CuteCamper
Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland
The Ochoco National Forest and the Crooked River National Grassland provide many recreation opportunities spread across 1,000,000 acres in Central Oregon. From hiking to horsebackriding, hunting and fishing, rockhounding, camping or OHV riding, you can find it all.
RecAreaDirections
The Ochoco National Forest Offices, Lookout Mountain Ranger District Office & Paulina Ranger District Office are located at: 3160 NE 3rd Street Prineville, OR 97754
The Crooked River National Grassland Office is located at: 274 SW 4th Street, Madras, OR 97741
Open with Google MapMisc
| Stay Limit | |
| Reservable | false |
| Keywords | |
| Map Link | |
| Contact Phone | |
| Contact Email |
Permits info
Facilities
Walton Lake Facility
This lake is a blue sparkling jewel hidden within mostly old growth ponderosa pine forest. A small dam impounds spring-fed water that seeps from surrounding sloped meadows. Quaking aspen and tall willows add habitat diversity to make this place especially attractive to wildlife and humans alike. A dirt trail, not suitable for wheel-chair visitors, encircles the lake for a variety of scenic views.
Caution: Expect lots of human company on weekends and summer weekdays.
Motorized boating is limited to eletric motor only. The boat launch is available near the day use area.
Also, see Walton Lake Campground and Walton Lake Trail (#809)
View a map of Walton Lake Campground and hiking trail
Nearby attractions also include Walton Sno-Park
Millican Valley OHV Area Facility
Access to Millican Valley OHV trails
Deschutes River: Bend to Billy Chinook Facility
Public ownership in this stretch of river is primarily a combination of BLM, USFS land, and three state parks. Most of the public land is included in the Deschutes River Recreation Area within the Crooked River National Grasslands, administered by the Ochoco National Forest. In some spots the river is wadable, and in other areas bank fishing is the rule. It is a preferred area for fly-fishing, this section is not open to bait fishing; however, lures are permitted. All fish in the river are wild, including rainbow trout up to 18 inches. Brown trout can be found in all sizes, including a few monsters pushing 8 pounds. Bull trout are present below Steelhead Falls, and profuse numbers of whitefish are available throughout the river. Crayfish are common. Boating is not possible due to low flows and frequent waterfalls farther downstream. The only navigable expanse is in the Deschutes Arm of Lake Billy Chinook.
As the river leaves Bend, it passes the last man-made obstruction for 40 miles and becomes a wild, canyon river. More of the riverbanks are public land. Shorelines vary from flooded, marshy ground to blocky talus with some heavy vegetation of willow and alder. Around Lower Bridge, 25 miles below Bend cattails and sedges dominate. Springs below Lower Bridge help to stabilize water levels, as does inflow from Whychus Creek. The uplands are covered with juniper trees and bitterbrush, and the basalt canyon is of varying depth. Outstanding wild rainbow and brown trout habitat exist from Lower Bridge downstream 10 miles to Lake Billy Chinook. The deepest part of the canyon below Lower Bridge has excellent slots and pools and the best potential for a fishery if flows could be stabilized. Instream structure in the form of rocks, woody debris, and occasional weedbeds are plentiful throughout the canyon. The area is rich in wildlife.
Haystack West Shore Campground and Day Use Area Campground
List of CampsitesThis scenic, high desert campground and day use area is located on the western shore of Haystack Reservoir. There is one fully accessible campsite as well as easy access from the Day Use parking area to the boat ramp. Occasionally there are special events that occur at this site which may impact general users so visitors are encouraged to call ahead and confirm availability.
View a map of Haystack Reservoir West Shore Campground.
Also, see Haystack Reservoir Campground and Day Use Area and the Haystack Reservoir South Shore Group Campground.
Ochoco NF-Ochoco East - Paulina Area Facility
Far removed from the nearest town this entire area offers a pristine natural environment comparable to many wilderness areas. Most recreation happens here during the big game hunting seasons, leaving the area vastly unoccupied the remainder of the summer season. You can experience just about everything here from wildlife viewing to fording a river into the Black Canyon Wilderness on a backpacking excursion. If you want adventure without a crowd, then this is the place for you!
Sugar Creek Campground and Day Use Area Campground
List of CampsitesSugar Creek Campground and Day Use Area are among the most highly developed recreational sites on the Ochoco National Forest. The campground offers three moderately accessible campsites and all pathways are ADA compliant. The setting of the facility is a young ponderosa pine forest, straddling a creek with easy access to a paved Forest Service Road. Opportunities for picnicking with a large group exist in the Day Use Area. Additionally, a short hike and wildlife viewing along Sugar Creek Trail are available throughout the facility.
Come take a break from civilization and enjoy the fresh pine scented air at Paulina Ranger District's most desirable campground!
View a map of Sugar Creek Campground and Day Use Area.
Wolf Creek Industrial Campground Campground
List of Campsites*Now operating under the same fee structure as Wolf Creek Campground as the result of the two facilities becoming administratively combined. Please see the Wolf Creek Campground webpage for more information about the site.*
Ochoco NF-Ochoco West - Prineville Area Facility
The western portion of the Ochoco National Forest offers a great variety of recreational opportunities without being too far removed from the nearest town.
In the winter, there are opportunities for snow play including a Mark's Creek Sled Hill and numerous trails for snowmobiles and cross country skiers.
In the summer there is everything from fishing to backpacking in Mill Creek Wilderness and the surrounding forest!
If those activities don't suit your style, there are also OHV trails, developed campgrounds, group pavilions, and overnight rental options for two historic cabins.
Nearly everything you are looking for is available here!
Prineville Bureau Of Land Management Facility
This recreation and resource part of the Prineville area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Ochoco NF-Maury Mountains Area Facility
The Maury Mountains offer solitude and relaxation to those in search of it. There are four campgrounds in the area including one situated on the shore of Antelope Flat Reservoir (a little known fishing hole), and the agate beds near Elkhorn Campground have also been known to attract rock hounds. This beautiful, secluded area is a great place to find your own adventure!
Cyrus Horse Camp Facility
In 1992 this high desert horse camp was constructed with the help of volunteers amidst the remnants of an old homestead and orchard just a short distance from Haystack Reservoir.
The facility is available for horse camping, standard camping, and RV camping opportunities.
View a vicinity map here.
Learn about Leave No Trace principles for horse camping
AMENITIES:
- Stock water is dependent on cattle permittee operations/infrastructure and has been removed for the season. Please plan ahead and bring your own water.
- 5 standard campsites
- 8 corrals
- 2 hitching racks
- 1 water trough
- 1 manure pit
- 1 wooden picnic table and 1 combination fire ring/grill per campsite
- 1 vault outhouse for the campground
- 1 informational signboard.
- Please call the Crooked River National Grasslands Office (541) 416-6640 or Ochoco National Forest Office (541) 416-6500 for more information.
Nearby recreation opportunities include:
- Horseback Riding Trails
- Hiking Trails
- Mountain Biking Trails
- Hunting
Henderson Flat Staging Area Facility
This trailhead provides access to the entire Henderson Flat OHV Trail System. The trailhead is easy to access and has a large parking area that can accommodate vehicles of every size. There are no water services here and no garbage services either, so please be a considerate visitor and pack out what you use.
View a vicinity map here.
Scotty Creek Trailhead Facility
*** Scotty Creek Trail is temporarily CLOSED during trail rehabilitation. It will reopen to the public as soon as trail work is complete***
This trailhead is the southern access point for Scotty Creek Trail (#838), which travels north for 4.2 miles and terminates at Cougar West Trailhead.
The area is located on the edge of a small meadow surrounded by large pine and fir trees just north of Mill Creek Wilderness. This spot was a watering hole for sheep at Grant Spring in days gone by.
Allen Creek Reservoir Facility
Allen Creek Reservoir is an artificial impoundment built for irrigation in the 1940's or 1950's downstream from the junctions ofAllen, Beetle, and Yellowjacket Creeks. The reservoir has no facilities but the BLM area which occupies about 200 yards of shoreline is available for camping. The reservoir is located about 45 miles east of Prineville in the Big Summit Prairie. There is motorized access from May 15-September 15 but the remainder of the time access is only by foot or non motorized vehicles. A primitive boat ramp is located on the southeast corner of the reservoir and you can see Osprey nests in the area. There is good fishing for redband or brook trout and you may get a brook trout that may vary from 7-17 inches with the average size of 9 or 10 inches. Trolling with lures from a boat or float tube is very effective, and from the shoreline a variety of lures, bait, and flies are also effective. Lures include spinners and spoons with less that 6 pound test line, fished at a variety of patterns and depths will be successful. The depths will depend on location of food sources, time of day, water clarity, and temperature. Bait commonly used includes worms, cheese, eggs, and power bait, but fly anglers should look for emerging aquatic insects or recent hatches. The most important thing about the reservoir is stay off of private property and only enter the reservoir through BLM's access, all other access is by boat only.
The access road is extremely primitive and rough, please drive slow.
A primitive boat ramp is located on the southeast corner of the reservoir.
Lake Billy Chinook Facility
The lake's name honors Billy Chinook a Wasco Indian who joinedthe John C. Fremont expedition in 1843. Lake Billy Chinook, created by Round Butte Dam fills the canyons of the Crooked, Metolius and Deschutes Rivers. Within these three large arms is 72 miles of shoreline surrounding 3916 acres, average depth of 102 ft., with a maximum depth of 415 ft. Swimming around in all that water are plenty of fish! Lake Billy Chinook holds largemouth, and Smallmouth bass, rainbow, brown and bull trout, kokanee salmon, whitefish, and a handful of suckers, minnows and dace.
For boat launch information see Perry South Boating Site.Three Rivers Marina, Cove Palisades Restaurant & Marina, Deschutes arm, and Crooked River arm.
Ochoco Rockhounding Facility
Each year, thousands of rockhounds, pebble puppies and persons interested in looking for rocks visit Crook County, Oregon. The geology of central Oregon is unique with a wide variety of rock types in a relatively small area. Crook County is rightfully known as the rockhound capital of the world.
There are areas that are free to the public in search of agate, jasper, limbcast, petrified wood, moss, dendrite and angel wing. Rockhounding areas are managed by both the Bureau of Land Management and the Ochoco National Forest. Please note that 'rockhound collection sites' are for personal use only; commercial resale is not allowed.
The material sought by rockhounds in central Oregon is so diverse that it would take more space than is available here just to cover it briefly.
The six major categories of material available include: Agate, Jasper, Limb Casts, Obsidian, Petrified Wood, and Thunder Eggs.
Less common rocks and minerals found in central Oregon include opal, amethyst, gem quality calcite, cinnabar, selenite (gypsum), and amygdaloid nodules.
Rockhounding Links
Geologic History in Central Oregon
Rockhounding Sites in Central Oregon
Rockhounding, Safety & Public Land Use
Rockhounding, Safety & Public Land Use
Rocks, Minerals & Public Land Use
Black Canyon Wilderness Facility
This remote 13,400 acre wilderness offers opportunities for solitude. The major creeks of Black Canyon and Cottonwood bisect the area. Dense thickets of willow and brush follow the stream course. Hillsides are dominated by mixed conifer and stands of park-like ponderosa pine. Ridge-tops are predominantly open sagebrush with some mountain mahogany. Deer and elk are common year round. The lucky observer may also see bear, coyote, mountain lion, or possibly wolverines! Beware of rattlesnakes, especially in stream bottoms.
Walk down through geologic time, from the rim to Black Canyon creek, from Boeing Field to the South Fork of the John Day River; each successive basalt flow is older than the last. Black Canyon Wilderness is a layer cake of 17 million-year-old Picture Gorge Basalt flows, stacked one on top of the other.
The 18 miles of maintained trail offer easy access throughout the wilderness. Be prepared to ford streams as there are no bridges. The 12-mile Black Canyon Trail (#820) cuts through a narrow gorge, requiring hikers to cross rushing water at least a dozen times. The creek is typically un-fordable at high water, usually January through March. Three short side trails join the Black Canyon Trail. There have been two large wild fires in the area within the last decade encompassing most of the wilderness.
- Elevation range: 2,850' - 6,483'
- Trail map: View a Black Canyon Wilderness area trails map (.pdf)
- Key access points: Trail and trailhead access information
Mill Creek Wilderness Facility
The southwest-tending drainage of Mill Creek makes up 85 percent of the Wilderness, with Marks Creek drainage accounting for the difference. Both creeks are tributaries of Ochoco Creek, and home to small trout. The steep, broken ridges that drop into Mill Creek rise to Bingham Prairie in the northwest corner, a virtually flat plateau with open meadows and a lodgepole pine forest.
In 2000, a lightning caused wildfire burned over half of the 17,4000 acre Wilderness. Though much of the fire burned at a stand replacement, high intensity, the area is quickly recovering and there are still some examples of an exemplary climax forest (one that has reached its peak of growth) of ponderosa pine, providing habitat for elk, mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions, and the occasional black bear.
Mill Creek Wilderness resides within the 40 million year old Wildcat Mountain Caldera. Two eroded volcanic spires distinguish the northwest-central portion: Twin Pillars, with vertical walls rising 200 dramatic feet above the forest is a rhyolite intrusion into the caldera, and 400-foot Steins Pillar, just outside the southwestern boundary is an erosional remnant of the Tuffs of Steins Pillar that filled the caldera basin. North of Twin Pillars lays the rugged, rocky Desolation Canyon, aptly named since its lack of trails discourages most human visitors.
Four trailheads provide access to approximately 18 miles of trails, each located adjacent to small, rustic campgrounds. The trails can be accessed at Twin Pillars North Trailhead, Twin Pillars South Trailhead, Wildcat North Trailhead and Wildcat South Trailhead.
- Elevation: 3,700' to 6,200'
- Key access points: Trail and trailhead access information
- Trail Map: View a Mill Creek Wilderness trail vicinity map (.pdf)
Bridge Creek Wilderness Facility
Bridge Creek drains northeasterly from the edge of the summit of the Ochoco Mountains, essentially dividing the 5,400-acre wilderness into two meadow-filled plateaus. The peaks of East Point and North Point look across the wilderness from 6,625 feet and 6,607 feet, respectively.
The benches and springs in Bridge Creek are the result of massive landslides, heavy basalts cascading down weathered clay zones within the underlying volcanic terrain. Pisgah Lookout sits up on basalt rim, overlooking the wilderness.
The forest is mostly fir and larch with streaks of pine and clearings of sagebrush and bunchgrass. Stands of white fir and lodgepole pine are found in the central core of the wilderness. Most of the 30 inches of annual precipitation falls as winter snow. There are five perennial springs in the wilderness, including the Thompson, Pisgah, Masterson, Nelson, and Maxwell springs. Wildlife prominent in the area include elk, coyote, rabbit and many raptors and cavity nesting birds.
Orientation skills are a must for traveling because there are no maintained trails in Bridge Creek Wilderness. Off-trail hiking through the tangled understory tends to be difficult. Wind has stunted the trees and opened the country around North Point; a hike of about 1.2 miles from near Pisgah Springs along an abandoned jeep track will take you to the summit. Another abandoned trail leads about 1.5 miles to the summit of East Point.
In 2008, the Bridge Creek Fire burned most of the wilderness to stand replacement conditions. It is now more accessible with greater line-of-sight vistas. Please use caution as many trees have been weakened and present additional danger.
- Elevation range: 5,200' to 6,607'
- Key access points: Bridge Creek Wilderness access information
Trail Crossing Corrals Trailhead Facility
This trailhead is located just east of Highway 97 and provides access to the Cole Loop Trail (#854) which links up with Gray Butte Trail (#852) and Warner Loop Trail (#854A). There are corrals on site at the trailhead; however, they may not be as stable as they seem. If you choose to use them you do so at your own risk.
View a vicinity map here.
Big Spring Campground Campground
List of CampsitesThis campground is located in an open ponderosa pine forest and along a babbling creek. The campsites vary in size significantly to accommodate many different group sizes.
Local ranchers will graze their cattle near the campground which means the cows can often be seen or heard in camp.
