Rock Springs Campground
Malheur National Forest — riverside
Location: Seneca, OR, OR
Price: From $6 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: May through October
This small campground is conveniently located just off of Forest Road 17. Nestled among ponderosa pine trees, this secluded campground offers a wonderful place for those in search of a quiet place to stay, whether camping or just needing a quiet place to spend the night while traveling from Burns to John Day, Oregon. The campground has light use until big game hunting seasons.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/rock-springs-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Small, secluded campground nestled among ponderosa pines offering a quiet retreat off Forest Road 17. Visitors enjoy fishing at Poison Creek Reservoir, hiking, hunting, and horseback riding on local trails.
Wildlife alert: Pronghorn, ground squirrels, Clark's Nutcracker, and snipe species present in the area
Insider tips for Rock Springs Campground: Book early — federal campground fills up, especially during hunting season Located 2.8 miles east of Burns on US Highway 20, then north on US Highway 395 toward John Day Good stopping point when traveling between Burns and John Day, Oregon
Skip Rock Springs Campground if: You need modern amenities — no hookups available and only outhouse-style restroom. You require privacy — sites are not well-separated. You depend on spring water — water source no longer reliable.
Best time to visit Rock Springs Campground: May-October — Official operating season for the campground. June and early summer — Light use period before big game hunting seasons begin.
Nearby campgrounds: Parish Cabin Campground (John Day, OR), Joaquin Miller Horse Camp (Hines, OR), Wickiup Campground (John Day , OR), Idlewild Campground (Hines, OR).
Cell Phone Coverage at Rock Springs Campground
Cell signal at Rock Springs Campground (Seneca, 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.
This small campground is conveniently located just off of Forest Road 17. Nestled among ponderosa pine trees, this secluded campground offers a wonderful place for those in search of a quiet place to stay, whether camping or just needing a quiet place to spend the night while traveling from Burns to John Day, Oregon. The campground has light use until big game hunting seasons.
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
federal campground fills up, especially during hunting season
Located 2.8 miles east of Burns on US Highway 20, then north on US Highway 395 toward John Day
Good stopping point when traveling between Burns and John Day, Oregon
Official operating season for the campground
Light use period before big game hunting seasons begin
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 Burns, OR., travel east on US Highway 20 approximately 2.8 miles to US Highway 395 north. Turn right onto US Highway 395 north toward John Day, OR. Follow US Highway 395 for approximately 30.8 miles to the junction with Forest Road 17. Turn right onto Forest Road 17, travel 4.8 miles to the junction with Forest Road 054. Follow Forest Road 054 for approximately 1, the campground 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 — 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 Rock Springs Campground cost per night?+
What season is Rock Springs Campground open?+
Does Rock Springs Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Rock Springs Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Rock Springs Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Rock Springs Campground?+
What season is Rock Springs Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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