Castle Rock Campground

Star4.50
33 reviews
3050 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, OR 97754, USA
Scenic Views

Quick Facts

2,969 ft

Price

$8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Bureau of Land Management (BLM) site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Castle Rock Campground
$8.00 - $8.00 / night
Campsite Fees
$8 per night per site. An additional $2 per extra vehicle (tow vehicles excluded) with a maximum of two vehicles allowed per site.
Standard Site Fee$8.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
541-416-6700BLM_OR_PR_Mail@blm.gov
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What Campers Say

4.50

Recommended

Based on 33 reviews

33 Google reviews

Most mentioned

scenerypeacefulshade

"User reviews for Castle Rock Campground highlight the scenic beauty, the peaceful environment, and the opportunity for wildlife viewing, particularly river otters. However, issues with the vault toilet cleanliness significantly impact the overall experience."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

3050 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, OR 97754, USA

Castle Rock Campground

3050 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, OR 97754, USA

Driving directionsFrom Prineville, Oregon: Drive 12.4 miles south on State Highway 27; the campground will be on your right.
Accessible via paved roads (State Highway 27). No specific seasonal closures listed, although access may be affected by weather conditions during winter months.
Nearby places
Prineville (12.4 miles, approximately 20 minutes drive)
Nearby supplies
Essential supplies, groceries, and fuel available in Prineville, OR (12.4 miles away). No supplies directly at the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Castle Rock Campground

Castle Rock reveals its changing moods through the seasons, with temperatures dancing between crisp 29°F mornings and mild 43°F afternoons. While winter occasionally dusts the canyon rims with snow and summer can bring intense high desert heat, savvy campers discover the magic of spring and fall visits. These shoulder seasons paint the landscape in wildflower blooms or golden autumn hues, offering perfect conditions for riverside exploration under predominantly clear skies punctuated by refreshing rain showers.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer offers hiking, fishing and riverfront views; generally pleasant for visitors.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Cooler weather and scenic canyon views make fall attractive though no specific data.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring likely good for hiking and river activity though reviews lack seasonal detail.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.5 / 5

Open year-round but occasional snow, cold mornings, and primitive facilities limit comfort.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: No specific peak season indicated; weather may impact desirability.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round.

About Castle Rock Campground

Tucked away along the winding Lower Crooked Back Country Byway south of Prineville, Castle Rock Campground offers an intimate escape into Oregon's rugged beauty. This hidden gem features just six campsites, ensuring a peaceful retreat beneath the towering presence of its namesake rock formation. Open year-round, the campground welcomes adventurers to explore the pristine waters of the Crooked Wild and Scenic River, where anglers cast lines into crystalline pools and photographers capture the interplay of light on ancient canyon walls. Modern conveniences meet wilderness solitude with an ADA-accessible vault toilet, making this quiet sanctuary accessible to all who seek respite from crowded destinations.
Castle Rock Campground primarily offers primitive camping with six sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is designed for tent and potentially small RV campers, but does not offer RV hookups.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Not applicable as this is first-come, first-served.
Check-out
Not applicable as this is first-come, first-served.
Stay Limit
14 days maximum per reservation period.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Castle Rock Campground provides a variety of recreational opportunities including hiking, fishing, and photography. Visitors also have access to scenic views of the canyon and the Crooked River.
HikingHiking is a key activity at this site. One user described it as "close to a hiking trail with a good view at the top."
FishingFishing is permitted and popular along the Crooked River. A reviewer mentioned the area is "good for fly fishing."
BikingThe campground is near a state scenic bikeway, and visitors are advised to "watch for bicyclists" along State Highway 27.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is a highlight, with one camper noting, "Got to see some river otters. Very cool!"
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsVault toilets may have significant fly issues according to user reviews. Dry camping conditions necessitate bringing potable water and preparedness for exposure to weather conditions.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Castle Rock Campground

Reviews

4.5
33 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Castle Rock Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Castle Rock Campground highlight the scenic beauty, the peaceful environment, and the opportunity for wildlife viewing, particularly river otters. However, issues with the vault toilet cleanliness significantly impact the overall experience.
Review Summaries
Based on 33 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive feedback includes comments on the beautiful scenery, peaceful atmosphere, proximity to the Crooked River, and the presence of picnic tables and fire rings at each site. One user stated, "I...
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Based on 33 reviews

Common Concerns

The most common complaint is the poor state of the vault toilets, with one user describing it as the worst they've ever seen due to a fly infestation. Another concern was the lack of potable water...
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Based on 33 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers should bring their own drinking water due to the lack of potable water on-site. Additionally, be prepared for potential issues with the vault toilets.
Based on 33 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is open year-round, but reviews do not provide detailed seasonal insights beyond the challenges of dry camping and the vault toilets' cleanliness.
Based on 33 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "Got to see some river otters. Very cool!" 2. "Very beautiful area. Good for camping, fly fishing, and also day use parking." 3. "The bathrooms were horrendous...there were THOUSANDS of flies...
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Based on 33 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One user mentioned that the site at the very end, numbered 6, is particularly good: "Really good place to camp at the very end at number 6."
Based on 33 reviews

Accessibility Features

The vault toilet is ADA-accessible, but no further details on accessibility features are provided.
Based on 33 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are not explicitly mentioned in the user reviews or authoritative sources.
Based on 33 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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