Middle Fork Campground
This small campground along the Scenic Middle Fork of the John Day River set back amongst beautiful ponderosa pine trees is a great spot for fishing and viewing spawning steelhead in the fall. The campground is a good starting point for hunters, hikers and those wishing to see beautiful scenery, wildlife and wildflowers. The campground sets just off of the county road allowing for easy access to all variety of vehicles and bicycles.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 10 |
Site guide
10 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 2 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 3 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 4 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 5 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 6 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 7 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 8 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 9 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 10 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
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 |
| Fees | $8/Night for single unit, $4/Night for extra vehicle |
Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and parking for camp trailers. Accessible vault toilets are conveniently located in the middle of the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Malheur National Forest |
| Fees | $8/Night for single unit, $4/Night for extra vehicle |
Weather by month
Getting there
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, junction will be on the left. Follow County Road 20 for approximately 5 miles, the campground will be on the left.
| Nearest town | John Day, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.6301° N, 118.6056° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedGreenwood Rx
13 mi from the campground · 38 acres
- WildfireMccully
21 mi from the campground · 13,604 acres · 91% contained
- PrescribedDamon 2A Rx
35 mi from the campground · 85 acres
- PrescribedJane 102 Rx
43 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 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Middle Fork Campground Tour – Mt. Baker‑Snoqualmie National Forest (Hidden Gem, WA)
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
- 2.3 miDavis Creek West Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 11 miLost Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 2 miDavis Creek ↗8.5 mi trail
- 3.2 miTempest Mine ↗4.7 mi trail
- 3.5 miVincent Snowmobile ↗7.8 mi trail
- 4.6 miBlackeye2.9 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.3 miDavis Creek West Trailhead ↗Malheur National Forest
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
- 11.2 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
Natural features
Middle Fork John Day River
Recreation
This campground offers excellent fishing access along the Middle Fork John Day River, along with a unique chance to view spawning steelhead during the fall months. Visitors can enjoy nearby hikes and wildlife and wildflower viewing. It also provides a great base camp for hunters.
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 Middle Fork Campground?
Sites at Middle Fork Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Middle Fork Campground?
$8/Night for single unit, $4/Night for extra vehicle
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Middle Fork Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Middle Fork Campground have?
10 sites, including 10 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Middle Fork Campground?
Middle Fork Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Middle Fork Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Middle Fork Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Middle Fork Campground?
This campground offers excellent fishing access along the Middle Fork John Day River, along with a unique chance to view spawning steelhead during the fall months. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Middle Fork Campground?
John Day, Oregon. Davis Creek Trail
Source: Getting there
What if Middle Fork Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Deerhorn Campground (1.3 mi), Dixie Campground (6.6 mi), and Head O' Boulder Forest Camp (9.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby