Cottonwood Pit Campground

4.22

11 reviews

Cottonwood Pit Campground, Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

5,636 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Ochoco National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,636 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Ochoco National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Cottonwood Pit Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

This is a 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

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What Campers Say

4.22

Satisfactory

Based on 11 reviews

9 Google reviews

Most mentioned

clean

"User reviews highlight Cottonwood Pit Campground as a peaceful, spacious location for various activities. Families appreciate its rustic charm and history, calling it a place worth sharing yet worth keeping secret."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Cottonwood Pit Campground, Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

Cottonwood Pit Campground

Cottonwood Pit Campground, Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

Driving directionsFrom Prineville, Oregon: Travel east on Highway 26 for 47 miles to Mitchell, Oregon, then continue east for 13 miles to Forest Service Road 12. Follow Forest Service Road 12 south for 15 miles, turn right onto Forest Service Road 4274, and take the 080 spur to Cottonwood Pit Campground. Alternate route: Travel east on Highway 26 for 16 miles, then east on Forest Service Road 42 for 32 miles to Forest Service Road 4270. Follow Forest Service Road 4270 northeast for 9 miles to Forest Service Road 12, head north for 3 miles, turn left onto Forest Service Road 4274, and take the 080 spur to the campground. From Paulina, Oregon: Travel east on County Road 112 for 3.5 miles, then north on Beaver Creek Road for 8 miles to Forest Service Road 42. Follow Forest Service Road 42 north for 8 miles to Forest Service Road 12, head north for 6 miles, turn left onto Forest Service Road 4274, and take the 080 spur to the campground. From John Day, Oregon: Travel west on Highway 26 for 31 miles to Dayville, Oregon, then continue west for 25 miles to Forest Service Road 12. Follow Forest Service Road 12 south for 15 miles, turn right onto Forest Service Road 4274, and take the 080 spur to Cottonwood Pit Campground.

The campground is accessible via unpaved Forest Service roads. Seasonal closures may affect access during winter or adverse weather conditions. "Parking is available at the Day Use location and also varies in campsites."

Nearby places

Mitchell, Oregon (13 miles, approximately 20 minutes)

Prineville, Oregon (47 miles, approximately 1 hour)

John Day, Oregon (56 miles, approximately 1 hour 10 minutes)

Paulina, Oregon (19.5 miles, approximately 30 minutes).

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies for groceries, camping essentials, and fuel are likely available in Mitchell, Oregon (13 miles away), and John Day, Oregon (56 miles away). Specific details on stores are null.

Best Time to Camp at Cottonwood Pit Campground

Experience the dramatic seasonal tapestry of Central Oregon's high country. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, though bundle up for temperatures that hover around 26°F during the day and plunge below 10°F at night. As spring awakens the forest, temperatures climb pleasantly from 47°F to 65°F, perfect for early-season camping. Summer offers ideal conditions with comfortable highs between 65°F and 80°F—warm enough for swimming yet cool enough for hiking. Fall paints the forest in golden hues while temperatures settle into the crisp 50-60°F range. Each season brings its own precipitation patterns, with winter snowfall creating a magical alpine atmosphere.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer cited as favorable for camping and swimming; main season for the swimming hole.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Fall offers wildlife viewing and solitude; scenic but less focused on swimming.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Spring likely supports seasonal fishing, wildlife activity, and quieter camping before peak summer.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Open year-round but reviews mention frigid winter temps (~26°F); winter camping is challenging.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round.

About Cottonwood Pit Campground

Discover a hidden gem where industrial history meets natural beauty at Cottonwood Pit Campground. This unique free camping destination has transformed from a former gravel pit into a beloved swimming hole and seasonal trout fishing paradise. While you'll find essential amenities like clean restrooms and picnic tables for comfortable camping, the rustic charm means bringing your own drinking water. It's the perfect escape for adventurers seeking an authentic, off-the-grid experience without sacrificing basic comforts.

Cottonwood Pit Campground provides free camping with options for groups and individuals. Specific accommodations include primitive setups and basic amenities.

Historical SignificanceCottonwood Pit tells a fascinating story of transformation and adaptation. What began as an industrial gravel excavation site took an unexpected turn when workers struck the water table, flooding the pit and halting operations forever. Rather than abandoning this accidental lake, the community embraced it, watching nature reclaim the scarred landscape. Today, this former extraction site serves as a cherished regional recreation destination, where families create memories swimming in the same waters that once ended industrial ambitions—a testament to nature's resilience and ability to heal.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic seasonal tapestry of Central Oregon's high country. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, though bundle up for temperatures that hover around 26°F during the day and plunge below 10°F at night. As spring awakens the forest, temperatures climb pleasantly from 47°F to 65°F, perfect for early-season camping. Summer offers ideal conditions with comfortable highs between 65°F and 80°F—warm enough for swimming yet cool enough for hiking. Fall paints the forest in golden hues while temperatures settle into the crisp 50-60°F range. Each season brings its own precipitation patterns, with winter snowfall creating a magical alpine atmosphere.

ElevationNestled within the mountainous terrain of the Ochoco National Forest, Cottonwood Pit occupies a unique position in Oregon's diverse topography. While specific elevation data isn't documented, the campground's mountain forest setting provides that quintessential high-country atmosphere, complete with crisp air, towering pines, and the sense of elevation that makes every sunrise and sunset particularly spectacular.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into a landscape where human history and natural wonder converge in unexpected harmony. The centerpiece—a crystal-clear swimming hole born from industrial accident—now reflects towering pines and open skies instead of excavation equipment. Wildlife has reclaimed this peaceful sanctuary, offering patient observers glimpses of forest creatures in their natural habitat. As visitor Jim Martin notes, it's 'a great place to get a good reset from life with very little cell service,' where the absence of digital distractions amplifies the presence of natural beauty. The surrounding forest creates an intimate amphitheater of tranquility, perfect for those seeking genuine connection with the outdoors.

Geological RegionSituated within the diverse geological landscape of Ochoco National Forest, Cottonwood Pit represents a unique chapter in the region's geological story. The original gravel deposits that attracted industrial excavation speak to ancient river systems and geological processes that shaped this mountainous terrain over millennia. When excavators inadvertently tapped into the underground water table, they revealed the hidden hydrology of the forest, creating an accidental oasis. Today, this human-altered geological feature has become a thriving aquatic ecosystem, periodically stocked with trout and embraced by nature as if it had always belonged here.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Open 24/7.

Check-out

Open 24/7.

Stay Limit

14 days on all National Grassland and US Forest Service lands.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutIndividual sites include one picnic table each. Specific campground layout details are not provided.

Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come-first-served basis for all campsites. User reviews suggest availability may vary during peak seasons.

Recommended SitesRecommendations for site selection are not detailed. Likely best near the water feature for fishing and swimming.

Amenities available

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Activities available at Cottonwood Pit Campground include fishing, swimming, hunting, shooting, and exploring. "A free campground with lots to explore" and "great for wildlife watching" were highlighted in reviews.

FishingThe campground features fishing opportunities in the lake or pond, occasionally stocked with trout.

SwimmingThe campground includes a swimming hole formed from the old gravel pit excavation.

Wildlife viewingWildlife watching is noted as an activity in user reviews.

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include lack of potable water, wildlife encounters, and adverse weather conditions (snow, wind). Roads may be challenging in winter.

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

Weather at Cottonwood Pit Campground

Reviews

4.2

11 reviews

Satisfactory

Cottonwood Pit Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight Cottonwood Pit Campground as a peaceful, spacious location for various activities. Families appreciate its rustic charm and history, calling it a place worth sharing yet worth keeping secret.

Review Summaries

Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

- "One of those places I wish everybody knew of, but it's one of those places I don't want to share with anyone." - "Alot of space for pretty much anything. Restroom is clean and stocked. Great for...

Based on 11 reviews

Common Concerns

- Limited cell service, mentioned as both a drawback and a positive aspect. - Lack of potable water.

Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

- Bring your own potable water due to lack of on-site water. - Ideal for groups or family gatherings. - Enjoy swimming and fishing opportunities in the natural pond.

Based on 11 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Winter may be cold (with average temperatures around freezing), and reviews mention frigid temperatures at certain times of the year. Summer seems more favorable for camping and swimming.

Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

- "Been coming here with my family for years, and they have been coming here before I was even thought of." - "A great place to get a good reset from life with very little cell service. Quiet and...

Based on 11 reviews