Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead

Star4.25
6 reviews
Chewaucan Crossing Trailhead, Forest Service Road 33, Paisley, Oregon

Quick Facts

4,836 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Open from May 15 to ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Fremont-Winema National Forest site

Official Website
Get Directions
Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
No fees are required to use this campground.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
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

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
USFS
Provider
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.25

Satisfactory

Based on 6 reviews

3 Google reviews

Most mentioned

location

"User reviews are limited and do not provide extensive feedback. One reviewer mentioned that the campground is 'not bad' and expressed interest in returning for a stay."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Chewaucan Crossing Trailhead, Forest Service Road 33, Paisley, Oregon

Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead

Chewaucan Crossing Trailhead, Forest Service Road 33, Paisley, Oregon

Driving directionsFrom Paisley, take County Highway 2-08 (also known as Mill Street) for almost two miles and merge left onto Forest Service (FS) Road 33. Chewaucan Crossing Trailhead is located on the left side of FS Road 33.
The road accessibility is generally good, as FS Road 33 provides direct access. Seasonal closures or reduced services may occur between October 16 and May 14.
Nearby places
Paisley, Oregon: 20 minutes by car (approximately 15 miles)
Nearby supplies
Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel can likely be found in Paisley, Oregon, approximately 20 minutes north of the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead

Experience the dramatic seasonal tapestry of the high desert, where winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland with frequent snowfall and crisp, freezing temperatures. As spring awakens the desert, wildflowers paint the canyon walls while temperatures climb steadily toward summer's peak, often soaring above 80°F. Summer visitors are rewarded with endless blue skies, warm days perfect for river adventures, and refreshingly cool evenings ideal for campfire conversations. The dry climate ensures plenty of sunshine year-round, making every season a unique opportunity to discover the Chewaucan's changing moods.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season May 15–Oct 15; ideal time for trail use, fishing and river access.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open through Oct 15 with full services; cool weather and canyon colors likely pleasant.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring brings seasonal change but campground only offers full services after May 15.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Frequent snowfall and freezing temps; reduced services Oct 16–May 14 limit winter use.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 15 to October 15. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from May 15 to October 15 with full services; reduced services from October 16 to May 14.
  • Current Alerts: No potable water is available on-site. Reduced services occur during the off-season.

About Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead

Nestled along the banks of the pristine Chewaucan River, Chewaucan Crossing Campground serves as your gateway to adventure on the legendary Fremont National Recreation Trail #160. This intimate five-site retreat perfectly blends the rugged beauty of high desert landscapes with the cooling shade of ancient pines and fragrant junipers. Each thoughtfully placed campsite comes equipped with its own picnic table and fire ring, inviting you to gather under starlit skies. Modern conveniences haven't been forgotten—you'll find clean vault toilets, ample parking with trailer turnaround space, and sturdy horse corrals for equestrian adventurers ready to explore the backcountry trails.
Chewaucan Crossing Campground primarily caters to tent camping with basic facilities. It is also suitable for RVs due to its trailer turnaround space and parking area.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite


Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Chewaucan Crossing Campground offers a range of outdoor activities, particularly for those interested in hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. It is an excellent spot for day hikes, backpacking, and picnicking. Visitors can enjoy fishing for rainbow and brook trout in the Chewaucan River. The site is also a gateway to the Fremont National Recreation Trail #160, which accommodates hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
HikingThe campground provides direct access to the Fremont National Recreation Trail #160. This multi-use trail offers challenging treks in both directions, climbing out of the Chewaucan River canyon. Hikers can travel north to Yamsay Mountain or south to Cox Pass.
FishingFishing is a popular activity at this campground, with opportunities to catch rainbow and brook trout in the Chewaucan River.
BikingThe Fremont National Recreation Trail #160 is suitable for mountain biking, offering a challenging route through the high desert, pine, and juniper setting.
Wildlife viewingThe high desert, pine, and juniper setting provides opportunities for wildlife observation, although specific species are not listed.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include lack of potable water and seasonal freezing conditions.
Active AlertsNo potable water is available on-site. Reduced services occur during the off-season.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead

Reviews

4.3
6 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews are limited and do not provide extensive feedback. One reviewer mentioned that the campground is 'not bad' and expressed interest in returning for a stay.
Review Summaries
Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers appreciate the location of the campground near the Chewaucan River and its access to outdoor recreation opportunities.
Based on 6 reviews

Common Concerns

No complaints were mentioned in the user reviews.
Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

It is advisable to bring plenty of potable water due to the lack of drinking water facilities on-site.
Based on 6 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Seasonal trends are not explicitly mentioned in user reviews, but the campground operates with reduced services during the off-season (October 16 to May 14).
Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Not a bad campground will actually have to stay at some point.' - John Meeker (Jackal97603)
Based on 6 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

There are no site-specific reviews available.
Based on 6 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews addressing accessibility features were found.
Based on 6 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

There are no reviews discussing pet policies or experiences.
Based on 6 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 5, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Oregon

Campgrounds
Fremont-Winema National Forest
Chewaucan Crossing Campground/Trailhead