The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Castle Rock Campground is one of 12 campgrounds along the Crooked Wild and Scenic River, south of Prineville, Oregon. This campground is maintained by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM is a government agency that manages public US wilderness areas and other national sites. This BLM campground is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis and costs $8 a night for one campsite plus $2 per extra vehicle, with a maximum of two additional vehicles per site. The campground sits near a bend in the Crooked River. Amenities at this location include an ADA-accessible vault toilet plus picnic tables and fire rings at each of the six campsites. A point of interest at the campground is Castle Rock, a tall rocky canyon formation that is part of the Chimney Rock canyon formations.
The Barnes Butte Trail is a scenic hiking trail that follows a route from an old ranch house through prairies and the greater Prineville Valley. The end of this trail features a rock scramble to a higher elevation. Length: 2.7 miles Intensity: Moderate
The Chimney Rock Trail is a steep hiking trail that climbs to the top of Chimney Rock, a rocky canyon formation. The trailhead features a day-use area with picnic tables and a vault restroom. Length: 2.7 miles Intensity: Difficult
Located in Terrebonne, Canyon Trail is an out-and-back hiking and biking trail popular for its rock climbing opportunities. Multiple interpretive signs provide fascinating information along the trail's route. Length: 2.3 miles Intensity: Easy
Fishing the Crooked River is a popular activity near Castle Rock Campground, particularly fly fishing. One of the best sections of the river for fishing is the seven-mile stretch that flows out of Bowman Dam, where anglers can easily catch trout. Canoeing is also popular in this portion of the river. The Prineville Reservoir is stocked with plenty of trout and also has bass, catfish, crappie, and crayfish. Visitors may also enjoy watersports ranging from waterskiing and windsurfing to kayaking and paddle boating in this reservoir, and there are 32 boat moorages available during the summer.
Local rock climbers flock to Smith Rock State Park, a park just a few miles from Castle Rock Campground. This park has over a thousand bolted climbing trails plus multiple lookout points for viewing and photography. Parts of the trails may be closed from January to August to protect local golden eagle and falcon nesting areas.
You may be able to spot wildlife at the Castle Rock Campground, including mule deer, river otters, and beavers. Nearby Smith Rock State Park is a top spot for viewing birds of prey, such as falcons and eagles. Rattlesnakes can be found in both areas.
There are two public picnic sites located just outside of Castle Rock Campground. These include the Greenwood Day-Use Area and the Upper Lone Pine Day-Use Area. Both of these sites feature multiple picnic tables along the shores of Crooked River, all of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
BLM campgrounds are typically inexpensive to stay at, but they typically have few or no amenities. For full-service RV camping outside of Castle Rock Campground, consider staying at Crook County RV Park, a campground with 81 sites that feature full hookups and long-term stay options. You may also like staying at Ochoco RV Park in Prineville, which is located next to a grocery store and has large campsites with full hookups.
Although there is a fee for camping at Castle Rock Campground, there are other places in the area that are completely free to stay at for up to 14 days at a time. You can set up a dispersed campsite and camp for free just about anywhere on BLM land that doesn't have a sign prohibiting it. Also, you can find free campsites along North Shore Road that traces the shores of the Prineville Reservoir. Look for leveled areas and existing fire rings.
If you want to camp at Castle Rock Campground, be sure to bring plenty of water for drinking and cleaning plus battery or solar-operated camping equipment, such as lanterns, heaters, and fans. You may also want to bring all the food you expect to need for your stay and your own trash bags since there are no dumpsters at this campground. If you plan to fish in the Crooked River, pack all your fishing equipment and rain gear. While the area gets the most precipitation in the winter, there are multiple rainy days around the river year-round. You may also benefit from bringing insect repellent to ward off river mosquitos. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All visitors to Castle Rock Campground are asked to follow the Bureau of Land management's "Leave No Trace" principles. These principles are easy to follow and include things like packing out what you bring in, respecting the local wildlife, and properly disposing of pet waste. If you start a fire at your campsite, you must have one person present to watch it closely, too. By following these guidelines, you can help preserve this campground for future generations to enjoy.
To reach Castle Rock Campground from Portland, Oregon, take US-26 East for approximately 130 miles. From there, turn right onto South Main Street/State Highway 27 in Prineville, and continue on this road for 12.4 miles. After that, turn right to enter Castle Rock Campground, which is marked with a BLM sign. Address: Castle Rock Campground, Three Rivers Hwy, Hebo, OR 97122 Ready to visit Castle Rock Campground? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
