How much does camping cost at Haystack Campground (East Shore)?

Camping fees at Haystack Campground (East Shore) are $20 - $75/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Haystack Campground (East Shore) first-come first-served or reservation?

Haystack Campground (East Shore) accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Haystack Campground (East Shore) before I book?

Yes! Haystack Campground (East Shore) has 6 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.

What is the best time to visit Haystack Campground (East Shore)?

Haystack Campground (East Shore) is open April 24 to October 10. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Haystack Campground (East Shore)?

Haystack Campground (East Shore) does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Haystack Campground (East Shore) have?

Haystack Campground (East Shore) has 24 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Haystack Campground (East Shore)?

Pets are not allowed at Haystack Campground (East Shore). This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Haystack Campground (East Shore)?

Haystack Campground (East Shore) offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Haystack Campground (East Shore)?

Popular activities at Haystack Campground (East Shore) include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Haystack Campground (East Shore)

Q: Can I have a campfire at Haystack Campground (East Shore)?

Fire policies at Haystack Campground (East Shore): Don't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.82

109 reviews

P.O. Box 739, Prineville, OR 97754, USA

Top 20% in ORSpring

CReport Card

Summer Destination

Featured in:Hiking Camping Oregon

Quick Facts

2,851 ft

Price

$20 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

24 campsites

Season

Open April 25 to Oct...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on null Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

2,851 ft

Price

$20 - $75/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

24 campsites

Season

Open April 25 to Oct...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on null Official Website

Get Directions

Haystack Campground (East Shore)

$20.00 - $75.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Group Sites: $50.00 (+$25.00 weekend); MANAGEMENT: $20.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online /...

Group Site Fee$50.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

541-351-1182audi1@scinternet.net

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

P.O. Box 739, Prineville, OR 97754, USA

Haystack Campground (East Shore)

P.O. Box 739, Prineville, OR 97754, USA

Nearby places

Madras (Approx. 20 minutes south), Crooked River Gorge (Approx. 15 minutes south), Prineville (Approx. 30 miles north).

Driving directionsFrom Highway 97: Exit Jericho Lane and go east for approximately 1.2 miles. Turn right on Haystack Drive (FS 7130 / FS 96) and continue on for about 2.1 miles. The Haystack Campground entrance is on the left. From Highway 26: Exit on Laurel Lane (FS 96) and go west for approximately 4 miles. Bear right at the intersection of FS 7130 / FS 96 and continue on for about 2 miles. Haystack Campground entrance will be on the right.

Weather at Haystack Campground (East Shore)

Current alerts(4)

A per-day, per vehicle fee of $7.00 at day use area . No other recreation passes accepted.
Check-in Time is 2:00pm and Check-out time is 12:00pm
Off-highway vehicles and horses riding are not allowed in the campground.
This campground has reservable and first-come, first-serve sites.

Best Time to Camp at Haystack Campground (East Shore)

Best season: spring. Spring offers the best balance of mild weather and open access — daytime highs are typically in the mid-50s to low-70s°F with cool nights often dipping into the 30s–40s, so you get comfortable hiking and early-season boating before summer heat and mosquitoes peak. Wildflowers and bright sagebrush color the high-desert slopes, fishing is productive as reservoir levels stabilize, and trails and shorelines are quieter than the peak summer weekends. Crowd levels are generally low-to-moderate (weeknD Peak months: May, June, September, October Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 20% in OR

Spring called best season: mild temps, strong birdwatching and frog choruses; reviewers praise spring visits.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 24 to October 10. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open April 25 to October 11, reservable from June 25 during peak season. Closed out of season.

About Haystack Campground (East Shore)

Haystack Campground sits on the east shore of Prineville Reservoir in Oregon's high-desert foothills, offering tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, and group camping options. Visitors come for fishing, boating, hiking, and biking along the reservoir, with a 14-day stay limit during the seasonal operating window. The small campground draws praise for clean facilities and helpful hosts, though mosquitoes can be heavy and reservoir levels fluctuate.

Haystack Campground (East Shore) accommodates a variety of camping styles, including tent and RV camping. It is described as rustic and quiet, suitable for those seeking a peaceful outdoor experience.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the best balance of mild weather and open access — daytime highs are typically in the mid-50s to low-70s°F with cool nights often dipping into the 30s–40s, so you get comfortable hiking and early-season boating before summer heat and mosquitoes peak. Wildflowers and bright sagebrush color the high-desert slopes, fishing is productive as reservoir levels stabilize, and trails and shorelines are quieter than the peak summer weekends. Crowd levels are generally low-to-moderate (weeknD Peak months: May, June, September, October Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation2851 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe 240-acre reservoir cuts through high desert landscape dominated by juniper and sagebrush. Waterfowl use the reservoir as a stopover, and bald eagles hunt from the ridgelines. Spring brings Pacific tree frog choruses at dusk. The terrain is rugged and exposed, with views that change as light shifts across the sagebrush flats. Reservoir levels drop through summer, and toxic algae blooms close swimming areas during warm months. It's stark country, not lush, and that's the point.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodges or alternative accommodations are mentioned for this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay of 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

Group shelters are available and can be reserved during the peak season. They include covered picnic tables.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations available via Recreation.gov website, app, or contact center.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as spacious and able to accommodate tents as well as large RVs. One review noted that the "campsites were clean and ready when we arrived," and another mentioned that "most campsites seemed friendly to both tents and hammocks.

PrivacyThe campground offers a mix of privacy levels. Some reviewers appreciated the spacing between campsites, describing them as "spread apart for lots of privacy," while others pointed out that certain areas were less private.

Total Campsites24 campsites

Recommended SitesGiven reports on slope and layout, pull-through spots and flat sites may be better suited for larger RVs. Users recommend confirming water levels in advance.

Best CampsitesSite 10 gets mentions for size, shade, and water access. Site 13 offers better privacy than most. Spacing between sites varies. Some campers found their spots well-separated, while others felt crowded.

Need help booking Haystack Campground (East Shore)?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Haystack Campground (East Shore) offers a range of amenities designed to accommodate both tent and RV campers. The facility has paved interior roads and site pads, as well as 24 spacious campsites equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings. "Each campsite has a picnic table and campfire ring." Five vault toilets are available throughout the campground. Potable water is accessible at an RV fill station near the entrance. Additional amenities include covered picnic tables in Day Use areas. However, there are no electrical, water, or sewer hookups. Firewood is available for purchase, and trash collection is provided on-site.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Haystack Campground (East Shore)

The campground offers various recreational activities, both water-based and land-based. Popular activities include fishing, recreational boating, and swimming in the Haystack Reservoir. The reservoir supports species such as largemouth bass, rainbow trout, kokanee, crappie, and catfish, making it a favorite among anglers. Nearby, visitors can enjoy rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and ATV use. Birdwatching is another highlight, with sightings of unique species during migration seasons.

Fishing4.0/5

Reservoir regularly stocked with bass, trout, kokanee, crappie and catfish; fishing described as highly popular.

Boating4.0/5

Recreational boating is popular and campground has paved boat ramps for convenient launching.

Water Sports3.5/5

Hiking3.0/5

Hiking opportunities exist nearby but specific trails and difficulty are not detailed.

Biking3.0/5

Mountain biking available in surrounding areas, but specific trails and difficulty not specified.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsThere is no mention of flush toilets; only vault toilets are available.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicyDon't Move Firewood: Please protect Pacific Northwest forests by preventing the spread of invasive species. Firewood can carry insects and diseases that can threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by obtaining and burning your firewood near your camping destination. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is provided on-site, but no further details about recycling facilities were included.

Trip Planning Tools

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.8

109 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Haystack Campground (East Shore) has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Haystack Campground (East Shore) are mixed, with ratings ranging from 1 to 5 stars. Positive aspects include the cleanliness of the facilities, the helpfulness of camp hosts, and the scenic views. However, complaints about mosquitoes, toxic algae in the reservoir, and issues with reservations are common.

Review Summaries

Based on 109 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 109 reviews.

Site 23Loved
Site 23 is noted for being quiet and offering privacy, while site 10 is praised for its large size and water access.
Site 12Issues noted
Site 12 had complaints about positioning, and site 17 was criticized for being close to a loud group.

What Campers Love

Positive feedback frequently mentions the helpful and friendly camp hosts, clean and spacious campsites, and opportunities for fishing. Direct quotes include: "The cleanest vault toilet" and "Camp...

Based on 109 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints revolve around mosquitoes, toxic algae in the water, and management issues. For example, one user noted, "Mosquitos were horrible," and another stated, "We were unaware that there...

Based on 109 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips include bringing mosquito repellent due to frequent complaints about bugs. "Bring plenty of Deet with you," one reviewer advised. Another tip is to check water levels and conditions before...

Based on 109 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Mosquito problems appear to be more severe during the warmer months, while some reviewers found the reservoir's water levels low at the end of the season. The spring months were praised for...

Based on 109 reviews

Camper Quotes

"From the first minute to the last, we couldn't have asked for more." "The views were beautiful, but the mosquitos were swarming day and night." "This used to be one of my 'go to' campgrounds. No...

Based on 109 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific user reviews mention accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Based on 109 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

There were no explicit comments on pet-related experiences, but one user mentioned needing to find another place for their dog to swim due to toxic algae in the water.

Based on 109 reviews

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Haystack Campground (East Shore)

$20.00 - $75.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Group Sites: $50.00 (+$25.00 weekend); MANAGEMENT: $20.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online /...

Group Site Fee$50.00