Dispersed

Priest Hole Recreation Site

OR

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Dispersed camping — conditions change

Fire restrictions, road washouts, and seasonal closures are common on public lands. Confirm current rules with the managing agency (BLM/USFS field office) before traveling. Practice Leave No Trace.

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Dispersed Area Free · No reservation BLM · BLM Recreation Site

What is dispersed camping?

Dispersed camping is primitive camping on public land outside of developed campgrounds. There are no facilities — no toilets (usually), no water, no trash service, no marked sites. You may camp anywhere within the area, usually for free, subject to the agency's rules below. Pack everything out, follow Leave No Trace, and check current conditions with the land manager before you go.

Walk-in dispersed area on the John Day Wild and Scenic River, near the Painted Hills. 14-day stay limit, free, vault toilets.

Fire restrictions change daily. We don't publish a static fire-allowed claim — check the current order before any campfire, stove, or smoking.

Current fire orders ↗

Previously disturbed sites only
Camp ONLY in established / previously used spots. Pioneering new sites is prohibited under the management plan and subject to citation.
Pack out human waste
WAG bag (or equivalent pack-out kit) is required. Burying is not allowed in this area.

Managing agency: BLM · BLM Prineville District Office
Designation: BLM Recreation Site
Max stay: 14 days per location
Road access: Graded dirt
Distance from water (LNT): 200+ ft
Vehicle notes: From Prineville, head east on Highway 26 and turn north on Burnt Ranch Road toward the John Day Fossil Beds, Painted Hills Unit. Pass the Painted Hills and follow the gravel road for three miles. Take a right (uphill) at the junction of Priest Hole or Burnt Ranch Rec Sites. From there, take a left downhill, following the sign to Priest Hole.

Facilities

✓ Vault toilets present (2 locations)
✗No water — bring all you'll need

Resources & official references

Fire restrictions (live)

BLM Oregon-Washington — fire restrictions ↗
Live BLM Oregon-Washington fire-order page. Check before any campfire or stove use.

Official agency page

BLM — Priest Hole Recreation Site ↗
Official rec-site page from the managing agency.

Field office / ranger district

BLM Prineville District Office ↗
Managing field office — alerts, contact, current orders.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace — 7 Principles ↗
Pack everything out, camp on durable surfaces, respect wildlife, etc.

rules

BLM — Camping on Public Lands ↗
Federal 14-in-28-day stay rule and dispersed-camping etiquette.

About

Per the BLM Prineville District page: "An area in the northwest corner of the recreation site is designated for walk-in dispersed camping without fire rings or picnic tables." 14 drive-in campsites plus the walk-in dispersed area, on the John Day Wild and Scenic River near the Painted Hills Unit of John Day Fossil Beds. Two single-vault toilets at opposite ends of the loop. No fees for camping or floating the one-mile section around Priest Hole.