Cottonwood Pit Campground
03 reviewsCottonwood Pit Campground, Ochoco National Forest, Oregon
Quick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Quick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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What Campers Say
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Limited Reviews
Based on 3 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."
Fees & Passes at Cottonwood Pit Campground
Free
Campsite fees
Standard Site
Basic tent/RV spot
Stay Limit: 14 days on all National Grassland and US Forest Service lands.
Prices verified November 17, 2025
Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Ochoco National Forest website.
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.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.
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.
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Campsite details
Total Campsites0 campsites
Recommended CampsitesRecommendations for site selection are not detailed. Likely best near the water feature for fishing and swimming.
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
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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 are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutIndividual sites include one picnic table each. Specific campground layout details are not provided.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round.
Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come-first-served basis for all campsites. User reviews suggest availability may vary during peak seasons.
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.
Fishing
The campground features fishing opportunities in the lake or pond, occasionally stocked with trout.Swimming
The campground includes a swimming hole formed from the old gravel pit excavation.Wildlife viewing
Wildlife watching is noted as an activity in user reviews.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Not explicitly stated.
- Quiet hours are Null.
Hazards
General hazardsPotential hazards include lack of potable water, wildlife encounters, and adverse weather conditions (snow, wind). Roads may be challenging in winter.
Weather at Cottonwood Pit Campground
36
°F
Dec 7
Sunday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected
Humidity: 90%
High humidity, may feel muggy
Wind: 13.5 mph
Very strong wind, outdoor activities may be affected
Overcast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
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Reveal forecast
Emergency Services
John Day, Oregon (nearest hospital and police station, approximately 1 hour 10 minutes). Ranger station locations and contact information are not specified.
Good to know
Proximity to water features"Swimming hole" formed from the old gravel pit is the main water feature. Stocked with trout periodically.
Common complaints"No potable water" mentioned in facility information and echoed in user reviews.
HostNull.
Campground Map
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.
Reviews from booking and map sources
0.0
3 reviews
Cottonwood Pit Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % 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 3 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 3 reviewsShow more
Common Concerns
- Limited cell service, mentioned as both a drawback and a positive aspect.
- Lack of potable water.
Based on 3 reviewsPro 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 3 reviewsSeasonal 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 3 reviewsCamper 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 3 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
No specific site numbers are highlighted in reviews, but the campground is described as spacious and accommodating for groups.
Based on 3 reviewsAccessibility Features
No reviews explicitly address accessibility features.
Based on 3 reviewsCamper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
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Last updated November 17, 2025
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