Located in central Oregon, Ochoco National Forest spans over 850,000 acres of diverse landscapes, from rugged mountains and dense forests to open prairies. The forest offers year-round activities like hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and RV camping. Camping in Ochoco National Forest is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts to explore Oregon’s natural beauty.
RV camping in Ochoco National Forest is popular, with several campgrounds, such as Allen Creek Horse Camp and Bingham Springs Campground, providing RV-friendly facilities. Camping near Ochoco National Forest in towns like Prineville, Mitchell, and Bend offers RV rentals through platforms like RVshare, making it easy to explore the forest.
Camping in Ochoco National Forest
Ochoco National Forest offers a mix of developed campgrounds, dispersed camping areas, and private campgrounds nearby. Visitors can also find BLM sites close to the forest for budget-friendly options. Explore top campgrounds near Ococho National Forest in towns like Prineville and Mitchell, which have full-service amenities like hookups and dump stations. Use RVshare to locate dump stations in Oregon for a convenient camping experience.
Paid Campgrounds in Ochoco National Forest
Budget-Friendly Campgrounds
Campgrounds by Lakes/Rivers for Water Activities
Ochoco National Forest Hiking Trails
Ochoco National Forest features over 100 miles of trails suitable for hikers of all levels.
Easy Hikes for Beginners
Challenging Trails
Lakeside Trails
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Steins Pillar Trail
This trail has wildflowers and is best traveled between May and October. You can take dogs and horses on Steins Pillar Trail. It has an elevation of 770 feet above sea level.
Length: 3.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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Forked Horn Butte
This trail is a lightly trafficked trail used mostly for bringing out horses, hiking, and trail running. You can take dogs out onto this trail. It has an elevation of 1,148 feet above sea level.
Length: 6.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
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Round Mountain Through Hike
This point-to-point trail has light traffic. There are various activity options, and it’s best when used between May and October. You can take dogs on the trail. It has an elevation of 2,063 feet above sea level.
Length: 9.3 miles
Intensity: Difficult
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Green Mountain Trail
This out-and-back trail has beautiful wildflowers and is best when used between May and September. You can bring dogs, but they must stay on leashes. It has an elevation of 3,333 feet above sea level.
Length: 15.2 miles
Intensity: Difficult
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Barnhouse Trail
This lightly maintained trail is on the narrow side. It only has a slight elevation gain, and the trailhead is located at a small primitive campground. Be aware that there is a stream crossing, which can be muddy.
Length: 5.6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Activities in Ochoco National Forest
Here are some interesting activities for you to indulge in on your visit to Ococho National Forest:
Fishing:Antelope Flat Reservoir offers anglers a chance to catch rainbow trout, some reaching up to 18 inches. Walton Lake provides excellent fishing for stocked rainbow trout, with options for bank fishing or trolling using small flashers and worms. At Allen Creek Reservoir, you can fish for brook and redband trout while enjoying the serene surroundings and occasional sightings of osprey nests.
Mountain Biking: Explore scenic routes like Lookout Mountain Trail and McGinnis Creek Loop, or enjoy thrilling rides on trails such as Independent Mine and Cougar Trail. Whether winding through ponderosa pine forests or navigating rugged terrain, the forest provides diverse and rewarding experiences for mountain biking enthusiasts.
Horseback Riding:Enjoy horseback riding in Ochoco National Forest on trails like Lookout Mountain, Round Mountain, and Twin Pillars, offering diverse landscapes and stunning views. Explore backcountry routes in Mill Creek and Bridge Creek Wilderness or ride accessible paths from trailheads like Giddy-Up Go and Wildcat.
Wildlife Viewing: Spot wild horses, deer, elk, hawks, and sandhill cranes at Cold Springs Guard Station. Walton Lake offers sightings of white-headed woodpeckers, cinnamon teal, and yellow-headed blackbirds. Ochoco Reservoir attracts waterfowl, shorebirds like Pacific loons and black-necked stilts, and bald eagles.
Stargazing: Ochoco National Forest is a renowned dark sky location in Oregon, offering stunning stargazing opportunities. With a Bortle Class 1 rating, it boasts some of the darkest skies, perfect for viewing the Milky Way and deep-sky objects. Dispersed camping allows secluded spots for astronomy enthusiasts. Don’t miss the annual star party, a highlight for stargazers.
Winter Activities: During the winter months, enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on trails like Walton Lake Loop.
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Identifying Flora and Fauna
The Ochoco Forest is a thriving, healthy forest that has various flora and fauna habitats. The flora includes wildflowers, sagebrush, juniper trees, quaking aspen, and pine. The fauna you’ll see includes elk, deer, wild horses, various birds, including waterfowl, and several species of fish.
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Fishing
You can fish at the Ochoco National Forest at lakes and ponds. Some spots where you are allowed to do so include Lake Billy Chinook, Haystack Reservoir, Cottonwood Pit Campground, and Antelope Flat Reservoir.
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Geocaching
The difficulty level of geocaching in this area is rated a two. You can access the area all year, but you should be prepared to use snowshoes or skis in the winter.
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Bird Watching
There are prime opportunities for nature watching at Ochoco National Forest. Bird watching is especially enjoyable here as many species of birds make their home in the forest, including osprey, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, and Steller’s jays.
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Stargazing
Every August, the Oregon Star Party gathers at Indian Trail Spring, which is 45 miles east of Prineville, to do some stargazing. The sky tends to get very dark, and there is very little light pollution. This, combined with the low humidity in the area, makes the 40 acres of Indian Trail Spring that this group uses excellent for stargazing.
How to get to Ochoco National Forest
Address: 3160 NE Third St., Prineville, OR 97754
Fee: Entry fee $0
By Car
From Bend, OR: From Bend, Oregon, Ochoco National Forest is approximately 83.3 miles away via NF-42. The drive takes about two hours, offering the fastest route to this scenic destination.
From Portland, OR: Drive 197 miles via I-84 E and US-26 E to Ochoco National Forest. The journey takes approximately four hours.
From Prineville, OR : Ochoco National Forest is about 47.9 miles away via US-26 E and NF-42. The fastest route takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes under normal traffic conditions.
By Air
Seasonal Restrictions
Some trails and roads may be closed in winter due to snow. Check the forest’s official website for updates.
Fees and Permits
Entry to Ochoco National Forest is free for general access, while camping fees at basic campgrounds start at $6 per night. Permits are required for wood collection and certain commercial activities, which can be obtained from local ranger stations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ochoco National Forest
What is the closest town to Ochoco National Forest?
Mitchell, Oregon is one of the closest towns to Ochoco National Forest. Prineville and Powell Butte are also nearby, and Bend, Oregon is about two and a half hours away from the center of the forest.
Can you kayak, canoe, or raft in Ochoco National Forest?
Yes, you can kayak and canoe in the Ochoco National Forest. You can also go whitewater rafting in the forest, and there are several companies that lead rafting trips in the area.
Is there a fee to get into Ochoco National Forest?
No, there is no fee to get into Ochoco National Forest. There may be fees and permits required for certain activities in the forest like camping or cutting down a Christmas tree. There may also be fees required for using certain areas like day-use sites.
Is Ochoco National Forest open all year round?
Yes, the Ochoco National Forest is open year-round. There are some OHV trails in the park that are open year-round as well. In summer, the forest is perfect for hiking, paddling, and fishing. In winter, it's great for winter sports like snowmobiling or cross-country skiing.
What type of wildlife lives in Ochoco National Forest?
Wildlife in the Ochoco National Forest includes deer, elk, antelope, bears, wolves, and mountain lions. There is also a variety of reptiles, birds, and fish that live in the forest as well.
