Looking for tent camping near Prineville? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
2021: Open with capacity limit due to COVID-19. If you enjoy scenic views of deep river canyons or rock climbing, Smith Rock State Park is the place for you. There are several thousand climbs in the park. More than a thousand are bolted routes. We also offer miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Along your trip through the canyon, you might see golden eagles, prairie falcons, mule deer, river otter and beaver. Note: Some climbing areas are closed or have limited access from about Jan. 15 to Aug. 1 to protect nesting raptors. Drones are also not allowed during this period. Check the park advisories on this page for exact dates and affected areas. Due to the uniqueness and fragile aspect of the park, park rangers enforce the animal leash law and ask all park users to stay on trails. Bivouac Camping Camping is open early spring through late fall, as weather allows. Walk-in bivouac area for tents (No reservations) Showers (overnight guests only) RV camping, sleeping in vehicles and open fires are not allowed
$8 / night
Unlike most of the other campgrounds along the Crooked River, this 14.5-acre campground is set back some from the Lower Crooked Back Country Byway, providing some isolation. Campground facilities include fourteen mostly broad, spacious campsites, vault toilets and an accessible fishing pier. All but one of the campsites are at river level and accessed by a single-lane road.
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted. Potable water is available year-round at the upriver Chimney Rock Campground, 0.8 miles north on State HIghway 27. Cell phone service is not available in the campground. Watch for bicyclists: the section of State Highway 27 between Prineville and Bowman Dam is designated as the Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway.
The site takes its name from nearby rock outcrops composed of basaltic lava which form the steep, formidable cliff faces across the river from the campground. ADA Access: Accessible fishing pier and trail.
Along the Chimney Rock segment of Central Oregon's Crooked Wild and Scenic River, Chimney Rock campground offers a relaxing woodland setting amongst Western Juniper trees and beneath massive Columbia River rock formations. Fly-fishing and hiking on the nearby Chimney Rock trail offer day-long recreational fun. Enjoy plenty of easy river access along the adjacent Crooked River Back Country Byway, State Highway 27.
Chimney Rock Campground is open year-round and is equipped with 16 campsites and vault toilets. No reservations are accepted; site is first-come, first-served only. Water is available in the campground and an accessible fishing platform is located near the campground entrance. When recreating on public lands, practice Leave-No-Trace Principles. Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination.
Check out the campground's namesake butte located prominently above highway 27 opposite the campground. Access to the trailhead is across the highway at the Chimney Rock Trailhead. For a different view, visitors can ride the 18-mile Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway from Prineville to Big Bend Campground. Designated in 2018, this moderate route takes riders from picturesque farms to towering cliffs.ADA Access: Fishing platform and vault toilets are accessible.
With views of nearby Chimney Rock, this campground offers year-round camping and Crooked River access along the Lower Crooked Back Country Byway. Campground facilities include seven campsites with excellent access to the Crooked Wild and Scenic River.
Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted. Potable water is available year-round at the nearby Chimney Rock Campground, 1.3 miles north on State Highway 27. Cell phone service is not available in the campground. Watch for bicyclists: the section of State Highway 27 between Prineville and Bowman Dam is designated as the Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway.
The campground takes its name from nearby rock outcrops composed of basaltic lava. As these formations cooled, a multi-sided joint pattern formed which seemingly resulted in the appearance of a pile of posts stacked vertically. The geologic phenomena is known as columnar basalt. ADA Access: No accessible facilities.
This trailhead is located just off of Highway 26 and provides access to Rimrock Springs Trail (#850), which gives visitors an opportunity for wildlife and nature viewing. The trail is ADA accessible and short, so it's perfect for stretching out your legs and getting some fresh air. There are also picnic tables at the site for anyone who enjoys eating outdoors.
Located south of Prineville, Oregon, this six-site campground offers year-round camping and Crooked River access along the Lower Crooked Back Country Byway. Castle Rock looms above its namesake campground on the Chimney Rock section of the Crooked WIld and Scenic River. An ADA-accessible vault toilet is onsite. __ Know Before You Go: Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis; no potable water available. Cell phone service is not available in the campground. Watch for bicyclists: the section of State Highway 27 between Prineville and Bowman dam is a state scenic bikeway Point of Interest: Castle Rock Campground is the first in a series of twelve Bureau of Land Management recreation sites along the Crooked Wild and Scenic River, south of Prineville, Oregon. Eight additional campgrounds, two day-use areas and a trailhead offer ample access to camping, fishing, hiking and photography. ADA Access: Vault toilet is accessible.
Scout
This is located just out of Prineville and can get a lot of local traffic in the summer months. It is a fairly nice CG, with bathrooms and hot water. CG is set up for RV or tent camping. Primary feature is access to the water.
Traveler
Showers, bathrooms, and running water are available. A tent site is $21/night with 1 car allowed. Additional cars are $7/night. There aren't any tent sites secluded from yurts and RVs, so you will be hearing generators run, though people did shut them off at 10. IMO, it's expensive for a tent site in a spot where you're surrounded by glampers.
Scout
Great spot for tent camping, friendly people.
Scout
I know this is an RV resort, but tent camping wasn’t like I expected. If you are tent camping you are relegated to the “tent area” which is ok, near the bathrooms so that’s a plus, but also just an open area you share with all other tent campers. They do have some ok amenities, like the pool and activities, so that may make up for the lack of privacy for some. Everything is fairly clean, and well kept up. All together not a bad spot, but I think next time we will find a campground more friendly to tent campers.
Guide
Very uncomfortable night, tent sites were on gravel. However, very nice staff & clean facilities.
Traveler
Beautiful lakeside camping. A light breeze during the day helps to moderate warm days. Quiet camping. This campground is best suited for RV's with fewer sites that work well for tent camping.
Guide
This is a simple, wide open tent camping area and it's really close to Smith Rock. You can wake up early to see the sun on the rock formations and then hike to the climbs in approximately 20-30 minutes.
Traveler
Clean and quiet. Many sites along the beautiful Metolius River. A few incredible tent sites with lots of privacy. There’s no water, but campsites with water are nearby.
Scout
great campsites and frIendly host. $13 a night, tent sites were super dusty but not much of the dust came with us. The sites are visually stunning with all the Pondarosa’s (we’re not used to big trees) 10/10
TravelerMe and my girlfriend stayed at a tent campsite amongst many other tent/RV campers and it was great. Fire pit a picnic table and a short walk to the bathrooms. I would stay here again.
Guide
This tent-only site is often overlooked because it does not really have any amenities. It is super cheap though, and gives the vibe of a backcountry experience while still having tent sites a short walking distance from your car. This is a perfect spot if you want to catch a stunning sunrise!
TravelerWe spent one night here in mid May 22. The sites are reasonably spaced considering how open the area is. Lots of tent sites. New out house. 2 bars of Verizon so an ok connection. Only about 15 a minute drive to Smith Rock State Park.
Guide
There aren't a ton of free camping options near Redmond. This is a great option. Only 2-3 spots for vans/small RVs. The other spots are clearly for tent camping. Would definitely recommend for a few days. I will say the vault toilets are disgusting- so plan accordingly. The hike is a great combination of short and pretty :-)
GPS: 44.410140, -121.293505
GuideIt was just two of us in a tent. We were put in a open lot (like a field). No trees. The nearest bathroom wasn’t even enclosed, so it was like an large outhouse. I paid way too much. I just checked the website and it’s $46 for a tent site! Man, I am Cheap!
Guide
One of The nicest glamping trips I have had! the cabins were amazing and the tent sites looked great too. stay in the cabins on the hill above the lake! seriously! The past k even has a amphitheater and cabins with workshops for kids. Fishing at the lake too!
Traveler
Nice campground shaded by tall ponderosa pines. We stayed at a drive in non electric site. Tents are close to our neighbors. Ground cover is pine needles and dirt. Has decent WiFi and cell coverage. Showers are cleaned daily by to our surprise they are quarter operated. I missed this info in all publications. Very nice creek runs along one side of campground with walk up tent camping along the banks. Wildfire smoke was minimal while are were here.
Guide
This is one of the better campgrounds I’ve stayed in. It cost $18 per night for a tent site. The site we stayed in was next to the bathroom and wasn’t too close to other sites, but it would’ve been nice to have some more space between sites.
The bathroom had a flushing toilet and a sink with water. Toilet paper was stocked daily as well. Very well maintained and kept clean.
Tent site was decent sized. We had a large cabin tent. There was no problem finding a spot big enough to set it up. We were also able to find plenty of trees to hang up our hammock.
The site had a picnic table that was in excellent condition. The fire ring was about half full of ash, but nothing to complain about.
The only negative comment I have is that the camp host wasn’t able to give change for fees. However they were polite about waiting for us to leave to the nearest store to obtain change.
Guide
This is my go-to spot for a quick weekend getaway. I’m lucky enough that this is only about an hour from home. Usually good fishing! Spacious pull through first come first serve sites. Good for mid-size RV’s, trailers & tent camping. You can generally find a spot if you arrive Thursday evening or before 3:00 on Friday. Right on the river with beautiful canyons surrounding you.
GuideNice campground with yurts, trails, an amphitheater, playground, and a nice, clean bathroom. It has outdoor sinks by the bathroom for doing dishes and plenty of tent sites. The day use area across the street has a nice little creek also! Sites aren’t very private but they’re nice and flat. Ada camping was all paved
Scout
I’ve camped here for many years, the campground is my absolute favorite. The friendly staff does an amazing job keeping the restrooms, showers and grounds clean. They offer Tent sites, Yurts, cabins, large RV spaces with full or partial hookups, boat rental, store, cafe, fish cleaning station, group shelter with electricity and electric cooking stoves.
Traveler
This is a really clean, pleasant site Can hear the train. Bathrooms are beautifuly updated an clean!! We rode in late and was not a problem welcomed us like family! Tent site was rustic and had a spigot near by! Plenty of sites for a group. Pet friendly. Grass at RV sites.
TravelerTiny 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. Dogs must be on leashes at all times, walk up sites have porta potty style bathrooms but if you walk up to registration there’s hot showers and hookups available!
GuideNice campground overall and amenities that include showers for guest, outside sinks at shower house for tent camping etc, small but newish playground, many FULL hook up sites for RVs (30amp only)… Day parking across the road from campground is river front to the Deschuttes River (very shallow) and was great for wadding in during warm months. Closest campground to Bend without being IN Bend Close to neighbors for all sites and they are all always full it seems…very convenient campground though!
GuideCute small campground on a little hill overlooking a lake. Tent sites by the lake's edge.
Very Clean bathrooms with code for campers. Pits for public areas.
Since there are no RV services be prepared to hear some generators running occasionally. Quiet hours 10PM-7AM. Water is available but may not be close enough for a hose to your RV. Most sites have good Starlink view of skies.
Guide
Great campground! Spaces are large, but kind of close together. Larger size campground on the lake, just across from the resort. Plenty of trees to hang hammocks! $18 per night for a tent site. Campground has a boat ramp and dock as well.
I took one star off due to the bathroom situation. For some reason their bathrooms are out of service at the moment. However they do provide porta potties.
Scout
The tent site area wasn't where we stayed but there are 3 cabins just above the boat docks that have the most beautiful view to wake up to in the morning. The cabins shared a fire pit between the 3 cabins and the cabins were close together but far enough apart for privacy. Tbey each had their own private bathrooms also so no walking in the dark to the bathrooms at midnight
GuideI tent camped here for 4 days w my family and 3 dogs in September during labor day weekend. It was a nice really decent size campsite with plenty of space and privacy from the surrounding campsites. The only negative experience was the irritating noise from the RV generators all night long, and the guy who wouldn't give up the bongo playing and go to bed. The camp host was helpful and friendly. I would stay here again, but not during a holiday weekend.
Prineville, Oregon, offers a variety of tent camping options that allow you to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the region. Whether you're looking for scenic views or convenient amenities, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Prineville, OR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Prineville, OR is Smith Rock State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 36 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Prineville, OR?
TheDyrt.com has all 62 tent camping locations near Prineville, OR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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