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A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service campground

Middle Fork Campground

Forest Service campground in Malheur National Forest, Grant County, Oregon. 12.7 miles from Prairie City.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Malheur National Forest
Sites
10 10 standard non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Grant County

Overview

This small campground along the Scenic Middle Fork of the John Day River set back amongst beautiful ponderosa pine trees is a great spot for fishing and viewing spawning steelhead in the fall. The campground is a good starting point for hunters, hikers and those wishing to see beautiful scenery, wildlife and wildflowers. The campground sets just off of the county road allowing for easy access to all variety of vehicles and bicycles.

Recreation

This campground offers excellent fishing access along the Middle Fork John Day River, along with a unique chance to view spawning steelhead during the fall months. Visitors can enjoy nearby hikes and wildlife and wildflower viewing. It also provides a great base camp for hunters.

Facilities

Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and parking for camp trailers. Accessible vault toilets are conveniently located in the middle of the campground.

Natural Features

Middle Fork John Day River

Nearby Attractions

Davis Creek Trail

Vinegar Hill Indian Rock Scenic Area

Tempest Mine Trail

Sunrise Butte Trail

Princess Trail

Bates State Park

Austin House

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • hunting
  • water access

The land around Middle Fork Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated March 11, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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