Walton Lake
Walton Lake Campground may be the best-known location in the Ochoco National Forest, offering a serene setting among old-growth Ponderosa pine and mountain meadows. Most sites offer sweeping lake views.
More like this: reservable in Oregon · big rigs in Oregon · pets allowed in Oregon · group sites in Oregon
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 24 |
| Tent-only | 6 |
| Group sites | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
32 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | 6 / 1 | 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 |
| Max vehicle length | 70 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
There are paved parking spurs, picnic tables and fire rings with grills at each single site. The campistes resiside on the South Side best for large RV's while the North side is best for car and tent camping. Vault toilets are available in both sections of the camp, and a solar powered water pump for drinking water is located in the south shore section. Look for water signs to guide you located near the entrance. There are two group sites that have three tables and a fire ring at each. These sites can accommodate three to four RVs, and there are several tent pitching spots available. There are accessible accomodating campsites and vault toilets in the south shore section of the camp though everyone is welcome to rent them.
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 can be made up to 6 months in advance, but not less than 1 day in advance. To make a reservation call 1-877-444-6777 or visit http://www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Camping per night, per site fee: $20 single campsite/ $10 extra vehicle fee. $75 weekdays / $125 weekends group site. Day use fee: $7/vehicle or group. Season Day Use Pass: $70 full season, $45 after July 1st. |
| Rules | No horses are permitted in the campground. ATVs are not allowed on or off campground roads. Only non-motorized watercrafts are welcome on the lake. Firearms and Bow/Arrow devices may not be used within the campground. 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 east for 16 miles. Turn right at the junction to Walton Lake and Big Summit Prairie (County Road 23) and travel 9 miles to Forest Service Road 22. Turn left and proceed approximately 7 miles to Walton Lake. The campground will be on the left.
| Nearest town | Prineville, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 44.4331° N, 120.3367° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 26.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Prepper Up ↗ | 27.3 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 27.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Forest Service closing Walton Lake Campground to begin tree-thinning project, but 8-year .
Worth a stop
For visitors seeking a bit of civilization, the city of Prineville is nearby. There are opportunities to shop, dine out, golf, attend events and visit the localmuseum. For those wanting to explore the Ochoco National Forest, Lookout Mt and Round Mt are great places to hike and Mt bike. Wild flowers are abundant at the Big Summit Prairie where occasional antelope, elk and deer are sometimes seen.
- 7.3 miScotty Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miWalton Lake1.8 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 0.3 miRound Mountain ↗9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miLake Trail1.8 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.8 miCorral Loop4 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.8 miSlide Mtn3.5 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 0.9 miSnomobile #71.7 mi trail · ATV, snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.2 miWalton Lake Trailhead ↗Ochoco National Forest
- 0.7 miRound Mountain North Trailhead ↗Ochoco National Forest
- 0.8 miWalton Sno-Park ↗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
- 5.6 miBridge Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,337 acres
- 6.3 miMill Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 17,173 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
Walton Lake is a blue sparkling jewel hidden within the dense forest. A small dam impounds spring-fed water that seeps from surrounding sloped meadows. Fishing is a favorite activity while hiking is very popular as is simply enjoying a picnic at the lake. Aspen and tall willows add habitat diversity to make this place especially attractive to wildlife. This is a place to find white-headed woodpecker, belted kingfisher, spotted sandpiper, cinnamon teal, American coot, Steller's jay, yellow-headed blackbird and Brewer's blackbird.
Recreation
Visitors can choose to spend their vacation relaxing by fishing on the shore of Walton Lake, or swimming and paddling in the water. There is a swimming beach, fishing pier and boat ramp for small self powered craft, and the lake is stocked with rainbow trout. There are also many trails nearby for those who would like to explore on foot or mountain bike. This includes the 7.5-mile multi-use Round Mountain Trail as well as the 1-mile Walton Lake Trail, which offers many scenic views around the 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 Walton Lake?
Sites at Walton Lake are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance, but not less than 1 day in advance. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Walton Lake?
Camping per night, per site fee: $20 single campsite/ $10 extra vehicle fee. $75 weekdays / $125 weekends group site. Day use fee: $7/vehicle or group.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Walton Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Walton Lake open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 15 to October 15.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Walton Lake have?
32 sites, including 24 standard sites without power, 6 tent-only sites, and 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Walton Lake?
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Walton Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Walton Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Walton Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. No horses are permitted in the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Walton Lake?
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 Walton Lake?
Visitors can choose to spend their vacation relaxing by fishing on the shore of Walton Lake, or swimming and paddling in the water. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Walton Lake?
Prineville, Oregon. For visitors seeking a bit of civilization, the city of Prineville is nearby.
Source: Getting there
What if Walton Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Wildwood Campground (3.5 mi, first-come), Ochoco Forest Camp (5 mi, partly first-come), and Ochoco Divide Group Site (5.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby