For a rustic overnight stay deep in eastern Oregon, let your tires roll past the Painted Hills-one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders-and drive deep into John Day River Territory to the Priest Hole Recreation Site. Although primitive, camping here lands you in the middle of the Wild and Scenic John Day River, designated for scenery, recreation, fish, wildlife, and geologic values. Camping is allowed everywhere, including on the gravel bar northeast of Priest Hole, where you sleep to the gurgle of the river and stepping out of your tent or trailer lands your foot in the water.
Map of the Sutton Mountain Back Country Byway near Sutton Mountain Wilderness Study Area (WSA), Pats Cabin Wilderness Study Area (WSA) and John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (NM) in Oregon. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Map 1 showing the section from Service Creek to Bridge Creek of the John Day Wild & Scenic River (WSR) in Oregon. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Brochure and Map of Priest Hole Recreation Area (RA) in the BLM Prineville District area in Oregon. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Priest Hole RA
https://www.blm.gov/visit/priest-hole-recreation-site
For a rustic overnight stay deep in eastern Oregon, let your tires roll past the Painted Hills-one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders-and drive deep into John Day River Territory to the Priest Hole Recreation Site. Although primitive, camping here lands you in the middle of the Wild and Scenic John Day River, designated for scenery, recreation, fish, wildlife, and geologic values. Camping is allowed everywhere, including on the gravel bar northeast of Priest Hole, where you sleep to the gurgle of the river and stepping out of your tent or trailer lands your foot in the water.
