Deerhorn Campground
This small campground offers fishing, exploring, nature watching and hunting opportunities in the Middle Fork John Day River State Scenic Waterway. The campground is busiest during late summer and hunting season.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 5 |
Site guide
5 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | ||
| 2 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 3 | Back-in | 37 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | ||
| 4 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 5 | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Single site: $8/night. additional vehicle fee: $4 per vehicle per day |
Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring, and parking for camp trailers. Accessible vault toilet is conveniently located in the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Malheur National Forest |
| Booking | Campgrounds on the Malheur National Forest are first come first serve. |
| Fees | $8/Night for single unit, $4/Night for extra vehicle |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Prairie City, OR. travel east on Highway 26 approximately 13 miles to the junction of Highway 26 and Highway 7. Turn onto Highway 7 for approximately 1/8th of a mile to the junction with County Road 20, turn onto County Road 20. On County Road 20 travel approximately 4 miles, the campground will be on your left.
| Nearest town | John Day, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.6226° N, 118.5812° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedGreenwood Rx
13 mi from the campground · 38 acres
- WildfireMccully
20 mi from the campground · 13,604 acres · 91% contained
- PrescribedDamon 2A Rx
35 mi from the campground · 85 acres
- PrescribedJane 102 Rx
42 mi from the campground · 3,000 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- Davis Creek Trail
- Vinegar Hill Indian Rock Scenic Area
- Tempest Mine Trail
- Sunrise Butte Trail
- Princess Trail
- Bates State Park
- Austin House
- 3.6 miDavis Creek West Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11.5 miLost Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 2.2 miVincent Snowmobile ↗7.8 mi trail
- 3.2 miDavis Creek ↗8.5 mi trail
- 4.2 miTempest Mine ↗4.7 mi trail
- 4.6 miBlackeye2.9 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Malheur National Forest.
- inMalheur National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,787,138 acres
- 11.5 miNorth Fork John Day Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 120,694 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Sumpter Valley Railway Passenger StationBuilding · Prairie City · 12.9 mi
- Antlers Guard StationBuilding · Whitney · 14.9 mi
Natural features
Borders Middle Fork John Day River
Recreation
Visitors can enjoy abundant recreation, from fishing the Middle Fork John Day River to exploring the surrounding forested landscape. This area also provides convenient access to hunting terrain.
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Deerhorn Campground?
Sites at Deerhorn Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Campgrounds on the Malheur National Forest are first come first serve. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Deerhorn Campground?
Single site: $8/night. additional vehicle fee: $4 per vehicle per day
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Deerhorn Campground?
Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Deerhorn Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Deerhorn Campground have?
5 sites, including 5 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Deerhorn Campground?
Deerhorn Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Deerhorn Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Deerhorn Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Deerhorn Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Deerhorn Campground?
Visitors can enjoy abundant recreation, from fishing the Middle Fork John Day River to exploring the surrounding forested landscape. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Deerhorn Campground?
John Day, Oregon. Davis Creek Trail
Source: Getting there
What if Deerhorn Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Middle Fork Campground (1.3 mi), Dixie Campground (6.1 mi), and Head O' Boulder Forest Camp (10.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby