Located partway along the Crooked River’s 125-mile journey from the Ochoco Mountains to its confluence with the Deschutes River, the Prineville Reservoir is a vast blue pool filling a colorful canyon of volcanic rock, sagebrush and juniper. The reservoir was created in the 1960s with the construction of the Bowman Dam. The state park was established shortly after to provide campers, anglers and water lovers an opportunity to enjoy the natural area—and a chance to beat Central Oregon’s summer heat. The park lies adjacent to the Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Area, which preserves the habitat of a wide variety of mammals, waterfowl, songbirds and raptors. 

Prineville Reservoir State Park is located just 15 miles south of the town of Prineville, and 50 miles east of Bend. The park’s Main Campground features 67 sites, including full- and partial-hookup RV sites and primitive tent sites. The Jasper Point Campground features 28 partial-hookup sites. Both locations provide drinking water, flush and vault toilets, hot showers, and recycling stations; a dump station is located at the Jasper Point site. There are also a few camping cabins for rent. The park hosts interpretive programs at an outdoor amphitheater, and onsite amenities include sports courts, hiking trails, a dog park, and a fishing pier. The park host sells ice and firewood. Dogs are welcome, but must remain leashed. Seasonal campsites are $21–$33/night; cabins are $89–$99/night; reservations recommended.

For enjoying some on-the-water fun time, boaters can launch watercraft from the ramp at the day-use area, which has plenty of parking for vehicles and trailers. Nearby, sunbathers and swimmers can enjoy some beach time at the designated swim area. Picnic tables are available for packing lunches and refreshments to enjoy by the water. For paddling around the shoreline, kayaks and SUPs can be put in from either the boat launch or the beach. Anglers can cast for trout, catfish, bass and black crappie, then take their catches back and prep them for dinner at the park’s fish cleaning station. Another boat ramp, beach and parking area is located west of the state park at Powder House Cove, near the Bowman Dam.

Prineville Reservoir Campground — Prineville Reservoir State Park

Great campground with boat access and cabins. They have the best fishing dock and cleaning station that I have yet to see. We had great luck catching many crappie here which made great fish tacos for our Camp dinner. Not all cabins and tent sites are open year round. The rangers were great and very helpful. Make sure to look at a map before headed out because Gps will take you on a dirt road adventure to your campsite.

Worth the drive! 

The rangers tipped me off to this one. Lots of great sites overlook the Prineville Reservoir, but they're all first come, first serve. Nice big sites, super nice trail that heads off east from the campground. Water and power, but they have one of the best dump stations I've ever experienced.....if you can have a good experience at a dump station. Quiet, coyotes serenading, wonderful experience. Prineville is nearby and has everything.

First come first serve beauty

We love going to Prineville Reservoir State Park because it isn't too big- lots of grassy spaces, great boating and beach area. The swim area is marked and dogs are not allowed in that area so you don't have to worry about dog messes where your kiddos are walking barefoot and swimming. The campsites aren't very big but they have a nice layout that makes you feel like you have your own space. The restrooms are nice with showers available as well.

Fabulous Campground

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!

Prineville Reservoir!

What a great spot to get away from the [pollen in the Willamette valley and just a short drive over Hwy 20 from Salem.

The Juniper trees are amazing and the fish cleaning station was built using them.

Away from it all

The educational programs are outstanding! The amenities are well cared for and the surroundings are incredible!

Clean and beautiful

One of my favorite places 

This popular lakeside campsite is perfect for your water-based adventures.  The reservoir is really pretty and has great fishing.  Some of the campsites have really nice shade, while others have stunning views over the lake.  The cabins are super nice and reasonably priced too.

Great amenities and some lovely views! 

This was my first time renting an RV spot at a campground and don’t have much experience to compare with other campgrounds. The RV spot I reserved had good amenities such as electrical outlets, a water faucet, a picnic table and a fire pit. I don’t have an RV but reserved this spot to car camp in my Tesla and be able to charge my car overnight. 

Other amenities include bathroom and showers. They sell firewood and ice where the campground hosts are. 

The campground hosts and park rangers were also very friendly.

Great amenities 

We had a wonderful experience went to Pineville to do some rock hunting had a wonderful time

Great camp area

No water in the Resorvoir! But campfires were ok in August.. The campground was nice enough, but no playing in the water 

Prineville Resorvoir 

We were able to score a couple of nights here in Early May.  It's a very popular Oregon State Park and I'm sure summer requires advance planning.  The weekend we were there was pretty full and our site was at the top of the B loop.  Monday, however, the park cleared out to much fewer campers.   The lake was actually mostly full and the views were beautiful.   Some of the amenities were boating, of course, lake views from some sites, a nice dog park along with the normal state park fare.  We'll definitely make another trip!