Gold Dredge Campground
This is a peaceful campground set in an open Ponderosa pine stand along the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River. Gold Dredge features 7 campsties and 1 accessible vault toilet. There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home. Attractions in this area include photography, swimming, non-motorized boating, and fishing. Water levels are low in mid to late summer, which can impede use of boats. The campground provides good access for big game hunting. In addition, the Oriental Trailhead is about 6 miles west, providing access to both OHV and wilderness trails.
More like this: first-come in Oregon · tent only in Oregon
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | Single site: $8/night (extra $5 fee per vehicle exceeding the two-vehicle-per-site allowance.). Group site: Site 6 is $25/night (no extra vehicle charge) |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Late May |
| Forest | Umatilla National Forest |
| Booking | Not reservable. |
| Fees | Single site: $8/night (extra $5 fee per vehicle exceeding the two-vehicle-per-site allowance.). Group site: Site 6 is $25/night (no extra vehicle charge) |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 45.0019° N, 118.8180° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireMccully
29 mi from the campground · 13,604 acres · 91% contained
- PrescribedBirdtrack 621 Broadcast Rx
33 mi from the campground · 377 acres
- PrescribedBird Track 610/607A Rx
36 mi from the campground · 141 acres
- PrescribedGreenwood Rx
41 mi from the campground · 38 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 8.6 miBattle Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9 miBasin Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Umatilla National Forest.
- inUmatilla National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,498,100 acres
- 7.6 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
Guidebooks for Oregon
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Gold Dredge Campground?
No. Gold Dredge Campground is first-come, first-served. Not reservable. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Gold Dredge Campground?
Single site: $8/night (extra $5 fee per vehicle exceeding the two-vehicle-per-site allowance.). Group site: Site 6 is $25/night (no extra vehicle charge)
Source: Forest Service
Is Gold Dredge Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Late May.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Gold Dredge Campground?
Gold Dredge Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Gold Dredge Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Driftwood Campground (2.3 mi, first-come), Oriental Campground (4.8 mi, first-come), and Drift Fence Campground (5.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby