How much does camping cost at Lower Camp Creek Campground?

Camping fees at Lower Camp Creek Campground range from $3-$6/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Lower Camp Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Lower Camp Creek Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Lower Camp Creek Campground before I book?

Yes! Lower Camp Creek Campground has 6 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 Lower Camp Creek Campground?

Lower Camp Creek Campground is open Open year-round (may be subject to temporary closures).. 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 Lower Camp Creek Campground?

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

Are dogs allowed at Lower Camp Creek Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Lower Camp Creek Campground?

Lower Camp Creek Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Lower Camp Creek Campground?

Popular activities at Lower Camp Creek Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Lower Camp Creek Campground

3.17

6 reviews

431 Patterson Bridge Road John Day, OR 97845

Featured in:Fall Camping Oregon

Quick Facts

3,583 ft

Price

$3 - $6/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

3,583 ft

Price

$3 - $6/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Lower Camp Creek Campground

$3.00 - $6.00 / night

Campsite Fees

$6 per night for single campsite unit and $3 per night for additional vehicles. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Passes provide a 50% discount...

Standard Site Fee$6.00

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USFS

Provider

(541) 575-3000SM.FS.malpubinfo@usda.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

431 Patterson Bridge Road John Day, OR 97845

Lower Camp Creek Campground

431 Patterson Bridge Road John Day, OR 97845

Nearby places

Prairie City, OR (13 miles, approximately 20 minutes)

John Day, OR (16 miles, approximately 25 minutes).

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies are available in Prairie City, OR (approximately 13 miles away), including groceries, fuel, and basic camping supplies. Additional resources can be found in John Day, OR (16 miles away).

Driving directionsFrom the town of Prairie City, OR, travel west 3 miles on US Highway 26 to the junction with County Road 18. Turn right, follow County Road 18 approximately 9 miles to the junction with Forest Road 36, turn right and follow Forest Road 36 approximately 11 miles. The campground will be on the left.

Access roads include US Highway 26, County Road 18, and Forest Road 36. The roads are paved until County Road 18 transitions to rural forest roads. Forest Road 36 is unpaved and may require caution depending on the season.

Weather at Lower Camp Creek Campground

Current alert: The campground is temporarily closed but is listed as operational in some records.

Best Time to Camp at Lower Camp Creek Campground

Summer brings the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs between 75–90°F and nights cooling to 40–55°F. The dry, low-humidity weather suits hiking, creek swimming, and fishing. Trails stay accessible and the campground remains quiet despite summer being peak season. Weather can shift quickly in the mountains, so layers matter even in July. Winter closes in with snow and freezing temperatures. Spring runoff swells the creek, and autumn attracts hunters who favor the campground's location.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer offers reliable weather (75–90°F days), good trail access and creek activities.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round (may be subject to temporary closures).

About Lower Camp Creek Campground

Lower Camp Creek Campground sits in a quiet pocket of Malheur National Forest at 3,583 feet, where ponderosa pines grow along a forest creek. The small campground draws hunters during fall and is a base for exploring Arch Rock Trail #258 and the Middle Fork John Day River. Sites cost $3-$6 per night.

Lower Camp Creek Campground is designed for camping among ponderosa pines along a forest creek, with options for single sites. Information about group sites, cabins, or other accommodations is not provided.

Historical Significance

The Arch Rock Trail #258 formations preserve evidence of ancient volcanic eruptions that reshaped this part of Oregon. Ash flow tuff. Volcanic ash compressed under heat and pressure. Created the raw material that erosion has since carved into arches and shelters. These structures offer visible proof of the fire-and-ice geology that built the high desert borderlands of eastern Oregon.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs between 75–90°F and nights cooling to 40–55°F. The dry, low-humidity weather suits hiking, creek swimming, and fishing. Trails stay accessible and the campground remains quiet despite summer being peak season. Weather can shift quickly in the mountains, so layers matter even in July. Winter closes in with snow and freezing temperatures. Spring runoff swells the creek, and autumn attracts hunters who favor the campground's location.

Natural Features and SceneryPonderosa pines dominate the campground, their vanilla-scented bark rising above a forest floor softened by fallen needles. Camp Creek flows through the area, creating a riparian zone that contrasts with the drier pine ecosystem. The real draw lies a short distance away on Arch Rock Trail #258, where ancient volcanic ash deposits have weathered into arches and rock shelters. These ash flow tuff formations. Compressed volcanic material from eruptions millions of years ago. Now stand as sculpted monuments shaped by wind and water. The creek provides opportunities for swimming and fishing, while Magone Lake sits within easy driving distance.

Geological RegionLower Camp Creek Campground sits within the vast Malheur National Forest, a landscape sculpted by volcanic fury and patient erosion. The surrounding ponderosa pine ecosystem thrives in volcanic soils, while Camp Creek has carved its own gentle valley through the terrain. The geological star of the area, Arch Rock Trail #258, showcases spectacular ash flow tuff formations—compressed volcanic ash from ancient eruptions that created a canvas for nature's artistry. Wind and water have sculpted these deposits into graceful arches and mysterious rock shelters, creating a geological playground that tells the story of fire, time, and transformation in the high desert borderlands of eastern Oregon.

Scenic ViewsScenic views include ponderosa pine forests, a meandering creek, and nearby geological formations such as the arch at Arch Rock Trail #258.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo details about lodging or accommodations beyond camping were provided.

Programs & ActivitiesNo information about cultural or educational programs was provided.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 p.m.

Check-out

12:00 p.m.

Stay Limit

14 consecutive nights

Groups

No details about group camping sites were provided.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation Platformshttps://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes for pass purchases. Specific reservation website or platform not detailed.

Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground allows walk-ups, but details on the number of sites or fill patterns are not specifically provided.

Cancellation PolicyReservations may apply, but specific cancellation rules are not detailed.

AccessibilityNo accessibility features were described.

Site SizeNo specific information about campsite sizes was provided.

PrivacyNo details regarding the privacy of campsites were mentioned.

Need help booking Lower Camp Creek Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers proximity to several recreational options. Arch Rock Trail #258, less than a mile away, features geological formations including a scenic arch and rock shelters. Magone Lake Campground, located 13 miles away, is a hub for swimming, fishing, and hiking activities. The area is also popular with hunters.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include rapidly changing weather conditions, wildlife encounters, and the lack of potable water on-site.

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

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Emergency ServicesMalheur National Forest Headquarters / Blue Mountain Ranger District in John Day, OR. Address: 431 Patterson Bridge Road John Day, OR 97845. Phone: (541) 575-3000.

Trash & RecyclingPack-it-in/Pack-it-out policy is enforced. Visitors must take home any trash they bring into the forest, including cigarette butts, cans, bottles, and food.

Water FeaturesThe campground is located near a creek. Magone Lake is approximately 13 miles away, offering swimming and fishing opportunities.

Cell CoverageCell phone service availability is not mentioned in the provided materials.

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

3.2

6 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Lower Camp Creek Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is described as small and pleasant, located among ponderosa pines along a forest creek. It is popular with hunters and praised for its proximity to various recreational areas like Arch Rock Trail #258 and Magone Lake Campground.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews emphasize the campground's scenic location among ponderosa pines and its convenience to nearby attractions like hiking trails and Magone Lake.

Based on 6 reviews

Common Concerns

No explicit complaints were mentioned in the sources.

Based on 6 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No reviews specific to particular campsites were provided.

Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors are advised to prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions and adhere to the pack-it-in/pack-it-out policy.

Based on 6 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No specific seasonal trends were described in the reviews.

Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

"A pleasantly small campground tucked among ponderosa pines along a forest creek. This campground is popular with hunters. Just a short drive away from the beautiful Middle Fork of the John Day...

Based on 6 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews addressing accessibility were included.

Based on 6 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews regarding pet policies or experiences were provided.

Based on 6 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Hikers drawn to Arch Rock Trail #258's volcanic arch and tuff formations will find it less than a mile from camp. Fall hunters favor it too. At $6 a night, it's hard to beat if you haul your own water and don't mind a vault toilet.

Skip if

Verify the campground is actually open before booking since it's currently listed as temporarily closed in at least some records. And if carrying all your water sounds like a dealbreaker, there's no potable water on-site.

Nearby Campgrounds

Lower Camp Creek Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Plan a trip to Lower Camp Creek Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Lower Camp Creek Campground

Best Time to Camp at Lower Camp Creek Campground

Planning Tips

About Lower Camp Creek Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Lower Camp Creek Campground?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Go if

Skip if

Overview

Plan a trip to Lower Camp Creek Campground

Best Time to Camp at Lower Camp Creek Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Lower Camp Creek Campground?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews