How much does camping cost at Oregon Mine Campground?

Camping fees at Oregon Mine Campground range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Oregon Mine Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Oregon Mine Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. First-come, first-served. No reservation system in place.

Can I see photos of campsites at Oregon Mine Campground before I book?

Yes! Oregon Mine Campground has 2 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.

Are there showers at Oregon Mine Campground?

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

How many campsites does Oregon Mine Campground have?

Oregon Mine Campground has 3 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Oregon Mine Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Oregon Mine Campground?

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

What activities can I do at Oregon Mine Campground?

Popular activities at Oregon Mine Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Oregon Mine Campground

3.33

9 reviews

431 Patterson Bridge Road, John Day, OR 97845

Featured in:Fall Camping Oregon

Quick Facts

4,347 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,347 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Oregon Mine Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are required for this site No fee

No paid fee categories listed.

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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

Oregon Mine Campground

431 Patterson Bridge Road, John Day, OR 97845

Nearby places

John Day: 18 miles (approx. 30 minutes)

Nearby supplies

John Day, located 18 miles away, offers access to groceries, fuel, and other camping supplies.

Driving directionsFrom John Day, OR., travel approximately 18 miles west on US Highway 26 to the junction of Forest Service Road 21. Travel south on Forest Service Road 21 for approximately 12 miles to the junction with Forest Service Road 2170. Travel west on Forest Service Road 2170 to Oregon Mine Forest Camp.

Access is via a combination of paved and unpaved Forest Service roads. Approximately 18 miles west on US Highway 26, followed by 12 miles south on Forest Service Road 21, then west on Forest Service Road 2170. Seasonal closures or adverse weather conditions may affect accessibility.

Weather at Oregon Mine Campground

Current alert: The site is temporarily closed as stated in some official sources.

Best Time to Camp at Oregon Mine Campground

Summer brings the most reliable access and warmest conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-80s and cool nights dropping into the 40s and 50s. Brief afternoon thunderstorms are common. Mornings start crisp. Snow can close access outside summer months, making winter camping a challenge that requires proper gear. Spring conditions include muddy trails and unpredictable temperatures. Fall draws hunters with cooler weather and shorter days.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Most reliable access, warm days, and creek described as a 'gurgling brook' in summer.

Planning Tips

About Oregon Mine Campground

Oregon Mine Campground sits beside Murderer's Creek in the Malheur National Forest, offering three primitive campsites at 4,347 feet elevation. The campground caters primarily to horse campers, with a buck and pole corral and access to backcountry trails. Its remote location draws visitors seeking solitude and authentic wilderness camping, though the tight spacing between sites means privacy is limited.

Oregon Mine Campground offers primitive camping suitable for both hunters and horse campers.

Historical Significance

Murderer's Creek takes its name from frontier-era conflicts. Wild horses that roam the area today descend from herds that have lived here for generations, and Horse Creek nearby references this continuing presence.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the most reliable access and warmest conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to low-80s and cool nights dropping into the 40s and 50s. Brief afternoon thunderstorms are common. Mornings start crisp. Snow can close access outside summer months, making winter camping a challenge that requires proper gear. Spring conditions include muddy trails and unpredictable temperatures. Fall draws hunters with cooler weather and shorter days.

ElevationElevation data not provided.

Natural Features and SceneryMurderer's Creek flows directly past the campground, providing fishing opportunities for native trout and a constant water soundtrack. Wild horses graze on hillsides visible from camp. Ponderosa pine covers the surrounding landscape, with the nearby Cedar Grove Botanical Area preserving a microclimate of rare plants. The terrain reflects the region's volcanic origins, with rock layers visible in creek beds and ridges stretching across the backcountry. Fields Peak trail offers panoramic views of the Malheur wilderness, and raptors circle overhead throughout the day.

Geological RegionOregon Mine Campground rests within the vast embrace of the Malheur National Forest, where volcanic origins have sculpted a landscape of rolling ridges, deep creek canyons, and hidden valleys. This geological wonderland showcases the powerful forces that shaped Eastern Oregon – ancient lava flows now clothed in ponderosa pine, creek beds that reveal colorful rock layers, and meadows perched atop prehistoric lake beds. The nearby Cedar Grove Botanical Area preserves a unique microclimate where rare plants thrive, while Murderer's Creek and its tributaries continue their patient work of carving ever-deeper channels through the bedrock. Here, where wild horses roam landscapes their ancestors have known for centuries, visitors witness the ongoing story of a land still being written by wind, water, and time.

Scenic ViewsVisitors can enjoy views of the creek and potential sightings of wild mountain horses that inhabit the area.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodging or accommodations other than campsites are mentioned.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 p.m.

Check-out

12:00 p.m.

Groups

No details provided about group camping sites.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThree well-sized campsites sit close together near the creek. Spacing is tight enough that reviewers noted the proximity between sites.

Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come, first-served. No reservation system in place.

Site SizeUser reviews indicate that the three campsites are 'well-sized' but 'a little tightly-spaced.

PrivacyNo explicit mention of campsite privacy, but a user noted the sites are 'a little tightly-spaced.

Total Campsites3 campsites

Recommended SitesThe three campsites are well-sized, but visitors seeking privacy may find them a little close together.

Amenities available

Oregon Mine Campground offers minimal amenities geared towards outdoor enthusiasts and hunters. There are restrooms available on-site, but potable water is not provided. Campers must pack in and pack out all trash. A buck and pole corral adjacent to the campground caters to horse campers.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational activities at Oregon Mine Campground include bird watching, hunting, fishing, day hiking, and horse camping. Visitors also have the opportunity to see wild horses.

Hiking

Fishing

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHazards include cold weather, rapid weather changes, and potential for snowfall. Visitors should exercise caution near the creek and when encountering local wildlife, including wild horses.

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, 431 Patterson Bridge Road, John Day, OR 97845, Phone: (541) 575-3000.

Trash & RecyclingThe campground operates on a 'pack it in/pack it out' policy, meaning campers must take all trash, including cigarette butts, cans, bottles, and food, with them.

Water FeaturesThe campground is adjacent to Murderer's Creek and a smaller tributary known as Horse Creek.

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

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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

3.3

9 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Oregon Mine Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews offer mixed experiences, with highlights including the scenic and quiet environment, as well as its suitability for horse camping. However, some users were critical of the lack of non-horse-related activities and the tightly-spaced campsites.

Review Summaries

Based on 9 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users appreciated the proximity to Murderer's Creek and its suitability for horse camping, with one reviewer noting the authenticity of the area’s depiction in pictures. Another user mentioned...

Based on 9 reviews

Common Concerns

Criticisms include the lack of activities for non-horse campers, tightly-spaced campsites, and the presence of horse poop and hay which might be unpleasant for those not camping with horses.

Based on 9 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Reviews suggest the campground has three campsites that are well-sized but spaced tightly together.

Based on 9 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers are advised to prepare for changing weather conditions and to strictly adhere to the pack-in/pack-out policy. Horse campers should use certified weed-free hay and avoid pasturing horses in...

Based on 9 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer visitors mentioned that Murderer's Creek resembles a 'gurgling brook' during this time. Winter and colder seasons were highlighted for campfires and the general quiet of the area.

Based on 9 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Murderers Creek runs just behind the campground with a very short section called Horse Creek. Named for the wild mountain horses that live out there.' – Kevin Ballard 2. 'Possibly a great place...

Based on 9 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically addressing accessibility features are available.

Based on 9 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews or information specific to pets or pet policies are provided.

Based on 9 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Horse campers headed into Malheur backcountry will find the buck and pole corral, creek access, and Fields Peak trail a solid base. Free, first-come, and genuinely remote country with raptors overhead and wild horses visible from camp.

Skip if

Check current status before driving out here, as the campground has been listed as temporarily closed. Beyond that, non-equestrian campers get little: three tight sites, no potable water, and reviewers note leftover horse waste makes the place feel like it wasn't built for you.

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Campgrounds

Malheur National Forest

Oregon Mine Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

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

Overview

<p>Adjacent to Murderer's Creek, this little campground is a great base camp for hunters.  The campground is a nice area for those wishing to horse camp, a buck and pole corral is located adjacent to the campground.  Visitors to the campground can enjoy bird watching, hunting and fishing in near by creeks.  Hikers have options in the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=39928">Cedar Grove Botanical</a> area and <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/malheur/recarea/?recid=39952">Fields Peak trail</a>.  Visitors may get the opportunity to see one of the beautiful wild horses that reside in the area.</p>