Lower Camp Creek Campground

Star4.75
6 reviews
431 Patterson Bridge Road John Day, OR 97845
Peace & Quiet

Quick Facts

3,583 ft

Price

$3 - $6/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Malheur National Forest Headquarters / Blue Mountain Ranger District site

Official Website
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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...
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Standard Site Fee$6.00
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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USFS
Provider
(541) 575-3000SM.FS.malpubinfo@usda.gov
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What Campers Say

4.75

Top-Rated

Based on 6 reviews

4 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewslocationhikinglake

"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."

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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

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.
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).

Best Time to Camp at Lower Camp Creek Campground

Experience the dramatic dance of Pacific Northwest seasons at Lower Camp Creek. Summer arrives with golden sunshine filtering through pine boughs, bringing warm, dry days perfect for creek-side relaxation and trail exploration under crystalline blue skies. As autumn paints the forest in amber hues, crisp mornings give way to comfortable afternoons. Winter transforms the campground into a snow-dusted wonderland, where temperatures plunge and frost etches delicate patterns on pine needles. Spring's arrival brings the forest back to life with wildflowers and rushing snowmelt. Pack layers and be prepared—mountain weather here can shift from sunshine to storm in mere hours.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer brings warm, dry days with filtered sunshine—ideal for creekside relaxation.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Popular with hunters in autumn; trails and scenery make fall a strong season here.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring is pleasant with creek and forest renewal, though specific spring-season details are limited.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.5 / 5

Open year-round but may face temporary closures; no winter activity infrastructure described.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Open year-round (may be subject to temporary closures).
  • Current Alerts: The campground is temporarily closed but is listed as operational in some records.

About Lower Camp Creek Campground

Tucked away in a serene pocket of the Malheur National Forest, Lower Camp Creek Campground offers an intimate escape where towering ponderosa pines whisper above a babbling forest creek. This hidden gem draws outdoor enthusiasts seeking solitude, with hunters particularly favoring its strategic location during autumn seasons. Adventure beckons just beyond your tent flap, with the legendary Middle Fork of the John Day River and the captivating Arch Rock Trail #258 serving as gateways to unforgettable wilderness experiences.
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.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 p.m.
Check-out
12:00 p.m.
Stay Limit
14 consecutive nights


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.
HikingHiking opportunities are available nearby, including Arch Rock Trail #258, which offers unique geological features such as an ash-flow tuff, a scenic arch, and rock shelters.
FishingFishing is available 13 miles away at Magone Lake Campground.
SwimmingSwimming is available at Magone Lake Campground, 13 miles from the site.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include rapidly changing weather conditions, wildlife encounters, and the lack of potable water on-site.
Active AlertsThe campground is temporarily closed but is listed as operational in some records.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Lower Camp Creek Campground

Reviews

4.8
6 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Lower Camp Creek Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% 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

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...
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Based on 6 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No reviews specific to particular campsites were provided.
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

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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