Crane Crossing Campground

Closed — The campground was destroyed by the 2021 Black Butte wildfire and no amenities remain at the site.

About

Crane Crossing Campground was a small, rustic camping area situated near the North Fork Malheur Wild and Scenic River in the remote backcountry of Malheur National Forest. The campground sat at a trailhead junction where visitors could access the Crane Creek Trail to the west or head north to the North Fork Malheur Trail, making it an ideal base camp for those seeking quiet, out-of-the-way hiking and fishing opportunities. This primitive site was free to use and offered basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. No potable water was available, and the access road was challenging, making it unsuitable for trailers and RVs. The remote location required traveling approximately 37 miles from Prairie City via a series of forest roads. The campground was destroyed by the Black Butte wildfire in 2021. According to the Forest Service, no amenities remain at the site as of 2025, and the area is effectively closed to camping.

Directions

From Prairie City, turn onto South Main Street. Follow to the junction with Bridge Street. Turn left onto Bridge Street and follow past the local cemetery; the road becomes County Road 62. Follow County Road 62 for approximately 20 miles to Forest Service Road 16. Turn east onto FSR 16 for approximately 11 miles to FSR 1675. Follow FSR 1675 approximately 6 miles to FSR 774. Follow FSR 774 to the trailhead.

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