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Oriental Campground
This fairly secluded campground is near the end of Forest Road 5506 along the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River. It features 8 campsites and 2 accessible toilets. There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home.
Large vehicles, trailers, and low clearance vehicles are not recommended due to poor access road and limited turnaround capability.
This campground offers fishing, swimming, non-motorized boating, hiking, OHV riding, horseback riding, sight-seeing, and photography. Water levels are low in mid to late summer, which can impede use of boats. The campground also provides good access for big game hunting. Near Oriental Creek is the start of the River Trail #3043, an OHV trail accessing the southern end of 100 miles of trail. Three miles down the closed portion of Road 5506 is entry to the North Fork John Day Wilderness with access to the North Fork John Day River Trail #3022, Big Creek Trail #3151 and Corral Creek Trail #3009.
March 23, 2021: Inaccessible by vehicle at this time do to snow. Skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers that can may utilize the area.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Campground fees will be charged through November 15. The campground is not maintained but is still available throughout the winter. Access will be snowmobiles only once the road is inaccessible due to snow. Please contact the North Fork John Day ranger District for more information. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | The campground is closed only by snow. However, it is only maintained seasonally from Memorial Day until mid-November. Since this is at a low elevation, it is one of the earliest (and latest) areas clear of snow. |
| Reservations: | Not reservable. First come, first served. |
| Area Amenities: | Tent camping, Camping trailer, Picnic tables, Toilets, Parking |
| Fees: |
|
| Open Season: | late May - November |
| Usage: | Light |
| Restrictions: | Wilderness restrictions apply within North Fork John Day Wilderness. |
| Closest Towns: | Dale, OR |
| Water: | No potable water. On the bank of a river. |
| Restroom: | Vault Toilet (2) |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | North Fork John Day Ranger District |
General Information
Directions:From Ukiah, OR, travel west 1 mile to the Hwy 395 junction. Turn left (south) on Hwy 395, travel south about 15 miles and turn left (east) onto Forest Service Road 55. Drive 13 miles east along the N. Fork John Day River to Oriental Campground. The last few miles are very rough and may not be appropriate for trailers.
Activities
Campground Camping
| No. of Sites | 7 single site(s) |
| Reservation Info | Not reservable |
| No. of Accessible sites | None |
Group Camping
Day Hiking
See activity description under Backpacking.Backpacking
This is a popular staging area for foot and horse traffic into the wilderness trails. The North Fork John Day River Trail #3022 (23 miles long), Corral Creek Trail #3009 (6 miles), and Big Creek Trail #3151 (6.3 miles) all begin 3 miles down the closed portion of Forest Service Road 5506. These trails connect with numerous other trails.
Horse Camping
This fairly secluded campground is near the end of Forest Road 5506 along the Wild and Scenic North Fork John Day River. It features 8 campsites and 2 accessible toilets. There is no potable water or garbage service, so please pack your garbage home.
Large vehicles, trailers, and low clearance vehicles are not recommended due to poor access road and limited turnaround capability.
This campground offers fishing, swimming, non-motorized boating, hiking, OHV riding, horseback riding, sight-seeing, and photography. Water levels are low in mid to late summer, which can impede use of boats. The campground also provides good access for big game hunting. Near Oriental Creek is the start of the River Trail #3043, an OHV trail accessing the southern end of 100 miles of trail. Three miles down the closed portion of Road 5506 is entry to the North Fork John Day Wilderness with access to the North Fork John Day River Trail #3022, Big Creek Trail #3151 and Corral Creek Trail #3009.
NFJD campground has a 2 stall corral, 8-animal manger, and several hitching posts. Horses are only permitted in the back portion of the campground (the sites nearest the wilderness trailhead) which is sites 9A through 16.
| Hours of Operation: | The campground is closed only by snow. However, it is only maintained seasonally from Memorial Day until mid-November. Since this is at a low elevation, it is one of the earliest (and latest) areas clear of snow. |
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Horse Riding
Access to the wilderness - Four stall corral
OHV Trail Riding
River Trail #3043 (6.5 miles long) starts directly across from the campground near Oriental Creek and connects to the Winom-Frazier OHV Complex.
Swimming
Swimming in the North Fork John Day River.Amenities
| Camping trailer: | All sites |
|---|---|
| Picnic tables: | All sites |
| Tent camping: | All sites |
| Parking: | Extra parking at trailhead |
| Toilets: | 2 vault toilets |