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Established Camping

Skull Hollow Campground

Skull Hollow Campground, near Terrebonne, Oregon, is a straightforward camping destination that offers a peaceful escape close to the stunning Smith Rock State Park. With spacious sites surrounded by juniper trees and sagebrush, it’s a great place to unwind and soak in the natural beauty of the area.

This campground is all about simplicity—there's no electricity or running water, but visitors appreciate the clean pit toilets and the quiet atmosphere. Campers have enjoyed the large sites, perfect for spreading out and enjoying the shade during the hotter parts of the day. As one happy camper noted, “We had beautiful sunsets each night,” making it a picturesque spot for evening relaxation.

For those eager to explore, Skull Hollow is just a short drive from Smith Rock, where you can find fantastic hiking and climbing opportunities. Reviewers have highlighted the nearby trails, making it easy to get out and enjoy the rugged landscape. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, this campground provides a laid-back experience in a beautiful setting.

Description

As of10/5/2020 *** There is a Closure Order prohibiting dispersed camping outside of the Skull Hollow campground. View a map of the closure area here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd507382.pdf.

This closure is designed to help protect natural resources around the trailhead from overuse and to prevent conflict between campers and day users. Please observe the closure order and use the campground for camping in the vicinity of Skull Hollow trailhead. AMENITIES: NO DRINKING WATER 28 standard campsites No hook-ups or dumping facilities 1 wooden picnic table and 1 combination fire ring/grill per campsite 2 vault outhouses for the campground 1 informational signboard On-site campground host NEARBY ACTIVITIES: Horseback Riding Hiking Mountain Biking Rock climbing (Smith Rock State Park) Hunting

Fee Info

Per night, per site fee: $10 for individual sites and $20 for double size sites. A single site allows 1 vehicle and 6 people. A double site allows 2 vehicles and 12 people. Any other vehicles more than 2 on a double site or more than 1 on a single site are subject to a $5 extra vehicle fee. One trailer or boat in tow is allowed as part of the first vehicle. Double sites normally have 2 tables in them.

Reservation Info

This is a First Come, First Served facility managed through as third party concessionaire under permit. The popularity of Skull Hollow is largely dependent on weather. If you are unable to secure a space at the campground, there are other options available such as free dispersed camping in the area and camping at Smith Rock State Park, Bureau of Reclamation campgrounds at Haystack Reservoir and private campgrounds.

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Location

Skull Hollow Campground is located in Oregon

Detail location of campground

Directions

In Terrebonne, OR, at Smith Rock State Park sign and intersection of US Rt. 97 and B Avenue, take B Avenue east 4.7 miles to a "T" intersection (no street name). Turn left and go 4.2 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign onto Forest Rt. 5710 (gravel) and go 0.1 miles to campground on left.

Coordinates

44.3972418 N
121.06298418 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • WiFi
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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46%
31%
22%
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4.0

out of 5

33 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 4, 2023

Happy Campers

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. The cattle in the morning will sing to you at their feeding time from their near by ranch. Our site had plenty of space to spread out along with shade in the hotter point of the day. It was in the upper 90s.  We had beautiful sunsets each night.

Site44
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Mar. 9, 2023

Busy for march

Drove down for a while and all sites had been taken. Lots of tires and random planks of wood

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by gillian P., March 9, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 20, 2022

Skull Holow

This is a no frills camping no water no electricity no dump station. Nice new pit toilets. Very secluded lots of hiking and biking nearby.

Site44
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2022

Skull Hollow CG

Nice, scenic campground nearby Smith Rock SP. Clean pit toilets, friendly camp host. Several sites with Juniper trees to shade you from the hot sun. Price is $10 for single/$20 double vehicle as of 08/2022. No RV hookups or running water here. Just outside of the campground along the FS Road are plenty of dispersed campsites, some with great views of the backside of Smith Rock and the surrounding area. Definitely will put this on my favorites list for future exploration and camping.

Site#8
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Jose C., August 6, 2022
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2022

Junipers and sage

We loved this campground! My husband is a climber so our intention was camp at Smith Rock but after going there and saw no trailers were allowed we ended up here. The bathrooms are clean and the spots are large. It’s surrounded by beautiful sage brush and junipers. We sat in our cozy trailer while our son experienced his first big rain and thunderstorm. 10/10 would stay here again.

Site50
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Tracey W., July 4, 2022
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Tracey W., July 4, 2022
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Tracey W., July 4, 2022
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2022

For Smith Rock Goers

This is a great spot for dispersed camping close (11 min) to smith rock. There are valley views and easy to get to sites. Skull Hollow has bathrooms and picnic tables. The forest service road off the back of the camp ground took us to some even more spacious and private sites, but they’re dry with no amenities.

SiteDispersed
Month of VisitJuly
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Reviewed Jun. 21, 2022

Nice

This campground was good, no showers or water but had a good number of new pit toilets that were clean

Site42
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Makena B., June 21, 2022
Reviewed May. 15, 2022

Nice open spaces,

We 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.

Sitewe stayed in site 37
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Sep. 10, 2021

Minimal Privacy

Great flat spots, picnic tables, and fire pits. Rattlesnake warnings so watch your pets…spot 37 has a nice tree…pretty open overall.

Site37
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Cheryl M., September 10, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2021

Great alternative to Smith Rock SP

Driving to Skal Hollow campground it’s worth it if you are an RV which are not allowed at Smith rock State Park or if Smith walks State Park Beach The Area is full. Campground is small but sites are well dispersed and pretty private. Pit toilets and garbage.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 21, 2021

Great for Smith

As others have said, this is great if you want to spend time at Smith Rock, especially if the Bivy is closed or full. Campsites are large. For me it was pretty quiet except for the howl of the coyotes in the hills, as the campground wasn't overly full. Toilets' could be better maintained.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Mar. 27, 2021

Depends what you are looking for...

This is a great, barebones but roomy campground 15 minutes from Smith Rock. If you are looking for a place to set up because you want to spend the day hiking or climbing the Rocks, perfect. If you are looking for a spot to set up and enjoy the high desert sun and sage and rocks, and ride the miles of trails, perfect. If you want a manicured, shady, showers and water nearby campground, no. While the sites are large and well spaced, not much foliage in between. But, as I stated previously, it is a perfect spot to spend the evenings.

Reviewed Oct. 12, 2020

Dramatic views, cozy campground and dispersed sites.

Variety of camping options available, both in the organized campground and the dispersed sites beyond the campground. This listing says dispersed camping is no longer allowed, but there were many designated options when we were there as of mid October 2020. Mostly simple pulloffs, but also some larger areas for tent camping.

The campground was a little tight and the sites felt a bit on top of each other. They had several double sites available that were twice the cost ($20 rather than $10), but in our small RV, it seemed worth the cost and we had the benefit of a roomy site plus the other double site next to us never got claimed so we had a pretty private experience with some pine trees in between the sites.

  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Jennifer R., October 12, 2020
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Jennifer R., October 12, 2020
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Jennifer R., October 12, 2020
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Sep. 9, 2020

Close to town and Smith Rock

I love this campground and it’s never super busy. It’s out among farm land and a bunch of hiking trails. There are 3 pit toilets and also 3 porta potties. The sites are all nice sized with picnic table and fire pit. Lots of trees and sage brush around. Can’t wait to go back.

  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Amanda B., September 9, 2020
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Amanda B., September 9, 2020
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Amanda B., September 9, 2020
  • (20) View All
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2020

Close to Smith Rock

Nothing to write home about but it’s close to smith rock and bathrooms are clean. Camp host is nice.

Reviewed Aug. 18, 2020

Beautiful Desert Grounds, Relentless Truck Noise on Weekdays

Site has no water so pack in plenty. Camp host sells firewood. Fires are allowed in the fire rings. High Desert, plan accordingly. Overall grounds were very clean and sites are plenty big. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

We were there in mid-August and only 3-4 of the 66 sites were occupied. Plenty of space to spread out. Not many trees for privacy or noise abatement but folks were quiet at night. A few sites at the entrance and Site 26 and 47 had some trees and light shade cover. Weekends are nice. I assume all weekdays are noisy. Got there Sunday afternoon and it was nice and quiet. That evening it was just the stars, coyotes, occasional cow and car driving by the main road. Monday was relentless. There is a commercial aggregate operation across the road and they run big trucks between sites non-stop (every 5 minutes) 24 hours starting Monday morning and all Monday night through Tuesday until we left. There is a slight grade so trucks are climbing and engine braking back and forth so their extra noisy. I assume this happens on all weekdays.

Bathrooms were clean (even the portapoties). Didn’t interact with camp host much but he seemed nice and was respectful of our space and privacy.

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2020

Great distance from Smith Rock!

Dropped in around midnight on a Friday in the middle of summer and easily found a spot to camp. Coyotes howling, stars amazing, vast space, and beautiful! (Didn't see an obvious place to pay at night and might have ended up at a "free" spot as one reviewer commented before). Worthy for the weary.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 21, 2020

Great campsite in the proximity of Smith rock

I rolled into camp a little later in the day and found a great spot to set up camp. From the campground to Smith Rock State Park it was only a 15 minute drive. At night could see the Milky Way.

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2020

Good Spot

Super excited to see Smith Rock for the first time! Hike all day, when we came back in the evening we could tell that our tent had been blown over in the wind but the camp host (I think his name is Charlie) put in extra stakes and tie offs to keep our tent up right. So so nice and generous of him. The campground is very inexpensive and doesn’t have a lot of amenities and that’s all good by me.

Reviewed May. 27, 2020

Beautiful camping

Great little campground, cleanest pit toilets I’ve ever used, friendly hosts and beautiful scenery. We’ll be back here for sure!

  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Katey S., May 27, 2020
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Katey S., May 27, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2019

ok camp at awesome location

We arrived late in the evening and accidentally ended up at the free side of the camp (on the way in you need to turn left for the maintained area, which we didn't notice, but there was couple campsites built by the road continuing further). It was totally fine, we missed having a picnic table, but still there was a grill spot. Awesome location, in general I recommend it

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Reviewed Aug. 11, 2019

Quiet and spreadout

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. We stayed at site 6 that had plenty of room for multiple tents and several cars and a trailer. The sites can be effected by wind and most certainly the sun. Overall a great dry camping site and if it’s full there are plenty of dispersed sites down the road!

  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Patrick D., August 11, 2019
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Patrick D., August 11, 2019
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Patrick D., August 11, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2019

Can only imagine ...

Drove through this campsite to check out our next visit. This is the place to be on a clear night. I can only imagine the stars above and the show to be seen. I’ll definitely be back.

Reviewed Aug. 28, 2018

Perfect to lots of trails nearby!

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. It's not much of a road more like a widened rough trail but we made it up in our truck! The view.up top was spectacular!! The road is only open certain time if the year-i believe March thru September. Definitely worth the drive up to top! Makes you feel on top of the world-or at least Central Oregon 😁

Month of VisitAugust
  • A view from up top!!
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Reviewed Jul. 8, 2018

Simple

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.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Leili K., July 8, 2018
Reviewed May. 29, 2018

skull hollow

Its very minimal, but totally doable for hikers. Not to far from Smith Rock

Reviewed Apr. 8, 2018

Excellent alternative to Smith Rock Bivy site for large groups

Just a 10 minute drive from Smith Rock this is a great place for larger groups who want to camp and cook all together, have campfires (depending on the season and current restrictions), save money, and avoid the crowds at the bivy site. Outhouses, but no electricity or running water. Don’t leave valuables in unattended vehicles.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Katie L., April 8, 2018
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2017

nice spot near smith rock

This campground is a little bit out from the state park but is very nice still. The sites are pretty well spread out and pretty large. You can easily have multiple tents in most of the sites.

The road is somewhat close to the campground so you don't get some noise but overall a nice place to stay if the campground at smith rock is full.

  • Review photo of Skull Hollow Campground by Sonja O., September 30, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Skull Hollow Campground?

    Camping at Skull Hollow Campground can cost between $10.00 and $20.00 depending on the site.

  • Are fires allowed at Skull Hollow Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Skull Hollow Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Skull Hollow Campground have wifi?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Skull Hollow Campground does have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Skull Hollow Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is fair, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is good.