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Hikers and horse campers targeting the Fremont National Recreation Trail #160 will find this a solid basecamp. Trout fishing in the river adds a reason to linger, and summer nights in the 40s-50s sleep well at this elevation.
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
5 campsites
Season
Open from May 15 to ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
5 campsites
Season
Open from May 15 to ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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Learn more about alerts →Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead
Chewaucan Crossing Trailhead, Forest Service Road 33, Paisley, Oregon
Hikers and horse campers targeting the Fremont National Recreation Trail #160 will find this a solid basecamp. Trout fishing in the river adds a reason to linger, and summer nights in the 40s-50s sleep well at this elevation.
No potable water on-site is a hard logistical fact, not a minor footnote. Bring everything you need to drink. With only five walk-up sites and no reservations, arriving on a summer weekend without a backup plan is a gamble.
Reference information about Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>This highly used campground is ideally located right on the Chewaucan River, 20 minutes south of Paisley, Oregon. Chewaucan Crossing Trailhead, within the campground, accesses <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/fremont-winema/recarea/?recid=70808">Fremont National Recreation Trail #160</a> a multi-use trail, and a challenging trek in both directions as hikers must climb out of the river canyon. You can hike, mountain bike, or horseback ride north to Yamsay Mountain or south to Cox Pass. A pedestrian bridge crosses the river and links to the trail.</p><p>There are many fishing opportunities for rainbow and brook trout. The site is surrounded by a high desert, pine, and juniper setting. Amenities include a vault toilet, parking area, adequate trailer turnaround, horse corrals, and each of the five campsites has a picnic table and fire ring. </p><p><strong>Alert</strong>: There is no potable water. Visitors need to pack plenty of water. Remember to “pack it in, pack it out.”</p>
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Summer delivers the most reliable conditions from mid-May through mid-October, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-80s°F and nights dropping into the 40s and 50s. The elevation keeps things cooler than the low desert below, making for comfortable hiking and cool sleeping weather. Long daylight hours and low humidity are the norm. Winter brings snow and freezing temps, shutting down access for much of the season. Spring warms gradually but can be unpredictable.
Peak season May 15–Oct 15; reliable conditions and hiking/fishing opportunities in summer.
The Chewaucan Crossing Campground is equipped with basic amenities tailored for outdoor enthusiasts. Each of the five campsites is outfitted with a picnic table and fire ring. A vault toilet is available for visitors. However, the site does not offer potable water, and visitors are advised to bring their own drinking water. The campground features parking, adequate trailer turnaround space, and horse corrals. It adheres to a 'pack it in, pack it out' policy, emphasizing the lack of waste management facilities on-site.
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