Painted Hills OR Boondocking?

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

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.

Prof, you're just asking to get hit by a meteor.

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! ;)

While not boon docking, Clyde Holliday State Park is 8 miles west of John Day - $24.00 per day with electric & water...

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.

There is a good spot next to the creek and just off the road to Painted Hills. It has flat spots, grass, fire rings, and several trees. It's a mile or so from Hwy 26, keep a lookout on the left and you should see it. Go a bit past it and you'll find the access road.

hugemoth wrote:
There is a good spot next to the creek and just off the road to Painted Hills. It has flat spots, grass, fire rings, and several trees. It's a mile or so from Hwy 26, keep a lookout on the left and you should see it. Go a bit past it and you'll find the access road.

Thanks so much hugemoth! That's right around where the BLM ranger recommended we go, so it's nice to hear a second recommendation for the same area.

Here's a pic I took a couple weeks ago of the boondocking site near the Painted Hills. I'm standing at the far end of where you can drive and the creek is to the left behind the bushes. The road is to the right and above and you can see the road cut in the distance.

hugemoth wrote:
Here's a pic I took a couple weeks ago of the boondocking site near the Painted Hills. I'm standing at the far end of where you can drive and the creek is to the left behind the bushes. The road is to the right and above and you can see the road cut in the distance.

Absolutely fabulous. Thanks so much for sharing it!