Magone Lake
Malheur National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: John Day, OR, OR
Price: From $25 per night
Price range: $25–$60 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (10 reviews)
Season: May through October
Magone Lake Campground is situated along its namesake lake in the northern reaches of Malheur National Forest in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing, swimming and hiking.For facility specific information, please call (541) 575-3131.The campground offers both a picnic shelter and overnight campsite for groups to reserve. These sites can accommodate up to 75 people each.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/magone-lake to be notified when sites open up.
Magone Lake Campground offers clear, clean water ideal for fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding in a scenic setting within Malheur National Forest's Blue Mountains. The area features minimal light pollution, making it excellent for stargazing and night sky viewing.
Wildlife alert: Northern Pacific Rattlesnake present in area; also Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Ruffed Grouse, and Western Painted Turtle.
Insider tips for Magone Lake: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 2 sites and high demand. Bring a kayak or paddle board for the clean, clear lake water. No hookups available; ensure RV is self-contained before arrival.
Skip Magone Lake if: You need RV hookups — none are available at this campground.. You're visiting outside May-October — campground is seasonally closed.. You prefer larger campgrounds — only 2 sites total available..
Best time to visit Magone Lake: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during this period only, as verified in known issues..
Nearby campgrounds: Magone Lake Campground (John Day, OR), Lower Camp Creek Campground (John Day, OR), Sunshine Guard Station (John Day, OR), Dixie Campground (John Day, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Magone Lake
Cell signal at Magone Lake (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.
Magone Lake Campground is situated along its namesake lake in the northern reaches of Malheur National Forest in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing, swimming and hiking.For facility specific information, please call (541) 575-3131.The campground offers both a picnic shelter and overnight campsite for groups to reserve. These sites can accommodate up to 75 people each.
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 federal campground with only 2 sites and high demand.
Bring a kayak or paddle board for the clean, clear lake water.
No hookups available; ensure RV is self-contained before arrival.
Campground operates seasonally during this period only, as verified in known issues.
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 John Day, Oregon, take U.S. Highway 26 east for approximately 9 miles. At the junction of County Road 18, travel north approximately 10 miles. At Forest Road 3620, turn left and drive approximately 1 mile to Forest Road 3618. The campground is 1 mile from the turnoff. The reservable group site is on the right, the shelter is in the day use area on the left. From Prairie City, Oregon, take U.S. Highway 26 approximately 3 miles west. At the junction of County Road 18, travel north approximate
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 Magone Lake cost per night?+
What season is Magone Lake open?+
Does Magone Lake have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Magone Lake?+
How do I make reservations at Magone Lake?+
What is the cell service like at Magone Lake?+
What season is Magone Lake open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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