Walton Lake
The campground is currently closed for the season. Standard seasonal operation runs May 15 through October 15. Sites are first-come, first-served with some sites reservable through Recreation.gov.
Air Quality Alert issued August 10 at 9:49AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory until noon PDT Wednesday. Check with your local health or air agency for current restrictions on woodstove use. There are often exceptions for those who use wood exclusively to heat their homes and those with limited income. People can take the following precautions to protect their health: * Follow local burn restrictions to prevent deteriorating air quality. * Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions. * People with heart or lung problems and young children are especially vulnerable. These people should stay indoors while smoke levels are high. * Use certified High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in indoor heating ventilation, cooling, and air purification systems. * Avoid using wood-burning stoves and other sources of indoor smoke if possible. 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
Walton Lake Campground is one of the most popular destinations in the Ochoco National Forest, situated at the edge of a small, spring-fed lake surrounded by tall ponderosa pines and sloped mountain meadows. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and features a swimming beach, fishing pier, and boat ramp for non-motorized watercraft. Birdwatchers will find habitat diversity here, with aspen and willows attracting white-headed woodpeckers, belted kingfishers, spotted sandpipers, and cinnamon teal. The campground offers 29 standard sites and 4 tent-only sites, plus 2 group campsites that accommodate 15-35 campers each. Sites on the south shore have paved parking spurs and are better suited for larger RVs, while the north side caters more to car and tent camping. All sites include a picnic table, fire ring with grill, and access to vault toilets. Drinking water is available from a solar-powered pump on the south shore. Nearby trails include the 1-mile Walton Lake Trail circling the lake and the 7.5-mile multi-use Round Mountain Trail. The Big Summit Prairie offers wildflower viewing and occasional wildlife sightings. The city of Prineville is about 30 miles west for supplies and services.
Directions
From Prineville, travel approximately 15 miles east on Highway 26. Turn right at the junction to Walton Lake and Big Summit Prairie (County Road 123). Continue for approximately 8 miles to the junction of Forest Service Road 22 and Forest Service Road 42. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 22 and proceed approximately 7 miles to Walton Lake. The campground will be on your left.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $20 - $75 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 70ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 70ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (541) 416-6500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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