Priest Hole Recreation Site — Hotel in Prineville

This beautiful area offers something for everyone, from dispersed camping to floating the river, fishing, and hiking. Here's my positive review of this amazing recreation area:

The dispersed camping at Priest Hole Recreation Area is a fantastic way to get away from it all and immerse yourself in nature. The campsites are spread out, offering plenty of space and privacy. The area is well-maintained, and the campsites come equipped with fire rings, picnic tables, and plenty of natural beauty.

Floating the river at Priest Hole is a truly unforgettable experience. The river is clear and peaceful, making it perfect for a leisurely float. The scenery along the river is breathtaking, with towering trees and mountain vistas providing a beautiful backdrop. Whether you're an experienced rafter or a first-time floater, you'll love spending time on the river at Priest Hole.

Fishing is another popular activity at Priest Hole. The river is teeming with fish, including trout and bass, making it a great spot for anglers of all skill levels. Whether you're fly fishing or using traditional gear, you'll have a great time casting your line...

Primitive dispersed camping area along the John Day River. We used it to see if we would enjoy a longer float and camping trip with kayaks. We dropped kayaks at main area on the east side, then drove to dispersed camping on west side and left car there, walking the 3/4 mile back to kayaks. You DO have to fill out and file a boating/camping form available in main area by pit toilets, but it is free. This is a pack it out/leave no trace area. We then paddled upstream a little and floated a mere 45 minutes and dry camped near our car. Stars were wonderful, some bugs, and a bit of...

Room for the wHOLE family - these spots are huge! There are also 2 group camp sites with parking for about 15 cars (one on the river bar and one on the hillside. If you don't like the "upgrade" then there are plenty of primitive sites on burnt ranch rd. along the river going west beyond the rec site (check the last photo).

No camp host as of June 21 so get your dispersed camping while you can. The river is also friendly but bring inflatables for where it gets rocky and shallow; and be wary of rattlesnakes when getting out (nest at the take out...