Lower Crooked River - BLM

Overview:

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.

Know Before You Go:


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.
Point of Interest:

 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: "Accessible fishing platform"



Chimney Rock Campground

BLM Lower Crooked Wild and Scenic River

This sprawling 4.4-acre campground offers year-round camping and Crooked Wild and Scenic River access along the Lower Crooked Back Country Byway. Campground facilities include fourteen campsites, some with riverside shading beneath large Ponderosa pine trees.

Know Before You Go:


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, one mile 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.
Point of Interest:

 Situated on a bench above the Chimney Rock section of the Crooked River, Cobble Rock Campground is a popular basecamp for fly fishing enthusiasts.

ADA Access: No accessible facilities.



Cobble Rock Campground

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.

Know Before You Go:


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.
Point of Interest:

 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.



Palisades Campground

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.

Know Before You Go:

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.
Point of Interest:

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.



Post Pile Campground

Stillwater Campground offers ten large, partially-shaded campsites along a placid stretch of the Lower Crooked Wild and Scenic River. Some pull-through campsites as well as day-use parking are available in the recreation site.

Know Before You Go:

- Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis; no potable water is available. 

 Cell phone service is not available in the campground.

 When recreating on public lands, practice Leave-No-Trace Principles.

 Watch for bicyclists: the section of road between Prineville and Bowman Dam is a state scenic bikeway

Point of Interest:

The Chimney Rock segment of the Crooked River is characterized by a mostly steady gradient in the wild and scenic segment. Stillwater Campground is situated along one of the quiet locations of flatwater alluding to its name.

ADA Access: Vault toilet is accessible.



Stillwater Campground

This cozy and compact campground offers year-round camping and Crooked Wild and Scenic River access along the Lower Crooked Back Country Byway. Campground facilities include 5 campsites, day-use parking with access to the Crooked Wild and Scenic River.

Know Before You Go:

Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted.
Potable water is available during the warmer spring and summer months at the nearby Big Bend Campground, 0.9 miles south 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.
Point of Interest:

Hike the short riverside trail to the single, old growth Ponderosa pine tree, a relative rarity in the Crooked River canyon.  

ADA Access: No accessible facilities.



Poison Butte Campground

Centered around a single, sentinel Ponderosa Pine tree, this small campground features six campsites and a group use area. Across the Crooked River, the photogenic Rocky Canyon and it’s vertical rimrock cliffs offer photographers a variety of ever-changing light and depth perspectives.

Know Before You Go:


Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted.

Potable water is available year-round at Chimney Rock Campground, 1.7 miles miles west (upriver) 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.
Point of Interest:

 Since 2008, reintroduction of Steelhead trout has been underway in the Deschutes River Basin, which includes the wild and scenic Chimney Rock segment of the Crooked River. The success of this reintroduction is in part dependent on stresses placed on this fish. Anglers should keep them in the water and release them immediately; the harvesting of Steelhead in the Crooked River is unlawful.

ADA Access: No accessible facilities.



Lone Pine Campground

Located south of Prineville, Oregon, this campground offers year-round camping and Crooked Wild and Scenic River access along the Lower Crooked Back Country Byway. Cooperatively managed in partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, this campground's facilities include 13 campsites, one group use area and a day-use area with access to the Crooked Wild and Scenic River.

Know Before You Go:

Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted.
Potable water is available during the warmer spring and summer months.
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.
Point of Interest:

Looming 240 feet above the campground, the mighty Arthur R. Bowman Dam retains the waters of the 3,030-acre Prineville Reservoir, a popular spot for fishing and other water-based activities. At 1.6 miles away from Big Bend Campground, the boat ramp at Powderhouse Cove provides the nearest reservoir access.  

ADA Access: One accessible campsite, vault toilets and day-use parking. An accessible trail descends to the Crooked River.



Big Bend Campground

Our go to spot for camping all year long!! Amazing views!!

Best place for lots of people to camp and get together!

We stumbled upon this little gem in august right before the eclipse. It was nice and quiet here. The campsites were spread out really good. I imagine the eclipse here was absolutely incredible. I didn't notice a bathroom although there may have been one. This is carry in carry out no amenities.

The best thing about this place is the waterfall, rapids, and cliff jumping. its not a far drive or an awesome hike from the campsite. Steelhead falls is the name of the water falls and cliff jumping spot. Theres shade at the sites, trees for hammocks, and all around beautiful.

Cheers!

Lower Crooked River - BLM

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2021 Explorer Giveaway

Best place for lots of people to camp and get together!

This place rules..the waterfalls and cliff jumping though.

Location

Coordinates

Nearby Campgrounds

Chimney Rock Campground

BLM Lower Crooked Wild and Scenic River

Cobble Rock Campground

Palisades Campground

Post Pile Campground

Stillwater Campground

Poison Butte Campground

Lone Pine Campground

Big Bend Campground

Is This Your Campground?

About This Campground

Features

For Campers

For Vehicles

Access

Location

Coordinates

Nearby Campgrounds

Chimney Rock Campground

BLM Lower Crooked Wild and Scenic River

Cobble Rock Campground

Palisades Campground

Post Pile Campground

Stillwater Campground

Poison Butte Campground

Lone Pine Campground

Big Bend Campground

For Campers

For Vehicles

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