Malheur National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
John Day, OR, OR★ 4 (0 reviews)From $6/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
A pleasantly small campground tucked among ponderosa pines along a forest creek. This campground is popular with hunters. Just a short drive away from the beautiful Middle Fork of the John Day River.
Best for:AnglersHikersFamiliesSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
HookupsNo hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
Pull-throughsAvailable
PetsAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsFishing
Recreation
Picnic Tables
Family & Pets
Vault Toilets
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ You need RV hookups—none are available✕ You plan to visit outside May through October—campground is seasonally closed✕ You prefer larger campgrounds—only 6 total sites available
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with only 6 sites
Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available
Arch Rock Trail #258 is less than a mile away for quick hiking access to geological features
Best: May-October
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: American Beaver, Rocky Mountain Mule Deer, Mule Deer, Columbia Red Squirrel, American Red Squirrel, Red Crossbill, Red-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin, and Western Skink observed in the area.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
1111111111· Malheur National Forest
Getting there →
From the town of Prairie City, OR, travel west 3 miles on US Highway 26 to the junction with County Road 18. Turn right, follow County Road 18 approximately 9 miles to the junction with Forest Road 36, turn right and follow Forest Road 36 approximately 11 miles. The camp ground will be on the left.
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 — Malheur National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Malheur National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Lower Camp Creek Campground cost per night?+
Lower Camp Creek Campground costs $6 per night. Hookup options: No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What season is Lower Camp Creek Campground open?+
Lower Camp Creek Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Lower Camp Creek Campground have hookups?+
No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What is the maximum RV length at Lower Camp Creek Campground?+
Lower Camp Creek Campground is primarily a tent camping facility.
How do I make reservations at Lower Camp Creek Campground?+
Lower Camp Creek Campground is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Lower Camp Creek Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Lower Camp Creek Campground is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Lower Camp Creek Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Lower Camp Creek Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$6 /night★ 4 (0)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Lower Camp Creek Campground cost per night?+
What season is Lower Camp Creek Campground open?+
Does Lower Camp Creek Campground have hookups?+
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