John Day River Basin Developed Campgrounds
Closed
— Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations available. Fire restrictions in effect June 1 through October 15 prohibiting campfires and open flames, though commercially manufactured camp stoves and shielded lanterns are permitted. Payment via Recreation.gov mobile app with QR code scanning, or cash/check at on-site drop boxes.
About
The Central Oregon Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management manages four separate fee campgrounds within the John Day River Basin, offering primitive camping experiences along one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the continental United States. Service Creek Campground and Muleshoe Campground are located near Service Creek, Oregon along the mainstem John Day River and State Route 207, while Big Bend Campground and Lone Pine Campground sit between Kimberly and Monument along the North Fork of the John Day River and State Route 402.
The region's rural character provides a quiet escape except during spring boating season and fall hunting season. At around 2,000 feet in elevation, the landscape is dominated by sagebrush and juniper with occasional ponderosa pines. The high-desert environment brings variable weather conditions, particularly in spring and fall, with hot mid-summers cooled by proximity to the river and cold, still winters. The dramatic river canyons carved through basalt layers create spectacular scenery with vertical rimrock cliffs reaching up to 1,600 feet.
These campgrounds lie along the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway and provide convenient access to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The John Day River Basin is renowned for spring whitewater rafting, with both Service Creek and Muleshoe serving as primary launch points for the Wild and Scenic section of the river. A permit is required year-round to boat between Service Creek and Tumwater Falls. The area also offers excellent fishing, photography, wildlife viewing including mule deer, elk, black bear, peregrine falcons, and bald eagles. No cell service is available at any of the campgrounds, though the Recreation.gov mobile app allows offline payment processing.
Directions
Service Creek Campground: From Prineville, take US 26 east 46.5 miles to OR 207 N. Turn left and drive 23.5 miles; campground on right. Muleshoe Campground: From Prineville, take US 26 east 46.5 miles to OR 207 N. Turn left and drive 23.8 miles. At stop sign turn right onto OR 207 N. Drive 1.9 miles; campground on right. Lone Pine Campground: From Prineville, take US 26 east 77.7 miles. Turn left onto OR-19 N. Drive 18.4 miles then turn right onto OR-402 E. Drive 1.8 miles; campground on right. Big Bend Campground: From Prineville, take US 26 east 77.7 miles. Turn left onto OR-19 N. Drive 18.4 miles then turn right onto OR-402 E. Drive 3 miles; campground on right.
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