Big Spring Campground
Open year-round, first-come, first-served. No fees. No reservations. Campers must bring their own water as none is available on-site.
Air Quality Alert issued August 3 at 12:05PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions may cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Air Quality Alert issued August 8 at 7:36PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
Air Quality Alert issued August 5 at 2:33PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until further notice. For the Smoke Air Quality Advisory, wildfires burning in the region combined with forecasted conditions will cause air quality to reach unhealthy levels. Pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases, and aggravate other serious health problems. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Please follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition. An Air Quality Advisory for elevated levels of ozone pollution, or smog, is in effect for Hermiston in Umatilla County. Ozone pollution is expected to reach levels that could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, pregnant people, older adults and people with heart or respiratory conditions. DEQ expected the Air Quality Advisory to last until 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. For additional information...please visit the Web site at http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ
About
Big Spring Campground sits in a scenic ponderosa pine forest along a small creek in Oregon's Ochoco National Forest. This free, primitive campground offers five campsites of varying sizes that can accommodate different group configurations. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire pit/grill for campfire cooking. The campground provides vault toilets but no potable water, so visitors must bring an adequate supply. There are no hookups or other developed amenities. The roads leading to the campground are generally suitable for trailers, though site sizes are limited. Local ranchers graze cattle in the area, so campers may see or hear cows during their stay. Located about 47 miles from Prineville via Forest Service Road 42 and FR 4270, Big Spring offers a quiet, remote camping experience for those seeking solitude in central Oregon's high desert forest. A 14-day stay limit applies.
Directions
From Prineville, Oregon: Take Highway 26 east 16 miles to Forest Service Road 42. Travel on FR 42 east for 8 miles to the Ochoco Ranger Station. Continue on FR 42 for another 23 miles toward Deep Creek Campground. About 5 miles past Deep Creek Campground, turn left onto Forest Service Road 4270, then proceed 1.5 miles northeast. Big Spring Campground will be on your left.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 416-6500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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