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Map showing campground location near Sunriver, Oregon
Camper submitted image from Pine Mountain CampgroundView 18 Photos
CampingMap showing campground location near Sunriver, Oregon

Pine Mountain Campground

9 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Deschutes National Forest's Pine Mountain Campground sits at roughly 6,000 feet elevation, reached by about six miles of graded gravel road that most standard two-wheel-drive vehicles handle without difficulty. The road has drawn consistent attention in reviews: conditions are generally manageable, though a 2026 thunderstorm washed out access entirely, and campers should check the Pine Mountain Observatory website for current road status before making the drive. Sites are spread through the trees and overlook the high desert Badlands of Central Oregon, with open sightlines that make this a well-known spot for stargazing. The University of Oregon operates its Pine Mountain Observatory at the same location and offers public tours on weekends.

Bring all the water you need. There are no water hookups on-site despite the listing, and multiple reviewers confirm this consistently. Vault toilets are available and have been reported as clean and well-maintained. No garbage service means everything comes out with you. Ground squirrels are a known presence throughout the campground and will raid unattended food with surprising coordination. Occasional cattle pass through as well. Cell service is limited, with at least one carrier reporting no signal.

Crowd levels tend to stay low, especially outside of summer weekends, and the campground has drawn positive notes for cleanliness. Richard C. found it "clean and well maintained" on a late-season visit when he had the place to himself. Campers who want OHV access nearby can look at Road 25 OHV Staging Area to the west. Temperatures drop noticeably at night even in summer, so pack accordingly before heading up.

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Map & DirectionsPine Mountain Campground is located in Oregon near Sunriver

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

From Bend, travel about 20 miles east on US 20, then 8 miles south on Forest Road 2017.

Coordinates

43.79093315 N
120.94291675 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 3/30/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
    Last on 3/30/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time

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Reviews9 Camper Reviews - Pine Mountain Campground

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5 Stars

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4.0

out of 5

9 Reviews

Many visitors reported clean, level sites in a peaceful setting with minimal crowds. The primitive facilities include vault toilets and fire rings but no water service. Several guests observed excellent stargazing opportunities at this high-elevation location.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2026

Great spot for dark skies, though almost no amenities

The road to the campground was washed out completely by thunderstorms in late spring of 2026, so there is currently no access. This is normally a great spot to camp, with decent shade, though bring plenty of water. There is no water or power, and open fires are far too dangerous for this dry forest camp. You can check the Pine Mountain Observatory website for updates on the road closure at https://pmo.uoregon.edu/

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Sep. 29, 2025

Nice and quiet!!

This time of the year, we were the only ones here. Campground was clean and well maintained! The vault toilet was clean. I would stay here again!!

SiteThe closest one to the entrance.
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2024

Quiet place to stay

Was by myself on motorcycle. Clear directions, plenty of tables, leveled spaces for tent. Gets cold at night. 

Road here was a graded packed dirt, so a but bumpy but 2WD would make it no problem. Enjoyed my stay

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2020

Peaceful

About 6 miles on a washboard gravel road up to 6,000’ elevation. Primitive sites, but mostly level. Vault toilet, no water. U of O’s Pine Mountain Observatory is at the same site, currently closed for Covid. Cows will visit occasionally, but overall very relaxing. Excellent star views from your hammock or up on top of the mountain next to the radio towers lol.

Reviewed Sep. 18, 2019

It was nice and quite!

Not a bad place, the ground is sloped but very doable for tents. The road is really nice and car worthy. I was on my motorcycle and went off the back south side which I would not recommend for a family car.

  • Review photo of Pine Mountain Campground by Todd R., September 18, 2019
  • Review photo of Pine Mountain Campground by Todd R., September 18, 2019
  • Review photo of Pine Mountain Campground by Todd R., September 18, 2019
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2019

Great campsite, but watch out for the ground squirrels.

We stayed here for three days, two nights. We took our 4 cylinder Hyundai up here packed full, and the gravel road leading up to the campsite was well maintained.

The campsite itself was clean and beautiful. There were very few people using this place, so for the most part we were almost totally alone. There is no garbage service; Plan on packing your garbage out. There was one restroom with a vault toilet. No water either, so bring plenty.

The wildlife was beautiful. There were chickadees that kept flying up to us, and these really cute golden mantle ground squirrels. They are cute, but watch out! One will distract you pretending to be cute and friendly, but then there's another one or two getting into everything you leave within their reach. They will steal your food. When you catch them, they'll run away with their fat little faces full.

They never really run far away either. They have tunnels and nests everywhere in the campground, so they'll hide and wait till you're not paying attention anymore. BAM, THEY'RE STEALING YOUR FOOD AGAIN!

There was a sharp shinned hawk who kept coming by our camp. My wife thought it wanted our small dog, but I think maybe it was looking for those chickadees that kept coming around.

The night sky was beautiful. Whether you're an astronomer, or just a casual star gazer, it's worth the drive down here. There's an observatory run by a local University here, and they offer tours to the public on weekends. You can call and inquire about how crowded the site is, weather, and other things.

There were some noisy campers having a party who arrived on our second day. They were kinda loud, and they kept walking all over the campsite which kinda distracted from the whole experience, but for the most part we were alone. There were fire rings and picnic tables at all the spurs. Some of the spurs we kinda close to each other, but there was hardly anybody here, so that made up for it.

We didn't get any cell service with Sprint here. That's fine with me though, I'd rather not use my phone.

Overall, I loved this place and I will definitely go back.

  • Review photo of Pine Mountain Campground by James J., August 18, 2019
  • Review photo of Pine Mountain Campground by James J., August 18, 2019
  • Review photo of Pine Mountain Campground by James J., August 18, 2019
  • (5) View All
Showing results 1-9 of 9 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities are available at Pine Mountain Observatory Campground?

Pine Mountain Observatory Campground offers primitive camping facilities with vault toilets but no running water. The campground features several level sites with picnic tables scattered among the trees. Most sites are suitable for tent camping, though the ground may be slightly sloped in some areas. There are no hookups or amenities like showers or electricity. Campers should pack in all necessary water and pack out all trash as this is a pack-in, pack-out site. The campground sits at approximately 6,000 feet elevation adjacent to the University of Oregon's Pine Mountain Observatory.

Can you camp at Pine Mountain Observatory?

Yes, camping is permitted at Pine Mountain Observatory Campground. The campground features several primitive sites located near the observatory itself. Sites are generally level and suitable for tent camping. The entrance is free, though it's always good to verify current fee status before visiting. The campground is particularly popular for stargazing due to its elevation and dark skies, making it an ideal companion to the observatory experience. The camping area can accommodate small groups with minimal amenities, including vault toilets but no water.

Are there photos available of Pine Mountain Observatory Campground?

Photos of Pine Mountain Observatory Campground are likely available through official forest service websites, astronomy forums, and camping platforms like The Dyrt. These images typically showcase the campground's forested setting, views of the Central Oregon high desert, and nearby observatory facilities. Visitors' photos often highlight the excellent stargazing conditions, surrounding landscape, and campsite layouts. For the most current visual representation of the campground, check official sources or camping websites where users frequently upload recent images of their camping experiences.

Where is Pine Mountain Observatory Campground located in Oregon?

Pine Mountain Observatory Campground is located in Central Oregon's high desert, approximately 6 miles up a gravel road at an elevation of about 6,000 feet. The campground overlooks the Badlands of Central Oregon, offering spectacular views of the high desert landscape. Access is via a well-maintained gravel/dirt road that is passable for standard 2WD vehicles, though it can be bumpy with washboard sections. The campground's elevation provides cooler temperatures in summer compared to the surrounding desert areas.

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