Crooked River National Grassland dispersed camping rules

Allowed with restrictions

The documents refer to dispersed camping but never state outright that it is allowed. Where it happens, it falls under the forest-wide stay limits and the current Stage 1 fire restrictions.

Where it is not allowed

• Skull Hollow area (1995 order): no camping outside designated sites within 1/4 mile of either side of Road 5710, between Road 7960 (Lone Pine Road) and Road 5720. The order runs until further notice.

14 consecutive calendar days at a single location; also no more than 28 days within any 365-day period

Applies to: All lands in the Ochoco NF and Crooked River NG (Order 06-07-25-02, effective 2025-06-27 to 2027-06-26)

Restrictions in effect · Fire order 06-07-26-06

In effect September 5, 2026 to November 30, 2026

Stage 1: no campfires, charcoal fires or wood stoves except in Forest Service fire rings at designated campgrounds. Gas or propane stoves with an on/off switch are allowed if there is 3 ft of cleared ground around them. Smoking is limited to allowed spots. Chainsaws are banned from 1 to 8 p.m. Explosives are prohibited. This order replaces order 06-07-26-02.

Alerts and orders

Fees

Some recreation sites charge a day-use fee.

• Under Stage 1, the only grassland campgrounds where campfires are allowed are Skull Hollow and Haystack Reservoir, and only in fire rings.
• Weed-free feed is required on the Crooked River National Grassland.
• Fireworks are prohibited under the current Stage 1 restrictions.

Vehicles must stay on roads and trails shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). Under Stage 1 you may park on bare ground within 10 ft of the road, or drive the shortest route over bare soil to reach a dispersed campsite.

Motor vehicles are limited to the roads and trails shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Map.

• Skull Hollow Area Closure (Order 0607-507)Status unknown

  From 1995-07-15 until further notice

  Within 1/4 mile of Road 5710 (from Road 7960 to Road 5720): no camping outside designated sites and no fires or stove fires.

• Winter range closuresStatus unknown

  Every year, Dec 1 to May 1

  Motor vehicles are banned in winter range closure areas. The documents do not say which of these areas are on the grassland.

• A blue-green algae alert lists Haystack Reservoir among affected sites. Lake Billy Chinook is under a state health (OHA) advisory.
• Potable water is not available at the grassland site listing.

Gaps and conflicts in the official pages when they were checked.

• The alert summary allows driving off-road to a campsite within 300 ft of an open road. Order 06-07-26-06 itself only allows parking within 10 ft of the road or the shortest route over bare soil.
• The home page says Ochoco 'Fire Emergency Closures Lifted September 12, 2026'. It is unclear whether this changes the Stage 1 order for the grassland.
• The 1995 Skull Hollow order bans fires near Road 5710, but the 2026 Stage 1 list allows campfires at Skull Hollow campground. How the two interact is not stated.
• No grassland-specific statement says whether dispersed camping is allowed or where.
• Which winter range closure areas are on the grassland (maps not supplied).
• Campground fees and reservation details for grassland campgrounds.
• No MVUM or visitor map document was supplied.

Is dispersed camping allowed in Crooked River National Grassland?

Allowed with restrictions. The documents refer to dispersed camping but never state outright that it is allowed. Where it happens, it falls under the forest-wide stay limits and the current Stage 1 fire restrictions.

How long can you camp in Crooked River National Grassland?

The stay limit is 14 consecutive calendar days at a single location; also no more than 28 days within any 365-day period.

Are campfires allowed in Crooked River National Grassland?

Stage 1: no campfires, charcoal fires or wood stoves except in Forest Service fire rings at designated campgrounds. Gas or propane stoves with an on/off switch are allowed if there is 3 ft of cleared ground around them. Smoking is limited to allowed spots. Chainsaws are banned from 1 to 8 p.m. Explosives are prohibited. This order replaces order 06-07-26-02. This was the order in effect when the area was checked on September 24, 2026; confirm on the alerts page before you go.

Do you need a permit to camp in Crooked River National Grassland?

Some recreation sites charge a day-use fee.