Sitting about half a mile off Highway 20 on paved road, Chickahominy Reservoir Campground costs $16 per night ($8 with a senior discount) and requires no reservation. The BLM manages the site year-round, and it provides drinking water, trash service, and pit toilets distributed across several areas of the campground. Sites are gravel pull-throughs, mostly level, and reviewers with rigs up to 28-foot travel trailers and fifth-wheels report no trouble maneuvering. Note that no pets are allowed.
The layout is open. No trees, no shade, and sites are well-spaced with many positioned right at the water's edge. The reservoir itself has fluctuated significantly in recent years, and some visitors have arrived to find it nearly or completely dry, which changes the character of the stay considerably. Wind is a consistent factor on this exposed high desert terrain, and campers should come prepared. Tim M. describes the setting as offering "beautiful views of the high desert country just west of Riley, OR," and the open sightlines toward the water make for notable sunsets.
Fishing is the primary draw when water levels cooperate, and a paved boat launch area with a large parking lot gives anglers and boaters a practical staging point. Campers who prefer to stay on foot can walk the perimeter of the reservoir. Mosquitoes are a serious issue after dark, particularly in summer, with multiple reviewers noting they were overwhelming at night. Staying in a hard-sided unit or getting into a tent before dusk and keeping lights off helps. Spots near the water also carry an intermittent smell from bird activity, and Chanel T. notes that moving back from the shoreline made the stay more manageable.
Cell coverage is reported as solid with T-Mobile 5G, and Starlink works well given the unobstructed sky. The campground sees light use outside of summer weekends. Campers can resupply at the Shell station in Hines before arriving, and a market just east of town has a dump station for those who need it. For other campgrounds near BLM Land — Burns Three Rivers Field Office, options include Riley Store Campground a few miles to the east and BLM Dispersed near Porcupine Lake to the southeast.
Timing matters here. Spring and fall bring fewer bugs and more moderate temperatures, making them the most practical windows for tent campers in particular.
Description
Overview:
NOTE: Chickahominy Reservoir was nearly dry in 2022. An abundance of area snowpack and subsequent ground-moisture content could very-likely refill the reservoir in 2023, however, the fishery may underproduce. It will be restocked in 2023 if conditions are favorable. One of Eastern Oregon's most popular fishing spots, man-made Chickahominy Reservoir was first stocked with rainbow trout in the summer of 1967. It is still stocked once or twice a year with fingerlings and legal-size fish. The water level fluctuates with the amount of spring run-off and can be low at times, affecting the availability of fisheries. The recreation site offers 28 campsites, a fish cleaning station, drinking water, vault restrooms and a boat ramp. The extensive valley where Chickahominy Reservoir lies is surrounded by foothills, distant buttes and rough ridges - a landscape that provides far-reaching views of the open high desert country.
Know Before You Go:
The fishing season peaks in June and resumes in September as the hot summer weather ends. Ice fishing is popular from December to late February.Shade is limited and strong winds are common; be prepared to tie everything down. Five, eight-inch minimum length trout per day limit; bait is allowed.
Point of Interest:
Wildlife species common to the area include mule deer, pronghorn antelope, black-tailed jackrabbits, coyotes, and ground squirrels. A variety of waterfowl, raptors and songbirds frequent the area as well.Chickahominy Brochure
Fee Info
Camping Fees are $16/vehicle, per night, for a single car, truck, or RV and towed vehicle. Additional passenger vehicles $5/night. All sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations accepted. Please occupy site before proceeding to payment kiosk (near campground entrance) for payment. Traditional cash and check payment accepted at payment kiosk.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsChickahominy Reservoir Campground is located in Oregon near Hines
Directions
Chickahominy Reservoir is located on Hwy 20 between Bend and Burns, Oregon. From Burns, take U.S. Highway 20 west for approximately 32 miles to milepost 100, and tum north (right) into Chickahominy Reservoir Campground.
Address
Burns District Office
28910 Hwy 20 West
Hines, OR 97738
Coordinates
43.545938 N
119.612 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTEGood CoverageVerified by 13 usersLast on 7/25/26- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 7/25/26
AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/25/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTEGood CoverageVerified by 13 usersLast on 7/25/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 7/25/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/25/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 29 min from Bend, OR
- 3 hrs 21 min from Boise, ID
- 3 hrs 50 min from Eugene, OR
- 4 hrs 41 min from Medford, OR
