messes where your kiddos are walking barefoot." The Crooked River campgrounds are particularly popular with anglers and those seeking quieter experiences. Dispersed camping options in the Crooked River National Grasslands provide free alternatives with minimal facilities but excellent stargazing opportunities. Visitors frequently mention the contrast between busy summer weekends and peaceful weekday or off-season stays. Spring brings wildflowers but also potential for muddy conditions on unpaved access roads, with some requiring higher clearance vehicles.
"There are a lot of trails nearby! Hiking, Bike and atv trails. There is also access to the "road" that leads to the top of Grey Butte."
"Great spot to camp with a quick drive to Smith Rock. We had fun hiking many of the trails within the area. Several TH right next to campground. Very quiet and peaceful campground."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Day 4 - Pacific North Quest (South Sister) This classic Eastern Oregon gem is located just north of Bend on the Crooked River."
"Smith Rock always surprises me- here you are, driving through the farmlands of Central Oregon and BAM. There is Smith, rising out of the ground."
from $8 / night
Check Availability"We love going to Prineville Reservoir State Park because it isn't too big- lots of grassy spaces, great boating and beach area."
"This is another Oregon state park gem... best to visit offseason if you are not a boater, jet skier or love motor noise. I go every spring and get a spot overlooking the lake/reservoir. "
from $26 - $152 / night
Check Availability"A downside is the proximity to the highway and the resulting noise."
"Tiny little campsite with spots right next to each other. 10 walk up tent sites, most are right along the water. Everyone is so close together you get to know your neighbors pretty well."
from $10 - $25 / night
Check Availability"This is one of our favorite campgrounds in Oregon. We did have a harder time backing in our 35ft trailer due to the more narrow road but over all wasn’t that bad."
"Very solid, typical Oregon state campground."
from $32 - $128 / night
Check Availability"Close to everything in the cute town of Prineville, on a scenic road bike route, across the street from the Crooked River and Rimrock Park with an elaborate frisbee golf course."
"It is located right next to the fairgrounds and the town is really cute.  it is a little spends $$$"
"The road is very near all the campsites, but we counted maybe one car an hour. The pit toilet was very clean and serviced daily. We had Verizon and had rare to no cell service. "
"Each campsite has a fire pit, a picnic table, and it's right next to the river. There are no services, so no electricity or water; you have to bring in everything you need."
"Our GPS and Waze wanted to take us to the Fair& Expo main gate, but we followed the website instructions to the RV park portion of the fairgrounds adjacent to the Juniper Golf Course."
"We were traveling and getting near the end of our day when we called to see if this RV spot had anything for us. Everything around is full. There is a special exhibit nearby that people travel to."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"This is the first campground after descending from the Prineville Reservoir. It is the only campground of the several along this section of the Crooked River with a campground host and water. "
"There is a trail that goes to the base of the dam for the Prineville Reservoir from the Campground. "
"We came from south through Bend but I believe Prineville is the closest town."
"Right on the crooked river and near chimney rock trail. Perfect get away location for fishing"
ScoutStayed two weeks in this location and enjoyed it. This forested area is surrounded by upscale homes with horses. Very enjoyable location. Went to Sisters for services.
GuideThis was a good spot, I passed one person coming in, and unfortunately, the road is blocked off about a quarter mile in, so there’s not a lot of spots here. There is a bit of road noise, mostly from cars hitting the rumble strips or trucks Jake breaking. But the wind wishing through the Ponderosa Pines masks a lot of of the regular car noise from 97. The ground is very soft and dusty, but my 3500 RWD van made it to the end with no worries. The road does continue on a ways, and it was OK to walk on, but my shoes were caked in a fine powdery dust, not the best. There was a break in the trees, so I was able to use my Starlink for Internet.
TravelerQuiet place in the giant Ponderosa pines up on the mountain. Great view from the entrance looking out on the valley. No complaints!
ScoutGreat option near sisters. Plenty of sites to pick from. I stayed there on a week night so weekends may be more crowded. A couple sites seem to have long term residents on it, but that’s maybe 5 out of 100 plus sites (not an accurate count, just an observation) since it’s a massive area. Multiple ways to get into the area. So roads can get confusing if you go to deep.
ScoutI stayed here for two nights towards the end of June. Nice spot near the power lines. Unsure how many total spots there are but the half circle I was in could fit 2-3 cars if grouped together. Very windy at times. But level ground. Access was off the highway and required higher clearance due to ruts in the road.
GuideThis is a pretty nice place to stop if you can get away from the electrical pylons with their incessant buzzing and crackling. I followed another reviewer’s advice and pulled off from Highway 26. The road in is pretty heavily ruttted, but I was able to drive my RWD 3500 van off to the side enough to get to a turn off, and find a spot far enough away that I didn’t hear the powerlines. Walking around, there is definitely a lot of trash, and what looks like glass from a broken car window, which is a little nerve-racking, I saw one other truck, not too far away, but they left early in the morning, so I had the place to myself. It was somewhat overcast, so I didn’t get the best sunrise or sunset, but it was still a very pretty place to stay.
GuideI came here for an event and it was quite nice having full hookups for the long weekend
ScoutTowing a trailer solo so I’m keeping an eye out for quick overnight stops that are easy to pull through or turn around. This is great for that. Pretty little spot and I can hear water, but haven’t found access. Not sure that I’d recommend for more than just a night, but it’s great for what I need it for!
GuideCampsites are in a line, a short walk down to the river. I was at the far end, which also serves as the day parking lot. Anglers came and went all day long, which wasn't really a problem but pick a lower campsite number if you want a bit less of constant activity. Overall the campground was quite peaceful, except for Saturday night when some campers arrived who were up into the early morning hours playing music and talking loudly. Otherwise it's a beautiful place to spend a few nights, especially if you fish.
Prineville offers dispersed camping options in high desert terrain between 3,000-4,500 ft elevation. The area contains a blend of sagebrush, juniper woodlands, and volcanic landscapes with temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night. Camping regulations vary by land management agency, with BLM sites requiring campfires in established rings and Forest Service areas allowing more primitive experiences.
Fly fishing opportunities: The Crooked River below Bowman Dam offers excellent trout fishing, particularly in Palisades Campground. "The river ran a bit muddy. Loved the rock formations. Wind picks up in the afternoon," notes one camper at Palisades Campground.
Hiking to viewpoints: Several trails lead to panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape. Near Skull Hollow Campground, visitors appreciate "lots of hiking near the campground, and equestrian trails. And of course it's very close to the amazing Smith Rock SP."
Night sky observations: The region has minimal light pollution, creating ideal stargazing conditions. A visitor to Prineville Reservoir State Park mentioned, "This is also a dark sky park and if the moon is not bright the stars are amazing. There is a hike you can take along the shore of the reservoir - 4 miles out and back."
Spacious riverfront sites: Many campgrounds feature direct water access. At Cobble Rock Campground, "Riverside spots are great, half ass private so hard to beat compared to other camps along the river. A little Dusty front the gravel road but tolerable."
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention well-maintained amenities despite the remote locations. A camper at Tumalo State Park Campground appreciated the "heated individual showers, clean bathrooms, and quick access to firewood are a big step up from the usual camping basics."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings provide opportunities to observe native species. One visitor to Palisades noted, "We saw a marten and waterfowl. The river is flowing and shallow with rocky shores; great for Fly fishing, kayaking, or floating."
Limited water availability: Many campgrounds require bringing your own supplies. A camper at Big Bend Campground noted, "The best place to get potable water and dump is the Crook County RV Park just 20 minutes down the road on the outskirts of Prineville."
Quick site fill rates: Weekends between May and September see high demand. "We arrived late in the evening and accidentally ended up at the free side of the camp... It was totally fine, we missed having a picnic table, but still there was a grill spot," reported a visitor at Skull Hollow when the main campground filled.
Temperature extremes: Summer days often exceed 90°F, while nights drop significantly. One camper observed Skull Hollow is "hot and dry, no water and is kinda expensive," while another mentioned, "Very little shade, I'd imagine it's miserably hot in the summer."
Choose designated swimming areas: For safer water recreation, select sites with established swim zones. A visitor at Prineville Reservoir Main Campground reported, "Large grassy areas, big roped off swimming hole it can get blazing hot a few stickers so wear river shoes for swimming or at least getting there."
Seek educational programs: Some campgrounds offer organized activities for children. A camper noted, "The educational programs are outstanding! The amenities are well cared for and the surroundings are incredible!"
Consider accessibility needs: Various campgrounds provide different levels of access. At Cobble Rock, "River Ada access is somewhat feasible if your adventurous and have a strong helper. Or if your a bad ass in a chair you can strong arm the technical moves to get up and down."
Dump station locations: Plan your waste disposal strategy before arriving. For Ochoco Lake County Park, "Since there are no RV services be prepared to hear some generators running occasionally. Water is available but may not be close enough for a hose to your RV."
Parking challenges: Some campsites have limited maneuvering room. At Deschute County Expo RV Park, "most of the spaces are really jammed together and people insist on parking their vehicles in front of their rigs instead of the parking areas, making it difficult to maneuver around the loops."
Off-season advantages: Consider spring or fall visits for better availability. "We pulled up on a Saturday afternoon to find a plentiful selection of sites! It is a nice quiet campsite and easy to get to with a camper," noted a visitor to Skull Hollow in the shoulder season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping spots in and around Prineville, Oregon?
Prineville offers diverse camping options for all preferences. Prineville Reservoir Main Campground provides spacious grassy sites with excellent boating access and a designated swimming area perfect for families. For a quieter experience, try Big Bend Campground along the Crooked River, which offers basic amenities including a hand pump for water. Other options include Ochoco Lake County Park just outside town, the Crooked River corridor campgrounds, and dispersed camping in Ochoco National Forest. For those seeking more remote experiences, Little Hay Creek Road offers dispersed camping opportunities east of Prineville. Most campgrounds in the area are busiest during summer months, so consider reservations when available or arrive early for first-come, first-served sites.
What activities and attractions can I enjoy while camping in Prineville, Oregon?
The Prineville area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Water enthusiasts will enjoy Jasper Point Campground at Prineville Reservoir, which features excellent water access and a scenic trail heading east from the campground. Fishing is popular throughout the region, with Stillwater Campground serving as an ideal fishing base. The Crooked River corridor offers multiple fishing spots, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Mountain biking and road cycling are popular, with the Oregon Outback cycling trail passing through the area. Prineville itself offers charming local shops, restaurants, and historic sites. For day trips, consider exploring the Ochoco National Forest, Smith Rock State Park, or the Painted Hills unit of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, all within reasonable driving distance.
What RV parks and facilities are available in Prineville, Oregon?
Crook County RV Park offers immaculately maintained facilities in the heart of Prineville. This well-kept park features Rivian destination chargers, convenient access to town amenities, and sits across from Rimrock Park with its disc golf course. The park's location along the Crooked River adds scenic value. For those traveling the Oregon Outback cycling trail, Antelope RV Park and Campsites provides a unique oasis in a part-ghost town setting. While sites are typically close together at developed RV parks in the area, most offer full hookups, clean facilities, and easy access to local attractions. Many parks in the region stay open year-round, though amenities may be limited during winter months.
Is there camping available at Prineville State Park?
Yes, camping is available at Prineville Reservoir State Park, which offers two primary campgrounds. The Prineville Reservoir Main Campground features grassy spaces, excellent boating facilities, and a designated swimming beach where dogs aren't permitted, keeping the area clean for swimmers. Jasper Point Campground offers water and power hookups with sites overlooking the reservoir on a first-come, first-served basis. The park has one of the best dump stations around according to campers. Both campgrounds provide access to the reservoir's recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, and swimming. The park is popular during summer months, so arriving early for first-come, first-served sites or making reservations when possible is recommended.
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