Malheur National Forest — hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
John Day, OR, OR★ 4 (0 reviews)From $6/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
Starr Campground is located just off of US Highway 395 making it very easy to get to. The campground has an upper level that is closer to the highway, yet still set back amongst beautiful ponderosa pines. The lower part of the campground is set further back in the pine trees allowing for a more secluded experience.
Best for:HikersFamiliesSites: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
Hookups2 electric sites
Pull-throughsAvailable
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire Rings
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 (water, electric, sewer)✕ You prefer year-round camping (seasonal May-October only)✕ You want to avoid booking far in advance
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Choose lower-level sites for a more secluded pine forest experience away from highway noise
Bring a self-contained RV as no hookups are available
Multiple trailheads are within 7 miles for hiking access
Best: May-October
Verified operating season for the campground
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: North American Porcupine, American Beaver, Pronghorn, Western Tanager, Hammond's Flycatcher, Lewis's Woodpecker, and Williamson's Sapsucker documented in the area.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
1111111111· Malheur National Forest
Getting there →
From the town of John Day, OR., travel south on US Highway 395 approximately 16 miles. 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 Starr Campground cost per night?+
Starr Campground costs $6 per night. Hookup options: No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What season is Starr Campground open?+
Starr Campground is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Starr Campground have hookups?+
No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What is the maximum RV length at Starr Campground?+
Starr Campground is primarily a tent camping facility.
How do I make reservations at Starr Campground?+
Starr 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 Starr Campground?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Starr Campground is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Starr Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Starr 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 Starr Campground cost per night?+
What season is Starr Campground open?+
Does Starr Campground have hookups?+
All 7 questions →Nearby Campgrounds
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