Middle Fork Campground
Open for camping on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations required. No potable water is available; bring your own. Pack out all trash. 14-day stay limit enforced.
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
Middle Fork Campground is a small, peaceful campground tucked among ponderosa pines along the scenic Middle Fork of the John Day River in Oregon's Malheur National Forest. The campground features 10 sites, each equipped with a fire ring and picnic table, with accessible vault toilets centrally located. No potable water is available, so campers must bring their own supply. The location is prized for fishing access, with opportunities for rainbow and redband trout year-round, plus seasonal runs of spring chinook and summer steelhead. Fall visitors often come to watch spawning steelhead. The campground also serves as a base for hunters, hikers, and those seeking wildflowers and wildlife in the Blue Mountains. Sites accommodate trailers up to 30 feet including the tow vehicle. The campground sits just off the county road, providing easy access for various vehicle types. There is no trash service, so pack out all waste. A 14-day stay limit applies, and firewood should be purchased locally to prevent spread of invasive species.
Directions
From the town of Prairie City, OR, travel east on US Highway 26 approximately 11 miles to the junction of US Highway 7. Follow US Highway 7 for approximately 1 mile to the junction with County Road 20 on the left. Follow County Road 20 for approximately 5 miles; the campground will be on the left.
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 | $8 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 30ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| SM.FS.malpubinfo@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (541) 575-3000 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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