Barnhouse Campground
Open — Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No reservations. 14-day stay limit. No potable water available; campers must bring their own.
Alcohol Prohibitions
This Order describes acts that are prohibited upon lands, roads and trails within the National Forest System administered by the Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region in regards to alcoholic beverages.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order. Some examples of these include hay bales, hay…
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Big Spring Campground Closure
The Big Springs Campground located within the Paulina Ranger District of the Ochoco National Forest is currently closed due to due to hazards and hazardous conditions created as a result of a lightning complex fire in July of 2024. The closure includes all developed sites, roads, trails and…
Wiley Flat Campground Closure
The Wiley Flat Campground is currently closed due to hazards and hazardous conditions created as a result of the Wiley Flat fire of 2024. The closure includes all developed sites, roads, trails, and facilities within the campground boundary. Refer to the attached map (Exhibit A)
14 Day Stay Order
Camping or otherwise occupying a single location (including leaving camping equipment and/or related supplies) for a period longer than 14 consecutive calendar days is PROHIBITED on the Ochoco National Forest &Crooked River National Grassland.
Prescribed Fire information
Each year, prescribed burning is done in the spring and fall to improve forest health and protect communities. Visit our Prescribed Fire in Central Oregon page to learn more.
About
Barnhouse Campground offers a surprisingly quiet and serene camping experience nestled among large ponderosa pine trees in the Ochoco National Forest. Located just a few miles from the main highway, this free campground provides a peaceful base for exploring the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and the surrounding national forest. The campground hosts the trailhead for Barnhouse Trail (#813) in the northwest corner, making it an excellent starting point for hiking adventures. Summer evenings come alive with the sounds of coyotes and owls, and occasionally local ranchers graze their cattle nearby, adding to the authentic backcountry atmosphere. Each campsite includes a picnic table and fire pit. This is a primitive facility with vault toilets but no potable water, so campers must bring their own. The campground accommodates tents and small RVs up to 25 feet, with limited trailer sites and no dump station available. Operating on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees or reservations, Barnhouse Campground follows the standard 14-day stay limit for all Forest Service land.
Directions
From Prineville: Take Highway 380 east 55 miles to Paulina. 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 FSR 42 north for 8 miles to FSR 12. Follow FSR 12 north for 17 miles to the campground. From Mitchell: Take Highway 26 east for 13 miles to FSR 12, then south for 5 miles.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 25ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 25ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 416-6500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!