Ochoco Forest Camp

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Ochoco Forest Camp

About this campsite

Overview

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.

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Location

OCHOCO FOREST CAMP•OR

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Common questions about OCHOCO FOREST CAMP

Can you book OCHOCO FOREST CAMP online?

We hold no online booking link for OCHOCO FOREST CAMP, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is OCHOCO FOREST CAMP?

OCHOCO FOREST CAMP sits in OR. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

100m away

OCHOCO RANGER RENTAL

Overview Ochoco Ranger Station was established in 1906 as part of the Western Division of the Blue Mountain Forest Reserves. By 1911, Ochoco Ranger Station was part of one of seven ranger districts on the newly formed Ochoco National Forest. The site quickly grew from a single office/residence building to a compound with an office, residence, storage building and barn. This house was constructed in 1940 specifically for the district ranger by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the US Forest Service. It showcases the rustic architectural styles common to this era. The scenic location of the Ochoco Ranger Rental offers easy access to Walton Lake, Big Summit Prairie and much of the Ochoco National Forest. This rental allows visitors to enjoy all the comforts of home in a beautiful, natural setting. Recreation This house is a year-round rental, allowing visitors to participate in summer or winter recreation. The 8-mile Lookout Mountain Trail #804 begins at Ochoco Ranger Station and takes hikers to the top of Lookout Mountain. Nearby Walton Lake, a developed recreation site, is located about 7 miles northeast of Ochoco Ranger Station and offers an easy hike around the lake that also connects with the more difficult Round Mountain Trail. Walton Lake offers the opportunity to fish, swim or paddle. Winter enthusiasts can enjoy Walton Sno-Park, located just past Walton Lake, which offers cross-country ski trails and snowmobile routes. Facilities This beautifully appointed two-story house has two large bedrooms and a half bath with a flush toilet upstairs, and a bedroom and a full bath with a flush toilet and hot shower downstairs. The house is furnished with two queen beds and three twin beds. There is a well-equipped kitchen with cook stove and refrigerator, as well as basic kitchenware and cleaning supplies, including a vacuum cleaner. The large dining room has a table and chairs for eight people. Relax and enjoy the fully furnished living room. The house is fully electric and offers a two-car garage. The fireplace is not in use. Food, trash bags, towels, washcloths, dish soap, first aid kits, flashlights, extra batteries and bedding are not provided. The roads to the house will be plowed and open in winter; however, visitors will be responsible for clearing the sidewalks and driveway during heavy snowfall periods. Visitors are also responsible for cleaning the house, packing out trash and locking up before leaving. The house is managed for and set up to accommodate up to eight (8) guests. Additional guests can conveniently be accommodated at the campground across the street. Natural Features Nestled under big ponderosa pine, the house is situated in upper Ochoco Valley and surrounded by the Ochoco Mountain range. The highest peak in this range is Lookout Mountain, at 6,900 feet, which is near the house. The Ochoco Mountain range is known for its unusual rock formations. Visitors to this area may be lucky enough to see wild free-roaming horses. Other wildlife around the forest include squirrels, chipmunks, antelope, deer, elk, hawks, osprey, eagles and great horned owls. Nearby Attractions Walton Lake, Lookout Mt. trails, Big Summit Prairie Charges & Cancellations In order to allow for maximum use of the facilities, a cancellation policy has been put in place to encourage customers to make any cancellations as soon as possible so that others may reserve and enjoy the unoccupied facility. Reservation fees are refundable on a pro-rated scale as outlined below. > 100% refund of reservation fees, when cancelled 31 days or more, prior to your arrival date* > 50% refund of reservation fees, when cancelled 15 to 30 days, prior to your arrival date* > No refund when cancelled 14 days or less, prior to your arrival date > If a customer arrives at a facility and decides to leave early, the days not used are not refunded * A $10.00 cancellation fee will

8.1 km away

WALTON LAKE

Overview 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. 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. Facilities 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. 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. Nearby Attractions 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.

9.9 km away

White Rock Campground

Campground: White Rock Campground.

11.9 km away

OCHOCO DIVIDE GROUP SITE

Overview The Ochoco Divide Group Site is a convenient place to camp while traveling across scenic State Highway 26 by bicycle or car. Resting at the top of the Ochoco Divide at an elevation of 4,700 ft., the group site is set on a hill away from the road as an extension of the general campground. Summertime in the Ochoco National Forest brings pleasant temperatures; the campground is closed during winter. Recreation The group site of the Ochoco Divide Campground is mainly used by touring cyclists. It is also a good place to take a relaxing stroll through the woods. There are opportunities for hunting, mountain biking and hiking in the national forest surrounding the facility. Several trailheads begin at the Bandit Springs rest stop about one mile from the campground on Highway 26. Facilities The group site is part of the main Ochoco Divide Campground. There is excellent quality drinking water throughout the main campground and near the group site. The group site can comfortably fit up to 12 people; no more than 35 are allowed. Parking is limited. Campers must park at the base of a small hill and walk up to the site. There is a large group size fire ring as well. Natural Features The scenery surrounding the campground alternates between thick Ponderosa pine forests and grassy meadows, though shortly beyond the campground the road descends into lower-elevation, arid canyon lands. One of the most unique geologic features of the Ochoco National Forest is the 'thunder egg,' Oregon's official state rock. Thunder eggs are small, colorful, round volcanic rocks similar to geodes that have been exposed over time. The U.S. Forest Service has designated specific sites for rock hounding. Nearby Attractions John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is less than an hour away. Hike amongst the Painted Hills and famed fossils, take a journey through time at the museum at Sheep Rock or picnic beneath the beautiful mountain scenery. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument