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nina_70's avatar
nina_70
Explorer
May 09, 2014

Painted Hills OR Boondocking?

So, we're headed to the Painted Hills & I'm trying to see if there's anywhere we can boondock in the area. I had originally planned on staying at Ochoco Divide National Forest Campground, but it isn't open until June (argh!). John Day has no campground and the county park at Mitchel looks too small for our size.

Any ideas?

16 Replies

  • Thanks Vermilye...we're at Clyde Holiday now (and we like it), but wanted to get closer to the Painted Hills for hiking/photography there (Clyde Holiday is over 70 miles from the Painted Hills overlook...way too far for us). I've got a lead on a spot that should only be around 15 mins away, so that's where we'll head next.
  • While not boon docking, Clyde Holliday State Park is 8 miles west of John Day - $24.00 per day with electric & water...
  • Green, the chances are one in 20 billion, or even lower, and the odds are the same whether you are in your back yard or the wilds of Eastern Oregon -- might as well be out in the open, with nice dark clear skies, where you can see what's coming and duck! ;)
  • We'll be in Bend by that time, but cheers for the info!! Just got a lead on a potential boondocking spot from the BLM office so we're going to try that and report back afterwards.
  • Nina, how long are you going to be in that area? That is one of the best places in the world to see the meteor shower that is supposed to hit on the night of May 23 - 24! Very dark skies (see link to map below). Perfect latitude -- far enough north that the "radiant" (the source area) of the meteors will be well above the horizon all night long, far enough south that the sun will set at a reasonably early hour, not too cold at night.

    Now all you have to do is find a good place to camp, not too close to the bright lights of the big towns in that area. ;)

    Dark Sky Map

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