Pine Creek Trailhead
Open for camping. No reservations required; first-come first-served. Check-in 2:00 p.m., check-out 12:00 p.m., quiet hours 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
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.
Aquatic Invasive Species
This Order prohibits 1) possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic invasive animal species AND 2) prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any aquatic or riparian invasive plant species - on National Forest System lands in the Pacific Northwest Region as specified in the Order.
Restrictions on Use of Forage and Mulch Products
This Order prohibits unloading, storing, or using any straw, hay, grain, seed, or other forage or mulch products that are not state-certified weed free on the National Forest System lands, roads or trails in any Closure Area as specific in the Order. Some examples of these include hay bales, hay…
Fireworks and Explosives are always Prohibited
Fireworks and explosives (including explosive targets) are always prohibited on national forest lands. The prohibition of fireworks and exploding targets on national forest system lands is part of a set of permanent fire safety regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), listed below.…
Stancliff Bridge FSR31 Closure for Repair
This Closure is necessary to facilitate emergency repairs to roads and bridges within the Emigrant Creek Ranger District. Road maintenance on the Emigrant Creek Ranger District will commence on Monday, April 20, 2026. The Stancliff bridge must be closed to protect the public during the repair…
Magone Trail Closure Continuation 2026
Due to precommercial thinning operations that are planned around Magone Bike trail paths, for the safety of the public these trails need to be closed to the public while falling activities take place. Trails and Trailheads affected:Porcupine Springs #5089Phlo #5091Pumphouse #5091
14 Day Stay Limit
Prohibition of Camping on the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, and Malheur National Forests for a period longer than 14 days within any 30-day period. 36 CFR § 261.58(a)
About
Pine Creek Trailhead is a free, first-come first-served primitive campground in Malheur National Forest that doubles as the primary access point to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness via Pine Creek Trail #201. The facility offers 5 campsites, each equipped with a fire ring and picnic table, along with vault toilets and ample parking. The trailhead is particularly well-suited for equestrians, featuring tie stalls for horses with stock water available approximately half a mile away in the drainage on the east side of Baldy Mountain. A separate Pine Creek Horse Camp nearby offers two additional sites with a newly built two-slot horse corral. Campers should come prepared as no potable water is available and all trash must be packed out. Wilderness regulations apply once on the trail, prohibiting motorized vehicles and mountain bikes. The area transitions through ponderosa pine stands and mixed vegetation, with spectacular wildflower displays in spring and early summer.
Directions
From Prairie City, OR, go west approximately 6 miles on US Highway 26 to the junction with County Road 54. Follow County Road 54, which becomes Forest Service Road 5401. Follow Forest Service Road 5401 to the junction with Forest Service Road 811. Follow Forest Service Road 811 all the way to the trailhead.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| 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
| SM.FS.malpubinfo@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (541) 575-3000 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| USFS Pine Creek Trailhead | |
| USFS Pine Creek Horse Camp |
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