Haystack Campground (East Shore)
Ochoco NF - FS — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: Prineville, OR, OR
Price: From $25 per night
Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (73 reviews)
Season: May through October
Haystack Campground (East Shore) is located in central Oregon’s scenic Crooked River National Grassland. Jefferson in the distance, visitors can enjoy the beautiful vistas while relaxing in the high desert.Near Madras, Oregon, Haystack Reservoir’s 240 surface-acres are surrounded by a high desert landscape of juniper trees and sagebrush. The expanse of water attracts waterfowl such as common loon, horned grebe, red-necked grebe, and eared grebe for a respite during migration.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/haystack-campground-east-shore to be notified when sites open up.
Haystack Campground offers scenic high desert camping with views of Mt. Jefferson and access to a regularly stocked reservoir popular for fishing. Campers praise the clean facilities, beautiful lake setting, and nearby hiking trails.
Wildlife alert: Mule deer, coyote, bobcat, and porcupine present in the area. Flies reported by campers near the water.
Insider tips for Haystack Campground (East Shore): Book early — this is a popular federal campground with limited availability. Bring a self-contained RV or plan for tent camping; no hookups available. Fishing is regularly stocked with largemouth bass, rainbow trout, kokanee, crappie, and catfish.
Skip Haystack Campground (East Shore) if: You need RV hookups — none are available at most sites.. You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal operations only.. You're sensitive to flies — reported near the reservoir..
Best time to visit Haystack Campground (East Shore): May-October — Campground operates seasonally during this period only..
Nearby campgrounds: South Shore Group Campground (1375 SE Wilson Avenue Bend, OR), Perry South Campground (Estacada, OR), Monty Campground (ESTACADA, OR), Green Ridge Lookout (Sisters, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Haystack Campground (East Shore)
Cell signal at Haystack Campground (East Shore) (Prineville, OR): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Haystack Campground (East Shore) is located in central Oregon’s scenic Crooked River National Grassland. Jefferson in the distance, visitors can enjoy the beautiful vistas while relaxing in the high desert.Near Madras, Oregon, Haystack Reservoir’s 240 surface-acres are surrounded by a high desert landscape of juniper trees and sagebrush. The expanse of water attracts waterfowl such as common loon, horned grebe, red-necked grebe, and eared grebe for a respite during migration.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with limited availability.
Bring a self-contained RV or plan for tent camping; no hookups available.
Fishing is regularly stocked with largemouth bass, rainbow trout, kokanee, crappie, and catfish.
Campground operates seasonally during this period only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Highway 97: Exit Jericho Lane and go east for approximately 1.2 miles. Turn right on Haystack Drive (FS 7130 / FS 96) and continue on for about 2.1 miles. The Haystack Campground entrance is on the left. From Highway 26: Exit on Laurel Lane (FS 96) and go west for approximately 4 miles. Bear right at the intersection of FS 7130 / FS 96 and continue on for about 2 miles. Haystack Campground entrance will be on the right.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Ochoco NF - FS fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Ochoco NF - FS before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Haystack Campground (East Shore) cost per night?+
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Official resources
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