Lower Camp Creek Campground
Malheur National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: John Day, OR, OR
Price: From $6 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/lower-camp-creek-campground to be notified when sites open up.
A small, scenic campground nestled among ponderosa pines along a forest creek, popular with hunters and anglers. Offers affordable camping at $6/night with access to fishing, hiking (including Arch Rock Trail #258 less than a mile away), and the Middle Fork of the John Day River nearby.
Wildlife alert: 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.
Insider tips for Lower Camp Creek Campground: Book 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
Skip Lower Camp Creek Campground 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.
Best time to visit Lower Camp Creek Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Nearby campgrounds: Sunshine Guard Station (John Day, OR), Middle Fork Campground (John Day , OR), Magone Lake (John Day, OR), Deerhorn Campground (John Day, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Lower Camp Creek Campground
Cell signal at Lower Camp Creek Campground (John Day, OR): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
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.
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 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
Campground operates seasonally during these months only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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?+
What season is Lower Camp Creek Campground open?+
Does Lower Camp Creek Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Lower Camp Creek Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Lower Camp Creek Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Lower Camp Creek Campground?+
What season is Lower Camp Creek Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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