Cottonwood Pit Campground
Open year-round, 24 hours. Free first-come, first-served camping with a 14-day stay limit. No reservations accepted.
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
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.
About
Cottonwood Pit Campground sits in an abandoned gravel pit deep within the Ochoco National Forest. When excavation operations struck the water table years ago, the pit flooded and was subsequently abandoned. The resulting pond has become a popular local swimming hole and is occasionally stocked with trout, making this an appealing destination for both anglers and those seeking relief from the summer heat. The campground features a large parking area and a small number of established campsites, each with a picnic table. Vault toilets are available, but campers must bring their own water as none is provided on site. The area can accommodate various vehicle sizes in the parking area, though formal campsites are limited. There are no hookups, dump station, or other RV amenities. This free, year-round campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a 14-day stay limit. Swimming is at your own risk with no lifeguards present. The remote location offers a quiet escape in the high desert forest of central Oregon.
Directions
From Prineville, Oregon: Travel east on Highway 26 for 47 miles to Mitchell. Continue east on Highway 26 for 13 miles to Forest Service Road 12, then go south on Forest Service Road 12 for 15 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 4274 and take the 080 spur to Cottonwood Pit Campground.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| 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 |
Useful Links
| USFS Cottonwood Pit Campground | |
| Ochoco NF Alerts |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!