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A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service group campground

South Shore Group Sites

Forest Service group campground in Ochoco NF - FS, Jefferson County, Oregon. 2,877 feet. 3.8 miles from Culver.

Managed by
Forest Service Ochoco NF - FS
Elevation
2,877 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
2 2 group standard non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Not on Recreation.gov Usually first come, first served. Confirm with the office
County
Jefferson County

Overview

Haystack South Shore Group Campground is the only group campground on Haystack Reservoir. Each of the two campsites holds up to 50 people. This is a year-round facility ideal for large events such as family reunions or groups of rock climbers visiting nearby Smith Rock State Park.

Natural Features

South Shore is located in the high desert landscape with views of Mt. Jefferson as a scenic backdrop. Juniper trees and sagebrush dot the landscape. The combination of a low forest canopy and 3,000 ft. elevation make this a perfect location for stargazing at the wide open sky on clear nights. Eagles and other birds inhabit the shoreline of the lake.

Recreation

Haystack Reservoir is a popular fishing spot for a variety of species, including kokanee, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, black crappie and brown bullhead catfish. The lake is cool, but a comfortable temperature for swimming. Motorized boating is allowed. Boat launches are located at nearby Haystack and West Shore day use areas. The surrounding national grassland also provides ample opportunities for hunting, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and riding off-highway vehicles.

Facilities

The facility is very comfortable for group events, providing several picnic tables, campfire rings and plenty of parking. There are two group sites, Willow and Cottonwood, which are out of sight from each other. Although there is no drinking water at this facility, it is available at Haystack Campground down the road. There are no hookups. Vaulted toilets are located near both sites.

Nearby Attractions

Smith Rock State Park , best known for its many rock climbing routes, is a short drive away.

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

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • horseback riding
  • hunting
  • picnicking
  • swimming site

The land around South Shore Group Sites

The ringed pin is this group 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 February 25, 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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