Barnhouse Campground
4.439 reviewsQuick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
8 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
8 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsBarnhouse Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Free facility.
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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USFS
ProviderWhat Campers Say
4.43
Recommended
Based on 9 reviews
23 Google reviews
Most mentioned
spacioushikingsites
"User reviews highlight Barnhouse Campground as a peaceful, tucked-away site ideal for campers seeking a rustic experience. Common praises include its quiet atmosphere, proximity to the Barnhouse Trail, and starry night skies. Some complaints focus on the lack of running water, garbage disposal, and vault toilet cleanliness."
Fees & Passes at Barnhouse Campground
Free
Campsite fees
Standard Site
Basic tent/RV spot
Stay Limit: 14 day limit per National Grassland and US Forest Service guidelines.
Prices verified November 17, 2025
Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official US Forest Service website.
Best Time to Camp at Barnhouse Campground
Experience the dramatic seasonal transformations of the high desert forest. Summer evenings unfold like nature's own symphony, with warm air carrying the haunting calls of coyotes and the gentle hooting of owls through the pines. As autumn arrives, crisp nights give way to winter's crystalline beauty, when snow blankets the landscape and temperatures plunge well below freezing, creating a wonderland for those properly prepared for cold-weather camping.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.
Planning Tips
About Barnhouse Campground
Tucked away in the heart of the Ochoco National Forest, Barnhouse Campground offers an intimate escape with just 8 thoughtfully spaced sites. Each campsite comes complete with its own picnic table and fire ring, creating the perfect basecamp for those who crave authentic wilderness experiences far from the crowds. This hidden gem rewards visitors with the kind of profound quiet that has become increasingly rare in our modern world.
Barnhouse Campground is a free, first-come, first-served facility suitable for tent and small RV camping. It does not support large RVs or group camping.
Historical SignificanceWhile the specific historical narratives of this site remain unrecorded, the surrounding Ochoco National Forest holds centuries of stories within its ancient pines and weathered landscapes, inviting visitors to create their own memorable chapters.
Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic seasonal transformations of the high desert forest. Summer evenings unfold like nature's own symphony, with warm air carrying the haunting calls of coyotes and the gentle hooting of owls through the pines. As autumn arrives, crisp nights give way to winter's crystalline beauty, when snow blankets the landscape and temperatures plunge well below freezing, creating a wonderland for those properly prepared for cold-weather camping.
ElevationThe campground's elevation creates a unique microclimate where mountain and high desert ecosystems converge, though specific elevation details await discovery by curious adventurers.
Natural Features and SceneryMajestic ponderosa pines tower overhead, their vanilla-scented bark and sprawling canopies creating a natural cathedral that filters golden sunlight by day and frames starlit skies by night. The surrounding landscape rolls gently through forested hills, where morning mists often reveal grazing cattle moving like ghosts through the trees. This living tapestry includes regular wildlife encounters—from the evening serenade of coyotes to the silent flight of hunting owls.
Geological RegionBarnhouse Campground sits within the diverse geological tapestry of the Ochoco National Forest, where ancient volcanic activity and millennia of erosion have sculpted a landscape of rolling hills clothed in stately ponderosa pine forests. This unique terrain represents one of Oregon's most distinctive ecological transitions between the Cascade Range and the high desert plateaus to the east.
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Campsite details
AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features are mentioned in the available information.
Sites SizeSites are described as spacious, with one reviewer mentioning room for a 16'x16' tent.
Sites PrivacyMost sites are described as nicely spaced and offering a sense of seclusion. Amber Darbyshire observed, "not a ton of sites, but you shouldn’t need many because of it being tucked away from the public."
Total Campsites8 campsites
Recommended CampsitesSites are spacious and forested with room for larger tents, as noted by user reviews.
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks
Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Open 24/7.
Stay Limit
14 day limit per National Grassland and US Forest Service guidelines.
Groups
Group camping is not available at this site.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutSmall layout of 8 sites; sites are sufficiently spaced for privacy.
Walk-in AvailabilityNo reservations accepted. First-come, first-served for all sites as confirmed by user reviews.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Barnhouse Campground provides a peaceful forested environment and hosts the trailhead for Barnhouse Trail (#813), offering a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking and wildlife viewing.
Hiking
Barnhouse Trail (#813) starts in the campground and provides access to serene forest landscapes. Polly Bergseng commented, "Great that there is a trail to hike right out of the campground area," and Sarah Bower praised, "Amazing view of the hills less than a 1/4mi from camp on the trail."Wildlife viewing
Coyotes and owls are commonly heard during the evenings, enhancing the wilderness experience. Official descriptions indicate that ranchers may graze cattle nearby, adding to the natural serenade.Winter Activities
No winter-specific activities are mentioned in the available information.Water Sports
No non-motorized water sports such as kayaking or paddleboarding are mentioned.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Fire rings available at each site.
- Quiet hours are Not explicitly stated.
Hazards
General hazardsNo running water is available, and visitors must pack out trash as there is no garbage service. Wildlife such as coyotes and cattle may be present.
Weather at Barnhouse Campground
40
°F
Dec 7
Sunday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected
Humidity: 82%
High humidity, may feel muggy
Wind: 18.2 mph
Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected
Overcast
Weather History
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Reveal forecast
Emergency Services
Not explicitly stated.
Good to know
Trash and recyclingTrash and recycling facilities are not available. Campers must pack out all their trash, as highlighted by multiple reviews, including Shelly Downs: "Please remember to take your garbage with you because there is no garbage service."
Proximity to water featuresNo running water or noticeable water features other than a small stream as noted in user reviews.
Common complaintsVault toilets can be stinky according to multiple user reviews. Lack of amenities such as potable water and trash service was also noted.
Campground Map
Driving directionsFrom Prineville, Oregon: Take Highway 380 east 55 miles to Paulina, Oregon. From Paulina, head east on County Road 112 for 3.5 miles to Beaver Creek Road (County Road 113), turning north to Forest Service Road 42. Follow Forest Service Road 42 north for 8 miles to Forest Service Road 12. Follow Forest Service Road 12 north for 17 miles to the campground. From John Day, Oregon: Take Highway 26 west to Dayville, Oregon. Travel 25 miles west from Dayville to Forest Service Road 12, then head south for 5 miles to the campground. From Mitchell, Oregon: Take Highway 26 east for 13 miles to Forest Service Road 12. Take Forest Service Road 12 south for 5 miles to the campground.
Accessible via paved roads with cattle grids. Some routes pass through private ranch lands, and cattle may occasionally rest on the road.Nearby places
Paulina, Oregon (3.5 miles), Prineville, Oregon (55 miles), John Day, Oregon (30 miles), Mitchell, Oregon (18 miles).
Nearby supplies
Not explicitly stated.
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.4
9 reviews
Barnhouse Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight Barnhouse Campground as a peaceful, tucked-away site ideal for campers seeking a rustic experience. Common praises include its quiet atmosphere, proximity to the Barnhouse Trail, and starry night skies. Some complaints focus on the lack of running water, garbage disposal, and vault toilet cleanliness.
Review Summaries
Based on 9 reviews
What Campers Love
Many users appreciate the serene environment and seclusion of the campground. Amber Darbyshire noted, "Gorgeous campground deep in the forest...stunning hiking trail right next to one of the sites,"...
Based on 9 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
Negative aspects mentioned by users include the lack of potable water and garbage disposal facilities. Cleanliness of the vault toilet is also a recurring concern.
Based on 9 reviewsPro Tips & Recommendations
Campers should bring their own water and prepare for a pack-in, pack-out waste management system. It is advisable to arrive early due to the limited number of sites (estimated at 8).
Based on 9 reviewsSeasonal Insights
The campground is described as less busy in the summer, with Kevin Reid stating, "This place is never really busy even in the summer, but there is often a couple of sites taken."
Based on 9 reviewsCamper Quotes
"Beautiful hidden campground in the woods. It's pretty small, we counted 8 sites only, that's why it's quiet and peaceful out there." (Darya Shestakova) "Picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and...
Based on 9 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
Specific site reviews are not provided, but Amber Darbyshire noted a hiking trail near one of the campsites.
Based on 9 reviewsAccessibility Features
No user reviews specifically address accessibility features or experiences.
Based on 9 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
No user reviews specifically mention experiences with pets or pet policies.
Based on 9 reviewsCamper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
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Last updated November 17, 2025
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