John Day River Basin Developed Campgrounds

1 review

Quick Facts

2,000 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

First-Come

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Bureau of Land Management, Central Oregon Field Office site

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Quick Facts

2,000 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

First-Come

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Bureau of Land Management, Central Oregon Field Office site

Get Directions

John Day River Basin Developed Campgrounds

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Fee campgrounds. Campsite fees are paid on-site by scanning the Recreation.gov QR code posted at the campground kiosk (payment processes when back in...

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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Best Time to Camp at John Day River Basin Developed Campgrounds

The high desert reveals a different personality with each passing season. Spring arrives with unpredictable weather and snowmelt-swollen rivers that draw whitewater enthusiasts from across the region, while summer transforms the landscape into a sun-baked paradise where temperatures soar and the river becomes a liquid lifeline. Fall ushers in crisp mornings and the rustle of hunters in the surrounding hills, and winter settles into a cold, crystalline stillness that belongs to those seeking true solitude.

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 John Day River Basin Developed Campgrounds

Escape to the high desert along the legendary John Day River, where the BLM's Central Oregon Field Office maintains four rustic campgrounds that put you right on the water's edge. These year-round, first-come, first-served retreats offer the essentials—fire rings, picnic tables, and accessible vault toilets—while leaving behind the distractions of modern life: no drinking water, no trash service, and blissfully, no cell signal.

Four small developed campgrounds along the John Day River offering mostly drive-in graveled sites and a limited number of walk-in tent sites. Campgrounds are first-come, first-served, open year-round, and basic in design and amenities.

Historical SignificanceYour campsite becomes a basecamp for exploring deep time itself along the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway, one of Oregon's most captivating drives. The nearby John Day Fossil Beds National Monument preserves millions of years of Earth's history in colorful stone, and these riverside camps have served as welcome respites for travelers tracing this ancient landscape where mastodons once roamed and subtropical forests once flourished.

Weather and SeasonsThe high desert reveals a different personality with each passing season. Spring arrives with unpredictable weather and snowmelt-swollen rivers that draw whitewater enthusiasts from across the region, while summer transforms the landscape into a sun-baked paradise where temperatures soar and the river becomes a liquid lifeline. Fall ushers in crisp mornings and the rustle of hunters in the surrounding hills, and winter settles into a cold, crystalline stillness that belongs to those seeking true solitude.

ElevationPerched at approximately 2,000 feet above sea level, these campgrounds occupy that distinctive high-desert sweet spot where aromatic sagebrush mingles with twisted juniper and the occasional stately ponderosa pine stands sentinel over the river corridor below.

Natural Features and SceneryThe John Day River threads through a landscape painted in earth tones and endless sky, where steep hillsides cascade down to the water's edge and the scent of sage perfumes the air. By day, watch for river otters playing in the current, ospreys diving for fish, and mule deer picking their way through the juniper. As darkness falls, the absence of light pollution reveals a celestial tapestry so vivid you'll understand why ancient peoples looked to these skies for stories and guidance.

Geological RegionJohn Day River Basin, Central Oregon—a high-desert ecosystem where volcanic history meets riverine life, characterized by sagebrush steppes, juniper woodlands, and scattered ponderosa pine standing watch over one of the longest undammed rivers in the American West

Campsite details

AccessibilityADA-accessible vault toilets at each campground. Some sites are walk-in only (Service Creek) which may affect accessibility.

Sites SizeSites are generally flat and graveled; Service Creek sites located in a one-acre area under ponderosa trees; drive-in sites at other campgrounds are flat.

Sites PrivacyMany sites are close to each other. Lone Pine and Big Bend have entrance roads that provide privacy from the main road; Muleshoe has two walk-in sites that offer more privacy; Service Creek sites are clustered closely.

Total Campsites21 campsites

Recommended CampsitesService Creek: four walk-in tent-only sites in a one-acre ponderosa area; large gravel parking lot and boat launch. Muleshoe: six graveled drive-in sites and two walk-in sites; primitive boat launch; sites overlook the river. Lone Pine: five graveled drive-in sites; some sites closer to the river; entrance road drops into campground providing privacy. Big Bend: four graveled drive-in sites near the river; steep gravel road into the campground—use caution and consider four-wheel drive.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSites are flat; most are graveled drive-in sites (Muleshoe, Lone Pine, Big Bend) with several walk-in tent-only sites at Service Creek and Muleshoe. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring; ADA-accessible vault toilets available at each campground.

Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round.

Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov mobile app (used for on-site payment via posted QR code); fee envelope and drop box for cash/check payments.

Walk-in AvailabilitySites are first-come, first-served only; you must physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim your campsite.

Cancellation PolicyNo changes and no refunds are available.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

River-focused recreation including boating and fishing, along with wildlife viewing, photography, camping, and relaxing by the river. Service Creek and Muleshoe are common motor-boat entry points to the Wild and Scenic section of the John Day River.

Fishing

Fishing on the John Day River is a common activity; the river ranges from still summer pools to high-flow spring conditions.

Boating

Spring snowmelt attracts boaters and both Service Creek and Muleshoe serve as entry points to boat the Wild and Scenic section of the John Day River. Muleshoe offers a primitive boat launch; Service Creek has a boat launch and parking for vehicles/trailers. A permit is required year-round to boat between Service Creek and Tumwater Falls.

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing and photography are noted recreational opportunities in the high-desert canyon landscapes along the river.

Water Sports

River boating and fishing on the John Day River.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
Each campsite includes a fire ring. No additional fire policy details provided in source material.

Hazards

General hazardsNo reliable cell phone coverage in the campgrounds. River conditions change drastically seasonally (still pools in summer, cold brown torrent during spring snowmelt). Big Bend access road is steep and may be challenging to some vehicles; four-wheel drive and caution recommended. No drinking water or garbage collection on-site.

Weather at John Day River Basin Developed Campgrounds

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Mainly clear

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 43%

Wind: 2.7 mph

Mainly clear

Weather History

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Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Trash and recyclingNo garbage collection is available at any of the campgrounds. Fees can be paid using fee envelopes and drop boxes at each campground; Recreation.gov mobile app payment options are available.

Proximity to water featuresAll campgrounds are on the John Day River; many sites are adjacent to or overlook the river, with boat launches at Service Creek and Muleshoe.

Campground Map

John Day River Basin Developed Campgrounds

Driving directionsService Creek Campground: From Prineville, take US-26 east 46.5 miles to OR-207 N. Turn left and drive 23.5 miles; Service Creek Campground and boat launch will be on the right. Muleshoe Campground: From Prineville, take US-26 east 46.5 miles to OR-207 N. Turn left and drive 23.8 miles. Pass Service Creek Campground, and at the stop sign take a right onto OR-207 N. Drive 1.9 miles and Muleshoe Campground will be on your right. Lone Pine Campground: From Prineville, take US-26 east 77.7 miles. Turn left onto OR-19 N and drive 18.4 miles, then turn right onto OR-402 E. Drive 1.8 miles and Lone Pine Campground will be on your right. Big Bend Campground: From Prineville, take US-26 east 77.7 miles. Turn left onto OR-19 N and drive 18.4 miles, then turn right onto OR-402 E. Drive 3 miles and Big Bend Campground will be on your right; be cautious as this campground is on a sweeping bend in the road.

Access via US-26 from Prineville, then OR-207 north for Service Creek and Muleshoe; OR-19 north and OR-402 east for Lone Pine and Big Bend.

Nearby places

Service Creek and Muleshoe are located near Service Creek, Oregon. Big Bend and Lone Pine are located between Kimberly and Monument. Detailed turn-by-turn distances are provided in the driving directions from Prineville (see driving_directions).