How much does camping cost at Pine Mountain Campground?

Camping fees at Pine Mountain Campground range from $3/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Pine Mountain Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Pine Mountain Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Likely all sites are available on a walk-up basis given the lack of reservation systems.

Can I see photos of campsites at Pine Mountain Campground before I book?

Yes! Pine Mountain Campground has 11 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Pine Mountain Campground?

Pine Mountain Campground is open > Observing tours available May-September.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Pine Mountain Campground?

Pine Mountain Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Pine Mountain Campground?

Fire policies at Pine Mountain Campground: Campfire policies are not specified.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Pine Mountain Campground have?

Pine Mountain Campground has 1 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Pine Mountain Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Pine Mountain Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Pine Mountain Campground?

Pine Mountain Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Pine Mountain Campground

4.20

15 reviews

Summit of Pine Mountain, near Pine Mountain Observatory

Top 2% in ORSummer

Peace & QuietStargazing

Featured in:Desert Camping Oregon#1 Camping Near Bend Fall Camping Oregon

Quick Facts

6,227 ft

Price

$3/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open as accessible s...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,227 ft

Price

$3/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open as accessible s...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Pine Mountain Campground

$3.00 - $3.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The observatory requests a $3 donation for tours and telescope usage.

No paid fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

> No phone number provided.> No email provided.

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Summit of Pine Mountain, near Pine Mountain Observatory

Pine Mountain Campground

Summit of Pine Mountain, near Pine Mountain Observatory

Nearby places

Bend: approximately 28 miles (~35-minute drive)

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies not specified

likely available in Bend 28 miles away.

Weather at Pine Mountain Campground

Current alert: > User review states possible human presence impacting safety.

Best Time to Camp at Pine Mountain Campground

Summer brings the best conditions: daytime temperatures typically reach 60-85°F, with cool, dry nights dropping to 30-45°F. Skies stay clear and the access road remains reliably open. The observatory runs most public viewing nights during summer, with weekends and special events drawing more visitors. Winters turn harsh at this elevation, with bone-dry cold transforming the summit into frozen terrain.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 2% in OR

Summer temps 60–85°F, clear skies and observatory tours May–Sep; recommended season for stargazing.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: > Observing tours available May-September.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open as accessible starting September 29.

About Pine Mountain Campground

Pine Mountain Campground sits at 6,227 feet on a volcanic summit in the Deschutes National Forest, near Bend. The single primitive tent site runs $3 per night and offers no amenities. It's a dry camping spot next to Pine Mountain Observatory, known for exceptional stargazing in Central Oregon's high desert.

Pine Mountain Campground is a rustic and primitive site offering basic amenities. It is suitable for tent camping and encourages dry camping experiences.

Historical Significance

Pine Mountain Observatory has operated here since 1967, opening its research-grade telescopes to the public on Friday and Saturday nights throughout summer. Guided star tours let visitors view distant galaxies, nebulae, and planets under expert instruction.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the best conditions: daytime temperatures typically reach 60-85°F, with cool, dry nights dropping to 30-45°F. Skies stay clear and the access road remains reliably open. The observatory runs most public viewing nights during summer, with weekends and special events drawing more visitors. Winters turn harsh at this elevation, with bone-dry cold transforming the summit into frozen terrain.

ElevationAt this lofty summit position, Pine Mountain Campground sits like an island in the sky, offering commanding views that stretch for miles across the high desert landscape. The rarified air at this elevation creates exceptionally clear atmospheric conditions that make every sunrise and sunset a memorable spectacle.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies exposed volcanic terrain where sparse, hardy vegetation clings to ancient lava formations. Views stretch across juniper-dotted high desert to surrounding volcanic peaks. At night, the red-light preservation zone around the observatory bathes the site in crimson glow to protect dark-sky conditions. City lights twinkle in distant valleys below while the Milky Way blazes overhead in minimal light pollution.

Geological RegionRising from the ancient volcanic landscape of the Deschutes National Forest, Pine Mountain stands as a testament to the region's fiery geological past. This high desert summit showcases the dramatic interplay of volcanic formations and sparse, hardy vegetation that characterizes Central Oregon's unique ecosystem. The mountain's exposed position offers unparalleled views of the surrounding volcanic peaks and the vast expanse of juniper-dotted high desert that stretches to the horizon.

Scenic Views"One of the best views of the stars that I've witnessed." - User review

Programs & ActivitiesThe Pine Mountain Observatory offers educational programs focused on astronomy, including tours and observations through telescopes. Visitors can explore the universe using 15-inch and 24-inch telescopes, with the latter providing digital imaging capabilities.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Not specified

Check-out

Not specified

Stay Limit

>Maximum site spur length of 40 feet suggests longer RVs may have space limitations.

Guests Allowed Per Site

>No data provided about guest limits per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe single site accommodates tents on volcanic terrain. One reviewer mentions bringing a hammock, though tree cover appears limited given the sparse vegetation. Some visitors have reported abandoned vehicles and debris affecting the site's cleanliness.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservation platforms specified; likely first-come, first-serve basis.

Walk-in AvailabilityLikely all sites are available on a walk-up basis given the lack of reservation systems.

Cancellation PolicyNo cancellation policy provided.

Total Campsites1 campsites

Recommended SitesBring a hammock; lots of chipmunks around.

Amenities available

Pine Mountain Campground offers a rustic camping experience on the summit of Pine Mountain. It is near the Pine Mountain Observatory, providing an opportunity for stargazing and observatory tours. Official sources highlight this as a dry camping site with no potable water available. "Restrooms are available at this site," per the facility information.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Visitors can engage in stargazing activities due to the proximity of the Pine Mountain Observatory. The observatory offers tours on Friday and Saturday evenings from May to September, with a $3 requested donation. Stargazing through telescopes is a highlight, with user reviews emphasizing the extraordinary night sky visibility.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & Alerts"Broken down burned out cars and tweakers living in the campground." - User review

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

15 reviews

Satisfactory

Pine Mountain Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Users have mixed feelings about Pine Mountain Campground. While many rave about the pristine stargazing opportunities and peaceful environment, some raise concerns about the campground's safety and cleanliness due to the presence of abandoned vehicles.

Review Summaries

Based on 15 reviews

What Campers Love

- Excellent stargazing opportunities - Quiet and clean environment for dry camping - Friendly wildlife, such as chipmunks - Proximity to the observatory for educational tours and telescope viewing

Based on 15 reviews

Common Concerns

- Concerns about safety due to 'broken down burned out cars and tweakers' (Todd Stiles, 2022-07-31) - Lack of potable water on-site

Based on 15 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The proximity to the observatory is a significant highlight. Some reviews specifically highlight the advantageous location for stargazing and its peaceful atmosphere.

Based on 15 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

- Bring your hammock and enjoy the peaceful environment (Cody Christopher, 2021-08-03) - Be prepared for dry camping and carry your own water supplies

Based on 15 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Visitors recommend camping during the summer for stargazing and observatory tours. Conditions may vary in early spring or late fall due to weather changes.

Based on 15 reviews

Camper Quotes

- "Love coming here for the night sky gazing." (Aaron R, 2024-08-15) - "What an extraordinary experience. Rustic and out of the way. One of the best views of the stars that I've witnessed." (Jeffrey...

Based on 15 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Stargazers who plan around Friday or Saturday observatory nights (May through September) and bring all their own water. The Milky Way visibility here is the whole reason to come, and the $3 donation gets you telescope time on top of it.

Skip if

Reports of abandoned burned-out vehicles and transient activity at the site are a real concern, not an edge case. Solo campers or families who'd lose sleep over that should know it's one unhosted primitive site with no cell coverage and emergency services 28 miles away in Bend.

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Campgrounds

Deschutes National Forest

Pine Mountain Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Pine Mountain Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>This campground is on the summit of Pine Mountain, near Pine Mountain Observatory.</p>

Activities

<p> The observatory is open Friday and Saturday evenings from May - September, when the weather is clear.  Tours of the observatory are available, and look at the universe through a 15 or 24-inch telescope.  The 24" telescope has a digital camera on it, so you can take home a picture of the cosmos on a disk.  There is a $3 requested donation for the observatory. </p>

Open Season: Open as accessible – September 29