Ochoco Forest Camp
Ochoco Forest Camp is nestled in the Ochoco Mountain range near the 6,926-foot Lookout Mountain, which is known for its unusual rock formations. The pavilion offers a large group picnic area and several campsites. A small meadow and group fire ring with BBQ is popular for weddings and family reunions. Wild horses are sometimes seen near the camp and surrounding area.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Oregon · reservable in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon · group sites in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group shelter nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 125 / 10 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The large picnic shelter sits in a quiet and secluded location at the far end of the campground. Groups of up to 125 people can enjoy picnicking and other recreational activities. Picnic tables and grills are provided at the shelter, and drinking water and vault toilets are available in the campground as well. Electricity is provided only for pavilion use and not compatible as a RV hookup. Several first-come, first-served campsites are available for visitors wishing to spend the night.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | May 15 to October 15 |
| Forest | Ochoco National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations are required and can be made up to 6 months in advance and not less than 1 day in advance. To make reservations call 1-877-444-6777, or visit http://www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Weekdays: $125. Weekends: $200 |
| Rules | Pets must be on leash no more than 6 feet in length. Quiet time is from 10PM to 6AM. Campfires must be fully contained in fire rings or grills provided. There is a 14 day stay limit on all National Grassland and US Forest Service land including but not limited to campgrounds and other developed facilities. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Prineville, Oregon, take Highway 26 north for 16 miles. Turn right on Ochoco Ranger Station Road and go 9 miles to the Ranger Station, then turn left onto Forest Service Road 2610, proceed across the small bridge and take a right into the Forest Camp fee station. Continue on to the pavilion group site, follow signs.
| Nearest town | Prineville, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.3972° N, 120.4253° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBench
48 mi from the campground · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 21.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Prepper Up ↗ | 22.3 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Walton Lake offers a variety of activities for day-use visitors. There is a swimming beach, fishing pier and boat ramp, and the lake is stocked with rainbow trout. There is exellent trail hiking and mt. biking at Lookout Mt and Round Mt. trails.
- 7.7 miScotty Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miLookout Mountain ↗11 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.9 miSnomobile #52.1 mi trail · ATV, e-bike, snowmobile, snowshoe and 1 more
- 4.3 miSnomobile #71.7 mi trail · ATV, snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.8 miRound Mountain ↗9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 5 miWalton Lake1.8 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 5 miSnomobile # 1 ↗18.1 mi trail · ATV, e-bike, snowmobile, snowshoe and 1 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.1 miLookout Mountain Lower Trailhead ↗Ochoco 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 Ochoco National Forest.
- inOchoco National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 912,775 acres
- 4 miMill Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 17,173 acres
- 10.6 miBridge Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,337 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
Natural features
Much of the area is dominated by old-growth Ponderosa pine. Wildlife include Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer, as well as several bird species that include white-headed woodpecker, belted kingfisher, spotted sandpiper, cinnamon teal, American coot, Steller's jay, yellow-headed blackbird and Brewer's blackbird. Wild horses are commonly seen in the area. Excellent hiking, mt biking, and horse riding is available on the trails nearby.
Recreation
The shelter is close to the Lookout Mountain Trail, which climbs to the top of the mountain and offers terrific views of the Cascades and meadow wildflowers in the spring. This trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders. However, horses are not allowed at the pavilion and campground. Anglers can also go fishing for trout in nearby Walton Lake.
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 Ochoco Forest Camp?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Ochoco Forest Camp?
Weekdays: $125. Weekends: $200
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ochoco Forest Camp?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Ochoco Forest Camp open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 15 to October 15.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Ochoco Forest Camp have?
1 site, including 1 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Ochoco Forest Camp?
Ochoco Forest Camp is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Ochoco Forest Camp?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ochoco Forest Camp. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Ochoco Forest Camp?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Pets must be on leash no more than 6 feet in length.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Ochoco Forest Camp?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Ochoco Forest Camp?
The shelter is close to the Lookout Mountain Trail, which climbs to the top of the mountain and offers terrific views of the Cascades and meadow wildflowers in the spring. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Ochoco Forest Camp?
Prineville, Oregon. Walton Lake offers a variety of activities for day-use visitors.
Source: Getting there
What if Ochoco Forest Camp is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Walton Lake (5 mi), White Rock Campground (6.2 mi, first-come), and Ochoco Divide Group Site (7.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby