Prineville Reservoir State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Prineville Reservoir State Park is a beautiful high desert park near Bend, Oregon. The park features a 15-mile-long, 3,000-acre body of water fed by the Crooked River. The park has a main day-use area, the Jasper Point boat ramp and campground, and numerous drive-in and boat-in primitive campsites along the 43-mile shoreline. It's an excellent destination for stargazing during the summer months. The park also offers year-round recreational and fishing opportunities. Prineville Reservoir State Park is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and enjoy nature.
Spring 27-64 F
Summer 42-83 F
Fall 27-74 F
Winter 21-43 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Prineville Reservoir State Park
The main campground at the park has 22 full-hookup sites and 22 electrical sites with water. These sites have modern amenities, including water, electricity, and sewer hookups. Wi-Fi connectivity is also available for campers. Alternatively, Jasper Point is a great option if you're looking for a quieter experience. It's three miles east of the main campground. This camping area is part of a small, quiet loop with 28 electrical sites that are first-come, first-served. Pets are welcome in both campgrounds.
What to Do at
Prineville Reservoir State Park
Prineville Reservoir State Park is guaranteed to exceed your expectations with a wide range of activities for all types of outdoor enthusiasts. The park is a haven for water lovers, offering boating, fishing, and a designated swimming area with a beach. For those who prefer land-based activities, hiking trails offer stunning views of the reservoir and the surrounding desert landscape. The park also provides equipment rentals, making it easy for visitors to try out new activities and explore the area.
Fishing
Prineville Reservoir is a great destination for fishing enthusiasts. It offers an excellent variety of bass and panfish, making it the best all-around fishing spot in the area. The reservoir is also home to rainbow and cutthroat trout, small and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and crayfish. Whether you prefer fly fishing or baitcasting, you'll find plenty of opportunities to catch fish at this state park.
Nature Watching
At the park, you might see mule deer, bald eagles, black bears, foxes, raccoons, elk, moose, mountain lions, coyotes, and pikas. There are also plenty of waterfowl, birds of prey, and songbirds. If you want to escape the human crowd and see more wildlife, visitors can drive east on a dirt road that follows the northeast shoreline to Combs Flat Road.
Stargazing
Prineville Reservoir State Park earned its International Dark Sky Park certification in May 2021. The park offers free programs on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The programs provide lectures about space and nocturnal creatures in the park's amphitheater. You can also hear stories about the constellations.
Flora
When exploring the park's hiking trails, you will see a variety of pine and juniper trees. The shoreline features a mix of mudflats, meadows, and willow shrubland. If you visit in the late spring or early summer, lilies, irises, and fritillaria will be blooming.
Hiking
The Northern Prineville Reservoir Trail is an excellent option for those who want to challenge themselves. If you are looking for another challenging route, check out the Chimney Rock Trail. Both tracks offer stunning views of the park.
Swimming
Prineville Reservoir State Park has a designated swimming area near the main campground that is open to both day-use and overnight visitors. The waters can be chilly, even during the summertime, but are refreshing during a hot day.
How to Get to
Prineville Reservoir State Park
If you're coming from Prineville, take Paulina Highway for 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Juniper Canyon Road at the Prineville Reservoir State Park sign. Continue on Juniper Canyon Road for 12.5 miles, and you'll reach the park. If you're traveling from the junction of U.S. Highway 26 and State Highway 27, travel east on Hwy. 26 for 1 mile to Combs Flat Road. After that, turn south onto Combs Flat Road for 1.4 miles to Juniper Canyon Road. Turn south onto Juniper Canyon Road for 14.2 miles, and you'll arrive at Prineville Reservoir State Park.
Entering Prineville Reservoir State Park
Prineville Reservoir State Park is open to visitors year-round and can be accessed by passenger vehicles, RVs, on foot, and by bike. Parking lots are available in front of the park office and near the swimming and boat ramp areas. This park has handicap-accessible features, including two campsites and two cabins accessible to campers with disabilities.
Prineville Reservoir State Park Entry Fee : $0.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Prineville Reservoir State Park
Prineville Reservoir State Park is an excellent destination for stargazing during the summer months. Visitors can enjoy fishing and wildlife viewing year-round.
The park is home to mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, coyotes, cougars, and bobcats. Bird enthusiasts can spot golden eagles, prairie falcons, bald eagles, tree swallows, and Brewer's blackbirds.
For RV camping, designated spots are available at Prineville Reservoir State Park, including 22 full-hookup sites and 22 electrical sites with water. RVs between 31 and 60 feet can be accommodated.
If you want to stay overnight, visit the Oregon State Parks website in advance to make a reservation. Each campsite fee includes parking for one vehicle, and campers are allowed a maximum of two vehicles per site. An additional vehicle costs $7 per night.
Pets are welcome at the park but must be on a leash, and you are responsible for cleaning up after them. You are allowed to have two pets at each site.